\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n
\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n
\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n
\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n
\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n
\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n
This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n
\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n
\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n
\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Also present at the ceremony was Wyandotte County Commissioner, Gayle Townsend, members of the Wyandotte Tribe, and state and local leaders from Missouri and Kansas. The apology letters zoomed in on the dark past of the African continent and the role local chiefs played in facilitating the slave trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembrance Of Slave Trade: Is Modern Slavery Worse Than The Pre-colonial Era?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also present at the ceremony was Wyandotte County Commissioner, Gayle Townsend, members of the Wyandotte Tribe, and state and local leaders from Missouri and Kansas. The apology letters zoomed in on the dark past of the African continent and the role local chiefs played in facilitating the slave trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

\u201cThis is the healing that I have yearned for as a Black woman in America. This apology is for African people, Black people scattered all over the globe and not just to people of color.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembrance Of Slave Trade: Is Modern Slavery Worse Than The Pre-colonial Era?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also present at the ceremony was Wyandotte County Commissioner, Gayle Townsend, members of the Wyandotte Tribe, and state and local leaders from Missouri and Kansas. The apology letters zoomed in on the dark past of the African continent and the role local chiefs played in facilitating the slave trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

At the ceremony, the African delegates read out letters of apology from their tribal leaders and chiefs for the role of their ancestors in the slave trade of fellow Africans. Reacting to the apology letters, Dixon who noted that inviting the African delegates to the Quindaro site was crucial said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the healing that I have yearned for as a Black woman in America. This apology is for African people, Black people scattered all over the globe and not just to people of color.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembrance Of Slave Trade: Is Modern Slavery Worse Than The Pre-colonial Era?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also present at the ceremony was Wyandotte County Commissioner, Gayle Townsend, members of the Wyandotte Tribe, and state and local leaders from Missouri and Kansas. The apology letters zoomed in on the dark past of the African continent and the role local chiefs played in facilitating the slave trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n
\"Anita
Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0<\/em>UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the ceremony, the African delegates read out letters of apology from their tribal leaders and chiefs for the role of their ancestors in the slave trade of fellow Africans. Reacting to the apology letters, Dixon who noted that inviting the African delegates to the Quindaro site was crucial said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the healing that I have yearned for as a Black woman in America. This apology is for African people, Black people scattered all over the globe and not just to people of color.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembrance Of Slave Trade: Is Modern Slavery Worse Than The Pre-colonial Era?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also present at the ceremony was Wyandotte County Commissioner, Gayle Townsend, members of the Wyandotte Tribe, and state and local leaders from Missouri and Kansas. The apology letters zoomed in on the dark past of the African continent and the role local chiefs played in facilitating the slave trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

For the first time since the end of the slave trade, African leaders have offered apologies for the wrongdoings of their ancestors. On Wednesday 28 September 2022, African delegates converged at the Quindaro Township Site in Kansas City, Kansas for a ceremony. Also present was Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Anita
Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0<\/em>UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the ceremony, the African delegates read out letters of apology from their tribal leaders and chiefs for the role of their ancestors in the slave trade of fellow Africans. Reacting to the apology letters, Dixon who noted that inviting the African delegates to the Quindaro site was crucial said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the healing that I have yearned for as a Black woman in America. This apology is for African people, Black people scattered all over the globe and not just to people of color.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembrance Of Slave Trade: Is Modern Slavery Worse Than The Pre-colonial Era?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also present at the ceremony was Wyandotte County Commissioner, Gayle Townsend, members of the Wyandotte Tribe, and state and local leaders from Missouri and Kansas. The apology letters zoomed in on the dark past of the African continent and the role local chiefs played in facilitating the slave trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

The first step toward amending wounds is the acceptance of wrongdoing. For many years, there has been a growing call for European countries to offer apologies for their role in the transatlantic slave trade. However, European countries are not the only guilty party. African chiefs facilitated the slave trade in one way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time since the end of the slave trade, African leaders have offered apologies for the wrongdoings of their ancestors. On Wednesday 28 September 2022, African delegates converged at the Quindaro Township Site in Kansas City, Kansas for a ceremony. Also present was Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Anita
Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0<\/em>UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the ceremony, the African delegates read out letters of apology from their tribal leaders and chiefs for the role of their ancestors in the slave trade of fellow Africans. Reacting to the apology letters, Dixon who noted that inviting the African delegates to the Quindaro site was crucial said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the healing that I have yearned for as a Black woman in America. This apology is for African people, Black people scattered all over the globe and not just to people of color.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembrance Of Slave Trade: Is Modern Slavery Worse Than The Pre-colonial Era?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also present at the ceremony was Wyandotte County Commissioner, Gayle Townsend, members of the Wyandotte Tribe, and state and local leaders from Missouri and Kansas. The apology letters zoomed in on the dark past of the African continent and the role local chiefs played in facilitating the slave trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n
\"Quindaro
Quindaro Township Site (Photo credit: KCUR)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first step toward amending wounds is the acceptance of wrongdoing. For many years, there has been a growing call for European countries to offer apologies for their role in the transatlantic slave trade. However, European countries are not the only guilty party. African chiefs facilitated the slave trade in one way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time since the end of the slave trade, African leaders have offered apologies for the wrongdoings of their ancestors. On Wednesday 28 September 2022, African delegates converged at the Quindaro Township Site in Kansas City, Kansas for a ceremony. Also present was Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Anita
Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0<\/em>UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the ceremony, the African delegates read out letters of apology from their tribal leaders and chiefs for the role of their ancestors in the slave trade of fellow Africans. Reacting to the apology letters, Dixon who noted that inviting the African delegates to the Quindaro site was crucial said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the healing that I have yearned for as a Black woman in America. This apology is for African people, Black people scattered all over the globe and not just to people of color.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembrance Of Slave Trade: Is Modern Slavery Worse Than The Pre-colonial Era?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also present at the ceremony was Wyandotte County Commissioner, Gayle Townsend, members of the Wyandotte Tribe, and state and local leaders from Missouri and Kansas. The apology letters zoomed in on the dark past of the African continent and the role local chiefs played in facilitating the slave trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

OMG Global is making a significant impact in serving the huge demand for digital content in Africa. Nonetheless, there are still many opportunities in digital publishing and other fields that young entrepreneurs can exploit. We hope that the success story of Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah serves as an encouragement that will spur you to success.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Entrepreneur Spotlight: Three College Students Think Out Of The Box To Create OMG Digital","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"three-college-student-think-out-of-the-box-to-create-omg-digital","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=298246","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401604,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-10-03 10:44:45","post_date_gmt":"2022-10-03 17:44:45","post_content":"\n

\"Quindaro
Quindaro Township Site (Photo credit: KCUR)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first step toward amending wounds is the acceptance of wrongdoing. For many years, there has been a growing call for European countries to offer apologies for their role in the transatlantic slave trade. However, European countries are not the only guilty party. African chiefs facilitated the slave trade in one way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time since the end of the slave trade, African leaders have offered apologies for the wrongdoings of their ancestors. On Wednesday 28 September 2022, African delegates converged at the Quindaro Township Site in Kansas City, Kansas for a ceremony. Also present was Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Anita
Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0<\/em>UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the ceremony, the African delegates read out letters of apology from their tribal leaders and chiefs for the role of their ancestors in the slave trade of fellow Africans. Reacting to the apology letters, Dixon who noted that inviting the African delegates to the Quindaro site was crucial said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the healing that I have yearned for as a Black woman in America. This apology is for African people, Black people scattered all over the globe and not just to people of color.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembrance Of Slave Trade: Is Modern Slavery Worse Than The Pre-colonial Era?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also present at the ceremony was Wyandotte County Commissioner, Gayle Townsend, members of the Wyandotte Tribe, and state and local leaders from Missouri and Kansas. The apology letters zoomed in on the dark past of the African continent and the role local chiefs played in facilitating the slave trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global is making a significant impact in serving the huge demand for digital content in Africa. Nonetheless, there are still many opportunities in digital publishing and other fields that young entrepreneurs can exploit. We hope that the success story of Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah serves as an encouragement that will spur you to success.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Entrepreneur Spotlight: Three College Students Think Out Of The Box To Create OMG Digital","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"three-college-student-think-out-of-the-box-to-create-omg-digital","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=298246","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401604,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-10-03 10:44:45","post_date_gmt":"2022-10-03 17:44:45","post_content":"\n

\"Quindaro
Quindaro Township Site (Photo credit: KCUR)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first step toward amending wounds is the acceptance of wrongdoing. For many years, there has been a growing call for European countries to offer apologies for their role in the transatlantic slave trade. However, European countries are not the only guilty party. African chiefs facilitated the slave trade in one way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time since the end of the slave trade, African leaders have offered apologies for the wrongdoings of their ancestors. On Wednesday 28 September 2022, African delegates converged at the Quindaro Township Site in Kansas City, Kansas for a ceremony. Also present was Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Anita
Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0<\/em>UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the ceremony, the African delegates read out letters of apology from their tribal leaders and chiefs for the role of their ancestors in the slave trade of fellow Africans. Reacting to the apology letters, Dixon who noted that inviting the African delegates to the Quindaro site was crucial said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the healing that I have yearned for as a Black woman in America. This apology is for African people, Black people scattered all over the globe and not just to people of color.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembrance Of Slave Trade: Is Modern Slavery Worse Than The Pre-colonial Era?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also present at the ceremony was Wyandotte County Commissioner, Gayle Townsend, members of the Wyandotte Tribe, and state and local leaders from Missouri and Kansas. The apology letters zoomed in on the dark past of the African continent and the role local chiefs played in facilitating the slave trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global is making a significant impact in serving the huge demand for digital content in Africa. Nonetheless, there are still many opportunities in digital publishing and other fields that young entrepreneurs can exploit. We hope that the success story of Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah serves as an encouragement that will spur you to success.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Entrepreneur Spotlight: Three College Students Think Out Of The Box To Create OMG Digital","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"three-college-student-think-out-of-the-box-to-create-omg-digital","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=298246","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401604,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-10-03 10:44:45","post_date_gmt":"2022-10-03 17:44:45","post_content":"\n

\"Quindaro
Quindaro Township Site (Photo credit: KCUR)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first step toward amending wounds is the acceptance of wrongdoing. For many years, there has been a growing call for European countries to offer apologies for their role in the transatlantic slave trade. However, European countries are not the only guilty party. African chiefs facilitated the slave trade in one way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time since the end of the slave trade, African leaders have offered apologies for the wrongdoings of their ancestors. On Wednesday 28 September 2022, African delegates converged at the Quindaro Township Site in Kansas City, Kansas for a ceremony. Also present was Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Anita
Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0<\/em>UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the ceremony, the African delegates read out letters of apology from their tribal leaders and chiefs for the role of their ancestors in the slave trade of fellow Africans. Reacting to the apology letters, Dixon who noted that inviting the African delegates to the Quindaro site was crucial said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the healing that I have yearned for as a Black woman in America. This apology is for African people, Black people scattered all over the globe and not just to people of color.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembrance Of Slave Trade: Is Modern Slavery Worse Than The Pre-colonial Era?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also present at the ceremony was Wyandotte County Commissioner, Gayle Townsend, members of the Wyandotte Tribe, and state and local leaders from Missouri and Kansas. The apology letters zoomed in on the dark past of the African continent and the role local chiefs played in facilitating the slave trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

No business grows overnight. It takes time to get investors and clients as well. In the beginning, investors may not believe that your idea will work. Some will only be convinced to fund your business once you get some loyal clients. Similarly, some clients will not trust your services just because your business is new. In all these instances, you will need to have a lot of patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global is making a significant impact in serving the huge demand for digital content in Africa. Nonetheless, there are still many opportunities in digital publishing and other fields that young entrepreneurs can exploit. We hope that the success story of Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah serves as an encouragement that will spur you to success.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Entrepreneur Spotlight: Three College Students Think Out Of The Box To Create OMG Digital","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"three-college-student-think-out-of-the-box-to-create-omg-digital","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=298246","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401604,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-10-03 10:44:45","post_date_gmt":"2022-10-03 17:44:45","post_content":"\n

\"Quindaro
Quindaro Township Site (Photo credit: KCUR)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first step toward amending wounds is the acceptance of wrongdoing. For many years, there has been a growing call for European countries to offer apologies for their role in the transatlantic slave trade. However, European countries are not the only guilty party. African chiefs facilitated the slave trade in one way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time since the end of the slave trade, African leaders have offered apologies for the wrongdoings of their ancestors. On Wednesday 28 September 2022, African delegates converged at the Quindaro Township Site in Kansas City, Kansas for a ceremony. Also present was Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Anita
Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0<\/em>UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the ceremony, the African delegates read out letters of apology from their tribal leaders and chiefs for the role of their ancestors in the slave trade of fellow Africans. Reacting to the apology letters, Dixon who noted that inviting the African delegates to the Quindaro site was crucial said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the healing that I have yearned for as a Black woman in America. This apology is for African people, Black people scattered all over the globe and not just to people of color.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembrance Of Slave Trade: Is Modern Slavery Worse Than The Pre-colonial Era?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also present at the ceremony was Wyandotte County Commissioner, Gayle Townsend, members of the Wyandotte Tribe, and state and local leaders from Missouri and Kansas. The apology letters zoomed in on the dark past of the African continent and the role local chiefs played in facilitating the slave trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

5. Any business needs patience<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No business grows overnight. It takes time to get investors and clients as well. In the beginning, investors may not believe that your idea will work. Some will only be convinced to fund your business once you get some loyal clients. Similarly, some clients will not trust your services just because your business is new. In all these instances, you will need to have a lot of patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global is making a significant impact in serving the huge demand for digital content in Africa. Nonetheless, there are still many opportunities in digital publishing and other fields that young entrepreneurs can exploit. We hope that the success story of Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah serves as an encouragement that will spur you to success.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Entrepreneur Spotlight: Three College Students Think Out Of The Box To Create OMG Digital","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"three-college-student-think-out-of-the-box-to-create-omg-digital","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=298246","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401604,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-10-03 10:44:45","post_date_gmt":"2022-10-03 17:44:45","post_content":"\n

\"Quindaro
Quindaro Township Site (Photo credit: KCUR)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first step toward amending wounds is the acceptance of wrongdoing. For many years, there has been a growing call for European countries to offer apologies for their role in the transatlantic slave trade. However, European countries are not the only guilty party. African chiefs facilitated the slave trade in one way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time since the end of the slave trade, African leaders have offered apologies for the wrongdoings of their ancestors. On Wednesday 28 September 2022, African delegates converged at the Quindaro Township Site in Kansas City, Kansas for a ceremony. Also present was Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Anita
Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0<\/em>UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the ceremony, the African delegates read out letters of apology from their tribal leaders and chiefs for the role of their ancestors in the slave trade of fellow Africans. Reacting to the apology letters, Dixon who noted that inviting the African delegates to the Quindaro site was crucial said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the healing that I have yearned for as a Black woman in America. This apology is for African people, Black people scattered all over the globe and not just to people of color.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembrance Of Slave Trade: Is Modern Slavery Worse Than The Pre-colonial Era?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also present at the ceremony was Wyandotte County Commissioner, Gayle Townsend, members of the Wyandotte Tribe, and state and local leaders from Missouri and Kansas. The apology letters zoomed in on the dark past of the African continent and the role local chiefs played in facilitating the slave trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

In business, numbers mean everything. You need to have more clients to make more sales and money. So, depending on your business, invest in having as many clients as possible. Develop a clear roadmap on how you will get to your target audience. Once you reach them, aim to convert them into clients or buying customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Any business needs patience<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No business grows overnight. It takes time to get investors and clients as well. In the beginning, investors may not believe that your idea will work. Some will only be convinced to fund your business once you get some loyal clients. Similarly, some clients will not trust your services just because your business is new. In all these instances, you will need to have a lot of patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global is making a significant impact in serving the huge demand for digital content in Africa. Nonetheless, there are still many opportunities in digital publishing and other fields that young entrepreneurs can exploit. We hope that the success story of Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah serves as an encouragement that will spur you to success.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Entrepreneur Spotlight: Three College Students Think Out Of The Box To Create OMG Digital","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"three-college-student-think-out-of-the-box-to-create-omg-digital","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=298246","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401604,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-10-03 10:44:45","post_date_gmt":"2022-10-03 17:44:45","post_content":"\n

\"Quindaro
Quindaro Township Site (Photo credit: KCUR)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first step toward amending wounds is the acceptance of wrongdoing. For many years, there has been a growing call for European countries to offer apologies for their role in the transatlantic slave trade. However, European countries are not the only guilty party. African chiefs facilitated the slave trade in one way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time since the end of the slave trade, African leaders have offered apologies for the wrongdoings of their ancestors. On Wednesday 28 September 2022, African delegates converged at the Quindaro Township Site in Kansas City, Kansas for a ceremony. Also present was Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Anita
Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0<\/em>UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the ceremony, the African delegates read out letters of apology from their tribal leaders and chiefs for the role of their ancestors in the slave trade of fellow Africans. Reacting to the apology letters, Dixon who noted that inviting the African delegates to the Quindaro site was crucial said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the healing that I have yearned for as a Black woman in America. This apology is for African people, Black people scattered all over the globe and not just to people of color.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembrance Of Slave Trade: Is Modern Slavery Worse Than The Pre-colonial Era?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also present at the ceremony was Wyandotte County Commissioner, Gayle Townsend, members of the Wyandotte Tribe, and state and local leaders from Missouri and Kansas. The apology letters zoomed in on the dark past of the African continent and the role local chiefs played in facilitating the slave trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

4. Pay attention to numbers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In business, numbers mean everything. You need to have more clients to make more sales and money. So, depending on your business, invest in having as many clients as possible. Develop a clear roadmap on how you will get to your target audience. Once you reach them, aim to convert them into clients or buying customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Any business needs patience<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No business grows overnight. It takes time to get investors and clients as well. In the beginning, investors may not believe that your idea will work. Some will only be convinced to fund your business once you get some loyal clients. Similarly, some clients will not trust your services just because your business is new. In all these instances, you will need to have a lot of patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global is making a significant impact in serving the huge demand for digital content in Africa. Nonetheless, there are still many opportunities in digital publishing and other fields that young entrepreneurs can exploit. We hope that the success story of Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah serves as an encouragement that will spur you to success.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Entrepreneur Spotlight: Three College Students Think Out Of The Box To Create OMG Digital","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"three-college-student-think-out-of-the-box-to-create-omg-digital","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=298246","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401604,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-10-03 10:44:45","post_date_gmt":"2022-10-03 17:44:45","post_content":"\n

\"Quindaro
Quindaro Township Site (Photo credit: KCUR)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first step toward amending wounds is the acceptance of wrongdoing. For many years, there has been a growing call for European countries to offer apologies for their role in the transatlantic slave trade. However, European countries are not the only guilty party. African chiefs facilitated the slave trade in one way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time since the end of the slave trade, African leaders have offered apologies for the wrongdoings of their ancestors. On Wednesday 28 September 2022, African delegates converged at the Quindaro Township Site in Kansas City, Kansas for a ceremony. Also present was Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Anita
Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0<\/em>UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the ceremony, the African delegates read out letters of apology from their tribal leaders and chiefs for the role of their ancestors in the slave trade of fellow Africans. Reacting to the apology letters, Dixon who noted that inviting the African delegates to the Quindaro site was crucial said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the healing that I have yearned for as a Black woman in America. This apology is for African people, Black people scattered all over the globe and not just to people of color.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembrance Of Slave Trade: Is Modern Slavery Worse Than The Pre-colonial Era?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also present at the ceremony was Wyandotte County Commissioner, Gayle Townsend, members of the Wyandotte Tribe, and state and local leaders from Missouri and Kansas. The apology letters zoomed in on the dark past of the African continent and the role local chiefs played in facilitating the slave trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n
ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: \ud83d\ude325 Business Lessons From Cosmas Maduka, The Man That Turned $1 To $500 Million<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Pay attention to numbers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In business, numbers mean everything. You need to have more clients to make more sales and money. So, depending on your business, invest in having as many clients as possible. Develop a clear roadmap on how you will get to your target audience. Once you reach them, aim to convert them into clients or buying customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Any business needs patience<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No business grows overnight. It takes time to get investors and clients as well. In the beginning, investors may not believe that your idea will work. Some will only be convinced to fund your business once you get some loyal clients. Similarly, some clients will not trust your services just because your business is new. In all these instances, you will need to have a lot of patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global is making a significant impact in serving the huge demand for digital content in Africa. Nonetheless, there are still many opportunities in digital publishing and other fields that young entrepreneurs can exploit. We hope that the success story of Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah serves as an encouragement that will spur you to success.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Entrepreneur Spotlight: Three College Students Think Out Of The Box To Create OMG Digital","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"three-college-student-think-out-of-the-box-to-create-omg-digital","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=298246","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401604,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-10-03 10:44:45","post_date_gmt":"2022-10-03 17:44:45","post_content":"\n

\"Quindaro
Quindaro Township Site (Photo credit: KCUR)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first step toward amending wounds is the acceptance of wrongdoing. For many years, there has been a growing call for European countries to offer apologies for their role in the transatlantic slave trade. However, European countries are not the only guilty party. African chiefs facilitated the slave trade in one way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time since the end of the slave trade, African leaders have offered apologies for the wrongdoings of their ancestors. On Wednesday 28 September 2022, African delegates converged at the Quindaro Township Site in Kansas City, Kansas for a ceremony. Also present was Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Anita
Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0<\/em>UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the ceremony, the African delegates read out letters of apology from their tribal leaders and chiefs for the role of their ancestors in the slave trade of fellow Africans. Reacting to the apology letters, Dixon who noted that inviting the African delegates to the Quindaro site was crucial said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the healing that I have yearned for as a Black woman in America. This apology is for African people, Black people scattered all over the globe and not just to people of color.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembrance Of Slave Trade: Is Modern Slavery Worse Than The Pre-colonial Era?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also present at the ceremony was Wyandotte County Commissioner, Gayle Townsend, members of the Wyandotte Tribe, and state and local leaders from Missouri and Kansas. The apology letters zoomed in on the dark past of the African continent and the role local chiefs played in facilitating the slave trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Customers become loyal to businesses that are accessible when issues arise. Sometimes, your clients will want to seek assistance, clarification, or even to speak out about their concerns and problems. So, make sure to put in place channels through which your clients can reach you. That way, you will be accessible when they need to talk to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: \ud83d\ude325 Business Lessons From Cosmas Maduka, The Man That Turned $1 To $500 Million<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Pay attention to numbers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In business, numbers mean everything. You need to have more clients to make more sales and money. So, depending on your business, invest in having as many clients as possible. Develop a clear roadmap on how you will get to your target audience. Once you reach them, aim to convert them into clients or buying customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Any business needs patience<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No business grows overnight. It takes time to get investors and clients as well. In the beginning, investors may not believe that your idea will work. Some will only be convinced to fund your business once you get some loyal clients. Similarly, some clients will not trust your services just because your business is new. In all these instances, you will need to have a lot of patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global is making a significant impact in serving the huge demand for digital content in Africa. Nonetheless, there are still many opportunities in digital publishing and other fields that young entrepreneurs can exploit. We hope that the success story of Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah serves as an encouragement that will spur you to success.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Entrepreneur Spotlight: Three College Students Think Out Of The Box To Create OMG Digital","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"three-college-student-think-out-of-the-box-to-create-omg-digital","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=298246","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401604,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-10-03 10:44:45","post_date_gmt":"2022-10-03 17:44:45","post_content":"\n

\"Quindaro
Quindaro Township Site (Photo credit: KCUR)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first step toward amending wounds is the acceptance of wrongdoing. For many years, there has been a growing call for European countries to offer apologies for their role in the transatlantic slave trade. However, European countries are not the only guilty party. African chiefs facilitated the slave trade in one way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time since the end of the slave trade, African leaders have offered apologies for the wrongdoings of their ancestors. On Wednesday 28 September 2022, African delegates converged at the Quindaro Township Site in Kansas City, Kansas for a ceremony. Also present was Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Anita
Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0<\/em>UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the ceremony, the African delegates read out letters of apology from their tribal leaders and chiefs for the role of their ancestors in the slave trade of fellow Africans. Reacting to the apology letters, Dixon who noted that inviting the African delegates to the Quindaro site was crucial said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the healing that I have yearned for as a Black woman in America. This apology is for African people, Black people scattered all over the globe and not just to people of color.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembrance Of Slave Trade: Is Modern Slavery Worse Than The Pre-colonial Era?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also present at the ceremony was Wyandotte County Commissioner, Gayle Townsend, members of the Wyandotte Tribe, and state and local leaders from Missouri and Kansas. The apology letters zoomed in on the dark past of the African continent and the role local chiefs played in facilitating the slave trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

3. Be accessible<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Customers become loyal to businesses that are accessible when issues arise. Sometimes, your clients will want to seek assistance, clarification, or even to speak out about their concerns and problems. So, make sure to put in place channels through which your clients can reach you. That way, you will be accessible when they need to talk to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: \ud83d\ude325 Business Lessons From Cosmas Maduka, The Man That Turned $1 To $500 Million<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Pay attention to numbers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In business, numbers mean everything. You need to have more clients to make more sales and money. So, depending on your business, invest in having as many clients as possible. Develop a clear roadmap on how you will get to your target audience. Once you reach them, aim to convert them into clients or buying customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Any business needs patience<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No business grows overnight. It takes time to get investors and clients as well. In the beginning, investors may not believe that your idea will work. Some will only be convinced to fund your business once you get some loyal clients. Similarly, some clients will not trust your services just because your business is new. In all these instances, you will need to have a lot of patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global is making a significant impact in serving the huge demand for digital content in Africa. Nonetheless, there are still many opportunities in digital publishing and other fields that young entrepreneurs can exploit. We hope that the success story of Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah serves as an encouragement that will spur you to success.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Entrepreneur Spotlight: Three College Students Think Out Of The Box To Create OMG Digital","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"three-college-student-think-out-of-the-box-to-create-omg-digital","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=298246","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401604,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-10-03 10:44:45","post_date_gmt":"2022-10-03 17:44:45","post_content":"\n

\"Quindaro
Quindaro Township Site (Photo credit: KCUR)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first step toward amending wounds is the acceptance of wrongdoing. For many years, there has been a growing call for European countries to offer apologies for their role in the transatlantic slave trade. However, European countries are not the only guilty party. African chiefs facilitated the slave trade in one way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time since the end of the slave trade, African leaders have offered apologies for the wrongdoings of their ancestors. On Wednesday 28 September 2022, African delegates converged at the Quindaro Township Site in Kansas City, Kansas for a ceremony. Also present was Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Anita
Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0<\/em>UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the ceremony, the African delegates read out letters of apology from their tribal leaders and chiefs for the role of their ancestors in the slave trade of fellow Africans. Reacting to the apology letters, Dixon who noted that inviting the African delegates to the Quindaro site was crucial said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the healing that I have yearned for as a Black woman in America. This apology is for African people, Black people scattered all over the globe and not just to people of color.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembrance Of Slave Trade: Is Modern Slavery Worse Than The Pre-colonial Era?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also present at the ceremony was Wyandotte County Commissioner, Gayle Townsend, members of the Wyandotte Tribe, and state and local leaders from Missouri and Kansas. The apology letters zoomed in on the dark past of the African continent and the role local chiefs played in facilitating the slave trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Be accessible<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Customers become loyal to businesses that are accessible when issues arise. Sometimes, your clients will want to seek assistance, clarification, or even to speak out about their concerns and problems. So, make sure to put in place channels through which your clients can reach you. That way, you will be accessible when they need to talk to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: \ud83d\ude325 Business Lessons From Cosmas Maduka, The Man That Turned $1 To $500 Million<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Pay attention to numbers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In business, numbers mean everything. You need to have more clients to make more sales and money. So, depending on your business, invest in having as many clients as possible. Develop a clear roadmap on how you will get to your target audience. Once you reach them, aim to convert them into clients or buying customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Any business needs patience<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No business grows overnight. It takes time to get investors and clients as well. In the beginning, investors may not believe that your idea will work. Some will only be convinced to fund your business once you get some loyal clients. Similarly, some clients will not trust your services just because your business is new. In all these instances, you will need to have a lot of patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global is making a significant impact in serving the huge demand for digital content in Africa. Nonetheless, there are still many opportunities in digital publishing and other fields that young entrepreneurs can exploit. We hope that the success story of Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah serves as an encouragement that will spur you to success.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Entrepreneur Spotlight: Three College Students Think Out Of The Box To Create OMG Digital","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"three-college-student-think-out-of-the-box-to-create-omg-digital","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=298246","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401604,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-10-03 10:44:45","post_date_gmt":"2022-10-03 17:44:45","post_content":"\n

\"Quindaro
Quindaro Township Site (Photo credit: KCUR)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first step toward amending wounds is the acceptance of wrongdoing. For many years, there has been a growing call for European countries to offer apologies for their role in the transatlantic slave trade. However, European countries are not the only guilty party. African chiefs facilitated the slave trade in one way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time since the end of the slave trade, African leaders have offered apologies for the wrongdoings of their ancestors. On Wednesday 28 September 2022, African delegates converged at the Quindaro Township Site in Kansas City, Kansas for a ceremony. Also present was Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Anita
Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0<\/em>UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the ceremony, the African delegates read out letters of apology from their tribal leaders and chiefs for the role of their ancestors in the slave trade of fellow Africans. Reacting to the apology letters, Dixon who noted that inviting the African delegates to the Quindaro site was crucial said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the healing that I have yearned for as a Black woman in America. This apology is for African people, Black people scattered all over the globe and not just to people of color.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembrance Of Slave Trade: Is Modern Slavery Worse Than The Pre-colonial Era?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also present at the ceremony was Wyandotte County Commissioner, Gayle Townsend, members of the Wyandotte Tribe, and state and local leaders from Missouri and Kansas. The apology letters zoomed in on the dark past of the African continent and the role local chiefs played in facilitating the slave trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Business is all about delivering value to your customers. Before you venture into your field of interest, conduct some research to identify the gaps in the market. Mensah says that is exactly what they did before establishing OMG Global. Research helps you to identify people's needs that are not currently available. Once you establish a need, set up your business and fulfill that need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Be accessible<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Customers become loyal to businesses that are accessible when issues arise. Sometimes, your clients will want to seek assistance, clarification, or even to speak out about their concerns and problems. So, make sure to put in place channels through which your clients can reach you. That way, you will be accessible when they need to talk to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: \ud83d\ude325 Business Lessons From Cosmas Maduka, The Man That Turned $1 To $500 Million<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Pay attention to numbers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In business, numbers mean everything. You need to have more clients to make more sales and money. So, depending on your business, invest in having as many clients as possible. Develop a clear roadmap on how you will get to your target audience. Once you reach them, aim to convert them into clients or buying customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Any business needs patience<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No business grows overnight. It takes time to get investors and clients as well. In the beginning, investors may not believe that your idea will work. Some will only be convinced to fund your business once you get some loyal clients. Similarly, some clients will not trust your services just because your business is new. In all these instances, you will need to have a lot of patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global is making a significant impact in serving the huge demand for digital content in Africa. Nonetheless, there are still many opportunities in digital publishing and other fields that young entrepreneurs can exploit. We hope that the success story of Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah serves as an encouragement that will spur you to success.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Entrepreneur Spotlight: Three College Students Think Out Of The Box To Create OMG Digital","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"three-college-student-think-out-of-the-box-to-create-omg-digital","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=298246","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401604,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-10-03 10:44:45","post_date_gmt":"2022-10-03 17:44:45","post_content":"\n

\"Quindaro
Quindaro Township Site (Photo credit: KCUR)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first step toward amending wounds is the acceptance of wrongdoing. For many years, there has been a growing call for European countries to offer apologies for their role in the transatlantic slave trade. However, European countries are not the only guilty party. African chiefs facilitated the slave trade in one way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time since the end of the slave trade, African leaders have offered apologies for the wrongdoings of their ancestors. On Wednesday 28 September 2022, African delegates converged at the Quindaro Township Site in Kansas City, Kansas for a ceremony. Also present was Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Anita
Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0<\/em>UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the ceremony, the African delegates read out letters of apology from their tribal leaders and chiefs for the role of their ancestors in the slave trade of fellow Africans. Reacting to the apology letters, Dixon who noted that inviting the African delegates to the Quindaro site was crucial said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the healing that I have yearned for as a Black woman in America. This apology is for African people, Black people scattered all over the globe and not just to people of color.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembrance Of Slave Trade: Is Modern Slavery Worse Than The Pre-colonial Era?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also present at the ceremony was Wyandotte County Commissioner, Gayle Townsend, members of the Wyandotte Tribe, and state and local leaders from Missouri and Kansas. The apology letters zoomed in on the dark past of the African continent and the role local chiefs played in facilitating the slave trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

2. Look for gaps in the market<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Business is all about delivering value to your customers. Before you venture into your field of interest, conduct some research to identify the gaps in the market. Mensah says that is exactly what they did before establishing OMG Global. Research helps you to identify people's needs that are not currently available. Once you establish a need, set up your business and fulfill that need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Be accessible<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Customers become loyal to businesses that are accessible when issues arise. Sometimes, your clients will want to seek assistance, clarification, or even to speak out about their concerns and problems. So, make sure to put in place channels through which your clients can reach you. That way, you will be accessible when they need to talk to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: \ud83d\ude325 Business Lessons From Cosmas Maduka, The Man That Turned $1 To $500 Million<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Pay attention to numbers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In business, numbers mean everything. You need to have more clients to make more sales and money. So, depending on your business, invest in having as many clients as possible. Develop a clear roadmap on how you will get to your target audience. Once you reach them, aim to convert them into clients or buying customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Any business needs patience<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No business grows overnight. It takes time to get investors and clients as well. In the beginning, investors may not believe that your idea will work. Some will only be convinced to fund your business once you get some loyal clients. Similarly, some clients will not trust your services just because your business is new. In all these instances, you will need to have a lot of patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global is making a significant impact in serving the huge demand for digital content in Africa. Nonetheless, there are still many opportunities in digital publishing and other fields that young entrepreneurs can exploit. We hope that the success story of Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah serves as an encouragement that will spur you to success.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Entrepreneur Spotlight: Three College Students Think Out Of The Box To Create OMG Digital","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"three-college-student-think-out-of-the-box-to-create-omg-digital","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=298246","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401604,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-10-03 10:44:45","post_date_gmt":"2022-10-03 17:44:45","post_content":"\n

\"Quindaro
Quindaro Township Site (Photo credit: KCUR)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first step toward amending wounds is the acceptance of wrongdoing. For many years, there has been a growing call for European countries to offer apologies for their role in the transatlantic slave trade. However, European countries are not the only guilty party. African chiefs facilitated the slave trade in one way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time since the end of the slave trade, African leaders have offered apologies for the wrongdoings of their ancestors. On Wednesday 28 September 2022, African delegates converged at the Quindaro Township Site in Kansas City, Kansas for a ceremony. Also present was Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Anita
Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0<\/em>UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the ceremony, the African delegates read out letters of apology from their tribal leaders and chiefs for the role of their ancestors in the slave trade of fellow Africans. Reacting to the apology letters, Dixon who noted that inviting the African delegates to the Quindaro site was crucial said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the healing that I have yearned for as a Black woman in America. This apology is for African people, Black people scattered all over the globe and not just to people of color.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembrance Of Slave Trade: Is Modern Slavery Worse Than The Pre-colonial Era?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also present at the ceremony was Wyandotte County Commissioner, Gayle Townsend, members of the Wyandotte Tribe, and state and local leaders from Missouri and Kansas. The apology letters zoomed in on the dark past of the African continent and the role local chiefs played in facilitating the slave trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Ghansah emphasizes that customer feedback is very important. By analyzing your feedback, you can know what is lacking in your offerings. Thus, acting on customer feedback can help you adjust your products and make them relevant to your clients. Remember, the ultimate goal is always to enhance customer satisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Look for gaps in the market<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Business is all about delivering value to your customers. Before you venture into your field of interest, conduct some research to identify the gaps in the market. Mensah says that is exactly what they did before establishing OMG Global. Research helps you to identify people's needs that are not currently available. Once you establish a need, set up your business and fulfill that need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Be accessible<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Customers become loyal to businesses that are accessible when issues arise. Sometimes, your clients will want to seek assistance, clarification, or even to speak out about their concerns and problems. So, make sure to put in place channels through which your clients can reach you. That way, you will be accessible when they need to talk to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: \ud83d\ude325 Business Lessons From Cosmas Maduka, The Man That Turned $1 To $500 Million<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Pay attention to numbers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In business, numbers mean everything. You need to have more clients to make more sales and money. So, depending on your business, invest in having as many clients as possible. Develop a clear roadmap on how you will get to your target audience. Once you reach them, aim to convert them into clients or buying customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Any business needs patience<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No business grows overnight. It takes time to get investors and clients as well. In the beginning, investors may not believe that your idea will work. Some will only be convinced to fund your business once you get some loyal clients. Similarly, some clients will not trust your services just because your business is new. In all these instances, you will need to have a lot of patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global is making a significant impact in serving the huge demand for digital content in Africa. Nonetheless, there are still many opportunities in digital publishing and other fields that young entrepreneurs can exploit. We hope that the success story of Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah serves as an encouragement that will spur you to success.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Entrepreneur Spotlight: Three College Students Think Out Of The Box To Create OMG Digital","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"three-college-student-think-out-of-the-box-to-create-omg-digital","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=298246","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401604,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-10-03 10:44:45","post_date_gmt":"2022-10-03 17:44:45","post_content":"\n

\"Quindaro
Quindaro Township Site (Photo credit: KCUR)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first step toward amending wounds is the acceptance of wrongdoing. For many years, there has been a growing call for European countries to offer apologies for their role in the transatlantic slave trade. However, European countries are not the only guilty party. African chiefs facilitated the slave trade in one way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time since the end of the slave trade, African leaders have offered apologies for the wrongdoings of their ancestors. On Wednesday 28 September 2022, African delegates converged at the Quindaro Township Site in Kansas City, Kansas for a ceremony. Also present was Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Anita
Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0<\/em>UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the ceremony, the African delegates read out letters of apology from their tribal leaders and chiefs for the role of their ancestors in the slave trade of fellow Africans. Reacting to the apology letters, Dixon who noted that inviting the African delegates to the Quindaro site was crucial said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the healing that I have yearned for as a Black woman in America. This apology is for African people, Black people scattered all over the globe and not just to people of color.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembrance Of Slave Trade: Is Modern Slavery Worse Than The Pre-colonial Era?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also present at the ceremony was Wyandotte County Commissioner, Gayle Townsend, members of the Wyandotte Tribe, and state and local leaders from Missouri and Kansas. The apology letters zoomed in on the dark past of the African continent and the role local chiefs played in facilitating the slave trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

1. Act on Feedback<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah emphasizes that customer feedback is very important. By analyzing your feedback, you can know what is lacking in your offerings. Thus, acting on customer feedback can help you adjust your products and make them relevant to your clients. Remember, the ultimate goal is always to enhance customer satisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Look for gaps in the market<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Business is all about delivering value to your customers. Before you venture into your field of interest, conduct some research to identify the gaps in the market. Mensah says that is exactly what they did before establishing OMG Global. Research helps you to identify people's needs that are not currently available. Once you establish a need, set up your business and fulfill that need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Be accessible<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Customers become loyal to businesses that are accessible when issues arise. Sometimes, your clients will want to seek assistance, clarification, or even to speak out about their concerns and problems. So, make sure to put in place channels through which your clients can reach you. That way, you will be accessible when they need to talk to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: \ud83d\ude325 Business Lessons From Cosmas Maduka, The Man That Turned $1 To $500 Million<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Pay attention to numbers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In business, numbers mean everything. You need to have more clients to make more sales and money. So, depending on your business, invest in having as many clients as possible. Develop a clear roadmap on how you will get to your target audience. Once you reach them, aim to convert them into clients or buying customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Any business needs patience<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No business grows overnight. It takes time to get investors and clients as well. In the beginning, investors may not believe that your idea will work. Some will only be convinced to fund your business once you get some loyal clients. Similarly, some clients will not trust your services just because your business is new. In all these instances, you will need to have a lot of patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global is making a significant impact in serving the huge demand for digital content in Africa. Nonetheless, there are still many opportunities in digital publishing and other fields that young entrepreneurs can exploit. We hope that the success story of Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah serves as an encouragement that will spur you to success.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Entrepreneur Spotlight: Three College Students Think Out Of The Box To Create OMG Digital","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"three-college-student-think-out-of-the-box-to-create-omg-digital","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=298246","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401604,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-10-03 10:44:45","post_date_gmt":"2022-10-03 17:44:45","post_content":"\n

\"Quindaro
Quindaro Township Site (Photo credit: KCUR)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first step toward amending wounds is the acceptance of wrongdoing. For many years, there has been a growing call for European countries to offer apologies for their role in the transatlantic slave trade. However, European countries are not the only guilty party. African chiefs facilitated the slave trade in one way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time since the end of the slave trade, African leaders have offered apologies for the wrongdoings of their ancestors. On Wednesday 28 September 2022, African delegates converged at the Quindaro Township Site in Kansas City, Kansas for a ceremony. Also present was Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Anita
Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0<\/em>UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the ceremony, the African delegates read out letters of apology from their tribal leaders and chiefs for the role of their ancestors in the slave trade of fellow Africans. Reacting to the apology letters, Dixon who noted that inviting the African delegates to the Quindaro site was crucial said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the healing that I have yearned for as a Black woman in America. This apology is for African people, Black people scattered all over the globe and not just to people of color.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembrance Of Slave Trade: Is Modern Slavery Worse Than The Pre-colonial Era?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also present at the ceremony was Wyandotte County Commissioner, Gayle Townsend, members of the Wyandotte Tribe, and state and local leaders from Missouri and Kansas. The apology letters zoomed in on the dark past of the African continent and the role local chiefs played in facilitating the slave trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Act on Feedback<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah emphasizes that customer feedback is very important. By analyzing your feedback, you can know what is lacking in your offerings. Thus, acting on customer feedback can help you adjust your products and make them relevant to your clients. Remember, the ultimate goal is always to enhance customer satisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Look for gaps in the market<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Business is all about delivering value to your customers. Before you venture into your field of interest, conduct some research to identify the gaps in the market. Mensah says that is exactly what they did before establishing OMG Global. Research helps you to identify people's needs that are not currently available. Once you establish a need, set up your business and fulfill that need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Be accessible<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Customers become loyal to businesses that are accessible when issues arise. Sometimes, your clients will want to seek assistance, clarification, or even to speak out about their concerns and problems. So, make sure to put in place channels through which your clients can reach you. That way, you will be accessible when they need to talk to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: \ud83d\ude325 Business Lessons From Cosmas Maduka, The Man That Turned $1 To $500 Million<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Pay attention to numbers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In business, numbers mean everything. You need to have more clients to make more sales and money. So, depending on your business, invest in having as many clients as possible. Develop a clear roadmap on how you will get to your target audience. Once you reach them, aim to convert them into clients or buying customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Any business needs patience<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No business grows overnight. It takes time to get investors and clients as well. In the beginning, investors may not believe that your idea will work. Some will only be convinced to fund your business once you get some loyal clients. Similarly, some clients will not trust your services just because your business is new. In all these instances, you will need to have a lot of patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global is making a significant impact in serving the huge demand for digital content in Africa. Nonetheless, there are still many opportunities in digital publishing and other fields that young entrepreneurs can exploit. We hope that the success story of Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah serves as an encouragement that will spur you to success.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Entrepreneur Spotlight: Three College Students Think Out Of The Box To Create OMG Digital","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"three-college-student-think-out-of-the-box-to-create-omg-digital","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=298246","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401604,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-10-03 10:44:45","post_date_gmt":"2022-10-03 17:44:45","post_content":"\n

\"Quindaro
Quindaro Township Site (Photo credit: KCUR)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first step toward amending wounds is the acceptance of wrongdoing. For many years, there has been a growing call for European countries to offer apologies for their role in the transatlantic slave trade. However, European countries are not the only guilty party. African chiefs facilitated the slave trade in one way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time since the end of the slave trade, African leaders have offered apologies for the wrongdoings of their ancestors. On Wednesday 28 September 2022, African delegates converged at the Quindaro Township Site in Kansas City, Kansas for a ceremony. Also present was Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Anita
Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0<\/em>UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the ceremony, the African delegates read out letters of apology from their tribal leaders and chiefs for the role of their ancestors in the slave trade of fellow Africans. Reacting to the apology letters, Dixon who noted that inviting the African delegates to the Quindaro site was crucial said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the healing that I have yearned for as a Black woman in America. This apology is for African people, Black people scattered all over the globe and not just to people of color.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembrance Of Slave Trade: Is Modern Slavery Worse Than The Pre-colonial Era?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also present at the ceremony was Wyandotte County Commissioner, Gayle Townsend, members of the Wyandotte Tribe, and state and local leaders from Missouri and Kansas. The apology letters zoomed in on the dark past of the African continent and the role local chiefs played in facilitating the slave trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

5 Business Lessons from<\/strong> OMG Global Co-founders<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Act on Feedback<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah emphasizes that customer feedback is very important. By analyzing your feedback, you can know what is lacking in your offerings. Thus, acting on customer feedback can help you adjust your products and make them relevant to your clients. Remember, the ultimate goal is always to enhance customer satisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Look for gaps in the market<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Business is all about delivering value to your customers. Before you venture into your field of interest, conduct some research to identify the gaps in the market. Mensah says that is exactly what they did before establishing OMG Global. Research helps you to identify people's needs that are not currently available. Once you establish a need, set up your business and fulfill that need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Be accessible<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Customers become loyal to businesses that are accessible when issues arise. Sometimes, your clients will want to seek assistance, clarification, or even to speak out about their concerns and problems. So, make sure to put in place channels through which your clients can reach you. That way, you will be accessible when they need to talk to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: \ud83d\ude325 Business Lessons From Cosmas Maduka, The Man That Turned $1 To $500 Million<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Pay attention to numbers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In business, numbers mean everything. You need to have more clients to make more sales and money. So, depending on your business, invest in having as many clients as possible. Develop a clear roadmap on how you will get to your target audience. Once you reach them, aim to convert them into clients or buying customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Any business needs patience<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No business grows overnight. It takes time to get investors and clients as well. In the beginning, investors may not believe that your idea will work. Some will only be convinced to fund your business once you get some loyal clients. Similarly, some clients will not trust your services just because your business is new. In all these instances, you will need to have a lot of patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global is making a significant impact in serving the huge demand for digital content in Africa. Nonetheless, there are still many opportunities in digital publishing and other fields that young entrepreneurs can exploit. We hope that the success story of Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah serves as an encouragement that will spur you to success.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Entrepreneur Spotlight: Three College Students Think Out Of The Box To Create OMG Digital","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"three-college-student-think-out-of-the-box-to-create-omg-digital","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=298246","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401604,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-10-03 10:44:45","post_date_gmt":"2022-10-03 17:44:45","post_content":"\n

\"Quindaro
Quindaro Township Site (Photo credit: KCUR)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first step toward amending wounds is the acceptance of wrongdoing. For many years, there has been a growing call for European countries to offer apologies for their role in the transatlantic slave trade. However, European countries are not the only guilty party. African chiefs facilitated the slave trade in one way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time since the end of the slave trade, African leaders have offered apologies for the wrongdoings of their ancestors. On Wednesday 28 September 2022, African delegates converged at the Quindaro Township Site in Kansas City, Kansas for a ceremony. Also present was Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Anita
Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0<\/em>UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the ceremony, the African delegates read out letters of apology from their tribal leaders and chiefs for the role of their ancestors in the slave trade of fellow Africans. Reacting to the apology letters, Dixon who noted that inviting the African delegates to the Quindaro site was crucial said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the healing that I have yearned for as a Black woman in America. This apology is for African people, Black people scattered all over the globe and not just to people of color.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembrance Of Slave Trade: Is Modern Slavery Worse Than The Pre-colonial Era?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also present at the ceremony was Wyandotte County Commissioner, Gayle Townsend, members of the Wyandotte Tribe, and state and local leaders from Missouri and Kansas. The apology letters zoomed in on the dark past of the African continent and the role local chiefs played in facilitating the slave trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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Firstly, the company plans to launch its brands in South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. With this market, it aims to reach 70% of the total millennial market in Africa. The next step will be to roll out its services continent-wide. The media platform wants to produce more video content in the future. Also, it has plans to create travel and technology content as it grows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 Business Lessons from<\/strong> OMG Global Co-founders<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Act on Feedback<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah emphasizes that customer feedback is very important. By analyzing your feedback, you can know what is lacking in your offerings. Thus, acting on customer feedback can help you adjust your products and make them relevant to your clients. Remember, the ultimate goal is always to enhance customer satisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Look for gaps in the market<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Business is all about delivering value to your customers. Before you venture into your field of interest, conduct some research to identify the gaps in the market. Mensah says that is exactly what they did before establishing OMG Global. Research helps you to identify people's needs that are not currently available. Once you establish a need, set up your business and fulfill that need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Be accessible<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Customers become loyal to businesses that are accessible when issues arise. Sometimes, your clients will want to seek assistance, clarification, or even to speak out about their concerns and problems. So, make sure to put in place channels through which your clients can reach you. That way, you will be accessible when they need to talk to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: \ud83d\ude325 Business Lessons From Cosmas Maduka, The Man That Turned $1 To $500 Million<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Pay attention to numbers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In business, numbers mean everything. You need to have more clients to make more sales and money. So, depending on your business, invest in having as many clients as possible. Develop a clear roadmap on how you will get to your target audience. Once you reach them, aim to convert them into clients or buying customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Any business needs patience<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No business grows overnight. It takes time to get investors and clients as well. In the beginning, investors may not believe that your idea will work. Some will only be convinced to fund your business once you get some loyal clients. Similarly, some clients will not trust your services just because your business is new. In all these instances, you will need to have a lot of patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global is making a significant impact in serving the huge demand for digital content in Africa. Nonetheless, there are still many opportunities in digital publishing and other fields that young entrepreneurs can exploit. We hope that the success story of Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah serves as an encouragement that will spur you to success.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Entrepreneur Spotlight: Three College Students Think Out Of The Box To Create OMG Digital","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"three-college-student-think-out-of-the-box-to-create-omg-digital","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=298246","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401604,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-10-03 10:44:45","post_date_gmt":"2022-10-03 17:44:45","post_content":"\n

\"Quindaro
Quindaro Township Site (Photo credit: KCUR)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first step toward amending wounds is the acceptance of wrongdoing. For many years, there has been a growing call for European countries to offer apologies for their role in the transatlantic slave trade. However, European countries are not the only guilty party. African chiefs facilitated the slave trade in one way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time since the end of the slave trade, African leaders have offered apologies for the wrongdoings of their ancestors. On Wednesday 28 September 2022, African delegates converged at the Quindaro Township Site in Kansas City, Kansas for a ceremony. Also present was Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Anita
Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0<\/em>UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the ceremony, the African delegates read out letters of apology from their tribal leaders and chiefs for the role of their ancestors in the slave trade of fellow Africans. Reacting to the apology letters, Dixon who noted that inviting the African delegates to the Quindaro site was crucial said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the healing that I have yearned for as a Black woman in America. This apology is for African people, Black people scattered all over the globe and not just to people of color.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembrance Of Slave Trade: Is Modern Slavery Worse Than The Pre-colonial Era?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also present at the ceremony was Wyandotte County Commissioner, Gayle Townsend, members of the Wyandotte Tribe, and state and local leaders from Missouri and Kansas. The apology letters zoomed in on the dark past of the African continent and the role local chiefs played in facilitating the slave trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n
ALSO READ: Did You Know You Can Start These Businesses In Africa With Just $1,000 or Less?<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, the company plans to launch its brands in South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. With this market, it aims to reach 70% of the total millennial market in Africa. The next step will be to roll out its services continent-wide. The media platform wants to produce more video content in the future. Also, it has plans to create travel and technology content as it grows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 Business Lessons from<\/strong> OMG Global Co-founders<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Act on Feedback<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah emphasizes that customer feedback is very important. By analyzing your feedback, you can know what is lacking in your offerings. Thus, acting on customer feedback can help you adjust your products and make them relevant to your clients. Remember, the ultimate goal is always to enhance customer satisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Look for gaps in the market<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Business is all about delivering value to your customers. Before you venture into your field of interest, conduct some research to identify the gaps in the market. Mensah says that is exactly what they did before establishing OMG Global. Research helps you to identify people's needs that are not currently available. Once you establish a need, set up your business and fulfill that need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Be accessible<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Customers become loyal to businesses that are accessible when issues arise. Sometimes, your clients will want to seek assistance, clarification, or even to speak out about their concerns and problems. So, make sure to put in place channels through which your clients can reach you. That way, you will be accessible when they need to talk to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: \ud83d\ude325 Business Lessons From Cosmas Maduka, The Man That Turned $1 To $500 Million<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Pay attention to numbers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In business, numbers mean everything. You need to have more clients to make more sales and money. So, depending on your business, invest in having as many clients as possible. Develop a clear roadmap on how you will get to your target audience. Once you reach them, aim to convert them into clients or buying customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Any business needs patience<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No business grows overnight. It takes time to get investors and clients as well. In the beginning, investors may not believe that your idea will work. Some will only be convinced to fund your business once you get some loyal clients. Similarly, some clients will not trust your services just because your business is new. In all these instances, you will need to have a lot of patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global is making a significant impact in serving the huge demand for digital content in Africa. Nonetheless, there are still many opportunities in digital publishing and other fields that young entrepreneurs can exploit. We hope that the success story of Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah serves as an encouragement that will spur you to success.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Entrepreneur Spotlight: Three College Students Think Out Of The Box To Create OMG Digital","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"three-college-student-think-out-of-the-box-to-create-omg-digital","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=298246","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401604,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-10-03 10:44:45","post_date_gmt":"2022-10-03 17:44:45","post_content":"\n

\"Quindaro
Quindaro Township Site (Photo credit: KCUR)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first step toward amending wounds is the acceptance of wrongdoing. For many years, there has been a growing call for European countries to offer apologies for their role in the transatlantic slave trade. However, European countries are not the only guilty party. African chiefs facilitated the slave trade in one way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time since the end of the slave trade, African leaders have offered apologies for the wrongdoings of their ancestors. On Wednesday 28 September 2022, African delegates converged at the Quindaro Township Site in Kansas City, Kansas for a ceremony. Also present was Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Anita
Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0<\/em>UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the ceremony, the African delegates read out letters of apology from their tribal leaders and chiefs for the role of their ancestors in the slave trade of fellow Africans. Reacting to the apology letters, Dixon who noted that inviting the African delegates to the Quindaro site was crucial said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the healing that I have yearned for as a Black woman in America. This apology is for African people, Black people scattered all over the globe and not just to people of color.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembrance Of Slave Trade: Is Modern Slavery Worse Than The Pre-colonial Era?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also present at the ceremony was Wyandotte County Commissioner, Gayle Townsend, members of the Wyandotte Tribe, and state and local leaders from Missouri and Kansas. The apology letters zoomed in on the dark past of the African continent and the role local chiefs played in facilitating the slave trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

The digital media company aims to market its content to English speakers in Africa before extending to French-speaking countries. This is because English speakers form the largest population of internet users. So, OMG Global plans to extend its reach to more English-speaking countries in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Did You Know You Can Start These Businesses In Africa With Just $1,000 or Less?<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, the company plans to launch its brands in South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. With this market, it aims to reach 70% of the total millennial market in Africa. The next step will be to roll out its services continent-wide. The media platform wants to produce more video content in the future. Also, it has plans to create travel and technology content as it grows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 Business Lessons from<\/strong> OMG Global Co-founders<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Act on Feedback<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah emphasizes that customer feedback is very important. By analyzing your feedback, you can know what is lacking in your offerings. Thus, acting on customer feedback can help you adjust your products and make them relevant to your clients. Remember, the ultimate goal is always to enhance customer satisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Look for gaps in the market<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Business is all about delivering value to your customers. Before you venture into your field of interest, conduct some research to identify the gaps in the market. Mensah says that is exactly what they did before establishing OMG Global. Research helps you to identify people's needs that are not currently available. Once you establish a need, set up your business and fulfill that need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Be accessible<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Customers become loyal to businesses that are accessible when issues arise. Sometimes, your clients will want to seek assistance, clarification, or even to speak out about their concerns and problems. So, make sure to put in place channels through which your clients can reach you. That way, you will be accessible when they need to talk to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: \ud83d\ude325 Business Lessons From Cosmas Maduka, The Man That Turned $1 To $500 Million<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Pay attention to numbers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In business, numbers mean everything. You need to have more clients to make more sales and money. So, depending on your business, invest in having as many clients as possible. Develop a clear roadmap on how you will get to your target audience. Once you reach them, aim to convert them into clients or buying customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Any business needs patience<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No business grows overnight. It takes time to get investors and clients as well. In the beginning, investors may not believe that your idea will work. Some will only be convinced to fund your business once you get some loyal clients. Similarly, some clients will not trust your services just because your business is new. In all these instances, you will need to have a lot of patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global is making a significant impact in serving the huge demand for digital content in Africa. Nonetheless, there are still many opportunities in digital publishing and other fields that young entrepreneurs can exploit. We hope that the success story of Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah serves as an encouragement that will spur you to success.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Entrepreneur Spotlight: Three College Students Think Out Of The Box To Create OMG Digital","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"three-college-student-think-out-of-the-box-to-create-omg-digital","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=298246","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401604,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-10-03 10:44:45","post_date_gmt":"2022-10-03 17:44:45","post_content":"\n

\"Quindaro
Quindaro Township Site (Photo credit: KCUR)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first step toward amending wounds is the acceptance of wrongdoing. For many years, there has been a growing call for European countries to offer apologies for their role in the transatlantic slave trade. However, European countries are not the only guilty party. African chiefs facilitated the slave trade in one way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time since the end of the slave trade, African leaders have offered apologies for the wrongdoings of their ancestors. On Wednesday 28 September 2022, African delegates converged at the Quindaro Township Site in Kansas City, Kansas for a ceremony. Also present was Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Anita
Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0<\/em>UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the ceremony, the African delegates read out letters of apology from their tribal leaders and chiefs for the role of their ancestors in the slave trade of fellow Africans. Reacting to the apology letters, Dixon who noted that inviting the African delegates to the Quindaro site was crucial said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the healing that I have yearned for as a Black woman in America. This apology is for African people, Black people scattered all over the globe and not just to people of color.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembrance Of Slave Trade: Is Modern Slavery Worse Than The Pre-colonial Era?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also present at the ceremony was Wyandotte County Commissioner, Gayle Townsend, members of the Wyandotte Tribe, and state and local leaders from Missouri and Kansas. The apology letters zoomed in on the dark past of the African continent and the role local chiefs played in facilitating the slave trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Expansion plans<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The digital media company aims to market its content to English speakers in Africa before extending to French-speaking countries. This is because English speakers form the largest population of internet users. So, OMG Global plans to extend its reach to more English-speaking countries in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Did You Know You Can Start These Businesses In Africa With Just $1,000 or Less?<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, the company plans to launch its brands in South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. With this market, it aims to reach 70% of the total millennial market in Africa. The next step will be to roll out its services continent-wide. The media platform wants to produce more video content in the future. Also, it has plans to create travel and technology content as it grows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 Business Lessons from<\/strong> OMG Global Co-founders<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Act on Feedback<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah emphasizes that customer feedback is very important. By analyzing your feedback, you can know what is lacking in your offerings. Thus, acting on customer feedback can help you adjust your products and make them relevant to your clients. Remember, the ultimate goal is always to enhance customer satisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Look for gaps in the market<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Business is all about delivering value to your customers. Before you venture into your field of interest, conduct some research to identify the gaps in the market. Mensah says that is exactly what they did before establishing OMG Global. Research helps you to identify people's needs that are not currently available. Once you establish a need, set up your business and fulfill that need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Be accessible<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Customers become loyal to businesses that are accessible when issues arise. Sometimes, your clients will want to seek assistance, clarification, or even to speak out about their concerns and problems. So, make sure to put in place channels through which your clients can reach you. That way, you will be accessible when they need to talk to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: \ud83d\ude325 Business Lessons From Cosmas Maduka, The Man That Turned $1 To $500 Million<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Pay attention to numbers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In business, numbers mean everything. You need to have more clients to make more sales and money. So, depending on your business, invest in having as many clients as possible. Develop a clear roadmap on how you will get to your target audience. Once you reach them, aim to convert them into clients or buying customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Any business needs patience<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No business grows overnight. It takes time to get investors and clients as well. In the beginning, investors may not believe that your idea will work. Some will only be convinced to fund your business once you get some loyal clients. Similarly, some clients will not trust your services just because your business is new. In all these instances, you will need to have a lot of patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global is making a significant impact in serving the huge demand for digital content in Africa. Nonetheless, there are still many opportunities in digital publishing and other fields that young entrepreneurs can exploit. We hope that the success story of Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah serves as an encouragement that will spur you to success.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Entrepreneur Spotlight: Three College Students Think Out Of The Box To Create OMG Digital","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"three-college-student-think-out-of-the-box-to-create-omg-digital","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=298246","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401604,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-10-03 10:44:45","post_date_gmt":"2022-10-03 17:44:45","post_content":"\n

\"Quindaro
Quindaro Township Site (Photo credit: KCUR)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first step toward amending wounds is the acceptance of wrongdoing. For many years, there has been a growing call for European countries to offer apologies for their role in the transatlantic slave trade. However, European countries are not the only guilty party. African chiefs facilitated the slave trade in one way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time since the end of the slave trade, African leaders have offered apologies for the wrongdoings of their ancestors. On Wednesday 28 September 2022, African delegates converged at the Quindaro Township Site in Kansas City, Kansas for a ceremony. Also present was Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Anita
Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0<\/em>UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the ceremony, the African delegates read out letters of apology from their tribal leaders and chiefs for the role of their ancestors in the slave trade of fellow Africans. Reacting to the apology letters, Dixon who noted that inviting the African delegates to the Quindaro site was crucial said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the healing that I have yearned for as a Black woman in America. This apology is for African people, Black people scattered all over the globe and not just to people of color.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembrance Of Slave Trade: Is Modern Slavery Worse Than The Pre-colonial Era?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also present at the ceremony was Wyandotte County Commissioner, Gayle Townsend, members of the Wyandotte Tribe, and state and local leaders from Missouri and Kansas. The apology letters zoomed in on the dark past of the African continent and the role local chiefs played in facilitating the slave trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Since its inception, the OMG Global website has a total monthly view of more than 90 million. Today, the media company boasts of 4.5 million readers each month. The company is now present in three countries in Africa\u2014Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. So far, OMG Global has published over 20,000 contents. Also, it has over twenty content curators from Africa. With this team, it is easy to create relevant original content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expansion plans<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The digital media company aims to market its content to English speakers in Africa before extending to French-speaking countries. This is because English speakers form the largest population of internet users. So, OMG Global plans to extend its reach to more English-speaking countries in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Did You Know You Can Start These Businesses In Africa With Just $1,000 or Less?<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, the company plans to launch its brands in South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. With this market, it aims to reach 70% of the total millennial market in Africa. The next step will be to roll out its services continent-wide. The media platform wants to produce more video content in the future. Also, it has plans to create travel and technology content as it grows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 Business Lessons from<\/strong> OMG Global Co-founders<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Act on Feedback<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah emphasizes that customer feedback is very important. By analyzing your feedback, you can know what is lacking in your offerings. Thus, acting on customer feedback can help you adjust your products and make them relevant to your clients. Remember, the ultimate goal is always to enhance customer satisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Look for gaps in the market<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Business is all about delivering value to your customers. Before you venture into your field of interest, conduct some research to identify the gaps in the market. Mensah says that is exactly what they did before establishing OMG Global. Research helps you to identify people's needs that are not currently available. Once you establish a need, set up your business and fulfill that need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Be accessible<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Customers become loyal to businesses that are accessible when issues arise. Sometimes, your clients will want to seek assistance, clarification, or even to speak out about their concerns and problems. So, make sure to put in place channels through which your clients can reach you. That way, you will be accessible when they need to talk to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: \ud83d\ude325 Business Lessons From Cosmas Maduka, The Man That Turned $1 To $500 Million<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Pay attention to numbers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In business, numbers mean everything. You need to have more clients to make more sales and money. So, depending on your business, invest in having as many clients as possible. Develop a clear roadmap on how you will get to your target audience. Once you reach them, aim to convert them into clients or buying customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Any business needs patience<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No business grows overnight. It takes time to get investors and clients as well. In the beginning, investors may not believe that your idea will work. Some will only be convinced to fund your business once you get some loyal clients. Similarly, some clients will not trust your services just because your business is new. In all these instances, you will need to have a lot of patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global is making a significant impact in serving the huge demand for digital content in Africa. Nonetheless, there are still many opportunities in digital publishing and other fields that young entrepreneurs can exploit. We hope that the success story of Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah serves as an encouragement that will spur you to success.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Entrepreneur Spotlight: Three College Students Think Out Of The Box To Create OMG Digital","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"three-college-student-think-out-of-the-box-to-create-omg-digital","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=298246","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401604,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-10-03 10:44:45","post_date_gmt":"2022-10-03 17:44:45","post_content":"\n

\"Quindaro
Quindaro Township Site (Photo credit: KCUR)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first step toward amending wounds is the acceptance of wrongdoing. For many years, there has been a growing call for European countries to offer apologies for their role in the transatlantic slave trade. However, European countries are not the only guilty party. African chiefs facilitated the slave trade in one way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time since the end of the slave trade, African leaders have offered apologies for the wrongdoings of their ancestors. On Wednesday 28 September 2022, African delegates converged at the Quindaro Township Site in Kansas City, Kansas for a ceremony. Also present was Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Anita
Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0<\/em>UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the ceremony, the African delegates read out letters of apology from their tribal leaders and chiefs for the role of their ancestors in the slave trade of fellow Africans. Reacting to the apology letters, Dixon who noted that inviting the African delegates to the Quindaro site was crucial said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the healing that I have yearned for as a Black woman in America. This apology is for African people, Black people scattered all over the globe and not just to people of color.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembrance Of Slave Trade: Is Modern Slavery Worse Than The Pre-colonial Era?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also present at the ceremony was Wyandotte County Commissioner, Gayle Townsend, members of the Wyandotte Tribe, and state and local leaders from Missouri and Kansas. The apology letters zoomed in on the dark past of the African continent and the role local chiefs played in facilitating the slave trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

OMG Global Success<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since its inception, the OMG Global website has a total monthly view of more than 90 million. Today, the media company boasts of 4.5 million readers each month. The company is now present in three countries in Africa\u2014Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. So far, OMG Global has published over 20,000 contents. Also, it has over twenty content curators from Africa. With this team, it is easy to create relevant original content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expansion plans<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The digital media company aims to market its content to English speakers in Africa before extending to French-speaking countries. This is because English speakers form the largest population of internet users. So, OMG Global plans to extend its reach to more English-speaking countries in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Did You Know You Can Start These Businesses In Africa With Just $1,000 or Less?<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, the company plans to launch its brands in South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. With this market, it aims to reach 70% of the total millennial market in Africa. The next step will be to roll out its services continent-wide. The media platform wants to produce more video content in the future. Also, it has plans to create travel and technology content as it grows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 Business Lessons from<\/strong> OMG Global Co-founders<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Act on Feedback<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah emphasizes that customer feedback is very important. By analyzing your feedback, you can know what is lacking in your offerings. Thus, acting on customer feedback can help you adjust your products and make them relevant to your clients. Remember, the ultimate goal is always to enhance customer satisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Look for gaps in the market<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Business is all about delivering value to your customers. Before you venture into your field of interest, conduct some research to identify the gaps in the market. Mensah says that is exactly what they did before establishing OMG Global. Research helps you to identify people's needs that are not currently available. Once you establish a need, set up your business and fulfill that need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Be accessible<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Customers become loyal to businesses that are accessible when issues arise. Sometimes, your clients will want to seek assistance, clarification, or even to speak out about their concerns and problems. So, make sure to put in place channels through which your clients can reach you. That way, you will be accessible when they need to talk to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: \ud83d\ude325 Business Lessons From Cosmas Maduka, The Man That Turned $1 To $500 Million<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Pay attention to numbers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In business, numbers mean everything. You need to have more clients to make more sales and money. So, depending on your business, invest in having as many clients as possible. Develop a clear roadmap on how you will get to your target audience. Once you reach them, aim to convert them into clients or buying customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Any business needs patience<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No business grows overnight. It takes time to get investors and clients as well. In the beginning, investors may not believe that your idea will work. Some will only be convinced to fund your business once you get some loyal clients. Similarly, some clients will not trust your services just because your business is new. In all these instances, you will need to have a lot of patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global is making a significant impact in serving the huge demand for digital content in Africa. Nonetheless, there are still many opportunities in digital publishing and other fields that young entrepreneurs can exploit. We hope that the success story of Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah serves as an encouragement that will spur you to success.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Entrepreneur Spotlight: Three College Students Think Out Of The Box To Create OMG Digital","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"three-college-student-think-out-of-the-box-to-create-omg-digital","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=298246","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401604,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-10-03 10:44:45","post_date_gmt":"2022-10-03 17:44:45","post_content":"\n

\"Quindaro
Quindaro Township Site (Photo credit: KCUR)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first step toward amending wounds is the acceptance of wrongdoing. For many years, there has been a growing call for European countries to offer apologies for their role in the transatlantic slave trade. However, European countries are not the only guilty party. African chiefs facilitated the slave trade in one way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time since the end of the slave trade, African leaders have offered apologies for the wrongdoings of their ancestors. On Wednesday 28 September 2022, African delegates converged at the Quindaro Township Site in Kansas City, Kansas for a ceremony. Also present was Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Anita
Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0<\/em>UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the ceremony, the African delegates read out letters of apology from their tribal leaders and chiefs for the role of their ancestors in the slave trade of fellow Africans. Reacting to the apology letters, Dixon who noted that inviting the African delegates to the Quindaro site was crucial said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the healing that I have yearned for as a Black woman in America. This apology is for African people, Black people scattered all over the globe and not just to people of color.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembrance Of Slave Trade: Is Modern Slavery Worse Than The Pre-colonial Era?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also present at the ceremony was Wyandotte County Commissioner, Gayle Townsend, members of the Wyandotte Tribe, and state and local leaders from Missouri and Kansas. The apology letters zoomed in on the dark past of the African continent and the role local chiefs played in facilitating the slave trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global Success<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since its inception, the OMG Global website has a total monthly view of more than 90 million. Today, the media company boasts of 4.5 million readers each month. The company is now present in three countries in Africa\u2014Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. So far, OMG Global has published over 20,000 contents. Also, it has over twenty content curators from Africa. With this team, it is easy to create relevant original content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expansion plans<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The digital media company aims to market its content to English speakers in Africa before extending to French-speaking countries. This is because English speakers form the largest population of internet users. So, OMG Global plans to extend its reach to more English-speaking countries in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Did You Know You Can Start These Businesses In Africa With Just $1,000 or Less?<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, the company plans to launch its brands in South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. With this market, it aims to reach 70% of the total millennial market in Africa. The next step will be to roll out its services continent-wide. The media platform wants to produce more video content in the future. Also, it has plans to create travel and technology content as it grows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 Business Lessons from<\/strong> OMG Global Co-founders<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Act on Feedback<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah emphasizes that customer feedback is very important. By analyzing your feedback, you can know what is lacking in your offerings. Thus, acting on customer feedback can help you adjust your products and make them relevant to your clients. Remember, the ultimate goal is always to enhance customer satisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Look for gaps in the market<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Business is all about delivering value to your customers. Before you venture into your field of interest, conduct some research to identify the gaps in the market. Mensah says that is exactly what they did before establishing OMG Global. Research helps you to identify people's needs that are not currently available. Once you establish a need, set up your business and fulfill that need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Be accessible<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Customers become loyal to businesses that are accessible when issues arise. Sometimes, your clients will want to seek assistance, clarification, or even to speak out about their concerns and problems. So, make sure to put in place channels through which your clients can reach you. That way, you will be accessible when they need to talk to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: \ud83d\ude325 Business Lessons From Cosmas Maduka, The Man That Turned $1 To $500 Million<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Pay attention to numbers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In business, numbers mean everything. You need to have more clients to make more sales and money. So, depending on your business, invest in having as many clients as possible. Develop a clear roadmap on how you will get to your target audience. Once you reach them, aim to convert them into clients or buying customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Any business needs patience<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No business grows overnight. It takes time to get investors and clients as well. In the beginning, investors may not believe that your idea will work. Some will only be convinced to fund your business once you get some loyal clients. Similarly, some clients will not trust your services just because your business is new. In all these instances, you will need to have a lot of patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global is making a significant impact in serving the huge demand for digital content in Africa. Nonetheless, there are still many opportunities in digital publishing and other fields that young entrepreneurs can exploit. We hope that the success story of Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah serves as an encouragement that will spur you to success.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Entrepreneur Spotlight: Three College Students Think Out Of The Box To Create OMG Digital","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"three-college-student-think-out-of-the-box-to-create-omg-digital","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=298246","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401604,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-10-03 10:44:45","post_date_gmt":"2022-10-03 17:44:45","post_content":"\n

\"Quindaro
Quindaro Township Site (Photo credit: KCUR)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first step toward amending wounds is the acceptance of wrongdoing. For many years, there has been a growing call for European countries to offer apologies for their role in the transatlantic slave trade. However, European countries are not the only guilty party. African chiefs facilitated the slave trade in one way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time since the end of the slave trade, African leaders have offered apologies for the wrongdoings of their ancestors. On Wednesday 28 September 2022, African delegates converged at the Quindaro Township Site in Kansas City, Kansas for a ceremony. Also present was Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Anita
Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0<\/em>UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the ceremony, the African delegates read out letters of apology from their tribal leaders and chiefs for the role of their ancestors in the slave trade of fellow Africans. Reacting to the apology letters, Dixon who noted that inviting the African delegates to the Quindaro site was crucial said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the healing that I have yearned for as a Black woman in America. This apology is for African people, Black people scattered all over the globe and not just to people of color.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembrance Of Slave Trade: Is Modern Slavery Worse Than The Pre-colonial Era?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also present at the ceremony was Wyandotte County Commissioner, Gayle Townsend, members of the Wyandotte Tribe, and state and local leaders from Missouri and Kansas. The apology letters zoomed in on the dark past of the African continent and the role local chiefs played in facilitating the slave trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Another challenge was the diversity of the continent. So, producing content that was relevant to different communities was a challenge at the onset. However, this challenge was resolved with time as the company hired staff from different regions in the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global Success<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since its inception, the OMG Global website has a total monthly view of more than 90 million. Today, the media company boasts of 4.5 million readers each month. The company is now present in three countries in Africa\u2014Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. So far, OMG Global has published over 20,000 contents. Also, it has over twenty content curators from Africa. With this team, it is easy to create relevant original content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expansion plans<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The digital media company aims to market its content to English speakers in Africa before extending to French-speaking countries. This is because English speakers form the largest population of internet users. So, OMG Global plans to extend its reach to more English-speaking countries in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Did You Know You Can Start These Businesses In Africa With Just $1,000 or Less?<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, the company plans to launch its brands in South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. With this market, it aims to reach 70% of the total millennial market in Africa. The next step will be to roll out its services continent-wide. The media platform wants to produce more video content in the future. Also, it has plans to create travel and technology content as it grows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 Business Lessons from<\/strong> OMG Global Co-founders<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Act on Feedback<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah emphasizes that customer feedback is very important. By analyzing your feedback, you can know what is lacking in your offerings. Thus, acting on customer feedback can help you adjust your products and make them relevant to your clients. Remember, the ultimate goal is always to enhance customer satisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Look for gaps in the market<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Business is all about delivering value to your customers. Before you venture into your field of interest, conduct some research to identify the gaps in the market. Mensah says that is exactly what they did before establishing OMG Global. Research helps you to identify people's needs that are not currently available. Once you establish a need, set up your business and fulfill that need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Be accessible<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Customers become loyal to businesses that are accessible when issues arise. Sometimes, your clients will want to seek assistance, clarification, or even to speak out about their concerns and problems. So, make sure to put in place channels through which your clients can reach you. That way, you will be accessible when they need to talk to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: \ud83d\ude325 Business Lessons From Cosmas Maduka, The Man That Turned $1 To $500 Million<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Pay attention to numbers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In business, numbers mean everything. You need to have more clients to make more sales and money. So, depending on your business, invest in having as many clients as possible. Develop a clear roadmap on how you will get to your target audience. Once you reach them, aim to convert them into clients or buying customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Any business needs patience<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No business grows overnight. It takes time to get investors and clients as well. In the beginning, investors may not believe that your idea will work. Some will only be convinced to fund your business once you get some loyal clients. Similarly, some clients will not trust your services just because your business is new. In all these instances, you will need to have a lot of patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global is making a significant impact in serving the huge demand for digital content in Africa. Nonetheless, there are still many opportunities in digital publishing and other fields that young entrepreneurs can exploit. We hope that the success story of Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah serves as an encouragement that will spur you to success.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Entrepreneur Spotlight: Three College Students Think Out Of The Box To Create OMG Digital","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"three-college-student-think-out-of-the-box-to-create-omg-digital","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=298246","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401604,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-10-03 10:44:45","post_date_gmt":"2022-10-03 17:44:45","post_content":"\n

\"Quindaro
Quindaro Township Site (Photo credit: KCUR)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first step toward amending wounds is the acceptance of wrongdoing. For many years, there has been a growing call for European countries to offer apologies for their role in the transatlantic slave trade. However, European countries are not the only guilty party. African chiefs facilitated the slave trade in one way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time since the end of the slave trade, African leaders have offered apologies for the wrongdoings of their ancestors. On Wednesday 28 September 2022, African delegates converged at the Quindaro Township Site in Kansas City, Kansas for a ceremony. Also present was Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Anita
Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0<\/em>UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the ceremony, the African delegates read out letters of apology from their tribal leaders and chiefs for the role of their ancestors in the slave trade of fellow Africans. Reacting to the apology letters, Dixon who noted that inviting the African delegates to the Quindaro site was crucial said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the healing that I have yearned for as a Black woman in America. This apology is for African people, Black people scattered all over the globe and not just to people of color.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembrance Of Slave Trade: Is Modern Slavery Worse Than The Pre-colonial Era?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also present at the ceremony was Wyandotte County Commissioner, Gayle Townsend, members of the Wyandotte Tribe, and state and local leaders from Missouri and Kansas. The apology letters zoomed in on the dark past of the African continent and the role local chiefs played in facilitating the slave trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n
ALSO READ: Want To Build Wealth? Here Are 20 Youtube Channels We Think You Should Subscribe To<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Another challenge was the diversity of the continent. So, producing content that was relevant to different communities was a challenge at the onset. However, this challenge was resolved with time as the company hired staff from different regions in the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global Success<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since its inception, the OMG Global website has a total monthly view of more than 90 million. Today, the media company boasts of 4.5 million readers each month. The company is now present in three countries in Africa\u2014Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. So far, OMG Global has published over 20,000 contents. Also, it has over twenty content curators from Africa. With this team, it is easy to create relevant original content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expansion plans<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The digital media company aims to market its content to English speakers in Africa before extending to French-speaking countries. This is because English speakers form the largest population of internet users. So, OMG Global plans to extend its reach to more English-speaking countries in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Did You Know You Can Start These Businesses In Africa With Just $1,000 or Less?<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, the company plans to launch its brands in South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. With this market, it aims to reach 70% of the total millennial market in Africa. The next step will be to roll out its services continent-wide. The media platform wants to produce more video content in the future. Also, it has plans to create travel and technology content as it grows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 Business Lessons from<\/strong> OMG Global Co-founders<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Act on Feedback<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah emphasizes that customer feedback is very important. By analyzing your feedback, you can know what is lacking in your offerings. Thus, acting on customer feedback can help you adjust your products and make them relevant to your clients. Remember, the ultimate goal is always to enhance customer satisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Look for gaps in the market<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Business is all about delivering value to your customers. Before you venture into your field of interest, conduct some research to identify the gaps in the market. Mensah says that is exactly what they did before establishing OMG Global. Research helps you to identify people's needs that are not currently available. Once you establish a need, set up your business and fulfill that need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Be accessible<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Customers become loyal to businesses that are accessible when issues arise. Sometimes, your clients will want to seek assistance, clarification, or even to speak out about their concerns and problems. So, make sure to put in place channels through which your clients can reach you. That way, you will be accessible when they need to talk to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: \ud83d\ude325 Business Lessons From Cosmas Maduka, The Man That Turned $1 To $500 Million<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Pay attention to numbers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In business, numbers mean everything. You need to have more clients to make more sales and money. So, depending on your business, invest in having as many clients as possible. Develop a clear roadmap on how you will get to your target audience. Once you reach them, aim to convert them into clients or buying customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Any business needs patience<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No business grows overnight. It takes time to get investors and clients as well. In the beginning, investors may not believe that your idea will work. Some will only be convinced to fund your business once you get some loyal clients. Similarly, some clients will not trust your services just because your business is new. In all these instances, you will need to have a lot of patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global is making a significant impact in serving the huge demand for digital content in Africa. Nonetheless, there are still many opportunities in digital publishing and other fields that young entrepreneurs can exploit. We hope that the success story of Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah serves as an encouragement that will spur you to success.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Entrepreneur Spotlight: Three College Students Think Out Of The Box To Create OMG Digital","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"three-college-student-think-out-of-the-box-to-create-omg-digital","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=298246","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401604,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-10-03 10:44:45","post_date_gmt":"2022-10-03 17:44:45","post_content":"\n

\"Quindaro
Quindaro Township Site (Photo credit: KCUR)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first step toward amending wounds is the acceptance of wrongdoing. For many years, there has been a growing call for European countries to offer apologies for their role in the transatlantic slave trade. However, European countries are not the only guilty party. African chiefs facilitated the slave trade in one way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time since the end of the slave trade, African leaders have offered apologies for the wrongdoings of their ancestors. On Wednesday 28 September 2022, African delegates converged at the Quindaro Township Site in Kansas City, Kansas for a ceremony. Also present was Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Anita
Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0<\/em>UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the ceremony, the African delegates read out letters of apology from their tribal leaders and chiefs for the role of their ancestors in the slave trade of fellow Africans. Reacting to the apology letters, Dixon who noted that inviting the African delegates to the Quindaro site was crucial said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the healing that I have yearned for as a Black woman in America. This apology is for African people, Black people scattered all over the globe and not just to people of color.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembrance Of Slave Trade: Is Modern Slavery Worse Than The Pre-colonial Era?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also present at the ceremony was Wyandotte County Commissioner, Gayle Townsend, members of the Wyandotte Tribe, and state and local leaders from Missouri and Kansas. The apology letters zoomed in on the dark past of the African continent and the role local chiefs played in facilitating the slave trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

But the co-founders continued to seek funding nationally and internationally. Their efforts bore fruit in 2017 when they fundraised $1.1M from several international investors including Comcast Ventures, M&Y Growth Partners<\/span>, and Kima Ventures<\/span>. These funds helped to expand the company and scale operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Want To Build Wealth? Here Are 20 Youtube Channels We Think You Should Subscribe To<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Another challenge was the diversity of the continent. So, producing content that was relevant to different communities was a challenge at the onset. However, this challenge was resolved with time as the company hired staff from different regions in the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global Success<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since its inception, the OMG Global website has a total monthly view of more than 90 million. Today, the media company boasts of 4.5 million readers each month. The company is now present in three countries in Africa\u2014Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. So far, OMG Global has published over 20,000 contents. Also, it has over twenty content curators from Africa. With this team, it is easy to create relevant original content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expansion plans<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The digital media company aims to market its content to English speakers in Africa before extending to French-speaking countries. This is because English speakers form the largest population of internet users. So, OMG Global plans to extend its reach to more English-speaking countries in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Did You Know You Can Start These Businesses In Africa With Just $1,000 or Less?<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, the company plans to launch its brands in South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. With this market, it aims to reach 70% of the total millennial market in Africa. The next step will be to roll out its services continent-wide. The media platform wants to produce more video content in the future. Also, it has plans to create travel and technology content as it grows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 Business Lessons from<\/strong> OMG Global Co-founders<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Act on Feedback<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah emphasizes that customer feedback is very important. By analyzing your feedback, you can know what is lacking in your offerings. Thus, acting on customer feedback can help you adjust your products and make them relevant to your clients. Remember, the ultimate goal is always to enhance customer satisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Look for gaps in the market<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Business is all about delivering value to your customers. Before you venture into your field of interest, conduct some research to identify the gaps in the market. Mensah says that is exactly what they did before establishing OMG Global. Research helps you to identify people's needs that are not currently available. Once you establish a need, set up your business and fulfill that need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Be accessible<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Customers become loyal to businesses that are accessible when issues arise. Sometimes, your clients will want to seek assistance, clarification, or even to speak out about their concerns and problems. So, make sure to put in place channels through which your clients can reach you. That way, you will be accessible when they need to talk to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: \ud83d\ude325 Business Lessons From Cosmas Maduka, The Man That Turned $1 To $500 Million<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Pay attention to numbers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In business, numbers mean everything. You need to have more clients to make more sales and money. So, depending on your business, invest in having as many clients as possible. Develop a clear roadmap on how you will get to your target audience. Once you reach them, aim to convert them into clients or buying customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Any business needs patience<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No business grows overnight. It takes time to get investors and clients as well. In the beginning, investors may not believe that your idea will work. Some will only be convinced to fund your business once you get some loyal clients. Similarly, some clients will not trust your services just because your business is new. In all these instances, you will need to have a lot of patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global is making a significant impact in serving the huge demand for digital content in Africa. Nonetheless, there are still many opportunities in digital publishing and other fields that young entrepreneurs can exploit. We hope that the success story of Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah serves as an encouragement that will spur you to success.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Entrepreneur Spotlight: Three College Students Think Out Of The Box To Create OMG Digital","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"three-college-student-think-out-of-the-box-to-create-omg-digital","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=298246","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401604,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-10-03 10:44:45","post_date_gmt":"2022-10-03 17:44:45","post_content":"\n

\"Quindaro
Quindaro Township Site (Photo credit: KCUR)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first step toward amending wounds is the acceptance of wrongdoing. For many years, there has been a growing call for European countries to offer apologies for their role in the transatlantic slave trade. However, European countries are not the only guilty party. African chiefs facilitated the slave trade in one way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time since the end of the slave trade, African leaders have offered apologies for the wrongdoings of their ancestors. On Wednesday 28 September 2022, African delegates converged at the Quindaro Township Site in Kansas City, Kansas for a ceremony. Also present was Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Anita
Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0<\/em>UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the ceremony, the African delegates read out letters of apology from their tribal leaders and chiefs for the role of their ancestors in the slave trade of fellow Africans. Reacting to the apology letters, Dixon who noted that inviting the African delegates to the Quindaro site was crucial said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the healing that I have yearned for as a Black woman in America. This apology is for African people, Black people scattered all over the globe and not just to people of color.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembrance Of Slave Trade: Is Modern Slavery Worse Than The Pre-colonial Era?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also present at the ceremony was Wyandotte County Commissioner, Gayle Townsend, members of the Wyandotte Tribe, and state and local leaders from Missouri and Kansas. The apology letters zoomed in on the dark past of the African continent and the role local chiefs played in facilitating the slave trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Right from the start, access to funding was a huge challenge. In the beginning, the co-founders didn\u2019t realize the growth they had anticipated. This is because they didn\u2019t have enough money to do all that they had planned. So, they would reinvest the profit back into the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the co-founders continued to seek funding nationally and internationally. Their efforts bore fruit in 2017 when they fundraised $1.1M from several international investors including Comcast Ventures, M&Y Growth Partners<\/span>, and Kima Ventures<\/span>. These funds helped to expand the company and scale operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Want To Build Wealth? Here Are 20 Youtube Channels We Think You Should Subscribe To<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Another challenge was the diversity of the continent. So, producing content that was relevant to different communities was a challenge at the onset. However, this challenge was resolved with time as the company hired staff from different regions in the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global Success<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since its inception, the OMG Global website has a total monthly view of more than 90 million. Today, the media company boasts of 4.5 million readers each month. The company is now present in three countries in Africa\u2014Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. So far, OMG Global has published over 20,000 contents. Also, it has over twenty content curators from Africa. With this team, it is easy to create relevant original content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expansion plans<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The digital media company aims to market its content to English speakers in Africa before extending to French-speaking countries. This is because English speakers form the largest population of internet users. So, OMG Global plans to extend its reach to more English-speaking countries in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Did You Know You Can Start These Businesses In Africa With Just $1,000 or Less?<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, the company plans to launch its brands in South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. With this market, it aims to reach 70% of the total millennial market in Africa. The next step will be to roll out its services continent-wide. The media platform wants to produce more video content in the future. Also, it has plans to create travel and technology content as it grows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 Business Lessons from<\/strong> OMG Global Co-founders<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Act on Feedback<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah emphasizes that customer feedback is very important. By analyzing your feedback, you can know what is lacking in your offerings. Thus, acting on customer feedback can help you adjust your products and make them relevant to your clients. Remember, the ultimate goal is always to enhance customer satisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Look for gaps in the market<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Business is all about delivering value to your customers. Before you venture into your field of interest, conduct some research to identify the gaps in the market. Mensah says that is exactly what they did before establishing OMG Global. Research helps you to identify people's needs that are not currently available. Once you establish a need, set up your business and fulfill that need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Be accessible<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Customers become loyal to businesses that are accessible when issues arise. Sometimes, your clients will want to seek assistance, clarification, or even to speak out about their concerns and problems. So, make sure to put in place channels through which your clients can reach you. That way, you will be accessible when they need to talk to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: \ud83d\ude325 Business Lessons From Cosmas Maduka, The Man That Turned $1 To $500 Million<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Pay attention to numbers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In business, numbers mean everything. You need to have more clients to make more sales and money. So, depending on your business, invest in having as many clients as possible. Develop a clear roadmap on how you will get to your target audience. Once you reach them, aim to convert them into clients or buying customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Any business needs patience<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No business grows overnight. It takes time to get investors and clients as well. In the beginning, investors may not believe that your idea will work. Some will only be convinced to fund your business once you get some loyal clients. Similarly, some clients will not trust your services just because your business is new. In all these instances, you will need to have a lot of patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global is making a significant impact in serving the huge demand for digital content in Africa. Nonetheless, there are still many opportunities in digital publishing and other fields that young entrepreneurs can exploit. We hope that the success story of Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah serves as an encouragement that will spur you to success.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Entrepreneur Spotlight: Three College Students Think Out Of The Box To Create OMG Digital","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"three-college-student-think-out-of-the-box-to-create-omg-digital","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=298246","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401604,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-10-03 10:44:45","post_date_gmt":"2022-10-03 17:44:45","post_content":"\n

\"Quindaro
Quindaro Township Site (Photo credit: KCUR)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first step toward amending wounds is the acceptance of wrongdoing. For many years, there has been a growing call for European countries to offer apologies for their role in the transatlantic slave trade. However, European countries are not the only guilty party. African chiefs facilitated the slave trade in one way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time since the end of the slave trade, African leaders have offered apologies for the wrongdoings of their ancestors. On Wednesday 28 September 2022, African delegates converged at the Quindaro Township Site in Kansas City, Kansas for a ceremony. Also present was Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Anita
Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0<\/em>UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the ceremony, the African delegates read out letters of apology from their tribal leaders and chiefs for the role of their ancestors in the slave trade of fellow Africans. Reacting to the apology letters, Dixon who noted that inviting the African delegates to the Quindaro site was crucial said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the healing that I have yearned for as a Black woman in America. This apology is for African people, Black people scattered all over the globe and not just to people of color.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembrance Of Slave Trade: Is Modern Slavery Worse Than The Pre-colonial Era?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also present at the ceremony was Wyandotte County Commissioner, Gayle Townsend, members of the Wyandotte Tribe, and state and local leaders from Missouri and Kansas. The apology letters zoomed in on the dark past of the African continent and the role local chiefs played in facilitating the slave trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Right from the start, access to funding was a huge challenge. In the beginning, the co-founders didn\u2019t realize the growth they had anticipated. This is because they didn\u2019t have enough money to do all that they had planned. So, they would reinvest the profit back into the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the co-founders continued to seek funding nationally and internationally. Their efforts bore fruit in 2017 when they fundraised $1.1M from several international investors including Comcast Ventures, M&Y Growth Partners<\/span>, and Kima Ventures<\/span>. These funds helped to expand the company and scale operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Want To Build Wealth? Here Are 20 Youtube Channels We Think You Should Subscribe To<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Another challenge was the diversity of the continent. So, producing content that was relevant to different communities was a challenge at the onset. However, this challenge was resolved with time as the company hired staff from different regions in the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global Success<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since its inception, the OMG Global website has a total monthly view of more than 90 million. Today, the media company boasts of 4.5 million readers each month. The company is now present in three countries in Africa\u2014Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. So far, OMG Global has published over 20,000 contents. Also, it has over twenty content curators from Africa. With this team, it is easy to create relevant original content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expansion plans<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The digital media company aims to market its content to English speakers in Africa before extending to French-speaking countries. This is because English speakers form the largest population of internet users. So, OMG Global plans to extend its reach to more English-speaking countries in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Did You Know You Can Start These Businesses In Africa With Just $1,000 or Less?<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, the company plans to launch its brands in South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. With this market, it aims to reach 70% of the total millennial market in Africa. The next step will be to roll out its services continent-wide. The media platform wants to produce more video content in the future. Also, it has plans to create travel and technology content as it grows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 Business Lessons from<\/strong> OMG Global Co-founders<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Act on Feedback<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah emphasizes that customer feedback is very important. By analyzing your feedback, you can know what is lacking in your offerings. Thus, acting on customer feedback can help you adjust your products and make them relevant to your clients. Remember, the ultimate goal is always to enhance customer satisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Look for gaps in the market<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Business is all about delivering value to your customers. Before you venture into your field of interest, conduct some research to identify the gaps in the market. Mensah says that is exactly what they did before establishing OMG Global. Research helps you to identify people's needs that are not currently available. Once you establish a need, set up your business and fulfill that need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Be accessible<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Customers become loyal to businesses that are accessible when issues arise. Sometimes, your clients will want to seek assistance, clarification, or even to speak out about their concerns and problems. So, make sure to put in place channels through which your clients can reach you. That way, you will be accessible when they need to talk to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: \ud83d\ude325 Business Lessons From Cosmas Maduka, The Man That Turned $1 To $500 Million<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Pay attention to numbers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In business, numbers mean everything. You need to have more clients to make more sales and money. So, depending on your business, invest in having as many clients as possible. Develop a clear roadmap on how you will get to your target audience. Once you reach them, aim to convert them into clients or buying customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Any business needs patience<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No business grows overnight. It takes time to get investors and clients as well. In the beginning, investors may not believe that your idea will work. Some will only be convinced to fund your business once you get some loyal clients. Similarly, some clients will not trust your services just because your business is new. In all these instances, you will need to have a lot of patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global is making a significant impact in serving the huge demand for digital content in Africa. Nonetheless, there are still many opportunities in digital publishing and other fields that young entrepreneurs can exploit. We hope that the success story of Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah serves as an encouragement that will spur you to success.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Entrepreneur Spotlight: Three College Students Think Out Of The Box To Create OMG Digital","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"three-college-student-think-out-of-the-box-to-create-omg-digital","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=298246","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401604,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-10-03 10:44:45","post_date_gmt":"2022-10-03 17:44:45","post_content":"\n

\"Quindaro
Quindaro Township Site (Photo credit: KCUR)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first step toward amending wounds is the acceptance of wrongdoing. For many years, there has been a growing call for European countries to offer apologies for their role in the transatlantic slave trade. However, European countries are not the only guilty party. African chiefs facilitated the slave trade in one way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time since the end of the slave trade, African leaders have offered apologies for the wrongdoings of their ancestors. On Wednesday 28 September 2022, African delegates converged at the Quindaro Township Site in Kansas City, Kansas for a ceremony. Also present was Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Anita
Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0<\/em>UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the ceremony, the African delegates read out letters of apology from their tribal leaders and chiefs for the role of their ancestors in the slave trade of fellow Africans. Reacting to the apology letters, Dixon who noted that inviting the African delegates to the Quindaro site was crucial said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the healing that I have yearned for as a Black woman in America. This apology is for African people, Black people scattered all over the globe and not just to people of color.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembrance Of Slave Trade: Is Modern Slavery Worse Than The Pre-colonial Era?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also present at the ceremony was Wyandotte County Commissioner, Gayle Townsend, members of the Wyandotte Tribe, and state and local leaders from Missouri and Kansas. The apology letters zoomed in on the dark past of the African continent and the role local chiefs played in facilitating the slave trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Challenges of Running OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Right from the start, access to funding was a huge challenge. In the beginning, the co-founders didn\u2019t realize the growth they had anticipated. This is because they didn\u2019t have enough money to do all that they had planned. So, they would reinvest the profit back into the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the co-founders continued to seek funding nationally and internationally. Their efforts bore fruit in 2017 when they fundraised $1.1M from several international investors including Comcast Ventures, M&Y Growth Partners<\/span>, and Kima Ventures<\/span>. These funds helped to expand the company and scale operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Want To Build Wealth? Here Are 20 Youtube Channels We Think You Should Subscribe To<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Another challenge was the diversity of the continent. So, producing content that was relevant to different communities was a challenge at the onset. However, this challenge was resolved with time as the company hired staff from different regions in the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global Success<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since its inception, the OMG Global website has a total monthly view of more than 90 million. Today, the media company boasts of 4.5 million readers each month. The company is now present in three countries in Africa\u2014Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. So far, OMG Global has published over 20,000 contents. Also, it has over twenty content curators from Africa. With this team, it is easy to create relevant original content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expansion plans<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The digital media company aims to market its content to English speakers in Africa before extending to French-speaking countries. This is because English speakers form the largest population of internet users. So, OMG Global plans to extend its reach to more English-speaking countries in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Did You Know You Can Start These Businesses In Africa With Just $1,000 or Less?<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, the company plans to launch its brands in South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. With this market, it aims to reach 70% of the total millennial market in Africa. The next step will be to roll out its services continent-wide. The media platform wants to produce more video content in the future. Also, it has plans to create travel and technology content as it grows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 Business Lessons from<\/strong> OMG Global Co-founders<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Act on Feedback<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah emphasizes that customer feedback is very important. By analyzing your feedback, you can know what is lacking in your offerings. Thus, acting on customer feedback can help you adjust your products and make them relevant to your clients. Remember, the ultimate goal is always to enhance customer satisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Look for gaps in the market<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Business is all about delivering value to your customers. Before you venture into your field of interest, conduct some research to identify the gaps in the market. Mensah says that is exactly what they did before establishing OMG Global. Research helps you to identify people's needs that are not currently available. Once you establish a need, set up your business and fulfill that need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Be accessible<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Customers become loyal to businesses that are accessible when issues arise. Sometimes, your clients will want to seek assistance, clarification, or even to speak out about their concerns and problems. So, make sure to put in place channels through which your clients can reach you. That way, you will be accessible when they need to talk to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: \ud83d\ude325 Business Lessons From Cosmas Maduka, The Man That Turned $1 To $500 Million<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Pay attention to numbers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In business, numbers mean everything. You need to have more clients to make more sales and money. So, depending on your business, invest in having as many clients as possible. Develop a clear roadmap on how you will get to your target audience. Once you reach them, aim to convert them into clients or buying customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Any business needs patience<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No business grows overnight. It takes time to get investors and clients as well. In the beginning, investors may not believe that your idea will work. Some will only be convinced to fund your business once you get some loyal clients. Similarly, some clients will not trust your services just because your business is new. In all these instances, you will need to have a lot of patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global is making a significant impact in serving the huge demand for digital content in Africa. Nonetheless, there are still many opportunities in digital publishing and other fields that young entrepreneurs can exploit. We hope that the success story of Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah serves as an encouragement that will spur you to success.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Entrepreneur Spotlight: Three College Students Think Out Of The Box To Create OMG Digital","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"three-college-student-think-out-of-the-box-to-create-omg-digital","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=298246","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401604,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-10-03 10:44:45","post_date_gmt":"2022-10-03 17:44:45","post_content":"\n

\"Quindaro
Quindaro Township Site (Photo credit: KCUR)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first step toward amending wounds is the acceptance of wrongdoing. For many years, there has been a growing call for European countries to offer apologies for their role in the transatlantic slave trade. However, European countries are not the only guilty party. African chiefs facilitated the slave trade in one way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time since the end of the slave trade, African leaders have offered apologies for the wrongdoings of their ancestors. On Wednesday 28 September 2022, African delegates converged at the Quindaro Township Site in Kansas City, Kansas for a ceremony. Also present was Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Anita
Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0<\/em>UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the ceremony, the African delegates read out letters of apology from their tribal leaders and chiefs for the role of their ancestors in the slave trade of fellow Africans. Reacting to the apology letters, Dixon who noted that inviting the African delegates to the Quindaro site was crucial said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the healing that I have yearned for as a Black woman in America. This apology is for African people, Black people scattered all over the globe and not just to people of color.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembrance Of Slave Trade: Is Modern Slavery Worse Than The Pre-colonial Era?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also present at the ceremony was Wyandotte County Commissioner, Gayle Townsend, members of the Wyandotte Tribe, and state and local leaders from Missouri and Kansas. The apology letters zoomed in on the dark past of the African continent and the role local chiefs played in facilitating the slave trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

So, alongside OMG Ghana, they decided to establish a microlending platform. But the lending company soon experienced funding challenges. At the same time, OMG Ghana was growing and getting more readers. When it started to earn them some money, they registered it as a media company and resolved to focus on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Challenges of Running OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Right from the start, access to funding was a huge challenge. In the beginning, the co-founders didn\u2019t realize the growth they had anticipated. This is because they didn\u2019t have enough money to do all that they had planned. So, they would reinvest the profit back into the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the co-founders continued to seek funding nationally and internationally. Their efforts bore fruit in 2017 when they fundraised $1.1M from several international investors including Comcast Ventures, M&Y Growth Partners<\/span>, and Kima Ventures<\/span>. These funds helped to expand the company and scale operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Want To Build Wealth? Here Are 20 Youtube Channels We Think You Should Subscribe To<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Another challenge was the diversity of the continent. So, producing content that was relevant to different communities was a challenge at the onset. However, this challenge was resolved with time as the company hired staff from different regions in the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global Success<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since its inception, the OMG Global website has a total monthly view of more than 90 million. Today, the media company boasts of 4.5 million readers each month. The company is now present in three countries in Africa\u2014Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. So far, OMG Global has published over 20,000 contents. Also, it has over twenty content curators from Africa. With this team, it is easy to create relevant original content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expansion plans<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The digital media company aims to market its content to English speakers in Africa before extending to French-speaking countries. This is because English speakers form the largest population of internet users. So, OMG Global plans to extend its reach to more English-speaking countries in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Did You Know You Can Start These Businesses In Africa With Just $1,000 or Less?<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, the company plans to launch its brands in South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. With this market, it aims to reach 70% of the total millennial market in Africa. The next step will be to roll out its services continent-wide. The media platform wants to produce more video content in the future. Also, it has plans to create travel and technology content as it grows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 Business Lessons from<\/strong> OMG Global Co-founders<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Act on Feedback<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah emphasizes that customer feedback is very important. By analyzing your feedback, you can know what is lacking in your offerings. Thus, acting on customer feedback can help you adjust your products and make them relevant to your clients. Remember, the ultimate goal is always to enhance customer satisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Look for gaps in the market<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Business is all about delivering value to your customers. Before you venture into your field of interest, conduct some research to identify the gaps in the market. Mensah says that is exactly what they did before establishing OMG Global. Research helps you to identify people's needs that are not currently available. Once you establish a need, set up your business and fulfill that need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Be accessible<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Customers become loyal to businesses that are accessible when issues arise. Sometimes, your clients will want to seek assistance, clarification, or even to speak out about their concerns and problems. So, make sure to put in place channels through which your clients can reach you. That way, you will be accessible when they need to talk to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: \ud83d\ude325 Business Lessons From Cosmas Maduka, The Man That Turned $1 To $500 Million<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Pay attention to numbers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In business, numbers mean everything. You need to have more clients to make more sales and money. So, depending on your business, invest in having as many clients as possible. Develop a clear roadmap on how you will get to your target audience. Once you reach them, aim to convert them into clients or buying customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Any business needs patience<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No business grows overnight. It takes time to get investors and clients as well. In the beginning, investors may not believe that your idea will work. Some will only be convinced to fund your business once you get some loyal clients. Similarly, some clients will not trust your services just because your business is new. In all these instances, you will need to have a lot of patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global is making a significant impact in serving the huge demand for digital content in Africa. Nonetheless, there are still many opportunities in digital publishing and other fields that young entrepreneurs can exploit. We hope that the success story of Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah serves as an encouragement that will spur you to success.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Entrepreneur Spotlight: Three College Students Think Out Of The Box To Create OMG Digital","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"three-college-student-think-out-of-the-box-to-create-omg-digital","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=298246","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401604,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-10-03 10:44:45","post_date_gmt":"2022-10-03 17:44:45","post_content":"\n

\"Quindaro
Quindaro Township Site (Photo credit: KCUR)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first step toward amending wounds is the acceptance of wrongdoing. For many years, there has been a growing call for European countries to offer apologies for their role in the transatlantic slave trade. However, European countries are not the only guilty party. African chiefs facilitated the slave trade in one way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time since the end of the slave trade, African leaders have offered apologies for the wrongdoings of their ancestors. On Wednesday 28 September 2022, African delegates converged at the Quindaro Township Site in Kansas City, Kansas for a ceremony. Also present was Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Anita
Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0<\/em>UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the ceremony, the African delegates read out letters of apology from their tribal leaders and chiefs for the role of their ancestors in the slave trade of fellow Africans. Reacting to the apology letters, Dixon who noted that inviting the African delegates to the Quindaro site was crucial said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the healing that I have yearned for as a Black woman in America. This apology is for African people, Black people scattered all over the globe and not just to people of color.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembrance Of Slave Trade: Is Modern Slavery Worse Than The Pre-colonial Era?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also present at the ceremony was Wyandotte County Commissioner, Gayle Townsend, members of the Wyandotte Tribe, and state and local leaders from Missouri and Kansas. The apology letters zoomed in on the dark past of the African continent and the role local chiefs played in facilitating the slave trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n
ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: Saran Kaba Jones\u2019s FACE Africa Is Bringing Clean Water To Liberians<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

So, alongside OMG Ghana, they decided to establish a microlending platform. But the lending company soon experienced funding challenges. At the same time, OMG Ghana was growing and getting more readers. When it started to earn them some money, they registered it as a media company and resolved to focus on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Challenges of Running OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Right from the start, access to funding was a huge challenge. In the beginning, the co-founders didn\u2019t realize the growth they had anticipated. This is because they didn\u2019t have enough money to do all that they had planned. So, they would reinvest the profit back into the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the co-founders continued to seek funding nationally and internationally. Their efforts bore fruit in 2017 when they fundraised $1.1M from several international investors including Comcast Ventures, M&Y Growth Partners<\/span>, and Kima Ventures<\/span>. These funds helped to expand the company and scale operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Want To Build Wealth? Here Are 20 Youtube Channels We Think You Should Subscribe To<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Another challenge was the diversity of the continent. So, producing content that was relevant to different communities was a challenge at the onset. However, this challenge was resolved with time as the company hired staff from different regions in the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global Success<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since its inception, the OMG Global website has a total monthly view of more than 90 million. Today, the media company boasts of 4.5 million readers each month. The company is now present in three countries in Africa\u2014Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. So far, OMG Global has published over 20,000 contents. Also, it has over twenty content curators from Africa. With this team, it is easy to create relevant original content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expansion plans<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The digital media company aims to market its content to English speakers in Africa before extending to French-speaking countries. This is because English speakers form the largest population of internet users. So, OMG Global plans to extend its reach to more English-speaking countries in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Did You Know You Can Start These Businesses In Africa With Just $1,000 or Less?<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, the company plans to launch its brands in South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. With this market, it aims to reach 70% of the total millennial market in Africa. The next step will be to roll out its services continent-wide. The media platform wants to produce more video content in the future. Also, it has plans to create travel and technology content as it grows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 Business Lessons from<\/strong> OMG Global Co-founders<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Act on Feedback<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah emphasizes that customer feedback is very important. By analyzing your feedback, you can know what is lacking in your offerings. Thus, acting on customer feedback can help you adjust your products and make them relevant to your clients. Remember, the ultimate goal is always to enhance customer satisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Look for gaps in the market<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Business is all about delivering value to your customers. Before you venture into your field of interest, conduct some research to identify the gaps in the market. Mensah says that is exactly what they did before establishing OMG Global. Research helps you to identify people's needs that are not currently available. Once you establish a need, set up your business and fulfill that need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Be accessible<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Customers become loyal to businesses that are accessible when issues arise. Sometimes, your clients will want to seek assistance, clarification, or even to speak out about their concerns and problems. So, make sure to put in place channels through which your clients can reach you. That way, you will be accessible when they need to talk to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: \ud83d\ude325 Business Lessons From Cosmas Maduka, The Man That Turned $1 To $500 Million<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Pay attention to numbers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In business, numbers mean everything. You need to have more clients to make more sales and money. So, depending on your business, invest in having as many clients as possible. Develop a clear roadmap on how you will get to your target audience. Once you reach them, aim to convert them into clients or buying customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Any business needs patience<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No business grows overnight. It takes time to get investors and clients as well. In the beginning, investors may not believe that your idea will work. Some will only be convinced to fund your business once you get some loyal clients. Similarly, some clients will not trust your services just because your business is new. In all these instances, you will need to have a lot of patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global is making a significant impact in serving the huge demand for digital content in Africa. Nonetheless, there are still many opportunities in digital publishing and other fields that young entrepreneurs can exploit. We hope that the success story of Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah serves as an encouragement that will spur you to success.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Entrepreneur Spotlight: Three College Students Think Out Of The Box To Create OMG Digital","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"three-college-student-think-out-of-the-box-to-create-omg-digital","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=298246","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401604,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-10-03 10:44:45","post_date_gmt":"2022-10-03 17:44:45","post_content":"\n

\"Quindaro
Quindaro Township Site (Photo credit: KCUR)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first step toward amending wounds is the acceptance of wrongdoing. For many years, there has been a growing call for European countries to offer apologies for their role in the transatlantic slave trade. However, European countries are not the only guilty party. African chiefs facilitated the slave trade in one way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time since the end of the slave trade, African leaders have offered apologies for the wrongdoings of their ancestors. On Wednesday 28 September 2022, African delegates converged at the Quindaro Township Site in Kansas City, Kansas for a ceremony. Also present was Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Anita
Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0<\/em>UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the ceremony, the African delegates read out letters of apology from their tribal leaders and chiefs for the role of their ancestors in the slave trade of fellow Africans. Reacting to the apology letters, Dixon who noted that inviting the African delegates to the Quindaro site was crucial said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the healing that I have yearned for as a Black woman in America. This apology is for African people, Black people scattered all over the globe and not just to people of color.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembrance Of Slave Trade: Is Modern Slavery Worse Than The Pre-colonial Era?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also present at the ceremony was Wyandotte County Commissioner, Gayle Townsend, members of the Wyandotte Tribe, and state and local leaders from Missouri and Kansas. The apology letters zoomed in on the dark past of the African continent and the role local chiefs played in facilitating the slave trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Consequently, they thought about creating lightweight content for young people like themselves. Since smartphones were penetrating quickly and Facebook was also becoming very popular, the three resolved it was time to launch their company. Thus, they found OMG Ghana. Surprisingly, they did not perceive this company to have great potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: Saran Kaba Jones\u2019s FACE Africa Is Bringing Clean Water To Liberians<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

So, alongside OMG Ghana, they decided to establish a microlending platform. But the lending company soon experienced funding challenges. At the same time, OMG Ghana was growing and getting more readers. When it started to earn them some money, they registered it as a media company and resolved to focus on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Challenges of Running OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Right from the start, access to funding was a huge challenge. In the beginning, the co-founders didn\u2019t realize the growth they had anticipated. This is because they didn\u2019t have enough money to do all that they had planned. So, they would reinvest the profit back into the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the co-founders continued to seek funding nationally and internationally. Their efforts bore fruit in 2017 when they fundraised $1.1M from several international investors including Comcast Ventures, M&Y Growth Partners<\/span>, and Kima Ventures<\/span>. These funds helped to expand the company and scale operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Want To Build Wealth? Here Are 20 Youtube Channels We Think You Should Subscribe To<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Another challenge was the diversity of the continent. So, producing content that was relevant to different communities was a challenge at the onset. However, this challenge was resolved with time as the company hired staff from different regions in the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global Success<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since its inception, the OMG Global website has a total monthly view of more than 90 million. Today, the media company boasts of 4.5 million readers each month. The company is now present in three countries in Africa\u2014Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. So far, OMG Global has published over 20,000 contents. Also, it has over twenty content curators from Africa. With this team, it is easy to create relevant original content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expansion plans<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The digital media company aims to market its content to English speakers in Africa before extending to French-speaking countries. This is because English speakers form the largest population of internet users. So, OMG Global plans to extend its reach to more English-speaking countries in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Did You Know You Can Start These Businesses In Africa With Just $1,000 or Less?<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, the company plans to launch its brands in South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. With this market, it aims to reach 70% of the total millennial market in Africa. The next step will be to roll out its services continent-wide. The media platform wants to produce more video content in the future. Also, it has plans to create travel and technology content as it grows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 Business Lessons from<\/strong> OMG Global Co-founders<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Act on Feedback<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah emphasizes that customer feedback is very important. By analyzing your feedback, you can know what is lacking in your offerings. Thus, acting on customer feedback can help you adjust your products and make them relevant to your clients. Remember, the ultimate goal is always to enhance customer satisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Look for gaps in the market<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Business is all about delivering value to your customers. Before you venture into your field of interest, conduct some research to identify the gaps in the market. Mensah says that is exactly what they did before establishing OMG Global. Research helps you to identify people's needs that are not currently available. Once you establish a need, set up your business and fulfill that need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Be accessible<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Customers become loyal to businesses that are accessible when issues arise. Sometimes, your clients will want to seek assistance, clarification, or even to speak out about their concerns and problems. So, make sure to put in place channels through which your clients can reach you. That way, you will be accessible when they need to talk to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: \ud83d\ude325 Business Lessons From Cosmas Maduka, The Man That Turned $1 To $500 Million<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Pay attention to numbers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In business, numbers mean everything. You need to have more clients to make more sales and money. So, depending on your business, invest in having as many clients as possible. Develop a clear roadmap on how you will get to your target audience. Once you reach them, aim to convert them into clients or buying customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Any business needs patience<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No business grows overnight. It takes time to get investors and clients as well. In the beginning, investors may not believe that your idea will work. Some will only be convinced to fund your business once you get some loyal clients. Similarly, some clients will not trust your services just because your business is new. In all these instances, you will need to have a lot of patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global is making a significant impact in serving the huge demand for digital content in Africa. Nonetheless, there are still many opportunities in digital publishing and other fields that young entrepreneurs can exploit. We hope that the success story of Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah serves as an encouragement that will spur you to success.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Entrepreneur Spotlight: Three College Students Think Out Of The Box To Create OMG Digital","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"three-college-student-think-out-of-the-box-to-create-omg-digital","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=298246","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401604,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-10-03 10:44:45","post_date_gmt":"2022-10-03 17:44:45","post_content":"\n

\"Quindaro
Quindaro Township Site (Photo credit: KCUR)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first step toward amending wounds is the acceptance of wrongdoing. For many years, there has been a growing call for European countries to offer apologies for their role in the transatlantic slave trade. However, European countries are not the only guilty party. African chiefs facilitated the slave trade in one way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time since the end of the slave trade, African leaders have offered apologies for the wrongdoings of their ancestors. On Wednesday 28 September 2022, African delegates converged at the Quindaro Township Site in Kansas City, Kansas for a ceremony. Also present was Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Anita
Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0<\/em>UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the ceremony, the African delegates read out letters of apology from their tribal leaders and chiefs for the role of their ancestors in the slave trade of fellow Africans. Reacting to the apology letters, Dixon who noted that inviting the African delegates to the Quindaro site was crucial said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the healing that I have yearned for as a Black woman in America. This apology is for African people, Black people scattered all over the globe and not just to people of color.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembrance Of Slave Trade: Is Modern Slavery Worse Than The Pre-colonial Era?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also present at the ceremony was Wyandotte County Commissioner, Gayle Townsend, members of the Wyandotte Tribe, and state and local leaders from Missouri and Kansas. The apology letters zoomed in on the dark past of the African continent and the role local chiefs played in facilitating the slave trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

\u201cIt was really frustrating for us because we would go online and all the content was just boring news and politics and stuff. Most of the people online back then were youth like us. BuzzFeed and Mashable were doing things for millennials, but we couldn\u2019t really relate to their content, so we created something for ourselves.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consequently, they thought about creating lightweight content for young people like themselves. Since smartphones were penetrating quickly and Facebook was also becoming very popular, the three resolved it was time to launch their company. Thus, they found OMG Ghana. Surprisingly, they did not perceive this company to have great potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: Saran Kaba Jones\u2019s FACE Africa Is Bringing Clean Water To Liberians<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

So, alongside OMG Ghana, they decided to establish a microlending platform. But the lending company soon experienced funding challenges. At the same time, OMG Ghana was growing and getting more readers. When it started to earn them some money, they registered it as a media company and resolved to focus on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Challenges of Running OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Right from the start, access to funding was a huge challenge. In the beginning, the co-founders didn\u2019t realize the growth they had anticipated. This is because they didn\u2019t have enough money to do all that they had planned. So, they would reinvest the profit back into the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the co-founders continued to seek funding nationally and internationally. Their efforts bore fruit in 2017 when they fundraised $1.1M from several international investors including Comcast Ventures, M&Y Growth Partners<\/span>, and Kima Ventures<\/span>. These funds helped to expand the company and scale operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Want To Build Wealth? Here Are 20 Youtube Channels We Think You Should Subscribe To<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Another challenge was the diversity of the continent. So, producing content that was relevant to different communities was a challenge at the onset. However, this challenge was resolved with time as the company hired staff from different regions in the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global Success<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since its inception, the OMG Global website has a total monthly view of more than 90 million. Today, the media company boasts of 4.5 million readers each month. The company is now present in three countries in Africa\u2014Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. So far, OMG Global has published over 20,000 contents. Also, it has over twenty content curators from Africa. With this team, it is easy to create relevant original content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expansion plans<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The digital media company aims to market its content to English speakers in Africa before extending to French-speaking countries. This is because English speakers form the largest population of internet users. So, OMG Global plans to extend its reach to more English-speaking countries in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Did You Know You Can Start These Businesses In Africa With Just $1,000 or Less?<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, the company plans to launch its brands in South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. With this market, it aims to reach 70% of the total millennial market in Africa. The next step will be to roll out its services continent-wide. The media platform wants to produce more video content in the future. Also, it has plans to create travel and technology content as it grows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 Business Lessons from<\/strong> OMG Global Co-founders<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Act on Feedback<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah emphasizes that customer feedback is very important. By analyzing your feedback, you can know what is lacking in your offerings. Thus, acting on customer feedback can help you adjust your products and make them relevant to your clients. Remember, the ultimate goal is always to enhance customer satisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Look for gaps in the market<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Business is all about delivering value to your customers. Before you venture into your field of interest, conduct some research to identify the gaps in the market. Mensah says that is exactly what they did before establishing OMG Global. Research helps you to identify people's needs that are not currently available. Once you establish a need, set up your business and fulfill that need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Be accessible<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Customers become loyal to businesses that are accessible when issues arise. Sometimes, your clients will want to seek assistance, clarification, or even to speak out about their concerns and problems. So, make sure to put in place channels through which your clients can reach you. That way, you will be accessible when they need to talk to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: \ud83d\ude325 Business Lessons From Cosmas Maduka, The Man That Turned $1 To $500 Million<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Pay attention to numbers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In business, numbers mean everything. You need to have more clients to make more sales and money. So, depending on your business, invest in having as many clients as possible. Develop a clear roadmap on how you will get to your target audience. Once you reach them, aim to convert them into clients or buying customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Any business needs patience<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No business grows overnight. It takes time to get investors and clients as well. In the beginning, investors may not believe that your idea will work. Some will only be convinced to fund your business once you get some loyal clients. Similarly, some clients will not trust your services just because your business is new. In all these instances, you will need to have a lot of patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global is making a significant impact in serving the huge demand for digital content in Africa. Nonetheless, there are still many opportunities in digital publishing and other fields that young entrepreneurs can exploit. We hope that the success story of Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah serves as an encouragement that will spur you to success.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Entrepreneur Spotlight: Three College Students Think Out Of The Box To Create OMG Digital","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"three-college-student-think-out-of-the-box-to-create-omg-digital","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=298246","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401604,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-10-03 10:44:45","post_date_gmt":"2022-10-03 17:44:45","post_content":"\n

\"Quindaro
Quindaro Township Site (Photo credit: KCUR)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first step toward amending wounds is the acceptance of wrongdoing. For many years, there has been a growing call for European countries to offer apologies for their role in the transatlantic slave trade. However, European countries are not the only guilty party. African chiefs facilitated the slave trade in one way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time since the end of the slave trade, African leaders have offered apologies for the wrongdoings of their ancestors. On Wednesday 28 September 2022, African delegates converged at the Quindaro Township Site in Kansas City, Kansas for a ceremony. Also present was Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Anita
Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0<\/em>UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the ceremony, the African delegates read out letters of apology from their tribal leaders and chiefs for the role of their ancestors in the slave trade of fellow Africans. Reacting to the apology letters, Dixon who noted that inviting the African delegates to the Quindaro site was crucial said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the healing that I have yearned for as a Black woman in America. This apology is for African people, Black people scattered all over the globe and not just to people of color.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembrance Of Slave Trade: Is Modern Slavery Worse Than The Pre-colonial Era?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also present at the ceremony was Wyandotte County Commissioner, Gayle Townsend, members of the Wyandotte Tribe, and state and local leaders from Missouri and Kansas. The apology letters zoomed in on the dark past of the African continent and the role local chiefs played in facilitating the slave trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really frustrating for us because we would go online and all the content was just boring news and politics and stuff. Most of the people online back then were youth like us. BuzzFeed and Mashable were doing things for millennials, but we couldn\u2019t really relate to their content, so we created something for ourselves.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consequently, they thought about creating lightweight content for young people like themselves. Since smartphones were penetrating quickly and Facebook was also becoming very popular, the three resolved it was time to launch their company. Thus, they found OMG Ghana. Surprisingly, they did not perceive this company to have great potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: Saran Kaba Jones\u2019s FACE Africa Is Bringing Clean Water To Liberians<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

So, alongside OMG Ghana, they decided to establish a microlending platform. But the lending company soon experienced funding challenges. At the same time, OMG Ghana was growing and getting more readers. When it started to earn them some money, they registered it as a media company and resolved to focus on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Challenges of Running OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Right from the start, access to funding was a huge challenge. In the beginning, the co-founders didn\u2019t realize the growth they had anticipated. This is because they didn\u2019t have enough money to do all that they had planned. So, they would reinvest the profit back into the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the co-founders continued to seek funding nationally and internationally. Their efforts bore fruit in 2017 when they fundraised $1.1M from several international investors including Comcast Ventures, M&Y Growth Partners<\/span>, and Kima Ventures<\/span>. These funds helped to expand the company and scale operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Want To Build Wealth? Here Are 20 Youtube Channels We Think You Should Subscribe To<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Another challenge was the diversity of the continent. So, producing content that was relevant to different communities was a challenge at the onset. However, this challenge was resolved with time as the company hired staff from different regions in the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global Success<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since its inception, the OMG Global website has a total monthly view of more than 90 million. Today, the media company boasts of 4.5 million readers each month. The company is now present in three countries in Africa\u2014Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. So far, OMG Global has published over 20,000 contents. Also, it has over twenty content curators from Africa. With this team, it is easy to create relevant original content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expansion plans<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The digital media company aims to market its content to English speakers in Africa before extending to French-speaking countries. This is because English speakers form the largest population of internet users. So, OMG Global plans to extend its reach to more English-speaking countries in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Did You Know You Can Start These Businesses In Africa With Just $1,000 or Less?<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, the company plans to launch its brands in South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. With this market, it aims to reach 70% of the total millennial market in Africa. The next step will be to roll out its services continent-wide. The media platform wants to produce more video content in the future. Also, it has plans to create travel and technology content as it grows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 Business Lessons from<\/strong> OMG Global Co-founders<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Act on Feedback<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah emphasizes that customer feedback is very important. By analyzing your feedback, you can know what is lacking in your offerings. Thus, acting on customer feedback can help you adjust your products and make them relevant to your clients. Remember, the ultimate goal is always to enhance customer satisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Look for gaps in the market<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Business is all about delivering value to your customers. Before you venture into your field of interest, conduct some research to identify the gaps in the market. Mensah says that is exactly what they did before establishing OMG Global. Research helps you to identify people's needs that are not currently available. Once you establish a need, set up your business and fulfill that need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Be accessible<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Customers become loyal to businesses that are accessible when issues arise. Sometimes, your clients will want to seek assistance, clarification, or even to speak out about their concerns and problems. So, make sure to put in place channels through which your clients can reach you. That way, you will be accessible when they need to talk to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: \ud83d\ude325 Business Lessons From Cosmas Maduka, The Man That Turned $1 To $500 Million<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Pay attention to numbers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In business, numbers mean everything. You need to have more clients to make more sales and money. So, depending on your business, invest in having as many clients as possible. Develop a clear roadmap on how you will get to your target audience. Once you reach them, aim to convert them into clients or buying customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Any business needs patience<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No business grows overnight. It takes time to get investors and clients as well. In the beginning, investors may not believe that your idea will work. Some will only be convinced to fund your business once you get some loyal clients. Similarly, some clients will not trust your services just because your business is new. In all these instances, you will need to have a lot of patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global is making a significant impact in serving the huge demand for digital content in Africa. Nonetheless, there are still many opportunities in digital publishing and other fields that young entrepreneurs can exploit. We hope that the success story of Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah serves as an encouragement that will spur you to success.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Entrepreneur Spotlight: Three College Students Think Out Of The Box To Create OMG Digital","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"three-college-student-think-out-of-the-box-to-create-omg-digital","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=298246","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401604,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-10-03 10:44:45","post_date_gmt":"2022-10-03 17:44:45","post_content":"\n

\"Quindaro
Quindaro Township Site (Photo credit: KCUR)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first step toward amending wounds is the acceptance of wrongdoing. For many years, there has been a growing call for European countries to offer apologies for their role in the transatlantic slave trade. However, European countries are not the only guilty party. African chiefs facilitated the slave trade in one way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time since the end of the slave trade, African leaders have offered apologies for the wrongdoings of their ancestors. On Wednesday 28 September 2022, African delegates converged at the Quindaro Township Site in Kansas City, Kansas for a ceremony. Also present was Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Anita
Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0<\/em>UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the ceremony, the African delegates read out letters of apology from their tribal leaders and chiefs for the role of their ancestors in the slave trade of fellow Africans. Reacting to the apology letters, Dixon who noted that inviting the African delegates to the Quindaro site was crucial said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the healing that I have yearned for as a Black woman in America. This apology is for African people, Black people scattered all over the globe and not just to people of color.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembrance Of Slave Trade: Is Modern Slavery Worse Than The Pre-colonial Era?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also present at the ceremony was Wyandotte County Commissioner, Gayle Townsend, members of the Wyandotte Tribe, and state and local leaders from Missouri and Kansas. The apology letters zoomed in on the dark past of the African continent and the role local chiefs played in facilitating the slave trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah established OMG Ghana in 2012 while in college. Back then, smartphones were becoming popular in Africa. So, after acquiring smartphones, they could not find interesting content to read. Ghansah recalls,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really frustrating for us because we would go online and all the content was just boring news and politics and stuff. Most of the people online back then were youth like us. BuzzFeed and Mashable were doing things for millennials, but we couldn\u2019t really relate to their content, so we created something for ourselves.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consequently, they thought about creating lightweight content for young people like themselves. Since smartphones were penetrating quickly and Facebook was also becoming very popular, the three resolved it was time to launch their company. Thus, they found OMG Ghana. Surprisingly, they did not perceive this company to have great potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: Saran Kaba Jones\u2019s FACE Africa Is Bringing Clean Water To Liberians<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

So, alongside OMG Ghana, they decided to establish a microlending platform. But the lending company soon experienced funding challenges. At the same time, OMG Ghana was growing and getting more readers. When it started to earn them some money, they registered it as a media company and resolved to focus on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Challenges of Running OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Right from the start, access to funding was a huge challenge. In the beginning, the co-founders didn\u2019t realize the growth they had anticipated. This is because they didn\u2019t have enough money to do all that they had planned. So, they would reinvest the profit back into the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the co-founders continued to seek funding nationally and internationally. Their efforts bore fruit in 2017 when they fundraised $1.1M from several international investors including Comcast Ventures, M&Y Growth Partners<\/span>, and Kima Ventures<\/span>. These funds helped to expand the company and scale operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Want To Build Wealth? Here Are 20 Youtube Channels We Think You Should Subscribe To<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Another challenge was the diversity of the continent. So, producing content that was relevant to different communities was a challenge at the onset. However, this challenge was resolved with time as the company hired staff from different regions in the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global Success<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since its inception, the OMG Global website has a total monthly view of more than 90 million. Today, the media company boasts of 4.5 million readers each month. The company is now present in three countries in Africa\u2014Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. So far, OMG Global has published over 20,000 contents. Also, it has over twenty content curators from Africa. With this team, it is easy to create relevant original content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expansion plans<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The digital media company aims to market its content to English speakers in Africa before extending to French-speaking countries. This is because English speakers form the largest population of internet users. So, OMG Global plans to extend its reach to more English-speaking countries in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Did You Know You Can Start These Businesses In Africa With Just $1,000 or Less?<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, the company plans to launch its brands in South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. With this market, it aims to reach 70% of the total millennial market in Africa. The next step will be to roll out its services continent-wide. The media platform wants to produce more video content in the future. Also, it has plans to create travel and technology content as it grows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 Business Lessons from<\/strong> OMG Global Co-founders<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Act on Feedback<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah emphasizes that customer feedback is very important. By analyzing your feedback, you can know what is lacking in your offerings. Thus, acting on customer feedback can help you adjust your products and make them relevant to your clients. Remember, the ultimate goal is always to enhance customer satisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Look for gaps in the market<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Business is all about delivering value to your customers. Before you venture into your field of interest, conduct some research to identify the gaps in the market. Mensah says that is exactly what they did before establishing OMG Global. Research helps you to identify people's needs that are not currently available. Once you establish a need, set up your business and fulfill that need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Be accessible<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Customers become loyal to businesses that are accessible when issues arise. Sometimes, your clients will want to seek assistance, clarification, or even to speak out about their concerns and problems. So, make sure to put in place channels through which your clients can reach you. That way, you will be accessible when they need to talk to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: \ud83d\ude325 Business Lessons From Cosmas Maduka, The Man That Turned $1 To $500 Million<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Pay attention to numbers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In business, numbers mean everything. You need to have more clients to make more sales and money. So, depending on your business, invest in having as many clients as possible. Develop a clear roadmap on how you will get to your target audience. Once you reach them, aim to convert them into clients or buying customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Any business needs patience<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No business grows overnight. It takes time to get investors and clients as well. In the beginning, investors may not believe that your idea will work. Some will only be convinced to fund your business once you get some loyal clients. Similarly, some clients will not trust your services just because your business is new. In all these instances, you will need to have a lot of patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global is making a significant impact in serving the huge demand for digital content in Africa. Nonetheless, there are still many opportunities in digital publishing and other fields that young entrepreneurs can exploit. We hope that the success story of Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah serves as an encouragement that will spur you to success.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Entrepreneur Spotlight: Three College Students Think Out Of The Box To Create OMG Digital","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"three-college-student-think-out-of-the-box-to-create-omg-digital","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=298246","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401604,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-10-03 10:44:45","post_date_gmt":"2022-10-03 17:44:45","post_content":"\n

\"Quindaro
Quindaro Township Site (Photo credit: KCUR)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first step toward amending wounds is the acceptance of wrongdoing. For many years, there has been a growing call for European countries to offer apologies for their role in the transatlantic slave trade. However, European countries are not the only guilty party. African chiefs facilitated the slave trade in one way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time since the end of the slave trade, African leaders have offered apologies for the wrongdoings of their ancestors. On Wednesday 28 September 2022, African delegates converged at the Quindaro Township Site in Kansas City, Kansas for a ceremony. Also present was Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Anita
Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0<\/em>UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the ceremony, the African delegates read out letters of apology from their tribal leaders and chiefs for the role of their ancestors in the slave trade of fellow Africans. Reacting to the apology letters, Dixon who noted that inviting the African delegates to the Quindaro site was crucial said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the healing that I have yearned for as a Black woman in America. This apology is for African people, Black people scattered all over the globe and not just to people of color.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembrance Of Slave Trade: Is Modern Slavery Worse Than The Pre-colonial Era?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also present at the ceremony was Wyandotte County Commissioner, Gayle Townsend, members of the Wyandotte Tribe, and state and local leaders from Missouri and Kansas. The apology letters zoomed in on the dark past of the African continent and the role local chiefs played in facilitating the slave trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n
\"OMG
OMG Co-Founders - Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah [Photo credit: Techpoint.africa]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah established OMG Ghana in 2012 while in college. Back then, smartphones were becoming popular in Africa. So, after acquiring smartphones, they could not find interesting content to read. Ghansah recalls,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really frustrating for us because we would go online and all the content was just boring news and politics and stuff. Most of the people online back then were youth like us. BuzzFeed and Mashable were doing things for millennials, but we couldn\u2019t really relate to their content, so we created something for ourselves.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consequently, they thought about creating lightweight content for young people like themselves. Since smartphones were penetrating quickly and Facebook was also becoming very popular, the three resolved it was time to launch their company. Thus, they found OMG Ghana. Surprisingly, they did not perceive this company to have great potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: Saran Kaba Jones\u2019s FACE Africa Is Bringing Clean Water To Liberians<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

So, alongside OMG Ghana, they decided to establish a microlending platform. But the lending company soon experienced funding challenges. At the same time, OMG Ghana was growing and getting more readers. When it started to earn them some money, they registered it as a media company and resolved to focus on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Challenges of Running OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Right from the start, access to funding was a huge challenge. In the beginning, the co-founders didn\u2019t realize the growth they had anticipated. This is because they didn\u2019t have enough money to do all that they had planned. So, they would reinvest the profit back into the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the co-founders continued to seek funding nationally and internationally. Their efforts bore fruit in 2017 when they fundraised $1.1M from several international investors including Comcast Ventures, M&Y Growth Partners<\/span>, and Kima Ventures<\/span>. These funds helped to expand the company and scale operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Want To Build Wealth? Here Are 20 Youtube Channels We Think You Should Subscribe To<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Another challenge was the diversity of the continent. So, producing content that was relevant to different communities was a challenge at the onset. However, this challenge was resolved with time as the company hired staff from different regions in the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global Success<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since its inception, the OMG Global website has a total monthly view of more than 90 million. Today, the media company boasts of 4.5 million readers each month. The company is now present in three countries in Africa\u2014Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. So far, OMG Global has published over 20,000 contents. Also, it has over twenty content curators from Africa. With this team, it is easy to create relevant original content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expansion plans<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The digital media company aims to market its content to English speakers in Africa before extending to French-speaking countries. This is because English speakers form the largest population of internet users. So, OMG Global plans to extend its reach to more English-speaking countries in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Did You Know You Can Start These Businesses In Africa With Just $1,000 or Less?<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, the company plans to launch its brands in South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. With this market, it aims to reach 70% of the total millennial market in Africa. The next step will be to roll out its services continent-wide. The media platform wants to produce more video content in the future. Also, it has plans to create travel and technology content as it grows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 Business Lessons from<\/strong> OMG Global Co-founders<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Act on Feedback<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah emphasizes that customer feedback is very important. By analyzing your feedback, you can know what is lacking in your offerings. Thus, acting on customer feedback can help you adjust your products and make them relevant to your clients. Remember, the ultimate goal is always to enhance customer satisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Look for gaps in the market<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Business is all about delivering value to your customers. Before you venture into your field of interest, conduct some research to identify the gaps in the market. Mensah says that is exactly what they did before establishing OMG Global. Research helps you to identify people's needs that are not currently available. Once you establish a need, set up your business and fulfill that need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Be accessible<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Customers become loyal to businesses that are accessible when issues arise. Sometimes, your clients will want to seek assistance, clarification, or even to speak out about their concerns and problems. So, make sure to put in place channels through which your clients can reach you. That way, you will be accessible when they need to talk to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: \ud83d\ude325 Business Lessons From Cosmas Maduka, The Man That Turned $1 To $500 Million<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Pay attention to numbers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In business, numbers mean everything. You need to have more clients to make more sales and money. So, depending on your business, invest in having as many clients as possible. Develop a clear roadmap on how you will get to your target audience. Once you reach them, aim to convert them into clients or buying customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Any business needs patience<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No business grows overnight. It takes time to get investors and clients as well. In the beginning, investors may not believe that your idea will work. Some will only be convinced to fund your business once you get some loyal clients. Similarly, some clients will not trust your services just because your business is new. In all these instances, you will need to have a lot of patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global is making a significant impact in serving the huge demand for digital content in Africa. Nonetheless, there are still many opportunities in digital publishing and other fields that young entrepreneurs can exploit. We hope that the success story of Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah serves as an encouragement that will spur you to success.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Entrepreneur Spotlight: Three College Students Think Out Of The Box To Create OMG Digital","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"three-college-student-think-out-of-the-box-to-create-omg-digital","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=298246","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401604,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-10-03 10:44:45","post_date_gmt":"2022-10-03 17:44:45","post_content":"\n

\"Quindaro
Quindaro Township Site (Photo credit: KCUR)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first step toward amending wounds is the acceptance of wrongdoing. For many years, there has been a growing call for European countries to offer apologies for their role in the transatlantic slave trade. However, European countries are not the only guilty party. African chiefs facilitated the slave trade in one way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time since the end of the slave trade, African leaders have offered apologies for the wrongdoings of their ancestors. On Wednesday 28 September 2022, African delegates converged at the Quindaro Township Site in Kansas City, Kansas for a ceremony. Also present was Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Anita
Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0<\/em>UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the ceremony, the African delegates read out letters of apology from their tribal leaders and chiefs for the role of their ancestors in the slave trade of fellow Africans. Reacting to the apology letters, Dixon who noted that inviting the African delegates to the Quindaro site was crucial said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the healing that I have yearned for as a Black woman in America. This apology is for African people, Black people scattered all over the globe and not just to people of color.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembrance Of Slave Trade: Is Modern Slavery Worse Than The Pre-colonial Era?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also present at the ceremony was Wyandotte County Commissioner, Gayle Townsend, members of the Wyandotte Tribe, and state and local leaders from Missouri and Kansas. The apology letters zoomed in on the dark past of the African continent and the role local chiefs played in facilitating the slave trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Motivation to start OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"OMG
OMG Co-Founders - Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah [Photo credit: Techpoint.africa]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah established OMG Ghana in 2012 while in college. Back then, smartphones were becoming popular in Africa. So, after acquiring smartphones, they could not find interesting content to read. Ghansah recalls,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really frustrating for us because we would go online and all the content was just boring news and politics and stuff. Most of the people online back then were youth like us. BuzzFeed and Mashable were doing things for millennials, but we couldn\u2019t really relate to their content, so we created something for ourselves.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consequently, they thought about creating lightweight content for young people like themselves. Since smartphones were penetrating quickly and Facebook was also becoming very popular, the three resolved it was time to launch their company. Thus, they found OMG Ghana. Surprisingly, they did not perceive this company to have great potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: Saran Kaba Jones\u2019s FACE Africa Is Bringing Clean Water To Liberians<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

So, alongside OMG Ghana, they decided to establish a microlending platform. But the lending company soon experienced funding challenges. At the same time, OMG Ghana was growing and getting more readers. When it started to earn them some money, they registered it as a media company and resolved to focus on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Challenges of Running OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Right from the start, access to funding was a huge challenge. In the beginning, the co-founders didn\u2019t realize the growth they had anticipated. This is because they didn\u2019t have enough money to do all that they had planned. So, they would reinvest the profit back into the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the co-founders continued to seek funding nationally and internationally. Their efforts bore fruit in 2017 when they fundraised $1.1M from several international investors including Comcast Ventures, M&Y Growth Partners<\/span>, and Kima Ventures<\/span>. These funds helped to expand the company and scale operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Want To Build Wealth? Here Are 20 Youtube Channels We Think You Should Subscribe To<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Another challenge was the diversity of the continent. So, producing content that was relevant to different communities was a challenge at the onset. However, this challenge was resolved with time as the company hired staff from different regions in the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global Success<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since its inception, the OMG Global website has a total monthly view of more than 90 million. Today, the media company boasts of 4.5 million readers each month. The company is now present in three countries in Africa\u2014Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. So far, OMG Global has published over 20,000 contents. Also, it has over twenty content curators from Africa. With this team, it is easy to create relevant original content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expansion plans<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The digital media company aims to market its content to English speakers in Africa before extending to French-speaking countries. This is because English speakers form the largest population of internet users. So, OMG Global plans to extend its reach to more English-speaking countries in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Did You Know You Can Start These Businesses In Africa With Just $1,000 or Less?<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, the company plans to launch its brands in South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. With this market, it aims to reach 70% of the total millennial market in Africa. The next step will be to roll out its services continent-wide. The media platform wants to produce more video content in the future. Also, it has plans to create travel and technology content as it grows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 Business Lessons from<\/strong> OMG Global Co-founders<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Act on Feedback<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah emphasizes that customer feedback is very important. By analyzing your feedback, you can know what is lacking in your offerings. Thus, acting on customer feedback can help you adjust your products and make them relevant to your clients. Remember, the ultimate goal is always to enhance customer satisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Look for gaps in the market<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Business is all about delivering value to your customers. Before you venture into your field of interest, conduct some research to identify the gaps in the market. Mensah says that is exactly what they did before establishing OMG Global. Research helps you to identify people's needs that are not currently available. Once you establish a need, set up your business and fulfill that need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Be accessible<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Customers become loyal to businesses that are accessible when issues arise. Sometimes, your clients will want to seek assistance, clarification, or even to speak out about their concerns and problems. So, make sure to put in place channels through which your clients can reach you. That way, you will be accessible when they need to talk to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: \ud83d\ude325 Business Lessons From Cosmas Maduka, The Man That Turned $1 To $500 Million<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Pay attention to numbers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In business, numbers mean everything. You need to have more clients to make more sales and money. So, depending on your business, invest in having as many clients as possible. Develop a clear roadmap on how you will get to your target audience. Once you reach them, aim to convert them into clients or buying customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Any business needs patience<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No business grows overnight. It takes time to get investors and clients as well. In the beginning, investors may not believe that your idea will work. Some will only be convinced to fund your business once you get some loyal clients. Similarly, some clients will not trust your services just because your business is new. In all these instances, you will need to have a lot of patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global is making a significant impact in serving the huge demand for digital content in Africa. Nonetheless, there are still many opportunities in digital publishing and other fields that young entrepreneurs can exploit. We hope that the success story of Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah serves as an encouragement that will spur you to success.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Entrepreneur Spotlight: Three College Students Think Out Of The Box To Create OMG Digital","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"three-college-student-think-out-of-the-box-to-create-omg-digital","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=298246","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401604,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-10-03 10:44:45","post_date_gmt":"2022-10-03 17:44:45","post_content":"\n

\"Quindaro
Quindaro Township Site (Photo credit: KCUR)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first step toward amending wounds is the acceptance of wrongdoing. For many years, there has been a growing call for European countries to offer apologies for their role in the transatlantic slave trade. However, European countries are not the only guilty party. African chiefs facilitated the slave trade in one way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time since the end of the slave trade, African leaders have offered apologies for the wrongdoings of their ancestors. On Wednesday 28 September 2022, African delegates converged at the Quindaro Township Site in Kansas City, Kansas for a ceremony. Also present was Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Anita
Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0<\/em>UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the ceremony, the African delegates read out letters of apology from their tribal leaders and chiefs for the role of their ancestors in the slave trade of fellow Africans. Reacting to the apology letters, Dixon who noted that inviting the African delegates to the Quindaro site was crucial said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the healing that I have yearned for as a Black woman in America. This apology is for African people, Black people scattered all over the globe and not just to people of color.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembrance Of Slave Trade: Is Modern Slavery Worse Than The Pre-colonial Era?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also present at the ceremony was Wyandotte County Commissioner, Gayle Townsend, members of the Wyandotte Tribe, and state and local leaders from Missouri and Kansas. The apology letters zoomed in on the dark past of the African continent and the role local chiefs played in facilitating the slave trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n
ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: How Jason Njoku Overcame Multiple Failures To Build IrokoTV, The Netflix Of Africa<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Motivation to start OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"OMG
OMG Co-Founders - Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah [Photo credit: Techpoint.africa]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah established OMG Ghana in 2012 while in college. Back then, smartphones were becoming popular in Africa. So, after acquiring smartphones, they could not find interesting content to read. Ghansah recalls,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really frustrating for us because we would go online and all the content was just boring news and politics and stuff. Most of the people online back then were youth like us. BuzzFeed and Mashable were doing things for millennials, but we couldn\u2019t really relate to their content, so we created something for ourselves.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consequently, they thought about creating lightweight content for young people like themselves. Since smartphones were penetrating quickly and Facebook was also becoming very popular, the three resolved it was time to launch their company. Thus, they found OMG Ghana. Surprisingly, they did not perceive this company to have great potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: Saran Kaba Jones\u2019s FACE Africa Is Bringing Clean Water To Liberians<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

So, alongside OMG Ghana, they decided to establish a microlending platform. But the lending company soon experienced funding challenges. At the same time, OMG Ghana was growing and getting more readers. When it started to earn them some money, they registered it as a media company and resolved to focus on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Challenges of Running OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Right from the start, access to funding was a huge challenge. In the beginning, the co-founders didn\u2019t realize the growth they had anticipated. This is because they didn\u2019t have enough money to do all that they had planned. So, they would reinvest the profit back into the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the co-founders continued to seek funding nationally and internationally. Their efforts bore fruit in 2017 when they fundraised $1.1M from several international investors including Comcast Ventures, M&Y Growth Partners<\/span>, and Kima Ventures<\/span>. These funds helped to expand the company and scale operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Want To Build Wealth? Here Are 20 Youtube Channels We Think You Should Subscribe To<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Another challenge was the diversity of the continent. So, producing content that was relevant to different communities was a challenge at the onset. However, this challenge was resolved with time as the company hired staff from different regions in the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global Success<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since its inception, the OMG Global website has a total monthly view of more than 90 million. Today, the media company boasts of 4.5 million readers each month. The company is now present in three countries in Africa\u2014Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. So far, OMG Global has published over 20,000 contents. Also, it has over twenty content curators from Africa. With this team, it is easy to create relevant original content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expansion plans<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The digital media company aims to market its content to English speakers in Africa before extending to French-speaking countries. This is because English speakers form the largest population of internet users. So, OMG Global plans to extend its reach to more English-speaking countries in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Did You Know You Can Start These Businesses In Africa With Just $1,000 or Less?<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, the company plans to launch its brands in South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. With this market, it aims to reach 70% of the total millennial market in Africa. The next step will be to roll out its services continent-wide. The media platform wants to produce more video content in the future. Also, it has plans to create travel and technology content as it grows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 Business Lessons from<\/strong> OMG Global Co-founders<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Act on Feedback<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah emphasizes that customer feedback is very important. By analyzing your feedback, you can know what is lacking in your offerings. Thus, acting on customer feedback can help you adjust your products and make them relevant to your clients. Remember, the ultimate goal is always to enhance customer satisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Look for gaps in the market<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Business is all about delivering value to your customers. Before you venture into your field of interest, conduct some research to identify the gaps in the market. Mensah says that is exactly what they did before establishing OMG Global. Research helps you to identify people's needs that are not currently available. Once you establish a need, set up your business and fulfill that need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Be accessible<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Customers become loyal to businesses that are accessible when issues arise. Sometimes, your clients will want to seek assistance, clarification, or even to speak out about their concerns and problems. So, make sure to put in place channels through which your clients can reach you. That way, you will be accessible when they need to talk to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: \ud83d\ude325 Business Lessons From Cosmas Maduka, The Man That Turned $1 To $500 Million<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Pay attention to numbers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In business, numbers mean everything. You need to have more clients to make more sales and money. So, depending on your business, invest in having as many clients as possible. Develop a clear roadmap on how you will get to your target audience. Once you reach them, aim to convert them into clients or buying customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Any business needs patience<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No business grows overnight. It takes time to get investors and clients as well. In the beginning, investors may not believe that your idea will work. Some will only be convinced to fund your business once you get some loyal clients. Similarly, some clients will not trust your services just because your business is new. In all these instances, you will need to have a lot of patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global is making a significant impact in serving the huge demand for digital content in Africa. Nonetheless, there are still many opportunities in digital publishing and other fields that young entrepreneurs can exploit. We hope that the success story of Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah serves as an encouragement that will spur you to success.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Entrepreneur Spotlight: Three College Students Think Out Of The Box To Create OMG Digital","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"three-college-student-think-out-of-the-box-to-create-omg-digital","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=298246","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401604,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-10-03 10:44:45","post_date_gmt":"2022-10-03 17:44:45","post_content":"\n

\"Quindaro
Quindaro Township Site (Photo credit: KCUR)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first step toward amending wounds is the acceptance of wrongdoing. For many years, there has been a growing call for European countries to offer apologies for their role in the transatlantic slave trade. However, European countries are not the only guilty party. African chiefs facilitated the slave trade in one way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time since the end of the slave trade, African leaders have offered apologies for the wrongdoings of their ancestors. On Wednesday 28 September 2022, African delegates converged at the Quindaro Township Site in Kansas City, Kansas for a ceremony. Also present was Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Anita
Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0<\/em>UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the ceremony, the African delegates read out letters of apology from their tribal leaders and chiefs for the role of their ancestors in the slave trade of fellow Africans. Reacting to the apology letters, Dixon who noted that inviting the African delegates to the Quindaro site was crucial said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the healing that I have yearned for as a Black woman in America. This apology is for African people, Black people scattered all over the globe and not just to people of color.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembrance Of Slave Trade: Is Modern Slavery Worse Than The Pre-colonial Era?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also present at the ceremony was Wyandotte County Commissioner, Gayle Townsend, members of the Wyandotte Tribe, and state and local leaders from Missouri and Kansas. The apology letters zoomed in on the dark past of the African continent and the role local chiefs played in facilitating the slave trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

However, OMG Digital founders recognized the yearning among millennials for entertainment and social content. By creating this type of content, the digital media company has inspired several other millennial-focused media companies on the African market. Now, almost every medial company is striving to create and distribute social content on social medial platforms. OMG Digital has inspired some Western digital media companies to test out the Sub-Saharan Africa market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: How Jason Njoku Overcame Multiple Failures To Build IrokoTV, The Netflix Of Africa<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Motivation to start OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"OMG
OMG Co-Founders - Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah [Photo credit: Techpoint.africa]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah established OMG Ghana in 2012 while in college. Back then, smartphones were becoming popular in Africa. So, after acquiring smartphones, they could not find interesting content to read. Ghansah recalls,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really frustrating for us because we would go online and all the content was just boring news and politics and stuff. Most of the people online back then were youth like us. BuzzFeed and Mashable were doing things for millennials, but we couldn\u2019t really relate to their content, so we created something for ourselves.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consequently, they thought about creating lightweight content for young people like themselves. Since smartphones were penetrating quickly and Facebook was also becoming very popular, the three resolved it was time to launch their company. Thus, they found OMG Ghana. Surprisingly, they did not perceive this company to have great potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: Saran Kaba Jones\u2019s FACE Africa Is Bringing Clean Water To Liberians<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

So, alongside OMG Ghana, they decided to establish a microlending platform. But the lending company soon experienced funding challenges. At the same time, OMG Ghana was growing and getting more readers. When it started to earn them some money, they registered it as a media company and resolved to focus on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Challenges of Running OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Right from the start, access to funding was a huge challenge. In the beginning, the co-founders didn\u2019t realize the growth they had anticipated. This is because they didn\u2019t have enough money to do all that they had planned. So, they would reinvest the profit back into the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the co-founders continued to seek funding nationally and internationally. Their efforts bore fruit in 2017 when they fundraised $1.1M from several international investors including Comcast Ventures, M&Y Growth Partners<\/span>, and Kima Ventures<\/span>. These funds helped to expand the company and scale operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Want To Build Wealth? Here Are 20 Youtube Channels We Think You Should Subscribe To<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Another challenge was the diversity of the continent. So, producing content that was relevant to different communities was a challenge at the onset. However, this challenge was resolved with time as the company hired staff from different regions in the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global Success<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since its inception, the OMG Global website has a total monthly view of more than 90 million. Today, the media company boasts of 4.5 million readers each month. The company is now present in three countries in Africa\u2014Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. So far, OMG Global has published over 20,000 contents. Also, it has over twenty content curators from Africa. With this team, it is easy to create relevant original content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expansion plans<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The digital media company aims to market its content to English speakers in Africa before extending to French-speaking countries. This is because English speakers form the largest population of internet users. So, OMG Global plans to extend its reach to more English-speaking countries in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Did You Know You Can Start These Businesses In Africa With Just $1,000 or Less?<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, the company plans to launch its brands in South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. With this market, it aims to reach 70% of the total millennial market in Africa. The next step will be to roll out its services continent-wide. The media platform wants to produce more video content in the future. Also, it has plans to create travel and technology content as it grows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 Business Lessons from<\/strong> OMG Global Co-founders<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Act on Feedback<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah emphasizes that customer feedback is very important. By analyzing your feedback, you can know what is lacking in your offerings. Thus, acting on customer feedback can help you adjust your products and make them relevant to your clients. Remember, the ultimate goal is always to enhance customer satisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Look for gaps in the market<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Business is all about delivering value to your customers. Before you venture into your field of interest, conduct some research to identify the gaps in the market. Mensah says that is exactly what they did before establishing OMG Global. Research helps you to identify people's needs that are not currently available. Once you establish a need, set up your business and fulfill that need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Be accessible<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Customers become loyal to businesses that are accessible when issues arise. Sometimes, your clients will want to seek assistance, clarification, or even to speak out about their concerns and problems. So, make sure to put in place channels through which your clients can reach you. That way, you will be accessible when they need to talk to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: \ud83d\ude325 Business Lessons From Cosmas Maduka, The Man That Turned $1 To $500 Million<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Pay attention to numbers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In business, numbers mean everything. You need to have more clients to make more sales and money. So, depending on your business, invest in having as many clients as possible. Develop a clear roadmap on how you will get to your target audience. Once you reach them, aim to convert them into clients or buying customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Any business needs patience<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No business grows overnight. It takes time to get investors and clients as well. In the beginning, investors may not believe that your idea will work. Some will only be convinced to fund your business once you get some loyal clients. Similarly, some clients will not trust your services just because your business is new. In all these instances, you will need to have a lot of patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global is making a significant impact in serving the huge demand for digital content in Africa. Nonetheless, there are still many opportunities in digital publishing and other fields that young entrepreneurs can exploit. We hope that the success story of Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah serves as an encouragement that will spur you to success.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Entrepreneur Spotlight: Three College Students Think Out Of The Box To Create OMG Digital","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"three-college-student-think-out-of-the-box-to-create-omg-digital","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=298246","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401604,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-10-03 10:44:45","post_date_gmt":"2022-10-03 17:44:45","post_content":"\n

\"Quindaro
Quindaro Township Site (Photo credit: KCUR)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first step toward amending wounds is the acceptance of wrongdoing. For many years, there has been a growing call for European countries to offer apologies for their role in the transatlantic slave trade. However, European countries are not the only guilty party. African chiefs facilitated the slave trade in one way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time since the end of the slave trade, African leaders have offered apologies for the wrongdoings of their ancestors. On Wednesday 28 September 2022, African delegates converged at the Quindaro Township Site in Kansas City, Kansas for a ceremony. Also present was Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Anita
Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0<\/em>UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the ceremony, the African delegates read out letters of apology from their tribal leaders and chiefs for the role of their ancestors in the slave trade of fellow Africans. Reacting to the apology letters, Dixon who noted that inviting the African delegates to the Quindaro site was crucial said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the healing that I have yearned for as a Black woman in America. This apology is for African people, Black people scattered all over the globe and not just to people of color.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembrance Of Slave Trade: Is Modern Slavery Worse Than The Pre-colonial Era?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also present at the ceremony was Wyandotte County Commissioner, Gayle Townsend, members of the Wyandotte Tribe, and state and local leaders from Missouri and Kansas. The apology letters zoomed in on the dark past of the African continent and the role local chiefs played in facilitating the slave trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, OMG Digital founders recognized the yearning among millennials for entertainment and social content. By creating this type of content, the digital media company has inspired several other millennial-focused media companies on the African market. Now, almost every medial company is striving to create and distribute social content on social medial platforms. OMG Digital has inspired some Western digital media companies to test out the Sub-Saharan Africa market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: How Jason Njoku Overcame Multiple Failures To Build IrokoTV, The Netflix Of Africa<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Motivation to start OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"OMG
OMG Co-Founders - Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah [Photo credit: Techpoint.africa]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah established OMG Ghana in 2012 while in college. Back then, smartphones were becoming popular in Africa. So, after acquiring smartphones, they could not find interesting content to read. Ghansah recalls,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really frustrating for us because we would go online and all the content was just boring news and politics and stuff. Most of the people online back then were youth like us. BuzzFeed and Mashable were doing things for millennials, but we couldn\u2019t really relate to their content, so we created something for ourselves.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consequently, they thought about creating lightweight content for young people like themselves. Since smartphones were penetrating quickly and Facebook was also becoming very popular, the three resolved it was time to launch their company. Thus, they found OMG Ghana. Surprisingly, they did not perceive this company to have great potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: Saran Kaba Jones\u2019s FACE Africa Is Bringing Clean Water To Liberians<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

So, alongside OMG Ghana, they decided to establish a microlending platform. But the lending company soon experienced funding challenges. At the same time, OMG Ghana was growing and getting more readers. When it started to earn them some money, they registered it as a media company and resolved to focus on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Challenges of Running OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Right from the start, access to funding was a huge challenge. In the beginning, the co-founders didn\u2019t realize the growth they had anticipated. This is because they didn\u2019t have enough money to do all that they had planned. So, they would reinvest the profit back into the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the co-founders continued to seek funding nationally and internationally. Their efforts bore fruit in 2017 when they fundraised $1.1M from several international investors including Comcast Ventures, M&Y Growth Partners<\/span>, and Kima Ventures<\/span>. These funds helped to expand the company and scale operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Want To Build Wealth? Here Are 20 Youtube Channels We Think You Should Subscribe To<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Another challenge was the diversity of the continent. So, producing content that was relevant to different communities was a challenge at the onset. However, this challenge was resolved with time as the company hired staff from different regions in the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global Success<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since its inception, the OMG Global website has a total monthly view of more than 90 million. Today, the media company boasts of 4.5 million readers each month. The company is now present in three countries in Africa\u2014Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. So far, OMG Global has published over 20,000 contents. Also, it has over twenty content curators from Africa. With this team, it is easy to create relevant original content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expansion plans<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The digital media company aims to market its content to English speakers in Africa before extending to French-speaking countries. This is because English speakers form the largest population of internet users. So, OMG Global plans to extend its reach to more English-speaking countries in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Did You Know You Can Start These Businesses In Africa With Just $1,000 or Less?<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, the company plans to launch its brands in South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. With this market, it aims to reach 70% of the total millennial market in Africa. The next step will be to roll out its services continent-wide. The media platform wants to produce more video content in the future. Also, it has plans to create travel and technology content as it grows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 Business Lessons from<\/strong> OMG Global Co-founders<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Act on Feedback<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah emphasizes that customer feedback is very important. By analyzing your feedback, you can know what is lacking in your offerings. Thus, acting on customer feedback can help you adjust your products and make them relevant to your clients. Remember, the ultimate goal is always to enhance customer satisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Look for gaps in the market<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Business is all about delivering value to your customers. Before you venture into your field of interest, conduct some research to identify the gaps in the market. Mensah says that is exactly what they did before establishing OMG Global. Research helps you to identify people's needs that are not currently available. Once you establish a need, set up your business and fulfill that need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Be accessible<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Customers become loyal to businesses that are accessible when issues arise. Sometimes, your clients will want to seek assistance, clarification, or even to speak out about their concerns and problems. So, make sure to put in place channels through which your clients can reach you. That way, you will be accessible when they need to talk to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: \ud83d\ude325 Business Lessons From Cosmas Maduka, The Man That Turned $1 To $500 Million<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Pay attention to numbers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In business, numbers mean everything. You need to have more clients to make more sales and money. So, depending on your business, invest in having as many clients as possible. Develop a clear roadmap on how you will get to your target audience. Once you reach them, aim to convert them into clients or buying customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Any business needs patience<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No business grows overnight. It takes time to get investors and clients as well. In the beginning, investors may not believe that your idea will work. Some will only be convinced to fund your business once you get some loyal clients. Similarly, some clients will not trust your services just because your business is new. In all these instances, you will need to have a lot of patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global is making a significant impact in serving the huge demand for digital content in Africa. Nonetheless, there are still many opportunities in digital publishing and other fields that young entrepreneurs can exploit. We hope that the success story of Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah serves as an encouragement that will spur you to success.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Entrepreneur Spotlight: Three College Students Think Out Of The Box To Create OMG Digital","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"three-college-student-think-out-of-the-box-to-create-omg-digital","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=298246","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401604,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-10-03 10:44:45","post_date_gmt":"2022-10-03 17:44:45","post_content":"\n

\"Quindaro
Quindaro Township Site (Photo credit: KCUR)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first step toward amending wounds is the acceptance of wrongdoing. For many years, there has been a growing call for European countries to offer apologies for their role in the transatlantic slave trade. However, European countries are not the only guilty party. African chiefs facilitated the slave trade in one way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time since the end of the slave trade, African leaders have offered apologies for the wrongdoings of their ancestors. On Wednesday 28 September 2022, African delegates converged at the Quindaro Township Site in Kansas City, Kansas for a ceremony. Also present was Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Anita
Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0<\/em>UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the ceremony, the African delegates read out letters of apology from their tribal leaders and chiefs for the role of their ancestors in the slave trade of fellow Africans. Reacting to the apology letters, Dixon who noted that inviting the African delegates to the Quindaro site was crucial said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the healing that I have yearned for as a Black woman in America. This apology is for African people, Black people scattered all over the globe and not just to people of color.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembrance Of Slave Trade: Is Modern Slavery Worse Than The Pre-colonial Era?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also present at the ceremony was Wyandotte County Commissioner, Gayle Townsend, members of the Wyandotte Tribe, and state and local leaders from Missouri and Kansas. The apology letters zoomed in on the dark past of the African continent and the role local chiefs played in facilitating the slave trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

When the company started as OMG Ghana (which later became OMG Digital) in 2012, traditional media companies dominated the digital media space. These companies were just trying to reinvent the print experience online. So, the content they produced was largely politics and hard news.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, OMG Digital founders recognized the yearning among millennials for entertainment and social content. By creating this type of content, the digital media company has inspired several other millennial-focused media companies on the African market. Now, almost every medial company is striving to create and distribute social content on social medial platforms. OMG Digital has inspired some Western digital media companies to test out the Sub-Saharan Africa market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: How Jason Njoku Overcame Multiple Failures To Build IrokoTV, The Netflix Of Africa<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Motivation to start OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"OMG
OMG Co-Founders - Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah [Photo credit: Techpoint.africa]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah established OMG Ghana in 2012 while in college. Back then, smartphones were becoming popular in Africa. So, after acquiring smartphones, they could not find interesting content to read. Ghansah recalls,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really frustrating for us because we would go online and all the content was just boring news and politics and stuff. Most of the people online back then were youth like us. BuzzFeed and Mashable were doing things for millennials, but we couldn\u2019t really relate to their content, so we created something for ourselves.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consequently, they thought about creating lightweight content for young people like themselves. Since smartphones were penetrating quickly and Facebook was also becoming very popular, the three resolved it was time to launch their company. Thus, they found OMG Ghana. Surprisingly, they did not perceive this company to have great potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: Saran Kaba Jones\u2019s FACE Africa Is Bringing Clean Water To Liberians<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

So, alongside OMG Ghana, they decided to establish a microlending platform. But the lending company soon experienced funding challenges. At the same time, OMG Ghana was growing and getting more readers. When it started to earn them some money, they registered it as a media company and resolved to focus on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Challenges of Running OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Right from the start, access to funding was a huge challenge. In the beginning, the co-founders didn\u2019t realize the growth they had anticipated. This is because they didn\u2019t have enough money to do all that they had planned. So, they would reinvest the profit back into the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the co-founders continued to seek funding nationally and internationally. Their efforts bore fruit in 2017 when they fundraised $1.1M from several international investors including Comcast Ventures, M&Y Growth Partners<\/span>, and Kima Ventures<\/span>. These funds helped to expand the company and scale operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Want To Build Wealth? Here Are 20 Youtube Channels We Think You Should Subscribe To<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Another challenge was the diversity of the continent. So, producing content that was relevant to different communities was a challenge at the onset. However, this challenge was resolved with time as the company hired staff from different regions in the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global Success<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since its inception, the OMG Global website has a total monthly view of more than 90 million. Today, the media company boasts of 4.5 million readers each month. The company is now present in three countries in Africa\u2014Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. So far, OMG Global has published over 20,000 contents. Also, it has over twenty content curators from Africa. With this team, it is easy to create relevant original content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expansion plans<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The digital media company aims to market its content to English speakers in Africa before extending to French-speaking countries. This is because English speakers form the largest population of internet users. So, OMG Global plans to extend its reach to more English-speaking countries in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Did You Know You Can Start These Businesses In Africa With Just $1,000 or Less?<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, the company plans to launch its brands in South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. With this market, it aims to reach 70% of the total millennial market in Africa. The next step will be to roll out its services continent-wide. The media platform wants to produce more video content in the future. Also, it has plans to create travel and technology content as it grows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 Business Lessons from<\/strong> OMG Global Co-founders<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Act on Feedback<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah emphasizes that customer feedback is very important. By analyzing your feedback, you can know what is lacking in your offerings. Thus, acting on customer feedback can help you adjust your products and make them relevant to your clients. Remember, the ultimate goal is always to enhance customer satisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Look for gaps in the market<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Business is all about delivering value to your customers. Before you venture into your field of interest, conduct some research to identify the gaps in the market. Mensah says that is exactly what they did before establishing OMG Global. Research helps you to identify people's needs that are not currently available. Once you establish a need, set up your business and fulfill that need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Be accessible<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Customers become loyal to businesses that are accessible when issues arise. Sometimes, your clients will want to seek assistance, clarification, or even to speak out about their concerns and problems. So, make sure to put in place channels through which your clients can reach you. That way, you will be accessible when they need to talk to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: \ud83d\ude325 Business Lessons From Cosmas Maduka, The Man That Turned $1 To $500 Million<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Pay attention to numbers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In business, numbers mean everything. You need to have more clients to make more sales and money. So, depending on your business, invest in having as many clients as possible. Develop a clear roadmap on how you will get to your target audience. Once you reach them, aim to convert them into clients or buying customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Any business needs patience<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No business grows overnight. It takes time to get investors and clients as well. In the beginning, investors may not believe that your idea will work. Some will only be convinced to fund your business once you get some loyal clients. Similarly, some clients will not trust your services just because your business is new. In all these instances, you will need to have a lot of patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global is making a significant impact in serving the huge demand for digital content in Africa. Nonetheless, there are still many opportunities in digital publishing and other fields that young entrepreneurs can exploit. We hope that the success story of Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah serves as an encouragement that will spur you to success.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Entrepreneur Spotlight: Three College Students Think Out Of The Box To Create OMG Digital","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"three-college-student-think-out-of-the-box-to-create-omg-digital","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=298246","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401604,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-10-03 10:44:45","post_date_gmt":"2022-10-03 17:44:45","post_content":"\n

\"Quindaro
Quindaro Township Site (Photo credit: KCUR)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first step toward amending wounds is the acceptance of wrongdoing. For many years, there has been a growing call for European countries to offer apologies for their role in the transatlantic slave trade. However, European countries are not the only guilty party. African chiefs facilitated the slave trade in one way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time since the end of the slave trade, African leaders have offered apologies for the wrongdoings of their ancestors. On Wednesday 28 September 2022, African delegates converged at the Quindaro Township Site in Kansas City, Kansas for a ceremony. Also present was Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Anita
Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0<\/em>UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the ceremony, the African delegates read out letters of apology from their tribal leaders and chiefs for the role of their ancestors in the slave trade of fellow Africans. Reacting to the apology letters, Dixon who noted that inviting the African delegates to the Quindaro site was crucial said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the healing that I have yearned for as a Black woman in America. This apology is for African people, Black people scattered all over the globe and not just to people of color.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembrance Of Slave Trade: Is Modern Slavery Worse Than The Pre-colonial Era?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also present at the ceremony was Wyandotte County Commissioner, Gayle Townsend, members of the Wyandotte Tribe, and state and local leaders from Missouri and Kansas. The apology letters zoomed in on the dark past of the African continent and the role local chiefs played in facilitating the slave trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

How has OMG Digital transformed Digital Publishing in Africa?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When the company started as OMG Ghana (which later became OMG Digital) in 2012, traditional media companies dominated the digital media space. These companies were just trying to reinvent the print experience online. So, the content they produced was largely politics and hard news.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, OMG Digital founders recognized the yearning among millennials for entertainment and social content. By creating this type of content, the digital media company has inspired several other millennial-focused media companies on the African market. Now, almost every medial company is striving to create and distribute social content on social medial platforms. OMG Digital has inspired some Western digital media companies to test out the Sub-Saharan Africa market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: How Jason Njoku Overcame Multiple Failures To Build IrokoTV, The Netflix Of Africa<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Motivation to start OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"OMG
OMG Co-Founders - Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah [Photo credit: Techpoint.africa]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah established OMG Ghana in 2012 while in college. Back then, smartphones were becoming popular in Africa. So, after acquiring smartphones, they could not find interesting content to read. Ghansah recalls,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really frustrating for us because we would go online and all the content was just boring news and politics and stuff. Most of the people online back then were youth like us. BuzzFeed and Mashable were doing things for millennials, but we couldn\u2019t really relate to their content, so we created something for ourselves.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consequently, they thought about creating lightweight content for young people like themselves. Since smartphones were penetrating quickly and Facebook was also becoming very popular, the three resolved it was time to launch their company. Thus, they found OMG Ghana. Surprisingly, they did not perceive this company to have great potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: Saran Kaba Jones\u2019s FACE Africa Is Bringing Clean Water To Liberians<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

So, alongside OMG Ghana, they decided to establish a microlending platform. But the lending company soon experienced funding challenges. At the same time, OMG Ghana was growing and getting more readers. When it started to earn them some money, they registered it as a media company and resolved to focus on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Challenges of Running OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Right from the start, access to funding was a huge challenge. In the beginning, the co-founders didn\u2019t realize the growth they had anticipated. This is because they didn\u2019t have enough money to do all that they had planned. So, they would reinvest the profit back into the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the co-founders continued to seek funding nationally and internationally. Their efforts bore fruit in 2017 when they fundraised $1.1M from several international investors including Comcast Ventures, M&Y Growth Partners<\/span>, and Kima Ventures<\/span>. These funds helped to expand the company and scale operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Want To Build Wealth? Here Are 20 Youtube Channels We Think You Should Subscribe To<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Another challenge was the diversity of the continent. So, producing content that was relevant to different communities was a challenge at the onset. However, this challenge was resolved with time as the company hired staff from different regions in the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global Success<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since its inception, the OMG Global website has a total monthly view of more than 90 million. Today, the media company boasts of 4.5 million readers each month. The company is now present in three countries in Africa\u2014Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. So far, OMG Global has published over 20,000 contents. Also, it has over twenty content curators from Africa. With this team, it is easy to create relevant original content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expansion plans<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The digital media company aims to market its content to English speakers in Africa before extending to French-speaking countries. This is because English speakers form the largest population of internet users. So, OMG Global plans to extend its reach to more English-speaking countries in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Did You Know You Can Start These Businesses In Africa With Just $1,000 or Less?<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, the company plans to launch its brands in South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. With this market, it aims to reach 70% of the total millennial market in Africa. The next step will be to roll out its services continent-wide. The media platform wants to produce more video content in the future. Also, it has plans to create travel and technology content as it grows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 Business Lessons from<\/strong> OMG Global Co-founders<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Act on Feedback<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah emphasizes that customer feedback is very important. By analyzing your feedback, you can know what is lacking in your offerings. Thus, acting on customer feedback can help you adjust your products and make them relevant to your clients. Remember, the ultimate goal is always to enhance customer satisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Look for gaps in the market<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Business is all about delivering value to your customers. Before you venture into your field of interest, conduct some research to identify the gaps in the market. Mensah says that is exactly what they did before establishing OMG Global. Research helps you to identify people's needs that are not currently available. Once you establish a need, set up your business and fulfill that need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Be accessible<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Customers become loyal to businesses that are accessible when issues arise. Sometimes, your clients will want to seek assistance, clarification, or even to speak out about their concerns and problems. So, make sure to put in place channels through which your clients can reach you. That way, you will be accessible when they need to talk to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: \ud83d\ude325 Business Lessons From Cosmas Maduka, The Man That Turned $1 To $500 Million<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Pay attention to numbers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In business, numbers mean everything. You need to have more clients to make more sales and money. So, depending on your business, invest in having as many clients as possible. Develop a clear roadmap on how you will get to your target audience. Once you reach them, aim to convert them into clients or buying customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Any business needs patience<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No business grows overnight. It takes time to get investors and clients as well. In the beginning, investors may not believe that your idea will work. Some will only be convinced to fund your business once you get some loyal clients. Similarly, some clients will not trust your services just because your business is new. In all these instances, you will need to have a lot of patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global is making a significant impact in serving the huge demand for digital content in Africa. Nonetheless, there are still many opportunities in digital publishing and other fields that young entrepreneurs can exploit. We hope that the success story of Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah serves as an encouragement that will spur you to success.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Entrepreneur Spotlight: Three College Students Think Out Of The Box To Create OMG Digital","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"three-college-student-think-out-of-the-box-to-create-omg-digital","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=298246","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401604,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-10-03 10:44:45","post_date_gmt":"2022-10-03 17:44:45","post_content":"\n

\"Quindaro
Quindaro Township Site (Photo credit: KCUR)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first step toward amending wounds is the acceptance of wrongdoing. For many years, there has been a growing call for European countries to offer apologies for their role in the transatlantic slave trade. However, European countries are not the only guilty party. African chiefs facilitated the slave trade in one way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time since the end of the slave trade, African leaders have offered apologies for the wrongdoings of their ancestors. On Wednesday 28 September 2022, African delegates converged at the Quindaro Township Site in Kansas City, Kansas for a ceremony. Also present was Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Anita
Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0<\/em>UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the ceremony, the African delegates read out letters of apology from their tribal leaders and chiefs for the role of their ancestors in the slave trade of fellow Africans. Reacting to the apology letters, Dixon who noted that inviting the African delegates to the Quindaro site was crucial said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the healing that I have yearned for as a Black woman in America. This apology is for African people, Black people scattered all over the globe and not just to people of color.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembrance Of Slave Trade: Is Modern Slavery Worse Than The Pre-colonial Era?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also present at the ceremony was Wyandotte County Commissioner, Gayle Townsend, members of the Wyandotte Tribe, and state and local leaders from Missouri and Kansas. The apology letters zoomed in on the dark past of the African continent and the role local chiefs played in facilitating the slave trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n
ALSO READ: 10 of the Best Startup Accelerators for African Entrepreneurs<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

How has OMG Digital transformed Digital Publishing in Africa?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When the company started as OMG Ghana (which later became OMG Digital) in 2012, traditional media companies dominated the digital media space. These companies were just trying to reinvent the print experience online. So, the content they produced was largely politics and hard news.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, OMG Digital founders recognized the yearning among millennials for entertainment and social content. By creating this type of content, the digital media company has inspired several other millennial-focused media companies on the African market. Now, almost every medial company is striving to create and distribute social content on social medial platforms. OMG Digital has inspired some Western digital media companies to test out the Sub-Saharan Africa market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: How Jason Njoku Overcame Multiple Failures To Build IrokoTV, The Netflix Of Africa<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Motivation to start OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"OMG
OMG Co-Founders - Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah [Photo credit: Techpoint.africa]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah established OMG Ghana in 2012 while in college. Back then, smartphones were becoming popular in Africa. So, after acquiring smartphones, they could not find interesting content to read. Ghansah recalls,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really frustrating for us because we would go online and all the content was just boring news and politics and stuff. Most of the people online back then were youth like us. BuzzFeed and Mashable were doing things for millennials, but we couldn\u2019t really relate to their content, so we created something for ourselves.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consequently, they thought about creating lightweight content for young people like themselves. Since smartphones were penetrating quickly and Facebook was also becoming very popular, the three resolved it was time to launch their company. Thus, they found OMG Ghana. Surprisingly, they did not perceive this company to have great potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: Saran Kaba Jones\u2019s FACE Africa Is Bringing Clean Water To Liberians<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

So, alongside OMG Ghana, they decided to establish a microlending platform. But the lending company soon experienced funding challenges. At the same time, OMG Ghana was growing and getting more readers. When it started to earn them some money, they registered it as a media company and resolved to focus on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Challenges of Running OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Right from the start, access to funding was a huge challenge. In the beginning, the co-founders didn\u2019t realize the growth they had anticipated. This is because they didn\u2019t have enough money to do all that they had planned. So, they would reinvest the profit back into the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the co-founders continued to seek funding nationally and internationally. Their efforts bore fruit in 2017 when they fundraised $1.1M from several international investors including Comcast Ventures, M&Y Growth Partners<\/span>, and Kima Ventures<\/span>. These funds helped to expand the company and scale operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Want To Build Wealth? Here Are 20 Youtube Channels We Think You Should Subscribe To<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Another challenge was the diversity of the continent. So, producing content that was relevant to different communities was a challenge at the onset. However, this challenge was resolved with time as the company hired staff from different regions in the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global Success<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since its inception, the OMG Global website has a total monthly view of more than 90 million. Today, the media company boasts of 4.5 million readers each month. The company is now present in three countries in Africa\u2014Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. So far, OMG Global has published over 20,000 contents. Also, it has over twenty content curators from Africa. With this team, it is easy to create relevant original content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expansion plans<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The digital media company aims to market its content to English speakers in Africa before extending to French-speaking countries. This is because English speakers form the largest population of internet users. So, OMG Global plans to extend its reach to more English-speaking countries in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Did You Know You Can Start These Businesses In Africa With Just $1,000 or Less?<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, the company plans to launch its brands in South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. With this market, it aims to reach 70% of the total millennial market in Africa. The next step will be to roll out its services continent-wide. The media platform wants to produce more video content in the future. Also, it has plans to create travel and technology content as it grows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 Business Lessons from<\/strong> OMG Global Co-founders<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Act on Feedback<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah emphasizes that customer feedback is very important. By analyzing your feedback, you can know what is lacking in your offerings. Thus, acting on customer feedback can help you adjust your products and make them relevant to your clients. Remember, the ultimate goal is always to enhance customer satisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Look for gaps in the market<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Business is all about delivering value to your customers. Before you venture into your field of interest, conduct some research to identify the gaps in the market. Mensah says that is exactly what they did before establishing OMG Global. Research helps you to identify people's needs that are not currently available. Once you establish a need, set up your business and fulfill that need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Be accessible<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Customers become loyal to businesses that are accessible when issues arise. Sometimes, your clients will want to seek assistance, clarification, or even to speak out about their concerns and problems. So, make sure to put in place channels through which your clients can reach you. That way, you will be accessible when they need to talk to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: \ud83d\ude325 Business Lessons From Cosmas Maduka, The Man That Turned $1 To $500 Million<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Pay attention to numbers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In business, numbers mean everything. You need to have more clients to make more sales and money. So, depending on your business, invest in having as many clients as possible. Develop a clear roadmap on how you will get to your target audience. Once you reach them, aim to convert them into clients or buying customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Any business needs patience<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No business grows overnight. It takes time to get investors and clients as well. In the beginning, investors may not believe that your idea will work. Some will only be convinced to fund your business once you get some loyal clients. Similarly, some clients will not trust your services just because your business is new. In all these instances, you will need to have a lot of patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global is making a significant impact in serving the huge demand for digital content in Africa. Nonetheless, there are still many opportunities in digital publishing and other fields that young entrepreneurs can exploit. We hope that the success story of Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah serves as an encouragement that will spur you to success.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Entrepreneur Spotlight: Three College Students Think Out Of The Box To Create OMG Digital","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"three-college-student-think-out-of-the-box-to-create-omg-digital","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=298246","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401604,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-10-03 10:44:45","post_date_gmt":"2022-10-03 17:44:45","post_content":"\n

\"Quindaro
Quindaro Township Site (Photo credit: KCUR)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first step toward amending wounds is the acceptance of wrongdoing. For many years, there has been a growing call for European countries to offer apologies for their role in the transatlantic slave trade. However, European countries are not the only guilty party. African chiefs facilitated the slave trade in one way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time since the end of the slave trade, African leaders have offered apologies for the wrongdoings of their ancestors. On Wednesday 28 September 2022, African delegates converged at the Quindaro Township Site in Kansas City, Kansas for a ceremony. Also present was Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Anita
Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0<\/em>UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the ceremony, the African delegates read out letters of apology from their tribal leaders and chiefs for the role of their ancestors in the slave trade of fellow Africans. Reacting to the apology letters, Dixon who noted that inviting the African delegates to the Quindaro site was crucial said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the healing that I have yearned for as a Black woman in America. This apology is for African people, Black people scattered all over the globe and not just to people of color.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembrance Of Slave Trade: Is Modern Slavery Worse Than The Pre-colonial Era?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also present at the ceremony was Wyandotte County Commissioner, Gayle Townsend, members of the Wyandotte Tribe, and state and local leaders from Missouri and Kansas. The apology letters zoomed in on the dark past of the African continent and the role local chiefs played in facilitating the slave trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

\u201cThe main takeaways we've gotten from YC in general are to talk to your users and paying attention to your core metrics + feedback and adjusting accordingly. That\u2019s how you build a product and company people love. YC also pushed us to move very quickly and take bolder steps in conquering our markets.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: 10 of the Best Startup Accelerators for African Entrepreneurs<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

How has OMG Digital transformed Digital Publishing in Africa?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When the company started as OMG Ghana (which later became OMG Digital) in 2012, traditional media companies dominated the digital media space. These companies were just trying to reinvent the print experience online. So, the content they produced was largely politics and hard news.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, OMG Digital founders recognized the yearning among millennials for entertainment and social content. By creating this type of content, the digital media company has inspired several other millennial-focused media companies on the African market. Now, almost every medial company is striving to create and distribute social content on social medial platforms. OMG Digital has inspired some Western digital media companies to test out the Sub-Saharan Africa market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: How Jason Njoku Overcame Multiple Failures To Build IrokoTV, The Netflix Of Africa<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Motivation to start OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"OMG
OMG Co-Founders - Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah [Photo credit: Techpoint.africa]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah established OMG Ghana in 2012 while in college. Back then, smartphones were becoming popular in Africa. So, after acquiring smartphones, they could not find interesting content to read. Ghansah recalls,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really frustrating for us because we would go online and all the content was just boring news and politics and stuff. Most of the people online back then were youth like us. BuzzFeed and Mashable were doing things for millennials, but we couldn\u2019t really relate to their content, so we created something for ourselves.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consequently, they thought about creating lightweight content for young people like themselves. Since smartphones were penetrating quickly and Facebook was also becoming very popular, the three resolved it was time to launch their company. Thus, they found OMG Ghana. Surprisingly, they did not perceive this company to have great potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: Saran Kaba Jones\u2019s FACE Africa Is Bringing Clean Water To Liberians<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

So, alongside OMG Ghana, they decided to establish a microlending platform. But the lending company soon experienced funding challenges. At the same time, OMG Ghana was growing and getting more readers. When it started to earn them some money, they registered it as a media company and resolved to focus on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Challenges of Running OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Right from the start, access to funding was a huge challenge. In the beginning, the co-founders didn\u2019t realize the growth they had anticipated. This is because they didn\u2019t have enough money to do all that they had planned. So, they would reinvest the profit back into the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the co-founders continued to seek funding nationally and internationally. Their efforts bore fruit in 2017 when they fundraised $1.1M from several international investors including Comcast Ventures, M&Y Growth Partners<\/span>, and Kima Ventures<\/span>. These funds helped to expand the company and scale operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Want To Build Wealth? Here Are 20 Youtube Channels We Think You Should Subscribe To<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Another challenge was the diversity of the continent. So, producing content that was relevant to different communities was a challenge at the onset. However, this challenge was resolved with time as the company hired staff from different regions in the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global Success<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since its inception, the OMG Global website has a total monthly view of more than 90 million. Today, the media company boasts of 4.5 million readers each month. The company is now present in three countries in Africa\u2014Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. So far, OMG Global has published over 20,000 contents. Also, it has over twenty content curators from Africa. With this team, it is easy to create relevant original content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expansion plans<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The digital media company aims to market its content to English speakers in Africa before extending to French-speaking countries. This is because English speakers form the largest population of internet users. So, OMG Global plans to extend its reach to more English-speaking countries in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Did You Know You Can Start These Businesses In Africa With Just $1,000 or Less?<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, the company plans to launch its brands in South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. With this market, it aims to reach 70% of the total millennial market in Africa. The next step will be to roll out its services continent-wide. The media platform wants to produce more video content in the future. Also, it has plans to create travel and technology content as it grows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 Business Lessons from<\/strong> OMG Global Co-founders<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Act on Feedback<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah emphasizes that customer feedback is very important. By analyzing your feedback, you can know what is lacking in your offerings. Thus, acting on customer feedback can help you adjust your products and make them relevant to your clients. Remember, the ultimate goal is always to enhance customer satisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Look for gaps in the market<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Business is all about delivering value to your customers. Before you venture into your field of interest, conduct some research to identify the gaps in the market. Mensah says that is exactly what they did before establishing OMG Global. Research helps you to identify people's needs that are not currently available. Once you establish a need, set up your business and fulfill that need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Be accessible<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Customers become loyal to businesses that are accessible when issues arise. Sometimes, your clients will want to seek assistance, clarification, or even to speak out about their concerns and problems. So, make sure to put in place channels through which your clients can reach you. That way, you will be accessible when they need to talk to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: \ud83d\ude325 Business Lessons From Cosmas Maduka, The Man That Turned $1 To $500 Million<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Pay attention to numbers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In business, numbers mean everything. You need to have more clients to make more sales and money. So, depending on your business, invest in having as many clients as possible. Develop a clear roadmap on how you will get to your target audience. Once you reach them, aim to convert them into clients or buying customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Any business needs patience<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No business grows overnight. It takes time to get investors and clients as well. In the beginning, investors may not believe that your idea will work. Some will only be convinced to fund your business once you get some loyal clients. Similarly, some clients will not trust your services just because your business is new. In all these instances, you will need to have a lot of patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global is making a significant impact in serving the huge demand for digital content in Africa. Nonetheless, there are still many opportunities in digital publishing and other fields that young entrepreneurs can exploit. We hope that the success story of Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah serves as an encouragement that will spur you to success.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Entrepreneur Spotlight: Three College Students Think Out Of The Box To Create OMG Digital","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"three-college-student-think-out-of-the-box-to-create-omg-digital","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=298246","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401604,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-10-03 10:44:45","post_date_gmt":"2022-10-03 17:44:45","post_content":"\n

\"Quindaro
Quindaro Township Site (Photo credit: KCUR)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first step toward amending wounds is the acceptance of wrongdoing. For many years, there has been a growing call for European countries to offer apologies for their role in the transatlantic slave trade. However, European countries are not the only guilty party. African chiefs facilitated the slave trade in one way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time since the end of the slave trade, African leaders have offered apologies for the wrongdoings of their ancestors. On Wednesday 28 September 2022, African delegates converged at the Quindaro Township Site in Kansas City, Kansas for a ceremony. Also present was Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Anita
Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0<\/em>UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the ceremony, the African delegates read out letters of apology from their tribal leaders and chiefs for the role of their ancestors in the slave trade of fellow Africans. Reacting to the apology letters, Dixon who noted that inviting the African delegates to the Quindaro site was crucial said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the healing that I have yearned for as a Black woman in America. This apology is for African people, Black people scattered all over the globe and not just to people of color.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembrance Of Slave Trade: Is Modern Slavery Worse Than The Pre-colonial Era?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also present at the ceremony was Wyandotte County Commissioner, Gayle Townsend, members of the Wyandotte Tribe, and state and local leaders from Missouri and Kansas. The apology letters zoomed in on the dark past of the African continent and the role local chiefs played in facilitating the slave trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah are graduates of the Y Combinator\u2019s startup accelerator program<\/a>. This program offers startup lessons to help entrepreneurs get started with their businesses and achieve success. For the founders of OMG Digital, their main takeaways were to always make effort to talk to customers. Also, it is important to obtain feedback and adjust accordingly. Ghansah said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe main takeaways we've gotten from YC in general are to talk to your users and paying attention to your core metrics + feedback and adjusting accordingly. That\u2019s how you build a product and company people love. YC also pushed us to move very quickly and take bolder steps in conquering our markets.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: 10 of the Best Startup Accelerators for African Entrepreneurs<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

How has OMG Digital transformed Digital Publishing in Africa?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When the company started as OMG Ghana (which later became OMG Digital) in 2012, traditional media companies dominated the digital media space. These companies were just trying to reinvent the print experience online. So, the content they produced was largely politics and hard news.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, OMG Digital founders recognized the yearning among millennials for entertainment and social content. By creating this type of content, the digital media company has inspired several other millennial-focused media companies on the African market. Now, almost every medial company is striving to create and distribute social content on social medial platforms. OMG Digital has inspired some Western digital media companies to test out the Sub-Saharan Africa market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: How Jason Njoku Overcame Multiple Failures To Build IrokoTV, The Netflix Of Africa<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Motivation to start OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"OMG
OMG Co-Founders - Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah [Photo credit: Techpoint.africa]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah established OMG Ghana in 2012 while in college. Back then, smartphones were becoming popular in Africa. So, after acquiring smartphones, they could not find interesting content to read. Ghansah recalls,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really frustrating for us because we would go online and all the content was just boring news and politics and stuff. Most of the people online back then were youth like us. BuzzFeed and Mashable were doing things for millennials, but we couldn\u2019t really relate to their content, so we created something for ourselves.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consequently, they thought about creating lightweight content for young people like themselves. Since smartphones were penetrating quickly and Facebook was also becoming very popular, the three resolved it was time to launch their company. Thus, they found OMG Ghana. Surprisingly, they did not perceive this company to have great potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: Saran Kaba Jones\u2019s FACE Africa Is Bringing Clean Water To Liberians<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

So, alongside OMG Ghana, they decided to establish a microlending platform. But the lending company soon experienced funding challenges. At the same time, OMG Ghana was growing and getting more readers. When it started to earn them some money, they registered it as a media company and resolved to focus on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Challenges of Running OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Right from the start, access to funding was a huge challenge. In the beginning, the co-founders didn\u2019t realize the growth they had anticipated. This is because they didn\u2019t have enough money to do all that they had planned. So, they would reinvest the profit back into the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the co-founders continued to seek funding nationally and internationally. Their efforts bore fruit in 2017 when they fundraised $1.1M from several international investors including Comcast Ventures, M&Y Growth Partners<\/span>, and Kima Ventures<\/span>. These funds helped to expand the company and scale operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Want To Build Wealth? Here Are 20 Youtube Channels We Think You Should Subscribe To<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Another challenge was the diversity of the continent. So, producing content that was relevant to different communities was a challenge at the onset. However, this challenge was resolved with time as the company hired staff from different regions in the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global Success<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since its inception, the OMG Global website has a total monthly view of more than 90 million. Today, the media company boasts of 4.5 million readers each month. The company is now present in three countries in Africa\u2014Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. So far, OMG Global has published over 20,000 contents. Also, it has over twenty content curators from Africa. With this team, it is easy to create relevant original content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expansion plans<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The digital media company aims to market its content to English speakers in Africa before extending to French-speaking countries. This is because English speakers form the largest population of internet users. So, OMG Global plans to extend its reach to more English-speaking countries in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Did You Know You Can Start These Businesses In Africa With Just $1,000 or Less?<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, the company plans to launch its brands in South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. With this market, it aims to reach 70% of the total millennial market in Africa. The next step will be to roll out its services continent-wide. The media platform wants to produce more video content in the future. Also, it has plans to create travel and technology content as it grows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 Business Lessons from<\/strong> OMG Global Co-founders<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Act on Feedback<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah emphasizes that customer feedback is very important. By analyzing your feedback, you can know what is lacking in your offerings. Thus, acting on customer feedback can help you adjust your products and make them relevant to your clients. Remember, the ultimate goal is always to enhance customer satisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Look for gaps in the market<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Business is all about delivering value to your customers. Before you venture into your field of interest, conduct some research to identify the gaps in the market. Mensah says that is exactly what they did before establishing OMG Global. Research helps you to identify people's needs that are not currently available. Once you establish a need, set up your business and fulfill that need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Be accessible<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Customers become loyal to businesses that are accessible when issues arise. Sometimes, your clients will want to seek assistance, clarification, or even to speak out about their concerns and problems. So, make sure to put in place channels through which your clients can reach you. That way, you will be accessible when they need to talk to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: \ud83d\ude325 Business Lessons From Cosmas Maduka, The Man That Turned $1 To $500 Million<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Pay attention to numbers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In business, numbers mean everything. You need to have more clients to make more sales and money. So, depending on your business, invest in having as many clients as possible. Develop a clear roadmap on how you will get to your target audience. Once you reach them, aim to convert them into clients or buying customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Any business needs patience<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No business grows overnight. It takes time to get investors and clients as well. In the beginning, investors may not believe that your idea will work. Some will only be convinced to fund your business once you get some loyal clients. Similarly, some clients will not trust your services just because your business is new. In all these instances, you will need to have a lot of patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global is making a significant impact in serving the huge demand for digital content in Africa. Nonetheless, there are still many opportunities in digital publishing and other fields that young entrepreneurs can exploit. We hope that the success story of Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah serves as an encouragement that will spur you to success.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Entrepreneur Spotlight: Three College Students Think Out Of The Box To Create OMG Digital","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"three-college-student-think-out-of-the-box-to-create-omg-digital","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=298246","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401604,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-10-03 10:44:45","post_date_gmt":"2022-10-03 17:44:45","post_content":"\n

\"Quindaro
Quindaro Township Site (Photo credit: KCUR)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first step toward amending wounds is the acceptance of wrongdoing. For many years, there has been a growing call for European countries to offer apologies for their role in the transatlantic slave trade. However, European countries are not the only guilty party. African chiefs facilitated the slave trade in one way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time since the end of the slave trade, African leaders have offered apologies for the wrongdoings of their ancestors. On Wednesday 28 September 2022, African delegates converged at the Quindaro Township Site in Kansas City, Kansas for a ceremony. Also present was Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Anita
Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0<\/em>UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the ceremony, the African delegates read out letters of apology from their tribal leaders and chiefs for the role of their ancestors in the slave trade of fellow Africans. Reacting to the apology letters, Dixon who noted that inviting the African delegates to the Quindaro site was crucial said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the healing that I have yearned for as a Black woman in America. This apology is for African people, Black people scattered all over the globe and not just to people of color.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembrance Of Slave Trade: Is Modern Slavery Worse Than The Pre-colonial Era?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also present at the ceremony was Wyandotte County Commissioner, Gayle Townsend, members of the Wyandotte Tribe, and state and local leaders from Missouri and Kansas. The apology letters zoomed in on the dark past of the African continent and the role local chiefs played in facilitating the slave trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n
\"Jesse
Jesse Ghansah at Y Combinator [Photo credit: Paystack]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah are graduates of the Y Combinator\u2019s startup accelerator program<\/a>. This program offers startup lessons to help entrepreneurs get started with their businesses and achieve success. For the founders of OMG Digital, their main takeaways were to always make effort to talk to customers. Also, it is important to obtain feedback and adjust accordingly. Ghansah said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe main takeaways we've gotten from YC in general are to talk to your users and paying attention to your core metrics + feedback and adjusting accordingly. That\u2019s how you build a product and company people love. YC also pushed us to move very quickly and take bolder steps in conquering our markets.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: 10 of the Best Startup Accelerators for African Entrepreneurs<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

How has OMG Digital transformed Digital Publishing in Africa?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When the company started as OMG Ghana (which later became OMG Digital) in 2012, traditional media companies dominated the digital media space. These companies were just trying to reinvent the print experience online. So, the content they produced was largely politics and hard news.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, OMG Digital founders recognized the yearning among millennials for entertainment and social content. By creating this type of content, the digital media company has inspired several other millennial-focused media companies on the African market. Now, almost every medial company is striving to create and distribute social content on social medial platforms. OMG Digital has inspired some Western digital media companies to test out the Sub-Saharan Africa market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: How Jason Njoku Overcame Multiple Failures To Build IrokoTV, The Netflix Of Africa<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Motivation to start OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"OMG
OMG Co-Founders - Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah [Photo credit: Techpoint.africa]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah established OMG Ghana in 2012 while in college. Back then, smartphones were becoming popular in Africa. So, after acquiring smartphones, they could not find interesting content to read. Ghansah recalls,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really frustrating for us because we would go online and all the content was just boring news and politics and stuff. Most of the people online back then were youth like us. BuzzFeed and Mashable were doing things for millennials, but we couldn\u2019t really relate to their content, so we created something for ourselves.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consequently, they thought about creating lightweight content for young people like themselves. Since smartphones were penetrating quickly and Facebook was also becoming very popular, the three resolved it was time to launch their company. Thus, they found OMG Ghana. Surprisingly, they did not perceive this company to have great potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: Saran Kaba Jones\u2019s FACE Africa Is Bringing Clean Water To Liberians<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

So, alongside OMG Ghana, they decided to establish a microlending platform. But the lending company soon experienced funding challenges. At the same time, OMG Ghana was growing and getting more readers. When it started to earn them some money, they registered it as a media company and resolved to focus on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Challenges of Running OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Right from the start, access to funding was a huge challenge. In the beginning, the co-founders didn\u2019t realize the growth they had anticipated. This is because they didn\u2019t have enough money to do all that they had planned. So, they would reinvest the profit back into the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the co-founders continued to seek funding nationally and internationally. Their efforts bore fruit in 2017 when they fundraised $1.1M from several international investors including Comcast Ventures, M&Y Growth Partners<\/span>, and Kima Ventures<\/span>. These funds helped to expand the company and scale operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Want To Build Wealth? Here Are 20 Youtube Channels We Think You Should Subscribe To<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Another challenge was the diversity of the continent. So, producing content that was relevant to different communities was a challenge at the onset. However, this challenge was resolved with time as the company hired staff from different regions in the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global Success<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since its inception, the OMG Global website has a total monthly view of more than 90 million. Today, the media company boasts of 4.5 million readers each month. The company is now present in three countries in Africa\u2014Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. So far, OMG Global has published over 20,000 contents. Also, it has over twenty content curators from Africa. With this team, it is easy to create relevant original content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expansion plans<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The digital media company aims to market its content to English speakers in Africa before extending to French-speaking countries. This is because English speakers form the largest population of internet users. So, OMG Global plans to extend its reach to more English-speaking countries in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Did You Know You Can Start These Businesses In Africa With Just $1,000 or Less?<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, the company plans to launch its brands in South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. With this market, it aims to reach 70% of the total millennial market in Africa. The next step will be to roll out its services continent-wide. The media platform wants to produce more video content in the future. Also, it has plans to create travel and technology content as it grows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 Business Lessons from<\/strong> OMG Global Co-founders<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Act on Feedback<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah emphasizes that customer feedback is very important. By analyzing your feedback, you can know what is lacking in your offerings. Thus, acting on customer feedback can help you adjust your products and make them relevant to your clients. Remember, the ultimate goal is always to enhance customer satisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Look for gaps in the market<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Business is all about delivering value to your customers. Before you venture into your field of interest, conduct some research to identify the gaps in the market. Mensah says that is exactly what they did before establishing OMG Global. Research helps you to identify people's needs that are not currently available. Once you establish a need, set up your business and fulfill that need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Be accessible<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Customers become loyal to businesses that are accessible when issues arise. Sometimes, your clients will want to seek assistance, clarification, or even to speak out about their concerns and problems. So, make sure to put in place channels through which your clients can reach you. That way, you will be accessible when they need to talk to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: \ud83d\ude325 Business Lessons From Cosmas Maduka, The Man That Turned $1 To $500 Million<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Pay attention to numbers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In business, numbers mean everything. You need to have more clients to make more sales and money. So, depending on your business, invest in having as many clients as possible. Develop a clear roadmap on how you will get to your target audience. Once you reach them, aim to convert them into clients or buying customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Any business needs patience<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No business grows overnight. It takes time to get investors and clients as well. In the beginning, investors may not believe that your idea will work. Some will only be convinced to fund your business once you get some loyal clients. Similarly, some clients will not trust your services just because your business is new. In all these instances, you will need to have a lot of patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global is making a significant impact in serving the huge demand for digital content in Africa. Nonetheless, there are still many opportunities in digital publishing and other fields that young entrepreneurs can exploit. We hope that the success story of Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah serves as an encouragement that will spur you to success.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Entrepreneur Spotlight: Three College Students Think Out Of The Box To Create OMG Digital","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"three-college-student-think-out-of-the-box-to-create-omg-digital","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=298246","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401604,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-10-03 10:44:45","post_date_gmt":"2022-10-03 17:44:45","post_content":"\n

\"Quindaro
Quindaro Township Site (Photo credit: KCUR)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first step toward amending wounds is the acceptance of wrongdoing. For many years, there has been a growing call for European countries to offer apologies for their role in the transatlantic slave trade. However, European countries are not the only guilty party. African chiefs facilitated the slave trade in one way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time since the end of the slave trade, African leaders have offered apologies for the wrongdoings of their ancestors. On Wednesday 28 September 2022, African delegates converged at the Quindaro Township Site in Kansas City, Kansas for a ceremony. Also present was Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Anita
Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0<\/em>UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the ceremony, the African delegates read out letters of apology from their tribal leaders and chiefs for the role of their ancestors in the slave trade of fellow Africans. Reacting to the apology letters, Dixon who noted that inviting the African delegates to the Quindaro site was crucial said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the healing that I have yearned for as a Black woman in America. This apology is for African people, Black people scattered all over the globe and not just to people of color.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembrance Of Slave Trade: Is Modern Slavery Worse Than The Pre-colonial Era?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also present at the ceremony was Wyandotte County Commissioner, Gayle Townsend, members of the Wyandotte Tribe, and state and local leaders from Missouri and Kansas. The apology letters zoomed in on the dark past of the African continent and the role local chiefs played in facilitating the slave trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

How did Y-Combinator Program influence<\/strong> OMG Digital Founders<\/strong>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Jesse
Jesse Ghansah at Y Combinator [Photo credit: Paystack]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah are graduates of the Y Combinator\u2019s startup accelerator program<\/a>. This program offers startup lessons to help entrepreneurs get started with their businesses and achieve success. For the founders of OMG Digital, their main takeaways were to always make effort to talk to customers. Also, it is important to obtain feedback and adjust accordingly. Ghansah said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe main takeaways we've gotten from YC in general are to talk to your users and paying attention to your core metrics + feedback and adjusting accordingly. That\u2019s how you build a product and company people love. YC also pushed us to move very quickly and take bolder steps in conquering our markets.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: 10 of the Best Startup Accelerators for African Entrepreneurs<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

How has OMG Digital transformed Digital Publishing in Africa?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When the company started as OMG Ghana (which later became OMG Digital) in 2012, traditional media companies dominated the digital media space. These companies were just trying to reinvent the print experience online. So, the content they produced was largely politics and hard news.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, OMG Digital founders recognized the yearning among millennials for entertainment and social content. By creating this type of content, the digital media company has inspired several other millennial-focused media companies on the African market. Now, almost every medial company is striving to create and distribute social content on social medial platforms. OMG Digital has inspired some Western digital media companies to test out the Sub-Saharan Africa market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: How Jason Njoku Overcame Multiple Failures To Build IrokoTV, The Netflix Of Africa<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Motivation to start OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"OMG
OMG Co-Founders - Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah [Photo credit: Techpoint.africa]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah established OMG Ghana in 2012 while in college. Back then, smartphones were becoming popular in Africa. So, after acquiring smartphones, they could not find interesting content to read. Ghansah recalls,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really frustrating for us because we would go online and all the content was just boring news and politics and stuff. Most of the people online back then were youth like us. BuzzFeed and Mashable were doing things for millennials, but we couldn\u2019t really relate to their content, so we created something for ourselves.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consequently, they thought about creating lightweight content for young people like themselves. Since smartphones were penetrating quickly and Facebook was also becoming very popular, the three resolved it was time to launch their company. Thus, they found OMG Ghana. Surprisingly, they did not perceive this company to have great potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: Saran Kaba Jones\u2019s FACE Africa Is Bringing Clean Water To Liberians<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

So, alongside OMG Ghana, they decided to establish a microlending platform. But the lending company soon experienced funding challenges. At the same time, OMG Ghana was growing and getting more readers. When it started to earn them some money, they registered it as a media company and resolved to focus on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Challenges of Running OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Right from the start, access to funding was a huge challenge. In the beginning, the co-founders didn\u2019t realize the growth they had anticipated. This is because they didn\u2019t have enough money to do all that they had planned. So, they would reinvest the profit back into the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the co-founders continued to seek funding nationally and internationally. Their efforts bore fruit in 2017 when they fundraised $1.1M from several international investors including Comcast Ventures, M&Y Growth Partners<\/span>, and Kima Ventures<\/span>. These funds helped to expand the company and scale operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Want To Build Wealth? Here Are 20 Youtube Channels We Think You Should Subscribe To<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Another challenge was the diversity of the continent. So, producing content that was relevant to different communities was a challenge at the onset. However, this challenge was resolved with time as the company hired staff from different regions in the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global Success<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since its inception, the OMG Global website has a total monthly view of more than 90 million. Today, the media company boasts of 4.5 million readers each month. The company is now present in three countries in Africa\u2014Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. So far, OMG Global has published over 20,000 contents. Also, it has over twenty content curators from Africa. With this team, it is easy to create relevant original content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expansion plans<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The digital media company aims to market its content to English speakers in Africa before extending to French-speaking countries. This is because English speakers form the largest population of internet users. So, OMG Global plans to extend its reach to more English-speaking countries in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Did You Know You Can Start These Businesses In Africa With Just $1,000 or Less?<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, the company plans to launch its brands in South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. With this market, it aims to reach 70% of the total millennial market in Africa. The next step will be to roll out its services continent-wide. The media platform wants to produce more video content in the future. Also, it has plans to create travel and technology content as it grows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 Business Lessons from<\/strong> OMG Global Co-founders<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Act on Feedback<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah emphasizes that customer feedback is very important. By analyzing your feedback, you can know what is lacking in your offerings. Thus, acting on customer feedback can help you adjust your products and make them relevant to your clients. Remember, the ultimate goal is always to enhance customer satisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Look for gaps in the market<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Business is all about delivering value to your customers. Before you venture into your field of interest, conduct some research to identify the gaps in the market. Mensah says that is exactly what they did before establishing OMG Global. Research helps you to identify people's needs that are not currently available. Once you establish a need, set up your business and fulfill that need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Be accessible<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Customers become loyal to businesses that are accessible when issues arise. Sometimes, your clients will want to seek assistance, clarification, or even to speak out about their concerns and problems. So, make sure to put in place channels through which your clients can reach you. That way, you will be accessible when they need to talk to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: \ud83d\ude325 Business Lessons From Cosmas Maduka, The Man That Turned $1 To $500 Million<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Pay attention to numbers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In business, numbers mean everything. You need to have more clients to make more sales and money. So, depending on your business, invest in having as many clients as possible. Develop a clear roadmap on how you will get to your target audience. Once you reach them, aim to convert them into clients or buying customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Any business needs patience<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No business grows overnight. It takes time to get investors and clients as well. In the beginning, investors may not believe that your idea will work. Some will only be convinced to fund your business once you get some loyal clients. Similarly, some clients will not trust your services just because your business is new. In all these instances, you will need to have a lot of patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global is making a significant impact in serving the huge demand for digital content in Africa. Nonetheless, there are still many opportunities in digital publishing and other fields that young entrepreneurs can exploit. We hope that the success story of Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah serves as an encouragement that will spur you to success.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Entrepreneur Spotlight: Three College Students Think Out Of The Box To Create OMG Digital","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"three-college-student-think-out-of-the-box-to-create-omg-digital","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=298246","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401604,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-10-03 10:44:45","post_date_gmt":"2022-10-03 17:44:45","post_content":"\n

\"Quindaro
Quindaro Township Site (Photo credit: KCUR)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first step toward amending wounds is the acceptance of wrongdoing. For many years, there has been a growing call for European countries to offer apologies for their role in the transatlantic slave trade. However, European countries are not the only guilty party. African chiefs facilitated the slave trade in one way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time since the end of the slave trade, African leaders have offered apologies for the wrongdoings of their ancestors. On Wednesday 28 September 2022, African delegates converged at the Quindaro Township Site in Kansas City, Kansas for a ceremony. Also present was Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Anita
Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0<\/em>UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the ceremony, the African delegates read out letters of apology from their tribal leaders and chiefs for the role of their ancestors in the slave trade of fellow Africans. Reacting to the apology letters, Dixon who noted that inviting the African delegates to the Quindaro site was crucial said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the healing that I have yearned for as a Black woman in America. This apology is for African people, Black people scattered all over the globe and not just to people of color.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembrance Of Slave Trade: Is Modern Slavery Worse Than The Pre-colonial Era?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also present at the ceremony was Wyandotte County Commissioner, Gayle Townsend, members of the Wyandotte Tribe, and state and local leaders from Missouri and Kansas. The apology letters zoomed in on the dark past of the African continent and the role local chiefs played in facilitating the slave trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did Y-Combinator Program influence<\/strong> OMG Digital Founders<\/strong>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Jesse
Jesse Ghansah at Y Combinator [Photo credit: Paystack]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah are graduates of the Y Combinator\u2019s startup accelerator program<\/a>. This program offers startup lessons to help entrepreneurs get started with their businesses and achieve success. For the founders of OMG Digital, their main takeaways were to always make effort to talk to customers. Also, it is important to obtain feedback and adjust accordingly. Ghansah said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe main takeaways we've gotten from YC in general are to talk to your users and paying attention to your core metrics + feedback and adjusting accordingly. That\u2019s how you build a product and company people love. YC also pushed us to move very quickly and take bolder steps in conquering our markets.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: 10 of the Best Startup Accelerators for African Entrepreneurs<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

How has OMG Digital transformed Digital Publishing in Africa?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When the company started as OMG Ghana (which later became OMG Digital) in 2012, traditional media companies dominated the digital media space. These companies were just trying to reinvent the print experience online. So, the content they produced was largely politics and hard news.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, OMG Digital founders recognized the yearning among millennials for entertainment and social content. By creating this type of content, the digital media company has inspired several other millennial-focused media companies on the African market. Now, almost every medial company is striving to create and distribute social content on social medial platforms. OMG Digital has inspired some Western digital media companies to test out the Sub-Saharan Africa market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: How Jason Njoku Overcame Multiple Failures To Build IrokoTV, The Netflix Of Africa<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Motivation to start OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"OMG
OMG Co-Founders - Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah [Photo credit: Techpoint.africa]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah established OMG Ghana in 2012 while in college. Back then, smartphones were becoming popular in Africa. So, after acquiring smartphones, they could not find interesting content to read. Ghansah recalls,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really frustrating for us because we would go online and all the content was just boring news and politics and stuff. Most of the people online back then were youth like us. BuzzFeed and Mashable were doing things for millennials, but we couldn\u2019t really relate to their content, so we created something for ourselves.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consequently, they thought about creating lightweight content for young people like themselves. Since smartphones were penetrating quickly and Facebook was also becoming very popular, the three resolved it was time to launch their company. Thus, they found OMG Ghana. Surprisingly, they did not perceive this company to have great potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: Saran Kaba Jones\u2019s FACE Africa Is Bringing Clean Water To Liberians<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

So, alongside OMG Ghana, they decided to establish a microlending platform. But the lending company soon experienced funding challenges. At the same time, OMG Ghana was growing and getting more readers. When it started to earn them some money, they registered it as a media company and resolved to focus on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Challenges of Running OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Right from the start, access to funding was a huge challenge. In the beginning, the co-founders didn\u2019t realize the growth they had anticipated. This is because they didn\u2019t have enough money to do all that they had planned. So, they would reinvest the profit back into the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the co-founders continued to seek funding nationally and internationally. Their efforts bore fruit in 2017 when they fundraised $1.1M from several international investors including Comcast Ventures, M&Y Growth Partners<\/span>, and Kima Ventures<\/span>. These funds helped to expand the company and scale operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Want To Build Wealth? Here Are 20 Youtube Channels We Think You Should Subscribe To<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Another challenge was the diversity of the continent. So, producing content that was relevant to different communities was a challenge at the onset. However, this challenge was resolved with time as the company hired staff from different regions in the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global Success<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since its inception, the OMG Global website has a total monthly view of more than 90 million. Today, the media company boasts of 4.5 million readers each month. The company is now present in three countries in Africa\u2014Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. So far, OMG Global has published over 20,000 contents. Also, it has over twenty content curators from Africa. With this team, it is easy to create relevant original content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expansion plans<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The digital media company aims to market its content to English speakers in Africa before extending to French-speaking countries. This is because English speakers form the largest population of internet users. So, OMG Global plans to extend its reach to more English-speaking countries in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Did You Know You Can Start These Businesses In Africa With Just $1,000 or Less?<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, the company plans to launch its brands in South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. With this market, it aims to reach 70% of the total millennial market in Africa. The next step will be to roll out its services continent-wide. The media platform wants to produce more video content in the future. Also, it has plans to create travel and technology content as it grows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 Business Lessons from<\/strong> OMG Global Co-founders<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Act on Feedback<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah emphasizes that customer feedback is very important. By analyzing your feedback, you can know what is lacking in your offerings. Thus, acting on customer feedback can help you adjust your products and make them relevant to your clients. Remember, the ultimate goal is always to enhance customer satisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Look for gaps in the market<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Business is all about delivering value to your customers. Before you venture into your field of interest, conduct some research to identify the gaps in the market. Mensah says that is exactly what they did before establishing OMG Global. Research helps you to identify people's needs that are not currently available. Once you establish a need, set up your business and fulfill that need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Be accessible<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Customers become loyal to businesses that are accessible when issues arise. Sometimes, your clients will want to seek assistance, clarification, or even to speak out about their concerns and problems. So, make sure to put in place channels through which your clients can reach you. That way, you will be accessible when they need to talk to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: \ud83d\ude325 Business Lessons From Cosmas Maduka, The Man That Turned $1 To $500 Million<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Pay attention to numbers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In business, numbers mean everything. You need to have more clients to make more sales and money. So, depending on your business, invest in having as many clients as possible. Develop a clear roadmap on how you will get to your target audience. Once you reach them, aim to convert them into clients or buying customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Any business needs patience<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No business grows overnight. It takes time to get investors and clients as well. In the beginning, investors may not believe that your idea will work. Some will only be convinced to fund your business once you get some loyal clients. Similarly, some clients will not trust your services just because your business is new. In all these instances, you will need to have a lot of patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global is making a significant impact in serving the huge demand for digital content in Africa. Nonetheless, there are still many opportunities in digital publishing and other fields that young entrepreneurs can exploit. We hope that the success story of Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah serves as an encouragement that will spur you to success.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Entrepreneur Spotlight: Three College Students Think Out Of The Box To Create OMG Digital","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"three-college-student-think-out-of-the-box-to-create-omg-digital","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=298246","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401604,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-10-03 10:44:45","post_date_gmt":"2022-10-03 17:44:45","post_content":"\n

\"Quindaro
Quindaro Township Site (Photo credit: KCUR)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first step toward amending wounds is the acceptance of wrongdoing. For many years, there has been a growing call for European countries to offer apologies for their role in the transatlantic slave trade. However, European countries are not the only guilty party. African chiefs facilitated the slave trade in one way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time since the end of the slave trade, African leaders have offered apologies for the wrongdoings of their ancestors. On Wednesday 28 September 2022, African delegates converged at the Quindaro Township Site in Kansas City, Kansas for a ceremony. Also present was Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Anita
Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0<\/em>UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the ceremony, the African delegates read out letters of apology from their tribal leaders and chiefs for the role of their ancestors in the slave trade of fellow Africans. Reacting to the apology letters, Dixon who noted that inviting the African delegates to the Quindaro site was crucial said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the healing that I have yearned for as a Black woman in America. This apology is for African people, Black people scattered all over the globe and not just to people of color.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembrance Of Slave Trade: Is Modern Slavery Worse Than The Pre-colonial Era?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also present at the ceremony was Wyandotte County Commissioner, Gayle Townsend, members of the Wyandotte Tribe, and state and local leaders from Missouri and Kansas. The apology letters zoomed in on the dark past of the African continent and the role local chiefs played in facilitating the slave trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

OMG Digital makes money through digital marketing. Currently, banner ads make up 80% of its ad sales. Its rapid growth has drawn the attention of large advertisers. So far, the media company has partnered with various companies including Coca-Cola, Pringles, Philips, KFC, and Huawei on sponsored content and marketing campaigns. About 6o percent of the company\u2019s audience are millennials aged between 18 to 24 years. The company targets Africa\u2019s 250 million millennials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did Y-Combinator Program influence<\/strong> OMG Digital Founders<\/strong>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Jesse
Jesse Ghansah at Y Combinator [Photo credit: Paystack]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah are graduates of the Y Combinator\u2019s startup accelerator program<\/a>. This program offers startup lessons to help entrepreneurs get started with their businesses and achieve success. For the founders of OMG Digital, their main takeaways were to always make effort to talk to customers. Also, it is important to obtain feedback and adjust accordingly. Ghansah said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe main takeaways we've gotten from YC in general are to talk to your users and paying attention to your core metrics + feedback and adjusting accordingly. That\u2019s how you build a product and company people love. YC also pushed us to move very quickly and take bolder steps in conquering our markets.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: 10 of the Best Startup Accelerators for African Entrepreneurs<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

How has OMG Digital transformed Digital Publishing in Africa?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When the company started as OMG Ghana (which later became OMG Digital) in 2012, traditional media companies dominated the digital media space. These companies were just trying to reinvent the print experience online. So, the content they produced was largely politics and hard news.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, OMG Digital founders recognized the yearning among millennials for entertainment and social content. By creating this type of content, the digital media company has inspired several other millennial-focused media companies on the African market. Now, almost every medial company is striving to create and distribute social content on social medial platforms. OMG Digital has inspired some Western digital media companies to test out the Sub-Saharan Africa market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: How Jason Njoku Overcame Multiple Failures To Build IrokoTV, The Netflix Of Africa<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Motivation to start OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"OMG
OMG Co-Founders - Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah [Photo credit: Techpoint.africa]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah established OMG Ghana in 2012 while in college. Back then, smartphones were becoming popular in Africa. So, after acquiring smartphones, they could not find interesting content to read. Ghansah recalls,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really frustrating for us because we would go online and all the content was just boring news and politics and stuff. Most of the people online back then were youth like us. BuzzFeed and Mashable were doing things for millennials, but we couldn\u2019t really relate to their content, so we created something for ourselves.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consequently, they thought about creating lightweight content for young people like themselves. Since smartphones were penetrating quickly and Facebook was also becoming very popular, the three resolved it was time to launch their company. Thus, they found OMG Ghana. Surprisingly, they did not perceive this company to have great potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: Saran Kaba Jones\u2019s FACE Africa Is Bringing Clean Water To Liberians<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

So, alongside OMG Ghana, they decided to establish a microlending platform. But the lending company soon experienced funding challenges. At the same time, OMG Ghana was growing and getting more readers. When it started to earn them some money, they registered it as a media company and resolved to focus on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Challenges of Running OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Right from the start, access to funding was a huge challenge. In the beginning, the co-founders didn\u2019t realize the growth they had anticipated. This is because they didn\u2019t have enough money to do all that they had planned. So, they would reinvest the profit back into the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the co-founders continued to seek funding nationally and internationally. Their efforts bore fruit in 2017 when they fundraised $1.1M from several international investors including Comcast Ventures, M&Y Growth Partners<\/span>, and Kima Ventures<\/span>. These funds helped to expand the company and scale operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Want To Build Wealth? Here Are 20 Youtube Channels We Think You Should Subscribe To<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Another challenge was the diversity of the continent. So, producing content that was relevant to different communities was a challenge at the onset. However, this challenge was resolved with time as the company hired staff from different regions in the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global Success<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since its inception, the OMG Global website has a total monthly view of more than 90 million. Today, the media company boasts of 4.5 million readers each month. The company is now present in three countries in Africa\u2014Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. So far, OMG Global has published over 20,000 contents. Also, it has over twenty content curators from Africa. With this team, it is easy to create relevant original content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expansion plans<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The digital media company aims to market its content to English speakers in Africa before extending to French-speaking countries. This is because English speakers form the largest population of internet users. So, OMG Global plans to extend its reach to more English-speaking countries in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Did You Know You Can Start These Businesses In Africa With Just $1,000 or Less?<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, the company plans to launch its brands in South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. With this market, it aims to reach 70% of the total millennial market in Africa. The next step will be to roll out its services continent-wide. The media platform wants to produce more video content in the future. Also, it has plans to create travel and technology content as it grows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 Business Lessons from<\/strong> OMG Global Co-founders<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Act on Feedback<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah emphasizes that customer feedback is very important. By analyzing your feedback, you can know what is lacking in your offerings. Thus, acting on customer feedback can help you adjust your products and make them relevant to your clients. Remember, the ultimate goal is always to enhance customer satisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Look for gaps in the market<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Business is all about delivering value to your customers. Before you venture into your field of interest, conduct some research to identify the gaps in the market. Mensah says that is exactly what they did before establishing OMG Global. Research helps you to identify people's needs that are not currently available. Once you establish a need, set up your business and fulfill that need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Be accessible<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Customers become loyal to businesses that are accessible when issues arise. Sometimes, your clients will want to seek assistance, clarification, or even to speak out about their concerns and problems. So, make sure to put in place channels through which your clients can reach you. That way, you will be accessible when they need to talk to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: \ud83d\ude325 Business Lessons From Cosmas Maduka, The Man That Turned $1 To $500 Million<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Pay attention to numbers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In business, numbers mean everything. You need to have more clients to make more sales and money. So, depending on your business, invest in having as many clients as possible. Develop a clear roadmap on how you will get to your target audience. Once you reach them, aim to convert them into clients or buying customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Any business needs patience<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No business grows overnight. It takes time to get investors and clients as well. In the beginning, investors may not believe that your idea will work. Some will only be convinced to fund your business once you get some loyal clients. Similarly, some clients will not trust your services just because your business is new. In all these instances, you will need to have a lot of patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global is making a significant impact in serving the huge demand for digital content in Africa. Nonetheless, there are still many opportunities in digital publishing and other fields that young entrepreneurs can exploit. We hope that the success story of Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah serves as an encouragement that will spur you to success.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Entrepreneur Spotlight: Three College Students Think Out Of The Box To Create OMG Digital","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"three-college-student-think-out-of-the-box-to-create-omg-digital","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=298246","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401604,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-10-03 10:44:45","post_date_gmt":"2022-10-03 17:44:45","post_content":"\n

\"Quindaro
Quindaro Township Site (Photo credit: KCUR)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first step toward amending wounds is the acceptance of wrongdoing. For many years, there has been a growing call for European countries to offer apologies for their role in the transatlantic slave trade. However, European countries are not the only guilty party. African chiefs facilitated the slave trade in one way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time since the end of the slave trade, African leaders have offered apologies for the wrongdoings of their ancestors. On Wednesday 28 September 2022, African delegates converged at the Quindaro Township Site in Kansas City, Kansas for a ceremony. Also present was Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Anita
Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0<\/em>UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the ceremony, the African delegates read out letters of apology from their tribal leaders and chiefs for the role of their ancestors in the slave trade of fellow Africans. Reacting to the apology letters, Dixon who noted that inviting the African delegates to the Quindaro site was crucial said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the healing that I have yearned for as a Black woman in America. This apology is for African people, Black people scattered all over the globe and not just to people of color.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembrance Of Slave Trade: Is Modern Slavery Worse Than The Pre-colonial Era?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also present at the ceremony was Wyandotte County Commissioner, Gayle Townsend, members of the Wyandotte Tribe, and state and local leaders from Missouri and Kansas. The apology letters zoomed in on the dark past of the African continent and the role local chiefs played in facilitating the slave trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n
ALSO READ: Nigerian Pearlena Igbokwe Hits An Epic Milestone For African Women in Media<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

OMG Digital makes money through digital marketing. Currently, banner ads make up 80% of its ad sales. Its rapid growth has drawn the attention of large advertisers. So far, the media company has partnered with various companies including Coca-Cola, Pringles, Philips, KFC, and Huawei on sponsored content and marketing campaigns. About 6o percent of the company\u2019s audience are millennials aged between 18 to 24 years. The company targets Africa\u2019s 250 million millennials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did Y-Combinator Program influence<\/strong> OMG Digital Founders<\/strong>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Jesse
Jesse Ghansah at Y Combinator [Photo credit: Paystack]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah are graduates of the Y Combinator\u2019s startup accelerator program<\/a>. This program offers startup lessons to help entrepreneurs get started with their businesses and achieve success. For the founders of OMG Digital, their main takeaways were to always make effort to talk to customers. Also, it is important to obtain feedback and adjust accordingly. Ghansah said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe main takeaways we've gotten from YC in general are to talk to your users and paying attention to your core metrics + feedback and adjusting accordingly. That\u2019s how you build a product and company people love. YC also pushed us to move very quickly and take bolder steps in conquering our markets.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: 10 of the Best Startup Accelerators for African Entrepreneurs<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

How has OMG Digital transformed Digital Publishing in Africa?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When the company started as OMG Ghana (which later became OMG Digital) in 2012, traditional media companies dominated the digital media space. These companies were just trying to reinvent the print experience online. So, the content they produced was largely politics and hard news.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, OMG Digital founders recognized the yearning among millennials for entertainment and social content. By creating this type of content, the digital media company has inspired several other millennial-focused media companies on the African market. Now, almost every medial company is striving to create and distribute social content on social medial platforms. OMG Digital has inspired some Western digital media companies to test out the Sub-Saharan Africa market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: How Jason Njoku Overcame Multiple Failures To Build IrokoTV, The Netflix Of Africa<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Motivation to start OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"OMG
OMG Co-Founders - Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah [Photo credit: Techpoint.africa]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah established OMG Ghana in 2012 while in college. Back then, smartphones were becoming popular in Africa. So, after acquiring smartphones, they could not find interesting content to read. Ghansah recalls,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really frustrating for us because we would go online and all the content was just boring news and politics and stuff. Most of the people online back then were youth like us. BuzzFeed and Mashable were doing things for millennials, but we couldn\u2019t really relate to their content, so we created something for ourselves.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consequently, they thought about creating lightweight content for young people like themselves. Since smartphones were penetrating quickly and Facebook was also becoming very popular, the three resolved it was time to launch their company. Thus, they found OMG Ghana. Surprisingly, they did not perceive this company to have great potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: Saran Kaba Jones\u2019s FACE Africa Is Bringing Clean Water To Liberians<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

So, alongside OMG Ghana, they decided to establish a microlending platform. But the lending company soon experienced funding challenges. At the same time, OMG Ghana was growing and getting more readers. When it started to earn them some money, they registered it as a media company and resolved to focus on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Challenges of Running OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Right from the start, access to funding was a huge challenge. In the beginning, the co-founders didn\u2019t realize the growth they had anticipated. This is because they didn\u2019t have enough money to do all that they had planned. So, they would reinvest the profit back into the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the co-founders continued to seek funding nationally and internationally. Their efforts bore fruit in 2017 when they fundraised $1.1M from several international investors including Comcast Ventures, M&Y Growth Partners<\/span>, and Kima Ventures<\/span>. These funds helped to expand the company and scale operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Want To Build Wealth? Here Are 20 Youtube Channels We Think You Should Subscribe To<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Another challenge was the diversity of the continent. So, producing content that was relevant to different communities was a challenge at the onset. However, this challenge was resolved with time as the company hired staff from different regions in the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global Success<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since its inception, the OMG Global website has a total monthly view of more than 90 million. Today, the media company boasts of 4.5 million readers each month. The company is now present in three countries in Africa\u2014Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. So far, OMG Global has published over 20,000 contents. Also, it has over twenty content curators from Africa. With this team, it is easy to create relevant original content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expansion plans<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The digital media company aims to market its content to English speakers in Africa before extending to French-speaking countries. This is because English speakers form the largest population of internet users. So, OMG Global plans to extend its reach to more English-speaking countries in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Did You Know You Can Start These Businesses In Africa With Just $1,000 or Less?<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, the company plans to launch its brands in South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. With this market, it aims to reach 70% of the total millennial market in Africa. The next step will be to roll out its services continent-wide. The media platform wants to produce more video content in the future. Also, it has plans to create travel and technology content as it grows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 Business Lessons from<\/strong> OMG Global Co-founders<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Act on Feedback<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah emphasizes that customer feedback is very important. By analyzing your feedback, you can know what is lacking in your offerings. Thus, acting on customer feedback can help you adjust your products and make them relevant to your clients. Remember, the ultimate goal is always to enhance customer satisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Look for gaps in the market<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Business is all about delivering value to your customers. Before you venture into your field of interest, conduct some research to identify the gaps in the market. Mensah says that is exactly what they did before establishing OMG Global. Research helps you to identify people's needs that are not currently available. Once you establish a need, set up your business and fulfill that need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Be accessible<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Customers become loyal to businesses that are accessible when issues arise. Sometimes, your clients will want to seek assistance, clarification, or even to speak out about their concerns and problems. So, make sure to put in place channels through which your clients can reach you. That way, you will be accessible when they need to talk to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: \ud83d\ude325 Business Lessons From Cosmas Maduka, The Man That Turned $1 To $500 Million<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Pay attention to numbers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In business, numbers mean everything. You need to have more clients to make more sales and money. So, depending on your business, invest in having as many clients as possible. Develop a clear roadmap on how you will get to your target audience. Once you reach them, aim to convert them into clients or buying customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Any business needs patience<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No business grows overnight. It takes time to get investors and clients as well. In the beginning, investors may not believe that your idea will work. Some will only be convinced to fund your business once you get some loyal clients. Similarly, some clients will not trust your services just because your business is new. In all these instances, you will need to have a lot of patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global is making a significant impact in serving the huge demand for digital content in Africa. Nonetheless, there are still many opportunities in digital publishing and other fields that young entrepreneurs can exploit. We hope that the success story of Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah serves as an encouragement that will spur you to success.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Entrepreneur Spotlight: Three College Students Think Out Of The Box To Create OMG Digital","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"three-college-student-think-out-of-the-box-to-create-omg-digital","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=298246","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401604,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-10-03 10:44:45","post_date_gmt":"2022-10-03 17:44:45","post_content":"\n

\"Quindaro
Quindaro Township Site (Photo credit: KCUR)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first step toward amending wounds is the acceptance of wrongdoing. For many years, there has been a growing call for European countries to offer apologies for their role in the transatlantic slave trade. However, European countries are not the only guilty party. African chiefs facilitated the slave trade in one way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time since the end of the slave trade, African leaders have offered apologies for the wrongdoings of their ancestors. On Wednesday 28 September 2022, African delegates converged at the Quindaro Township Site in Kansas City, Kansas for a ceremony. Also present was Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Anita
Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0<\/em>UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the ceremony, the African delegates read out letters of apology from their tribal leaders and chiefs for the role of their ancestors in the slave trade of fellow Africans. Reacting to the apology letters, Dixon who noted that inviting the African delegates to the Quindaro site was crucial said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the healing that I have yearned for as a Black woman in America. This apology is for African people, Black people scattered all over the globe and not just to people of color.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembrance Of Slave Trade: Is Modern Slavery Worse Than The Pre-colonial Era?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also present at the ceremony was Wyandotte County Commissioner, Gayle Townsend, members of the Wyandotte Tribe, and state and local leaders from Missouri and Kansas. The apology letters zoomed in on the dark past of the African continent and the role local chiefs played in facilitating the slave trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

The first one is OMGVoice<\/span><\/a> that is active in three African countries: Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. The second is Servepot<\/span><\/a>, a culinary brand that publishes content on African recipes and food culture. The mission of the media platform is to develop influential and powerful African digital medial platforms and brands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Nigerian Pearlena Igbokwe Hits An Epic Milestone For African Women in Media<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

OMG Digital makes money through digital marketing. Currently, banner ads make up 80% of its ad sales. Its rapid growth has drawn the attention of large advertisers. So far, the media company has partnered with various companies including Coca-Cola, Pringles, Philips, KFC, and Huawei on sponsored content and marketing campaigns. About 6o percent of the company\u2019s audience are millennials aged between 18 to 24 years. The company targets Africa\u2019s 250 million millennials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did Y-Combinator Program influence<\/strong> OMG Digital Founders<\/strong>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Jesse
Jesse Ghansah at Y Combinator [Photo credit: Paystack]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah are graduates of the Y Combinator\u2019s startup accelerator program<\/a>. This program offers startup lessons to help entrepreneurs get started with their businesses and achieve success. For the founders of OMG Digital, their main takeaways were to always make effort to talk to customers. Also, it is important to obtain feedback and adjust accordingly. Ghansah said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe main takeaways we've gotten from YC in general are to talk to your users and paying attention to your core metrics + feedback and adjusting accordingly. That\u2019s how you build a product and company people love. YC also pushed us to move very quickly and take bolder steps in conquering our markets.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: 10 of the Best Startup Accelerators for African Entrepreneurs<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

How has OMG Digital transformed Digital Publishing in Africa?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When the company started as OMG Ghana (which later became OMG Digital) in 2012, traditional media companies dominated the digital media space. These companies were just trying to reinvent the print experience online. So, the content they produced was largely politics and hard news.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, OMG Digital founders recognized the yearning among millennials for entertainment and social content. By creating this type of content, the digital media company has inspired several other millennial-focused media companies on the African market. Now, almost every medial company is striving to create and distribute social content on social medial platforms. OMG Digital has inspired some Western digital media companies to test out the Sub-Saharan Africa market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: How Jason Njoku Overcame Multiple Failures To Build IrokoTV, The Netflix Of Africa<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Motivation to start OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"OMG
OMG Co-Founders - Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah [Photo credit: Techpoint.africa]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah established OMG Ghana in 2012 while in college. Back then, smartphones were becoming popular in Africa. So, after acquiring smartphones, they could not find interesting content to read. Ghansah recalls,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really frustrating for us because we would go online and all the content was just boring news and politics and stuff. Most of the people online back then were youth like us. BuzzFeed and Mashable were doing things for millennials, but we couldn\u2019t really relate to their content, so we created something for ourselves.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consequently, they thought about creating lightweight content for young people like themselves. Since smartphones were penetrating quickly and Facebook was also becoming very popular, the three resolved it was time to launch their company. Thus, they found OMG Ghana. Surprisingly, they did not perceive this company to have great potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: Saran Kaba Jones\u2019s FACE Africa Is Bringing Clean Water To Liberians<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

So, alongside OMG Ghana, they decided to establish a microlending platform. But the lending company soon experienced funding challenges. At the same time, OMG Ghana was growing and getting more readers. When it started to earn them some money, they registered it as a media company and resolved to focus on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Challenges of Running OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Right from the start, access to funding was a huge challenge. In the beginning, the co-founders didn\u2019t realize the growth they had anticipated. This is because they didn\u2019t have enough money to do all that they had planned. So, they would reinvest the profit back into the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the co-founders continued to seek funding nationally and internationally. Their efforts bore fruit in 2017 when they fundraised $1.1M from several international investors including Comcast Ventures, M&Y Growth Partners<\/span>, and Kima Ventures<\/span>. These funds helped to expand the company and scale operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Want To Build Wealth? Here Are 20 Youtube Channels We Think You Should Subscribe To<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Another challenge was the diversity of the continent. So, producing content that was relevant to different communities was a challenge at the onset. However, this challenge was resolved with time as the company hired staff from different regions in the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global Success<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since its inception, the OMG Global website has a total monthly view of more than 90 million. Today, the media company boasts of 4.5 million readers each month. The company is now present in three countries in Africa\u2014Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. So far, OMG Global has published over 20,000 contents. Also, it has over twenty content curators from Africa. With this team, it is easy to create relevant original content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expansion plans<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The digital media company aims to market its content to English speakers in Africa before extending to French-speaking countries. This is because English speakers form the largest population of internet users. So, OMG Global plans to extend its reach to more English-speaking countries in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Did You Know You Can Start These Businesses In Africa With Just $1,000 or Less?<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, the company plans to launch its brands in South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. With this market, it aims to reach 70% of the total millennial market in Africa. The next step will be to roll out its services continent-wide. The media platform wants to produce more video content in the future. Also, it has plans to create travel and technology content as it grows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 Business Lessons from<\/strong> OMG Global Co-founders<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Act on Feedback<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah emphasizes that customer feedback is very important. By analyzing your feedback, you can know what is lacking in your offerings. Thus, acting on customer feedback can help you adjust your products and make them relevant to your clients. Remember, the ultimate goal is always to enhance customer satisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Look for gaps in the market<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Business is all about delivering value to your customers. Before you venture into your field of interest, conduct some research to identify the gaps in the market. Mensah says that is exactly what they did before establishing OMG Global. Research helps you to identify people's needs that are not currently available. Once you establish a need, set up your business and fulfill that need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Be accessible<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Customers become loyal to businesses that are accessible when issues arise. Sometimes, your clients will want to seek assistance, clarification, or even to speak out about their concerns and problems. So, make sure to put in place channels through which your clients can reach you. That way, you will be accessible when they need to talk to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: \ud83d\ude325 Business Lessons From Cosmas Maduka, The Man That Turned $1 To $500 Million<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Pay attention to numbers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In business, numbers mean everything. You need to have more clients to make more sales and money. So, depending on your business, invest in having as many clients as possible. Develop a clear roadmap on how you will get to your target audience. Once you reach them, aim to convert them into clients or buying customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Any business needs patience<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No business grows overnight. It takes time to get investors and clients as well. In the beginning, investors may not believe that your idea will work. Some will only be convinced to fund your business once you get some loyal clients. Similarly, some clients will not trust your services just because your business is new. In all these instances, you will need to have a lot of patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global is making a significant impact in serving the huge demand for digital content in Africa. Nonetheless, there are still many opportunities in digital publishing and other fields that young entrepreneurs can exploit. We hope that the success story of Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah serves as an encouragement that will spur you to success.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Entrepreneur Spotlight: Three College Students Think Out Of The Box To Create OMG Digital","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"three-college-student-think-out-of-the-box-to-create-omg-digital","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=298246","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401604,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-10-03 10:44:45","post_date_gmt":"2022-10-03 17:44:45","post_content":"\n

\"Quindaro
Quindaro Township Site (Photo credit: KCUR)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first step toward amending wounds is the acceptance of wrongdoing. For many years, there has been a growing call for European countries to offer apologies for their role in the transatlantic slave trade. However, European countries are not the only guilty party. African chiefs facilitated the slave trade in one way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time since the end of the slave trade, African leaders have offered apologies for the wrongdoings of their ancestors. On Wednesday 28 September 2022, African delegates converged at the Quindaro Township Site in Kansas City, Kansas for a ceremony. Also present was Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Anita
Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0<\/em>UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the ceremony, the African delegates read out letters of apology from their tribal leaders and chiefs for the role of their ancestors in the slave trade of fellow Africans. Reacting to the apology letters, Dixon who noted that inviting the African delegates to the Quindaro site was crucial said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the healing that I have yearned for as a Black woman in America. This apology is for African people, Black people scattered all over the globe and not just to people of color.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembrance Of Slave Trade: Is Modern Slavery Worse Than The Pre-colonial Era?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also present at the ceremony was Wyandotte County Commissioner, Gayle Townsend, members of the Wyandotte Tribe, and state and local leaders from Missouri and Kansas. The apology letters zoomed in on the dark past of the African continent and the role local chiefs played in facilitating the slave trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

OMG Digital is an online media company founded in 2016 by Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah. Based in Ghana, the digital company publishes lifestyle and entertainment content targeted at Africa\u2019s millennial population. Currently, it has two digital brands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first one is OMGVoice<\/span><\/a> that is active in three African countries: Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. The second is Servepot<\/span><\/a>, a culinary brand that publishes content on African recipes and food culture. The mission of the media platform is to develop influential and powerful African digital medial platforms and brands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Nigerian Pearlena Igbokwe Hits An Epic Milestone For African Women in Media<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

OMG Digital makes money through digital marketing. Currently, banner ads make up 80% of its ad sales. Its rapid growth has drawn the attention of large advertisers. So far, the media company has partnered with various companies including Coca-Cola, Pringles, Philips, KFC, and Huawei on sponsored content and marketing campaigns. About 6o percent of the company\u2019s audience are millennials aged between 18 to 24 years. The company targets Africa\u2019s 250 million millennials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did Y-Combinator Program influence<\/strong> OMG Digital Founders<\/strong>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Jesse
Jesse Ghansah at Y Combinator [Photo credit: Paystack]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah are graduates of the Y Combinator\u2019s startup accelerator program<\/a>. This program offers startup lessons to help entrepreneurs get started with their businesses and achieve success. For the founders of OMG Digital, their main takeaways were to always make effort to talk to customers. Also, it is important to obtain feedback and adjust accordingly. Ghansah said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe main takeaways we've gotten from YC in general are to talk to your users and paying attention to your core metrics + feedback and adjusting accordingly. That\u2019s how you build a product and company people love. YC also pushed us to move very quickly and take bolder steps in conquering our markets.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: 10 of the Best Startup Accelerators for African Entrepreneurs<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

How has OMG Digital transformed Digital Publishing in Africa?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When the company started as OMG Ghana (which later became OMG Digital) in 2012, traditional media companies dominated the digital media space. These companies were just trying to reinvent the print experience online. So, the content they produced was largely politics and hard news.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, OMG Digital founders recognized the yearning among millennials for entertainment and social content. By creating this type of content, the digital media company has inspired several other millennial-focused media companies on the African market. Now, almost every medial company is striving to create and distribute social content on social medial platforms. OMG Digital has inspired some Western digital media companies to test out the Sub-Saharan Africa market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: How Jason Njoku Overcame Multiple Failures To Build IrokoTV, The Netflix Of Africa<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Motivation to start OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"OMG
OMG Co-Founders - Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah [Photo credit: Techpoint.africa]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah established OMG Ghana in 2012 while in college. Back then, smartphones were becoming popular in Africa. So, after acquiring smartphones, they could not find interesting content to read. Ghansah recalls,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really frustrating for us because we would go online and all the content was just boring news and politics and stuff. Most of the people online back then were youth like us. BuzzFeed and Mashable were doing things for millennials, but we couldn\u2019t really relate to their content, so we created something for ourselves.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consequently, they thought about creating lightweight content for young people like themselves. Since smartphones were penetrating quickly and Facebook was also becoming very popular, the three resolved it was time to launch their company. Thus, they found OMG Ghana. Surprisingly, they did not perceive this company to have great potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: Saran Kaba Jones\u2019s FACE Africa Is Bringing Clean Water To Liberians<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

So, alongside OMG Ghana, they decided to establish a microlending platform. But the lending company soon experienced funding challenges. At the same time, OMG Ghana was growing and getting more readers. When it started to earn them some money, they registered it as a media company and resolved to focus on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Challenges of Running OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Right from the start, access to funding was a huge challenge. In the beginning, the co-founders didn\u2019t realize the growth they had anticipated. This is because they didn\u2019t have enough money to do all that they had planned. So, they would reinvest the profit back into the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the co-founders continued to seek funding nationally and internationally. Their efforts bore fruit in 2017 when they fundraised $1.1M from several international investors including Comcast Ventures, M&Y Growth Partners<\/span>, and Kima Ventures<\/span>. These funds helped to expand the company and scale operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Want To Build Wealth? Here Are 20 Youtube Channels We Think You Should Subscribe To<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Another challenge was the diversity of the continent. So, producing content that was relevant to different communities was a challenge at the onset. However, this challenge was resolved with time as the company hired staff from different regions in the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global Success<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since its inception, the OMG Global website has a total monthly view of more than 90 million. Today, the media company boasts of 4.5 million readers each month. The company is now present in three countries in Africa\u2014Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. So far, OMG Global has published over 20,000 contents. Also, it has over twenty content curators from Africa. With this team, it is easy to create relevant original content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expansion plans<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The digital media company aims to market its content to English speakers in Africa before extending to French-speaking countries. This is because English speakers form the largest population of internet users. So, OMG Global plans to extend its reach to more English-speaking countries in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Did You Know You Can Start These Businesses In Africa With Just $1,000 or Less?<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, the company plans to launch its brands in South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. With this market, it aims to reach 70% of the total millennial market in Africa. The next step will be to roll out its services continent-wide. The media platform wants to produce more video content in the future. Also, it has plans to create travel and technology content as it grows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 Business Lessons from<\/strong> OMG Global Co-founders<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Act on Feedback<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah emphasizes that customer feedback is very important. By analyzing your feedback, you can know what is lacking in your offerings. Thus, acting on customer feedback can help you adjust your products and make them relevant to your clients. Remember, the ultimate goal is always to enhance customer satisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Look for gaps in the market<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Business is all about delivering value to your customers. Before you venture into your field of interest, conduct some research to identify the gaps in the market. Mensah says that is exactly what they did before establishing OMG Global. Research helps you to identify people's needs that are not currently available. Once you establish a need, set up your business and fulfill that need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Be accessible<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Customers become loyal to businesses that are accessible when issues arise. Sometimes, your clients will want to seek assistance, clarification, or even to speak out about their concerns and problems. So, make sure to put in place channels through which your clients can reach you. That way, you will be accessible when they need to talk to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: \ud83d\ude325 Business Lessons From Cosmas Maduka, The Man That Turned $1 To $500 Million<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Pay attention to numbers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In business, numbers mean everything. You need to have more clients to make more sales and money. So, depending on your business, invest in having as many clients as possible. Develop a clear roadmap on how you will get to your target audience. Once you reach them, aim to convert them into clients or buying customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Any business needs patience<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No business grows overnight. It takes time to get investors and clients as well. In the beginning, investors may not believe that your idea will work. Some will only be convinced to fund your business once you get some loyal clients. Similarly, some clients will not trust your services just because your business is new. In all these instances, you will need to have a lot of patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global is making a significant impact in serving the huge demand for digital content in Africa. Nonetheless, there are still many opportunities in digital publishing and other fields that young entrepreneurs can exploit. We hope that the success story of Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah serves as an encouragement that will spur you to success.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Entrepreneur Spotlight: Three College Students Think Out Of The Box To Create OMG Digital","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"three-college-student-think-out-of-the-box-to-create-omg-digital","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=298246","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401604,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-10-03 10:44:45","post_date_gmt":"2022-10-03 17:44:45","post_content":"\n

\"Quindaro
Quindaro Township Site (Photo credit: KCUR)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first step toward amending wounds is the acceptance of wrongdoing. For many years, there has been a growing call for European countries to offer apologies for their role in the transatlantic slave trade. However, European countries are not the only guilty party. African chiefs facilitated the slave trade in one way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time since the end of the slave trade, African leaders have offered apologies for the wrongdoings of their ancestors. On Wednesday 28 September 2022, African delegates converged at the Quindaro Township Site in Kansas City, Kansas for a ceremony. Also present was Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Anita
Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0<\/em>UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the ceremony, the African delegates read out letters of apology from their tribal leaders and chiefs for the role of their ancestors in the slave trade of fellow Africans. Reacting to the apology letters, Dixon who noted that inviting the African delegates to the Quindaro site was crucial said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the healing that I have yearned for as a Black woman in America. This apology is for African people, Black people scattered all over the globe and not just to people of color.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembrance Of Slave Trade: Is Modern Slavery Worse Than The Pre-colonial Era?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also present at the ceremony was Wyandotte County Commissioner, Gayle Townsend, members of the Wyandotte Tribe, and state and local leaders from Missouri and Kansas. The apology letters zoomed in on the dark past of the African continent and the role local chiefs played in facilitating the slave trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

What is OMG Digital?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Digital is an online media company founded in 2016 by Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah. Based in Ghana, the digital company publishes lifestyle and entertainment content targeted at Africa\u2019s millennial population. Currently, it has two digital brands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first one is OMGVoice<\/span><\/a> that is active in three African countries: Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. The second is Servepot<\/span><\/a>, a culinary brand that publishes content on African recipes and food culture. The mission of the media platform is to develop influential and powerful African digital medial platforms and brands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Nigerian Pearlena Igbokwe Hits An Epic Milestone For African Women in Media<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

OMG Digital makes money through digital marketing. Currently, banner ads make up 80% of its ad sales. Its rapid growth has drawn the attention of large advertisers. So far, the media company has partnered with various companies including Coca-Cola, Pringles, Philips, KFC, and Huawei on sponsored content and marketing campaigns. About 6o percent of the company\u2019s audience are millennials aged between 18 to 24 years. The company targets Africa\u2019s 250 million millennials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did Y-Combinator Program influence<\/strong> OMG Digital Founders<\/strong>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Jesse
Jesse Ghansah at Y Combinator [Photo credit: Paystack]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah are graduates of the Y Combinator\u2019s startup accelerator program<\/a>. This program offers startup lessons to help entrepreneurs get started with their businesses and achieve success. For the founders of OMG Digital, their main takeaways were to always make effort to talk to customers. Also, it is important to obtain feedback and adjust accordingly. Ghansah said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe main takeaways we've gotten from YC in general are to talk to your users and paying attention to your core metrics + feedback and adjusting accordingly. That\u2019s how you build a product and company people love. YC also pushed us to move very quickly and take bolder steps in conquering our markets.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: 10 of the Best Startup Accelerators for African Entrepreneurs<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

How has OMG Digital transformed Digital Publishing in Africa?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When the company started as OMG Ghana (which later became OMG Digital) in 2012, traditional media companies dominated the digital media space. These companies were just trying to reinvent the print experience online. So, the content they produced was largely politics and hard news.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, OMG Digital founders recognized the yearning among millennials for entertainment and social content. By creating this type of content, the digital media company has inspired several other millennial-focused media companies on the African market. Now, almost every medial company is striving to create and distribute social content on social medial platforms. OMG Digital has inspired some Western digital media companies to test out the Sub-Saharan Africa market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: How Jason Njoku Overcame Multiple Failures To Build IrokoTV, The Netflix Of Africa<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Motivation to start OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"OMG
OMG Co-Founders - Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah [Photo credit: Techpoint.africa]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah established OMG Ghana in 2012 while in college. Back then, smartphones were becoming popular in Africa. So, after acquiring smartphones, they could not find interesting content to read. Ghansah recalls,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really frustrating for us because we would go online and all the content was just boring news and politics and stuff. Most of the people online back then were youth like us. BuzzFeed and Mashable were doing things for millennials, but we couldn\u2019t really relate to their content, so we created something for ourselves.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consequently, they thought about creating lightweight content for young people like themselves. Since smartphones were penetrating quickly and Facebook was also becoming very popular, the three resolved it was time to launch their company. Thus, they found OMG Ghana. Surprisingly, they did not perceive this company to have great potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: Saran Kaba Jones\u2019s FACE Africa Is Bringing Clean Water To Liberians<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

So, alongside OMG Ghana, they decided to establish a microlending platform. But the lending company soon experienced funding challenges. At the same time, OMG Ghana was growing and getting more readers. When it started to earn them some money, they registered it as a media company and resolved to focus on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Challenges of Running OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Right from the start, access to funding was a huge challenge. In the beginning, the co-founders didn\u2019t realize the growth they had anticipated. This is because they didn\u2019t have enough money to do all that they had planned. So, they would reinvest the profit back into the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the co-founders continued to seek funding nationally and internationally. Their efforts bore fruit in 2017 when they fundraised $1.1M from several international investors including Comcast Ventures, M&Y Growth Partners<\/span>, and Kima Ventures<\/span>. These funds helped to expand the company and scale operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Want To Build Wealth? Here Are 20 Youtube Channels We Think You Should Subscribe To<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Another challenge was the diversity of the continent. So, producing content that was relevant to different communities was a challenge at the onset. However, this challenge was resolved with time as the company hired staff from different regions in the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global Success<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since its inception, the OMG Global website has a total monthly view of more than 90 million. Today, the media company boasts of 4.5 million readers each month. The company is now present in three countries in Africa\u2014Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. So far, OMG Global has published over 20,000 contents. Also, it has over twenty content curators from Africa. With this team, it is easy to create relevant original content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expansion plans<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The digital media company aims to market its content to English speakers in Africa before extending to French-speaking countries. This is because English speakers form the largest population of internet users. So, OMG Global plans to extend its reach to more English-speaking countries in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Did You Know You Can Start These Businesses In Africa With Just $1,000 or Less?<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, the company plans to launch its brands in South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. With this market, it aims to reach 70% of the total millennial market in Africa. The next step will be to roll out its services continent-wide. The media platform wants to produce more video content in the future. Also, it has plans to create travel and technology content as it grows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 Business Lessons from<\/strong> OMG Global Co-founders<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Act on Feedback<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah emphasizes that customer feedback is very important. By analyzing your feedback, you can know what is lacking in your offerings. Thus, acting on customer feedback can help you adjust your products and make them relevant to your clients. Remember, the ultimate goal is always to enhance customer satisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Look for gaps in the market<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Business is all about delivering value to your customers. Before you venture into your field of interest, conduct some research to identify the gaps in the market. Mensah says that is exactly what they did before establishing OMG Global. Research helps you to identify people's needs that are not currently available. Once you establish a need, set up your business and fulfill that need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Be accessible<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Customers become loyal to businesses that are accessible when issues arise. Sometimes, your clients will want to seek assistance, clarification, or even to speak out about their concerns and problems. So, make sure to put in place channels through which your clients can reach you. That way, you will be accessible when they need to talk to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: \ud83d\ude325 Business Lessons From Cosmas Maduka, The Man That Turned $1 To $500 Million<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Pay attention to numbers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In business, numbers mean everything. You need to have more clients to make more sales and money. So, depending on your business, invest in having as many clients as possible. Develop a clear roadmap on how you will get to your target audience. Once you reach them, aim to convert them into clients or buying customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Any business needs patience<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No business grows overnight. It takes time to get investors and clients as well. In the beginning, investors may not believe that your idea will work. Some will only be convinced to fund your business once you get some loyal clients. Similarly, some clients will not trust your services just because your business is new. In all these instances, you will need to have a lot of patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global is making a significant impact in serving the huge demand for digital content in Africa. Nonetheless, there are still many opportunities in digital publishing and other fields that young entrepreneurs can exploit. We hope that the success story of Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah serves as an encouragement that will spur you to success.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Entrepreneur Spotlight: Three College Students Think Out Of The Box To Create OMG Digital","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"three-college-student-think-out-of-the-box-to-create-omg-digital","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=298246","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401604,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-10-03 10:44:45","post_date_gmt":"2022-10-03 17:44:45","post_content":"\n

\"Quindaro
Quindaro Township Site (Photo credit: KCUR)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first step toward amending wounds is the acceptance of wrongdoing. For many years, there has been a growing call for European countries to offer apologies for their role in the transatlantic slave trade. However, European countries are not the only guilty party. African chiefs facilitated the slave trade in one way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time since the end of the slave trade, African leaders have offered apologies for the wrongdoings of their ancestors. On Wednesday 28 September 2022, African delegates converged at the Quindaro Township Site in Kansas City, Kansas for a ceremony. Also present was Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Anita
Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0<\/em>UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the ceremony, the African delegates read out letters of apology from their tribal leaders and chiefs for the role of their ancestors in the slave trade of fellow Africans. Reacting to the apology letters, Dixon who noted that inviting the African delegates to the Quindaro site was crucial said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the healing that I have yearned for as a Black woman in America. This apology is for African people, Black people scattered all over the globe and not just to people of color.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembrance Of Slave Trade: Is Modern Slavery Worse Than The Pre-colonial Era?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also present at the ceremony was Wyandotte County Commissioner, Gayle Townsend, members of the Wyandotte Tribe, and state and local leaders from Missouri and Kansas. The apology letters zoomed in on the dark past of the African continent and the role local chiefs played in facilitating the slave trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n
ALSO READ: Ghanaian Entrepreneur Combats Counterfeit Goods With His Innovative Startup<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

What is OMG Digital?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Digital is an online media company founded in 2016 by Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah. Based in Ghana, the digital company publishes lifestyle and entertainment content targeted at Africa\u2019s millennial population. Currently, it has two digital brands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first one is OMGVoice<\/span><\/a> that is active in three African countries: Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. The second is Servepot<\/span><\/a>, a culinary brand that publishes content on African recipes and food culture. The mission of the media platform is to develop influential and powerful African digital medial platforms and brands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Nigerian Pearlena Igbokwe Hits An Epic Milestone For African Women in Media<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

OMG Digital makes money through digital marketing. Currently, banner ads make up 80% of its ad sales. Its rapid growth has drawn the attention of large advertisers. So far, the media company has partnered with various companies including Coca-Cola, Pringles, Philips, KFC, and Huawei on sponsored content and marketing campaigns. About 6o percent of the company\u2019s audience are millennials aged between 18 to 24 years. The company targets Africa\u2019s 250 million millennials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did Y-Combinator Program influence<\/strong> OMG Digital Founders<\/strong>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Jesse
Jesse Ghansah at Y Combinator [Photo credit: Paystack]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah are graduates of the Y Combinator\u2019s startup accelerator program<\/a>. This program offers startup lessons to help entrepreneurs get started with their businesses and achieve success. For the founders of OMG Digital, their main takeaways were to always make effort to talk to customers. Also, it is important to obtain feedback and adjust accordingly. Ghansah said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe main takeaways we've gotten from YC in general are to talk to your users and paying attention to your core metrics + feedback and adjusting accordingly. That\u2019s how you build a product and company people love. YC also pushed us to move very quickly and take bolder steps in conquering our markets.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: 10 of the Best Startup Accelerators for African Entrepreneurs<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

How has OMG Digital transformed Digital Publishing in Africa?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When the company started as OMG Ghana (which later became OMG Digital) in 2012, traditional media companies dominated the digital media space. These companies were just trying to reinvent the print experience online. So, the content they produced was largely politics and hard news.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, OMG Digital founders recognized the yearning among millennials for entertainment and social content. By creating this type of content, the digital media company has inspired several other millennial-focused media companies on the African market. Now, almost every medial company is striving to create and distribute social content on social medial platforms. OMG Digital has inspired some Western digital media companies to test out the Sub-Saharan Africa market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: How Jason Njoku Overcame Multiple Failures To Build IrokoTV, The Netflix Of Africa<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Motivation to start OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"OMG
OMG Co-Founders - Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah [Photo credit: Techpoint.africa]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah established OMG Ghana in 2012 while in college. Back then, smartphones were becoming popular in Africa. So, after acquiring smartphones, they could not find interesting content to read. Ghansah recalls,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really frustrating for us because we would go online and all the content was just boring news and politics and stuff. Most of the people online back then were youth like us. BuzzFeed and Mashable were doing things for millennials, but we couldn\u2019t really relate to their content, so we created something for ourselves.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consequently, they thought about creating lightweight content for young people like themselves. Since smartphones were penetrating quickly and Facebook was also becoming very popular, the three resolved it was time to launch their company. Thus, they found OMG Ghana. Surprisingly, they did not perceive this company to have great potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: Saran Kaba Jones\u2019s FACE Africa Is Bringing Clean Water To Liberians<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

So, alongside OMG Ghana, they decided to establish a microlending platform. But the lending company soon experienced funding challenges. At the same time, OMG Ghana was growing and getting more readers. When it started to earn them some money, they registered it as a media company and resolved to focus on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Challenges of Running OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Right from the start, access to funding was a huge challenge. In the beginning, the co-founders didn\u2019t realize the growth they had anticipated. This is because they didn\u2019t have enough money to do all that they had planned. So, they would reinvest the profit back into the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the co-founders continued to seek funding nationally and internationally. Their efforts bore fruit in 2017 when they fundraised $1.1M from several international investors including Comcast Ventures, M&Y Growth Partners<\/span>, and Kima Ventures<\/span>. These funds helped to expand the company and scale operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Want To Build Wealth? Here Are 20 Youtube Channels We Think You Should Subscribe To<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Another challenge was the diversity of the continent. So, producing content that was relevant to different communities was a challenge at the onset. However, this challenge was resolved with time as the company hired staff from different regions in the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global Success<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since its inception, the OMG Global website has a total monthly view of more than 90 million. Today, the media company boasts of 4.5 million readers each month. The company is now present in three countries in Africa\u2014Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. So far, OMG Global has published over 20,000 contents. Also, it has over twenty content curators from Africa. With this team, it is easy to create relevant original content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expansion plans<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The digital media company aims to market its content to English speakers in Africa before extending to French-speaking countries. This is because English speakers form the largest population of internet users. So, OMG Global plans to extend its reach to more English-speaking countries in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Did You Know You Can Start These Businesses In Africa With Just $1,000 or Less?<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, the company plans to launch its brands in South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. With this market, it aims to reach 70% of the total millennial market in Africa. The next step will be to roll out its services continent-wide. The media platform wants to produce more video content in the future. Also, it has plans to create travel and technology content as it grows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 Business Lessons from<\/strong> OMG Global Co-founders<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Act on Feedback<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah emphasizes that customer feedback is very important. By analyzing your feedback, you can know what is lacking in your offerings. Thus, acting on customer feedback can help you adjust your products and make them relevant to your clients. Remember, the ultimate goal is always to enhance customer satisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Look for gaps in the market<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Business is all about delivering value to your customers. Before you venture into your field of interest, conduct some research to identify the gaps in the market. Mensah says that is exactly what they did before establishing OMG Global. Research helps you to identify people's needs that are not currently available. Once you establish a need, set up your business and fulfill that need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Be accessible<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Customers become loyal to businesses that are accessible when issues arise. Sometimes, your clients will want to seek assistance, clarification, or even to speak out about their concerns and problems. So, make sure to put in place channels through which your clients can reach you. That way, you will be accessible when they need to talk to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: \ud83d\ude325 Business Lessons From Cosmas Maduka, The Man That Turned $1 To $500 Million<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Pay attention to numbers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In business, numbers mean everything. You need to have more clients to make more sales and money. So, depending on your business, invest in having as many clients as possible. Develop a clear roadmap on how you will get to your target audience. Once you reach them, aim to convert them into clients or buying customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Any business needs patience<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No business grows overnight. It takes time to get investors and clients as well. In the beginning, investors may not believe that your idea will work. Some will only be convinced to fund your business once you get some loyal clients. Similarly, some clients will not trust your services just because your business is new. In all these instances, you will need to have a lot of patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global is making a significant impact in serving the huge demand for digital content in Africa. Nonetheless, there are still many opportunities in digital publishing and other fields that young entrepreneurs can exploit. We hope that the success story of Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah serves as an encouragement that will spur you to success.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Entrepreneur Spotlight: Three College Students Think Out Of The Box To Create OMG Digital","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"three-college-student-think-out-of-the-box-to-create-omg-digital","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=298246","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401604,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-10-03 10:44:45","post_date_gmt":"2022-10-03 17:44:45","post_content":"\n

\"Quindaro
Quindaro Township Site (Photo credit: KCUR)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first step toward amending wounds is the acceptance of wrongdoing. For many years, there has been a growing call for European countries to offer apologies for their role in the transatlantic slave trade. However, European countries are not the only guilty party. African chiefs facilitated the slave trade in one way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time since the end of the slave trade, African leaders have offered apologies for the wrongdoings of their ancestors. On Wednesday 28 September 2022, African delegates converged at the Quindaro Township Site in Kansas City, Kansas for a ceremony. Also present was Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Anita
Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0<\/em>UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the ceremony, the African delegates read out letters of apology from their tribal leaders and chiefs for the role of their ancestors in the slave trade of fellow Africans. Reacting to the apology letters, Dixon who noted that inviting the African delegates to the Quindaro site was crucial said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the healing that I have yearned for as a Black woman in America. This apology is for African people, Black people scattered all over the globe and not just to people of color.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembrance Of Slave Trade: Is Modern Slavery Worse Than The Pre-colonial Era?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also present at the ceremony was Wyandotte County Commissioner, Gayle Townsend, members of the Wyandotte Tribe, and state and local leaders from Missouri and Kansas. The apology letters zoomed in on the dark past of the African continent and the role local chiefs played in facilitating the slave trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

So, they also launched a microlending platform and focused on it. However, it didn\u2019t survive because of funding challenges. At that point, the three had no other option but to revert to their media platform. Currently, OMG Digital has a huge loyal audience from around Africa. Today, we walk you through the encouraging success story of OMG Digital founders\u2014Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Ghanaian Entrepreneur Combats Counterfeit Goods With His Innovative Startup<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

What is OMG Digital?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Digital is an online media company founded in 2016 by Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah. Based in Ghana, the digital company publishes lifestyle and entertainment content targeted at Africa\u2019s millennial population. Currently, it has two digital brands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first one is OMGVoice<\/span><\/a> that is active in three African countries: Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. The second is Servepot<\/span><\/a>, a culinary brand that publishes content on African recipes and food culture. The mission of the media platform is to develop influential and powerful African digital medial platforms and brands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Nigerian Pearlena Igbokwe Hits An Epic Milestone For African Women in Media<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

OMG Digital makes money through digital marketing. Currently, banner ads make up 80% of its ad sales. Its rapid growth has drawn the attention of large advertisers. So far, the media company has partnered with various companies including Coca-Cola, Pringles, Philips, KFC, and Huawei on sponsored content and marketing campaigns. About 6o percent of the company\u2019s audience are millennials aged between 18 to 24 years. The company targets Africa\u2019s 250 million millennials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did Y-Combinator Program influence<\/strong> OMG Digital Founders<\/strong>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Jesse
Jesse Ghansah at Y Combinator [Photo credit: Paystack]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah are graduates of the Y Combinator\u2019s startup accelerator program<\/a>. This program offers startup lessons to help entrepreneurs get started with their businesses and achieve success. For the founders of OMG Digital, their main takeaways were to always make effort to talk to customers. Also, it is important to obtain feedback and adjust accordingly. Ghansah said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe main takeaways we've gotten from YC in general are to talk to your users and paying attention to your core metrics + feedback and adjusting accordingly. That\u2019s how you build a product and company people love. YC also pushed us to move very quickly and take bolder steps in conquering our markets.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: 10 of the Best Startup Accelerators for African Entrepreneurs<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

How has OMG Digital transformed Digital Publishing in Africa?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When the company started as OMG Ghana (which later became OMG Digital) in 2012, traditional media companies dominated the digital media space. These companies were just trying to reinvent the print experience online. So, the content they produced was largely politics and hard news.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, OMG Digital founders recognized the yearning among millennials for entertainment and social content. By creating this type of content, the digital media company has inspired several other millennial-focused media companies on the African market. Now, almost every medial company is striving to create and distribute social content on social medial platforms. OMG Digital has inspired some Western digital media companies to test out the Sub-Saharan Africa market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: How Jason Njoku Overcame Multiple Failures To Build IrokoTV, The Netflix Of Africa<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Motivation to start OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"OMG
OMG Co-Founders - Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah [Photo credit: Techpoint.africa]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah established OMG Ghana in 2012 while in college. Back then, smartphones were becoming popular in Africa. So, after acquiring smartphones, they could not find interesting content to read. Ghansah recalls,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really frustrating for us because we would go online and all the content was just boring news and politics and stuff. Most of the people online back then were youth like us. BuzzFeed and Mashable were doing things for millennials, but we couldn\u2019t really relate to their content, so we created something for ourselves.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consequently, they thought about creating lightweight content for young people like themselves. Since smartphones were penetrating quickly and Facebook was also becoming very popular, the three resolved it was time to launch their company. Thus, they found OMG Ghana. Surprisingly, they did not perceive this company to have great potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: Saran Kaba Jones\u2019s FACE Africa Is Bringing Clean Water To Liberians<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

So, alongside OMG Ghana, they decided to establish a microlending platform. But the lending company soon experienced funding challenges. At the same time, OMG Ghana was growing and getting more readers. When it started to earn them some money, they registered it as a media company and resolved to focus on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Challenges of Running OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Right from the start, access to funding was a huge challenge. In the beginning, the co-founders didn\u2019t realize the growth they had anticipated. This is because they didn\u2019t have enough money to do all that they had planned. So, they would reinvest the profit back into the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the co-founders continued to seek funding nationally and internationally. Their efforts bore fruit in 2017 when they fundraised $1.1M from several international investors including Comcast Ventures, M&Y Growth Partners<\/span>, and Kima Ventures<\/span>. These funds helped to expand the company and scale operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Want To Build Wealth? Here Are 20 Youtube Channels We Think You Should Subscribe To<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Another challenge was the diversity of the continent. So, producing content that was relevant to different communities was a challenge at the onset. However, this challenge was resolved with time as the company hired staff from different regions in the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global Success<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since its inception, the OMG Global website has a total monthly view of more than 90 million. Today, the media company boasts of 4.5 million readers each month. The company is now present in three countries in Africa\u2014Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. So far, OMG Global has published over 20,000 contents. Also, it has over twenty content curators from Africa. With this team, it is easy to create relevant original content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expansion plans<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The digital media company aims to market its content to English speakers in Africa before extending to French-speaking countries. This is because English speakers form the largest population of internet users. So, OMG Global plans to extend its reach to more English-speaking countries in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Did You Know You Can Start These Businesses In Africa With Just $1,000 or Less?<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, the company plans to launch its brands in South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. With this market, it aims to reach 70% of the total millennial market in Africa. The next step will be to roll out its services continent-wide. The media platform wants to produce more video content in the future. Also, it has plans to create travel and technology content as it grows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 Business Lessons from<\/strong> OMG Global Co-founders<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Act on Feedback<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah emphasizes that customer feedback is very important. By analyzing your feedback, you can know what is lacking in your offerings. Thus, acting on customer feedback can help you adjust your products and make them relevant to your clients. Remember, the ultimate goal is always to enhance customer satisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Look for gaps in the market<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Business is all about delivering value to your customers. Before you venture into your field of interest, conduct some research to identify the gaps in the market. Mensah says that is exactly what they did before establishing OMG Global. Research helps you to identify people's needs that are not currently available. Once you establish a need, set up your business and fulfill that need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Be accessible<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Customers become loyal to businesses that are accessible when issues arise. Sometimes, your clients will want to seek assistance, clarification, or even to speak out about their concerns and problems. So, make sure to put in place channels through which your clients can reach you. That way, you will be accessible when they need to talk to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: \ud83d\ude325 Business Lessons From Cosmas Maduka, The Man That Turned $1 To $500 Million<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Pay attention to numbers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In business, numbers mean everything. You need to have more clients to make more sales and money. So, depending on your business, invest in having as many clients as possible. Develop a clear roadmap on how you will get to your target audience. Once you reach them, aim to convert them into clients or buying customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Any business needs patience<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No business grows overnight. It takes time to get investors and clients as well. In the beginning, investors may not believe that your idea will work. Some will only be convinced to fund your business once you get some loyal clients. Similarly, some clients will not trust your services just because your business is new. In all these instances, you will need to have a lot of patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global is making a significant impact in serving the huge demand for digital content in Africa. Nonetheless, there are still many opportunities in digital publishing and other fields that young entrepreneurs can exploit. We hope that the success story of Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah serves as an encouragement that will spur you to success.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Entrepreneur Spotlight: Three College Students Think Out Of The Box To Create OMG Digital","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"three-college-student-think-out-of-the-box-to-create-omg-digital","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=298246","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401604,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-10-03 10:44:45","post_date_gmt":"2022-10-03 17:44:45","post_content":"\n

\"Quindaro
Quindaro Township Site (Photo credit: KCUR)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first step toward amending wounds is the acceptance of wrongdoing. For many years, there has been a growing call for European countries to offer apologies for their role in the transatlantic slave trade. However, European countries are not the only guilty party. African chiefs facilitated the slave trade in one way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time since the end of the slave trade, African leaders have offered apologies for the wrongdoings of their ancestors. On Wednesday 28 September 2022, African delegates converged at the Quindaro Township Site in Kansas City, Kansas for a ceremony. Also present was Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Anita
Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0<\/em>UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the ceremony, the African delegates read out letters of apology from their tribal leaders and chiefs for the role of their ancestors in the slave trade of fellow Africans. Reacting to the apology letters, Dixon who noted that inviting the African delegates to the Quindaro site was crucial said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the healing that I have yearned for as a Black woman in America. This apology is for African people, Black people scattered all over the globe and not just to people of color.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembrance Of Slave Trade: Is Modern Slavery Worse Than The Pre-colonial Era?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also present at the ceremony was Wyandotte County Commissioner, Gayle Townsend, members of the Wyandotte Tribe, and state and local leaders from Missouri and Kansas. The apology letters zoomed in on the dark past of the African continent and the role local chiefs played in facilitating the slave trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

OMG Digital is a brainchild of three college students from Ghana. Dubbed the \u201cBuzzFeed of Africa,\" the media platform aims to become a leading entertainer for African millennials worldwide. The interesting thing about this digital company is that, in the beginning, its founders didn\u2019t consider it as their main project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, they also launched a microlending platform and focused on it. However, it didn\u2019t survive because of funding challenges. At that point, the three had no other option but to revert to their media platform. Currently, OMG Digital has a huge loyal audience from around Africa. Today, we walk you through the encouraging success story of OMG Digital founders\u2014Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Ghanaian Entrepreneur Combats Counterfeit Goods With His Innovative Startup<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

What is OMG Digital?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Digital is an online media company founded in 2016 by Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah. Based in Ghana, the digital company publishes lifestyle and entertainment content targeted at Africa\u2019s millennial population. Currently, it has two digital brands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first one is OMGVoice<\/span><\/a> that is active in three African countries: Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. The second is Servepot<\/span><\/a>, a culinary brand that publishes content on African recipes and food culture. The mission of the media platform is to develop influential and powerful African digital medial platforms and brands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Nigerian Pearlena Igbokwe Hits An Epic Milestone For African Women in Media<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

OMG Digital makes money through digital marketing. Currently, banner ads make up 80% of its ad sales. Its rapid growth has drawn the attention of large advertisers. So far, the media company has partnered with various companies including Coca-Cola, Pringles, Philips, KFC, and Huawei on sponsored content and marketing campaigns. About 6o percent of the company\u2019s audience are millennials aged between 18 to 24 years. The company targets Africa\u2019s 250 million millennials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did Y-Combinator Program influence<\/strong> OMG Digital Founders<\/strong>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Jesse
Jesse Ghansah at Y Combinator [Photo credit: Paystack]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah are graduates of the Y Combinator\u2019s startup accelerator program<\/a>. This program offers startup lessons to help entrepreneurs get started with their businesses and achieve success. For the founders of OMG Digital, their main takeaways were to always make effort to talk to customers. Also, it is important to obtain feedback and adjust accordingly. Ghansah said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe main takeaways we've gotten from YC in general are to talk to your users and paying attention to your core metrics + feedback and adjusting accordingly. That\u2019s how you build a product and company people love. YC also pushed us to move very quickly and take bolder steps in conquering our markets.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: 10 of the Best Startup Accelerators for African Entrepreneurs<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

How has OMG Digital transformed Digital Publishing in Africa?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When the company started as OMG Ghana (which later became OMG Digital) in 2012, traditional media companies dominated the digital media space. These companies were just trying to reinvent the print experience online. So, the content they produced was largely politics and hard news.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, OMG Digital founders recognized the yearning among millennials for entertainment and social content. By creating this type of content, the digital media company has inspired several other millennial-focused media companies on the African market. Now, almost every medial company is striving to create and distribute social content on social medial platforms. OMG Digital has inspired some Western digital media companies to test out the Sub-Saharan Africa market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: How Jason Njoku Overcame Multiple Failures To Build IrokoTV, The Netflix Of Africa<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Motivation to start OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"OMG
OMG Co-Founders - Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah [Photo credit: Techpoint.africa]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah established OMG Ghana in 2012 while in college. Back then, smartphones were becoming popular in Africa. So, after acquiring smartphones, they could not find interesting content to read. Ghansah recalls,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really frustrating for us because we would go online and all the content was just boring news and politics and stuff. Most of the people online back then were youth like us. BuzzFeed and Mashable were doing things for millennials, but we couldn\u2019t really relate to their content, so we created something for ourselves.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consequently, they thought about creating lightweight content for young people like themselves. Since smartphones were penetrating quickly and Facebook was also becoming very popular, the three resolved it was time to launch their company. Thus, they found OMG Ghana. Surprisingly, they did not perceive this company to have great potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: Saran Kaba Jones\u2019s FACE Africa Is Bringing Clean Water To Liberians<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

So, alongside OMG Ghana, they decided to establish a microlending platform. But the lending company soon experienced funding challenges. At the same time, OMG Ghana was growing and getting more readers. When it started to earn them some money, they registered it as a media company and resolved to focus on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Challenges of Running OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Right from the start, access to funding was a huge challenge. In the beginning, the co-founders didn\u2019t realize the growth they had anticipated. This is because they didn\u2019t have enough money to do all that they had planned. So, they would reinvest the profit back into the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the co-founders continued to seek funding nationally and internationally. Their efforts bore fruit in 2017 when they fundraised $1.1M from several international investors including Comcast Ventures, M&Y Growth Partners<\/span>, and Kima Ventures<\/span>. These funds helped to expand the company and scale operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Want To Build Wealth? Here Are 20 Youtube Channels We Think You Should Subscribe To<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Another challenge was the diversity of the continent. So, producing content that was relevant to different communities was a challenge at the onset. However, this challenge was resolved with time as the company hired staff from different regions in the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global Success<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since its inception, the OMG Global website has a total monthly view of more than 90 million. Today, the media company boasts of 4.5 million readers each month. The company is now present in three countries in Africa\u2014Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. So far, OMG Global has published over 20,000 contents. Also, it has over twenty content curators from Africa. With this team, it is easy to create relevant original content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expansion plans<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The digital media company aims to market its content to English speakers in Africa before extending to French-speaking countries. This is because English speakers form the largest population of internet users. So, OMG Global plans to extend its reach to more English-speaking countries in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Did You Know You Can Start These Businesses In Africa With Just $1,000 or Less?<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, the company plans to launch its brands in South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. With this market, it aims to reach 70% of the total millennial market in Africa. The next step will be to roll out its services continent-wide. The media platform wants to produce more video content in the future. Also, it has plans to create travel and technology content as it grows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 Business Lessons from<\/strong> OMG Global Co-founders<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Act on Feedback<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah emphasizes that customer feedback is very important. By analyzing your feedback, you can know what is lacking in your offerings. Thus, acting on customer feedback can help you adjust your products and make them relevant to your clients. Remember, the ultimate goal is always to enhance customer satisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Look for gaps in the market<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Business is all about delivering value to your customers. Before you venture into your field of interest, conduct some research to identify the gaps in the market. Mensah says that is exactly what they did before establishing OMG Global. Research helps you to identify people's needs that are not currently available. Once you establish a need, set up your business and fulfill that need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Be accessible<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Customers become loyal to businesses that are accessible when issues arise. Sometimes, your clients will want to seek assistance, clarification, or even to speak out about their concerns and problems. So, make sure to put in place channels through which your clients can reach you. That way, you will be accessible when they need to talk to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: \ud83d\ude325 Business Lessons From Cosmas Maduka, The Man That Turned $1 To $500 Million<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Pay attention to numbers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In business, numbers mean everything. You need to have more clients to make more sales and money. So, depending on your business, invest in having as many clients as possible. Develop a clear roadmap on how you will get to your target audience. Once you reach them, aim to convert them into clients or buying customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Any business needs patience<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No business grows overnight. It takes time to get investors and clients as well. In the beginning, investors may not believe that your idea will work. Some will only be convinced to fund your business once you get some loyal clients. Similarly, some clients will not trust your services just because your business is new. In all these instances, you will need to have a lot of patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global is making a significant impact in serving the huge demand for digital content in Africa. Nonetheless, there are still many opportunities in digital publishing and other fields that young entrepreneurs can exploit. We hope that the success story of Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah serves as an encouragement that will spur you to success.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Entrepreneur Spotlight: Three College Students Think Out Of The Box To Create OMG Digital","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"three-college-student-think-out-of-the-box-to-create-omg-digital","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=298246","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401604,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-10-03 10:44:45","post_date_gmt":"2022-10-03 17:44:45","post_content":"\n

\"Quindaro
Quindaro Township Site (Photo credit: KCUR)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first step toward amending wounds is the acceptance of wrongdoing. For many years, there has been a growing call for European countries to offer apologies for their role in the transatlantic slave trade. However, European countries are not the only guilty party. African chiefs facilitated the slave trade in one way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time since the end of the slave trade, African leaders have offered apologies for the wrongdoings of their ancestors. On Wednesday 28 September 2022, African delegates converged at the Quindaro Township Site in Kansas City, Kansas for a ceremony. Also present was Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Anita
Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0<\/em>UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the ceremony, the African delegates read out letters of apology from their tribal leaders and chiefs for the role of their ancestors in the slave trade of fellow Africans. Reacting to the apology letters, Dixon who noted that inviting the African delegates to the Quindaro site was crucial said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the healing that I have yearned for as a Black woman in America. This apology is for African people, Black people scattered all over the globe and not just to people of color.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembrance Of Slave Trade: Is Modern Slavery Worse Than The Pre-colonial Era?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also present at the ceremony was Wyandotte County Commissioner, Gayle Townsend, members of the Wyandotte Tribe, and state and local leaders from Missouri and Kansas. The apology letters zoomed in on the dark past of the African continent and the role local chiefs played in facilitating the slave trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n
\"OMG
OMG Digital Founders [Photo credit: Appsafrica]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

OMG Digital is a brainchild of three college students from Ghana. Dubbed the \u201cBuzzFeed of Africa,\" the media platform aims to become a leading entertainer for African millennials worldwide. The interesting thing about this digital company is that, in the beginning, its founders didn\u2019t consider it as their main project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, they also launched a microlending platform and focused on it. However, it didn\u2019t survive because of funding challenges. At that point, the three had no other option but to revert to their media platform. Currently, OMG Digital has a huge loyal audience from around Africa. Today, we walk you through the encouraging success story of OMG Digital founders\u2014Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Ghanaian Entrepreneur Combats Counterfeit Goods With His Innovative Startup<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

What is OMG Digital?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Digital is an online media company founded in 2016 by Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah. Based in Ghana, the digital company publishes lifestyle and entertainment content targeted at Africa\u2019s millennial population. Currently, it has two digital brands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first one is OMGVoice<\/span><\/a> that is active in three African countries: Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. The second is Servepot<\/span><\/a>, a culinary brand that publishes content on African recipes and food culture. The mission of the media platform is to develop influential and powerful African digital medial platforms and brands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Nigerian Pearlena Igbokwe Hits An Epic Milestone For African Women in Media<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

OMG Digital makes money through digital marketing. Currently, banner ads make up 80% of its ad sales. Its rapid growth has drawn the attention of large advertisers. So far, the media company has partnered with various companies including Coca-Cola, Pringles, Philips, KFC, and Huawei on sponsored content and marketing campaigns. About 6o percent of the company\u2019s audience are millennials aged between 18 to 24 years. The company targets Africa\u2019s 250 million millennials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did Y-Combinator Program influence<\/strong> OMG Digital Founders<\/strong>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Jesse
Jesse Ghansah at Y Combinator [Photo credit: Paystack]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah are graduates of the Y Combinator\u2019s startup accelerator program<\/a>. This program offers startup lessons to help entrepreneurs get started with their businesses and achieve success. For the founders of OMG Digital, their main takeaways were to always make effort to talk to customers. Also, it is important to obtain feedback and adjust accordingly. Ghansah said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe main takeaways we've gotten from YC in general are to talk to your users and paying attention to your core metrics + feedback and adjusting accordingly. That\u2019s how you build a product and company people love. YC also pushed us to move very quickly and take bolder steps in conquering our markets.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: 10 of the Best Startup Accelerators for African Entrepreneurs<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

How has OMG Digital transformed Digital Publishing in Africa?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When the company started as OMG Ghana (which later became OMG Digital) in 2012, traditional media companies dominated the digital media space. These companies were just trying to reinvent the print experience online. So, the content they produced was largely politics and hard news.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, OMG Digital founders recognized the yearning among millennials for entertainment and social content. By creating this type of content, the digital media company has inspired several other millennial-focused media companies on the African market. Now, almost every medial company is striving to create and distribute social content on social medial platforms. OMG Digital has inspired some Western digital media companies to test out the Sub-Saharan Africa market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: How Jason Njoku Overcame Multiple Failures To Build IrokoTV, The Netflix Of Africa<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Motivation to start OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"OMG
OMG Co-Founders - Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah [Photo credit: Techpoint.africa]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah established OMG Ghana in 2012 while in college. Back then, smartphones were becoming popular in Africa. So, after acquiring smartphones, they could not find interesting content to read. Ghansah recalls,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really frustrating for us because we would go online and all the content was just boring news and politics and stuff. Most of the people online back then were youth like us. BuzzFeed and Mashable were doing things for millennials, but we couldn\u2019t really relate to their content, so we created something for ourselves.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consequently, they thought about creating lightweight content for young people like themselves. Since smartphones were penetrating quickly and Facebook was also becoming very popular, the three resolved it was time to launch their company. Thus, they found OMG Ghana. Surprisingly, they did not perceive this company to have great potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: Saran Kaba Jones\u2019s FACE Africa Is Bringing Clean Water To Liberians<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

So, alongside OMG Ghana, they decided to establish a microlending platform. But the lending company soon experienced funding challenges. At the same time, OMG Ghana was growing and getting more readers. When it started to earn them some money, they registered it as a media company and resolved to focus on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Challenges of Running OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Right from the start, access to funding was a huge challenge. In the beginning, the co-founders didn\u2019t realize the growth they had anticipated. This is because they didn\u2019t have enough money to do all that they had planned. So, they would reinvest the profit back into the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the co-founders continued to seek funding nationally and internationally. Their efforts bore fruit in 2017 when they fundraised $1.1M from several international investors including Comcast Ventures, M&Y Growth Partners<\/span>, and Kima Ventures<\/span>. These funds helped to expand the company and scale operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Want To Build Wealth? Here Are 20 Youtube Channels We Think You Should Subscribe To<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Another challenge was the diversity of the continent. So, producing content that was relevant to different communities was a challenge at the onset. However, this challenge was resolved with time as the company hired staff from different regions in the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global Success<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since its inception, the OMG Global website has a total monthly view of more than 90 million. Today, the media company boasts of 4.5 million readers each month. The company is now present in three countries in Africa\u2014Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. So far, OMG Global has published over 20,000 contents. Also, it has over twenty content curators from Africa. With this team, it is easy to create relevant original content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expansion plans<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The digital media company aims to market its content to English speakers in Africa before extending to French-speaking countries. This is because English speakers form the largest population of internet users. So, OMG Global plans to extend its reach to more English-speaking countries in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Did You Know You Can Start These Businesses In Africa With Just $1,000 or Less?<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, the company plans to launch its brands in South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. With this market, it aims to reach 70% of the total millennial market in Africa. The next step will be to roll out its services continent-wide. The media platform wants to produce more video content in the future. Also, it has plans to create travel and technology content as it grows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 Business Lessons from<\/strong> OMG Global Co-founders<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Act on Feedback<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah emphasizes that customer feedback is very important. By analyzing your feedback, you can know what is lacking in your offerings. Thus, acting on customer feedback can help you adjust your products and make them relevant to your clients. Remember, the ultimate goal is always to enhance customer satisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Look for gaps in the market<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Business is all about delivering value to your customers. Before you venture into your field of interest, conduct some research to identify the gaps in the market. Mensah says that is exactly what they did before establishing OMG Global. Research helps you to identify people's needs that are not currently available. Once you establish a need, set up your business and fulfill that need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Be accessible<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Customers become loyal to businesses that are accessible when issues arise. Sometimes, your clients will want to seek assistance, clarification, or even to speak out about their concerns and problems. So, make sure to put in place channels through which your clients can reach you. That way, you will be accessible when they need to talk to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: \ud83d\ude325 Business Lessons From Cosmas Maduka, The Man That Turned $1 To $500 Million<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Pay attention to numbers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In business, numbers mean everything. You need to have more clients to make more sales and money. So, depending on your business, invest in having as many clients as possible. Develop a clear roadmap on how you will get to your target audience. Once you reach them, aim to convert them into clients or buying customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Any business needs patience<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No business grows overnight. It takes time to get investors and clients as well. In the beginning, investors may not believe that your idea will work. Some will only be convinced to fund your business once you get some loyal clients. Similarly, some clients will not trust your services just because your business is new. In all these instances, you will need to have a lot of patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global is making a significant impact in serving the huge demand for digital content in Africa. Nonetheless, there are still many opportunities in digital publishing and other fields that young entrepreneurs can exploit. We hope that the success story of Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah serves as an encouragement that will spur you to success.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Entrepreneur Spotlight: Three College Students Think Out Of The Box To Create OMG Digital","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"three-college-student-think-out-of-the-box-to-create-omg-digital","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=298246","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401604,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-10-03 10:44:45","post_date_gmt":"2022-10-03 17:44:45","post_content":"\n

\"Quindaro
Quindaro Township Site (Photo credit: KCUR)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first step toward amending wounds is the acceptance of wrongdoing. For many years, there has been a growing call for European countries to offer apologies for their role in the transatlantic slave trade. However, European countries are not the only guilty party. African chiefs facilitated the slave trade in one way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time since the end of the slave trade, African leaders have offered apologies for the wrongdoings of their ancestors. On Wednesday 28 September 2022, African delegates converged at the Quindaro Township Site in Kansas City, Kansas for a ceremony. Also present was Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Anita
Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0<\/em>UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the ceremony, the African delegates read out letters of apology from their tribal leaders and chiefs for the role of their ancestors in the slave trade of fellow Africans. Reacting to the apology letters, Dixon who noted that inviting the African delegates to the Quindaro site was crucial said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the healing that I have yearned for as a Black woman in America. This apology is for African people, Black people scattered all over the globe and not just to people of color.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembrance Of Slave Trade: Is Modern Slavery Worse Than The Pre-colonial Era?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also present at the ceremony was Wyandotte County Commissioner, Gayle Townsend, members of the Wyandotte Tribe, and state and local leaders from Missouri and Kansas. The apology letters zoomed in on the dark past of the African continent and the role local chiefs played in facilitating the slave trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"OMG
OMG Digital Founders [Photo credit: Appsafrica]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

OMG Digital is a brainchild of three college students from Ghana. Dubbed the \u201cBuzzFeed of Africa,\" the media platform aims to become a leading entertainer for African millennials worldwide. The interesting thing about this digital company is that, in the beginning, its founders didn\u2019t consider it as their main project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, they also launched a microlending platform and focused on it. However, it didn\u2019t survive because of funding challenges. At that point, the three had no other option but to revert to their media platform. Currently, OMG Digital has a huge loyal audience from around Africa. Today, we walk you through the encouraging success story of OMG Digital founders\u2014Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Ghanaian Entrepreneur Combats Counterfeit Goods With His Innovative Startup<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

What is OMG Digital?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Digital is an online media company founded in 2016 by Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah. Based in Ghana, the digital company publishes lifestyle and entertainment content targeted at Africa\u2019s millennial population. Currently, it has two digital brands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first one is OMGVoice<\/span><\/a> that is active in three African countries: Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. The second is Servepot<\/span><\/a>, a culinary brand that publishes content on African recipes and food culture. The mission of the media platform is to develop influential and powerful African digital medial platforms and brands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Nigerian Pearlena Igbokwe Hits An Epic Milestone For African Women in Media<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

OMG Digital makes money through digital marketing. Currently, banner ads make up 80% of its ad sales. Its rapid growth has drawn the attention of large advertisers. So far, the media company has partnered with various companies including Coca-Cola, Pringles, Philips, KFC, and Huawei on sponsored content and marketing campaigns. About 6o percent of the company\u2019s audience are millennials aged between 18 to 24 years. The company targets Africa\u2019s 250 million millennials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did Y-Combinator Program influence<\/strong> OMG Digital Founders<\/strong>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Jesse
Jesse Ghansah at Y Combinator [Photo credit: Paystack]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah are graduates of the Y Combinator\u2019s startup accelerator program<\/a>. This program offers startup lessons to help entrepreneurs get started with their businesses and achieve success. For the founders of OMG Digital, their main takeaways were to always make effort to talk to customers. Also, it is important to obtain feedback and adjust accordingly. Ghansah said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe main takeaways we've gotten from YC in general are to talk to your users and paying attention to your core metrics + feedback and adjusting accordingly. That\u2019s how you build a product and company people love. YC also pushed us to move very quickly and take bolder steps in conquering our markets.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: 10 of the Best Startup Accelerators for African Entrepreneurs<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

How has OMG Digital transformed Digital Publishing in Africa?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When the company started as OMG Ghana (which later became OMG Digital) in 2012, traditional media companies dominated the digital media space. These companies were just trying to reinvent the print experience online. So, the content they produced was largely politics and hard news.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, OMG Digital founders recognized the yearning among millennials for entertainment and social content. By creating this type of content, the digital media company has inspired several other millennial-focused media companies on the African market. Now, almost every medial company is striving to create and distribute social content on social medial platforms. OMG Digital has inspired some Western digital media companies to test out the Sub-Saharan Africa market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: How Jason Njoku Overcame Multiple Failures To Build IrokoTV, The Netflix Of Africa<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Motivation to start OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"OMG
OMG Co-Founders - Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah [Photo credit: Techpoint.africa]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah established OMG Ghana in 2012 while in college. Back then, smartphones were becoming popular in Africa. So, after acquiring smartphones, they could not find interesting content to read. Ghansah recalls,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really frustrating for us because we would go online and all the content was just boring news and politics and stuff. Most of the people online back then were youth like us. BuzzFeed and Mashable were doing things for millennials, but we couldn\u2019t really relate to their content, so we created something for ourselves.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consequently, they thought about creating lightweight content for young people like themselves. Since smartphones were penetrating quickly and Facebook was also becoming very popular, the three resolved it was time to launch their company. Thus, they found OMG Ghana. Surprisingly, they did not perceive this company to have great potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: Saran Kaba Jones\u2019s FACE Africa Is Bringing Clean Water To Liberians<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

So, alongside OMG Ghana, they decided to establish a microlending platform. But the lending company soon experienced funding challenges. At the same time, OMG Ghana was growing and getting more readers. When it started to earn them some money, they registered it as a media company and resolved to focus on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Challenges of Running OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Right from the start, access to funding was a huge challenge. In the beginning, the co-founders didn\u2019t realize the growth they had anticipated. This is because they didn\u2019t have enough money to do all that they had planned. So, they would reinvest the profit back into the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the co-founders continued to seek funding nationally and internationally. Their efforts bore fruit in 2017 when they fundraised $1.1M from several international investors including Comcast Ventures, M&Y Growth Partners<\/span>, and Kima Ventures<\/span>. These funds helped to expand the company and scale operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Want To Build Wealth? Here Are 20 Youtube Channels We Think You Should Subscribe To<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Another challenge was the diversity of the continent. So, producing content that was relevant to different communities was a challenge at the onset. However, this challenge was resolved with time as the company hired staff from different regions in the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global Success<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since its inception, the OMG Global website has a total monthly view of more than 90 million. Today, the media company boasts of 4.5 million readers each month. The company is now present in three countries in Africa\u2014Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. So far, OMG Global has published over 20,000 contents. Also, it has over twenty content curators from Africa. With this team, it is easy to create relevant original content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expansion plans<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The digital media company aims to market its content to English speakers in Africa before extending to French-speaking countries. This is because English speakers form the largest population of internet users. So, OMG Global plans to extend its reach to more English-speaking countries in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Did You Know You Can Start These Businesses In Africa With Just $1,000 or Less?<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, the company plans to launch its brands in South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. With this market, it aims to reach 70% of the total millennial market in Africa. The next step will be to roll out its services continent-wide. The media platform wants to produce more video content in the future. Also, it has plans to create travel and technology content as it grows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 Business Lessons from<\/strong> OMG Global Co-founders<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Act on Feedback<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah emphasizes that customer feedback is very important. By analyzing your feedback, you can know what is lacking in your offerings. Thus, acting on customer feedback can help you adjust your products and make them relevant to your clients. Remember, the ultimate goal is always to enhance customer satisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Look for gaps in the market<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Business is all about delivering value to your customers. Before you venture into your field of interest, conduct some research to identify the gaps in the market. Mensah says that is exactly what they did before establishing OMG Global. Research helps you to identify people's needs that are not currently available. Once you establish a need, set up your business and fulfill that need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Be accessible<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Customers become loyal to businesses that are accessible when issues arise. Sometimes, your clients will want to seek assistance, clarification, or even to speak out about their concerns and problems. So, make sure to put in place channels through which your clients can reach you. That way, you will be accessible when they need to talk to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: \ud83d\ude325 Business Lessons From Cosmas Maduka, The Man That Turned $1 To $500 Million<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Pay attention to numbers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In business, numbers mean everything. You need to have more clients to make more sales and money. So, depending on your business, invest in having as many clients as possible. Develop a clear roadmap on how you will get to your target audience. Once you reach them, aim to convert them into clients or buying customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Any business needs patience<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No business grows overnight. It takes time to get investors and clients as well. In the beginning, investors may not believe that your idea will work. Some will only be convinced to fund your business once you get some loyal clients. Similarly, some clients will not trust your services just because your business is new. In all these instances, you will need to have a lot of patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global is making a significant impact in serving the huge demand for digital content in Africa. Nonetheless, there are still many opportunities in digital publishing and other fields that young entrepreneurs can exploit. We hope that the success story of Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah serves as an encouragement that will spur you to success.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Entrepreneur Spotlight: Three College Students Think Out Of The Box To Create OMG Digital","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"three-college-student-think-out-of-the-box-to-create-omg-digital","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=298246","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401604,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-10-03 10:44:45","post_date_gmt":"2022-10-03 17:44:45","post_content":"\n

\"Quindaro
Quindaro Township Site (Photo credit: KCUR)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first step toward amending wounds is the acceptance of wrongdoing. For many years, there has been a growing call for European countries to offer apologies for their role in the transatlantic slave trade. However, European countries are not the only guilty party. African chiefs facilitated the slave trade in one way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time since the end of the slave trade, African leaders have offered apologies for the wrongdoings of their ancestors. On Wednesday 28 September 2022, African delegates converged at the Quindaro Township Site in Kansas City, Kansas for a ceremony. Also present was Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Anita
Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0<\/em>UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the ceremony, the African delegates read out letters of apology from their tribal leaders and chiefs for the role of their ancestors in the slave trade of fellow Africans. Reacting to the apology letters, Dixon who noted that inviting the African delegates to the Quindaro site was crucial said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the healing that I have yearned for as a Black woman in America. This apology is for African people, Black people scattered all over the globe and not just to people of color.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembrance Of Slave Trade: Is Modern Slavery Worse Than The Pre-colonial Era?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also present at the ceremony was Wyandotte County Commissioner, Gayle Townsend, members of the Wyandotte Tribe, and state and local leaders from Missouri and Kansas. The apology letters zoomed in on the dark past of the African continent and the role local chiefs played in facilitating the slave trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

The world will witness exceptional talent, determination, and passion from these African teams as they compete against the best in the world. Regardless of the results, their participation in the tournament will undoubtedly inspire countless young girls across the continent to pursue their footballing dreams and leave a lasting impact on the future of women's football in Africa.<\/p>\n","post_title":"African Teams in the 2023 Women's World Cup: A Quest for Glory","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-2023-womens-world-cup-unfolds","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 11:45:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 11:45:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=348440","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401016,"post_author":"10056","post_date":"2023-04-01 08:31:00","post_date_gmt":"2023-04-01 15:31:00","post_content":"\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"OMG
OMG Digital Founders [Photo credit: Appsafrica]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

OMG Digital is a brainchild of three college students from Ghana. Dubbed the \u201cBuzzFeed of Africa,\" the media platform aims to become a leading entertainer for African millennials worldwide. The interesting thing about this digital company is that, in the beginning, its founders didn\u2019t consider it as their main project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, they also launched a microlending platform and focused on it. However, it didn\u2019t survive because of funding challenges. At that point, the three had no other option but to revert to their media platform. Currently, OMG Digital has a huge loyal audience from around Africa. Today, we walk you through the encouraging success story of OMG Digital founders\u2014Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Ghanaian Entrepreneur Combats Counterfeit Goods With His Innovative Startup<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

What is OMG Digital?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Digital is an online media company founded in 2016 by Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah. Based in Ghana, the digital company publishes lifestyle and entertainment content targeted at Africa\u2019s millennial population. Currently, it has two digital brands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first one is OMGVoice<\/span><\/a> that is active in three African countries: Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. The second is Servepot<\/span><\/a>, a culinary brand that publishes content on African recipes and food culture. The mission of the media platform is to develop influential and powerful African digital medial platforms and brands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Nigerian Pearlena Igbokwe Hits An Epic Milestone For African Women in Media<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

OMG Digital makes money through digital marketing. Currently, banner ads make up 80% of its ad sales. Its rapid growth has drawn the attention of large advertisers. So far, the media company has partnered with various companies including Coca-Cola, Pringles, Philips, KFC, and Huawei on sponsored content and marketing campaigns. About 6o percent of the company\u2019s audience are millennials aged between 18 to 24 years. The company targets Africa\u2019s 250 million millennials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did Y-Combinator Program influence<\/strong> OMG Digital Founders<\/strong>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Jesse
Jesse Ghansah at Y Combinator [Photo credit: Paystack]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah are graduates of the Y Combinator\u2019s startup accelerator program<\/a>. This program offers startup lessons to help entrepreneurs get started with their businesses and achieve success. For the founders of OMG Digital, their main takeaways were to always make effort to talk to customers. Also, it is important to obtain feedback and adjust accordingly. Ghansah said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe main takeaways we've gotten from YC in general are to talk to your users and paying attention to your core metrics + feedback and adjusting accordingly. That\u2019s how you build a product and company people love. YC also pushed us to move very quickly and take bolder steps in conquering our markets.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: 10 of the Best Startup Accelerators for African Entrepreneurs<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

How has OMG Digital transformed Digital Publishing in Africa?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When the company started as OMG Ghana (which later became OMG Digital) in 2012, traditional media companies dominated the digital media space. These companies were just trying to reinvent the print experience online. So, the content they produced was largely politics and hard news.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, OMG Digital founders recognized the yearning among millennials for entertainment and social content. By creating this type of content, the digital media company has inspired several other millennial-focused media companies on the African market. Now, almost every medial company is striving to create and distribute social content on social medial platforms. OMG Digital has inspired some Western digital media companies to test out the Sub-Saharan Africa market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: How Jason Njoku Overcame Multiple Failures To Build IrokoTV, The Netflix Of Africa<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Motivation to start OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"OMG
OMG Co-Founders - Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah [Photo credit: Techpoint.africa]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah established OMG Ghana in 2012 while in college. Back then, smartphones were becoming popular in Africa. So, after acquiring smartphones, they could not find interesting content to read. Ghansah recalls,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really frustrating for us because we would go online and all the content was just boring news and politics and stuff. Most of the people online back then were youth like us. BuzzFeed and Mashable were doing things for millennials, but we couldn\u2019t really relate to their content, so we created something for ourselves.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consequently, they thought about creating lightweight content for young people like themselves. Since smartphones were penetrating quickly and Facebook was also becoming very popular, the three resolved it was time to launch their company. Thus, they found OMG Ghana. Surprisingly, they did not perceive this company to have great potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: Saran Kaba Jones\u2019s FACE Africa Is Bringing Clean Water To Liberians<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

So, alongside OMG Ghana, they decided to establish a microlending platform. But the lending company soon experienced funding challenges. At the same time, OMG Ghana was growing and getting more readers. When it started to earn them some money, they registered it as a media company and resolved to focus on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Challenges of Running OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Right from the start, access to funding was a huge challenge. In the beginning, the co-founders didn\u2019t realize the growth they had anticipated. This is because they didn\u2019t have enough money to do all that they had planned. So, they would reinvest the profit back into the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the co-founders continued to seek funding nationally and internationally. Their efforts bore fruit in 2017 when they fundraised $1.1M from several international investors including Comcast Ventures, M&Y Growth Partners<\/span>, and Kima Ventures<\/span>. These funds helped to expand the company and scale operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Want To Build Wealth? Here Are 20 Youtube Channels We Think You Should Subscribe To<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Another challenge was the diversity of the continent. So, producing content that was relevant to different communities was a challenge at the onset. However, this challenge was resolved with time as the company hired staff from different regions in the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global Success<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since its inception, the OMG Global website has a total monthly view of more than 90 million. Today, the media company boasts of 4.5 million readers each month. The company is now present in three countries in Africa\u2014Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. So far, OMG Global has published over 20,000 contents. Also, it has over twenty content curators from Africa. With this team, it is easy to create relevant original content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expansion plans<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The digital media company aims to market its content to English speakers in Africa before extending to French-speaking countries. This is because English speakers form the largest population of internet users. So, OMG Global plans to extend its reach to more English-speaking countries in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Did You Know You Can Start These Businesses In Africa With Just $1,000 or Less?<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, the company plans to launch its brands in South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. With this market, it aims to reach 70% of the total millennial market in Africa. The next step will be to roll out its services continent-wide. The media platform wants to produce more video content in the future. Also, it has plans to create travel and technology content as it grows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 Business Lessons from<\/strong> OMG Global Co-founders<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Act on Feedback<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah emphasizes that customer feedback is very important. By analyzing your feedback, you can know what is lacking in your offerings. Thus, acting on customer feedback can help you adjust your products and make them relevant to your clients. Remember, the ultimate goal is always to enhance customer satisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Look for gaps in the market<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Business is all about delivering value to your customers. Before you venture into your field of interest, conduct some research to identify the gaps in the market. Mensah says that is exactly what they did before establishing OMG Global. Research helps you to identify people's needs that are not currently available. Once you establish a need, set up your business and fulfill that need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Be accessible<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Customers become loyal to businesses that are accessible when issues arise. Sometimes, your clients will want to seek assistance, clarification, or even to speak out about their concerns and problems. So, make sure to put in place channels through which your clients can reach you. That way, you will be accessible when they need to talk to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: \ud83d\ude325 Business Lessons From Cosmas Maduka, The Man That Turned $1 To $500 Million<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Pay attention to numbers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In business, numbers mean everything. You need to have more clients to make more sales and money. So, depending on your business, invest in having as many clients as possible. Develop a clear roadmap on how you will get to your target audience. Once you reach them, aim to convert them into clients or buying customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Any business needs patience<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No business grows overnight. It takes time to get investors and clients as well. In the beginning, investors may not believe that your idea will work. Some will only be convinced to fund your business once you get some loyal clients. Similarly, some clients will not trust your services just because your business is new. In all these instances, you will need to have a lot of patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global is making a significant impact in serving the huge demand for digital content in Africa. Nonetheless, there are still many opportunities in digital publishing and other fields that young entrepreneurs can exploit. We hope that the success story of Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah serves as an encouragement that will spur you to success.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Entrepreneur Spotlight: Three College Students Think Out Of The Box To Create OMG Digital","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"three-college-student-think-out-of-the-box-to-create-omg-digital","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=298246","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401604,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-10-03 10:44:45","post_date_gmt":"2022-10-03 17:44:45","post_content":"\n

\"Quindaro
Quindaro Township Site (Photo credit: KCUR)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first step toward amending wounds is the acceptance of wrongdoing. For many years, there has been a growing call for European countries to offer apologies for their role in the transatlantic slave trade. However, European countries are not the only guilty party. African chiefs facilitated the slave trade in one way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time since the end of the slave trade, African leaders have offered apologies for the wrongdoings of their ancestors. On Wednesday 28 September 2022, African delegates converged at the Quindaro Township Site in Kansas City, Kansas for a ceremony. Also present was Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Anita
Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0<\/em>UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the ceremony, the African delegates read out letters of apology from their tribal leaders and chiefs for the role of their ancestors in the slave trade of fellow Africans. Reacting to the apology letters, Dixon who noted that inviting the African delegates to the Quindaro site was crucial said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the healing that I have yearned for as a Black woman in America. This apology is for African people, Black people scattered all over the globe and not just to people of color.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembrance Of Slave Trade: Is Modern Slavery Worse Than The Pre-colonial Era?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also present at the ceremony was Wyandotte County Commissioner, Gayle Townsend, members of the Wyandotte Tribe, and state and local leaders from Missouri and Kansas. The apology letters zoomed in on the dark past of the African continent and the role local chiefs played in facilitating the slave trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

As the 2023 Women's World Cup unfolds, African teams will strive to make their continent proud with their performances on the grand stage. Nigeria, Morocco, Zambia, and South Africa each bring unique qualities and ambitions to the tournament. While Nigeria and South Africa, with their previous experience, may have a higher likelihood of advancing deeper in the competition, Morocco and Zambia's debut appearances present exciting opportunities for growth and development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The world will witness exceptional talent, determination, and passion from these African teams as they compete against the best in the world. Regardless of the results, their participation in the tournament will undoubtedly inspire countless young girls across the continent to pursue their footballing dreams and leave a lasting impact on the future of women's football in Africa.<\/p>\n","post_title":"African Teams in the 2023 Women's World Cup: A Quest for Glory","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-2023-womens-world-cup-unfolds","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 11:45:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 11:45:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=348440","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401016,"post_author":"10056","post_date":"2023-04-01 08:31:00","post_date_gmt":"2023-04-01 15:31:00","post_content":"\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"OMG
OMG Digital Founders [Photo credit: Appsafrica]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

OMG Digital is a brainchild of three college students from Ghana. Dubbed the \u201cBuzzFeed of Africa,\" the media platform aims to become a leading entertainer for African millennials worldwide. The interesting thing about this digital company is that, in the beginning, its founders didn\u2019t consider it as their main project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, they also launched a microlending platform and focused on it. However, it didn\u2019t survive because of funding challenges. At that point, the three had no other option but to revert to their media platform. Currently, OMG Digital has a huge loyal audience from around Africa. Today, we walk you through the encouraging success story of OMG Digital founders\u2014Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Ghanaian Entrepreneur Combats Counterfeit Goods With His Innovative Startup<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

What is OMG Digital?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Digital is an online media company founded in 2016 by Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah. Based in Ghana, the digital company publishes lifestyle and entertainment content targeted at Africa\u2019s millennial population. Currently, it has two digital brands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first one is OMGVoice<\/span><\/a> that is active in three African countries: Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. The second is Servepot<\/span><\/a>, a culinary brand that publishes content on African recipes and food culture. The mission of the media platform is to develop influential and powerful African digital medial platforms and brands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Nigerian Pearlena Igbokwe Hits An Epic Milestone For African Women in Media<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

OMG Digital makes money through digital marketing. Currently, banner ads make up 80% of its ad sales. Its rapid growth has drawn the attention of large advertisers. So far, the media company has partnered with various companies including Coca-Cola, Pringles, Philips, KFC, and Huawei on sponsored content and marketing campaigns. About 6o percent of the company\u2019s audience are millennials aged between 18 to 24 years. The company targets Africa\u2019s 250 million millennials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did Y-Combinator Program influence<\/strong> OMG Digital Founders<\/strong>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Jesse
Jesse Ghansah at Y Combinator [Photo credit: Paystack]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah are graduates of the Y Combinator\u2019s startup accelerator program<\/a>. This program offers startup lessons to help entrepreneurs get started with their businesses and achieve success. For the founders of OMG Digital, their main takeaways were to always make effort to talk to customers. Also, it is important to obtain feedback and adjust accordingly. Ghansah said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe main takeaways we've gotten from YC in general are to talk to your users and paying attention to your core metrics + feedback and adjusting accordingly. That\u2019s how you build a product and company people love. YC also pushed us to move very quickly and take bolder steps in conquering our markets.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: 10 of the Best Startup Accelerators for African Entrepreneurs<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

How has OMG Digital transformed Digital Publishing in Africa?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When the company started as OMG Ghana (which later became OMG Digital) in 2012, traditional media companies dominated the digital media space. These companies were just trying to reinvent the print experience online. So, the content they produced was largely politics and hard news.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, OMG Digital founders recognized the yearning among millennials for entertainment and social content. By creating this type of content, the digital media company has inspired several other millennial-focused media companies on the African market. Now, almost every medial company is striving to create and distribute social content on social medial platforms. OMG Digital has inspired some Western digital media companies to test out the Sub-Saharan Africa market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: How Jason Njoku Overcame Multiple Failures To Build IrokoTV, The Netflix Of Africa<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Motivation to start OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"OMG
OMG Co-Founders - Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah [Photo credit: Techpoint.africa]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah established OMG Ghana in 2012 while in college. Back then, smartphones were becoming popular in Africa. So, after acquiring smartphones, they could not find interesting content to read. Ghansah recalls,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really frustrating for us because we would go online and all the content was just boring news and politics and stuff. Most of the people online back then were youth like us. BuzzFeed and Mashable were doing things for millennials, but we couldn\u2019t really relate to their content, so we created something for ourselves.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consequently, they thought about creating lightweight content for young people like themselves. Since smartphones were penetrating quickly and Facebook was also becoming very popular, the three resolved it was time to launch their company. Thus, they found OMG Ghana. Surprisingly, they did not perceive this company to have great potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: Saran Kaba Jones\u2019s FACE Africa Is Bringing Clean Water To Liberians<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

So, alongside OMG Ghana, they decided to establish a microlending platform. But the lending company soon experienced funding challenges. At the same time, OMG Ghana was growing and getting more readers. When it started to earn them some money, they registered it as a media company and resolved to focus on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Challenges of Running OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Right from the start, access to funding was a huge challenge. In the beginning, the co-founders didn\u2019t realize the growth they had anticipated. This is because they didn\u2019t have enough money to do all that they had planned. So, they would reinvest the profit back into the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the co-founders continued to seek funding nationally and internationally. Their efforts bore fruit in 2017 when they fundraised $1.1M from several international investors including Comcast Ventures, M&Y Growth Partners<\/span>, and Kima Ventures<\/span>. These funds helped to expand the company and scale operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Want To Build Wealth? Here Are 20 Youtube Channels We Think You Should Subscribe To<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Another challenge was the diversity of the continent. So, producing content that was relevant to different communities was a challenge at the onset. However, this challenge was resolved with time as the company hired staff from different regions in the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global Success<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since its inception, the OMG Global website has a total monthly view of more than 90 million. Today, the media company boasts of 4.5 million readers each month. The company is now present in three countries in Africa\u2014Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. So far, OMG Global has published over 20,000 contents. Also, it has over twenty content curators from Africa. With this team, it is easy to create relevant original content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expansion plans<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The digital media company aims to market its content to English speakers in Africa before extending to French-speaking countries. This is because English speakers form the largest population of internet users. So, OMG Global plans to extend its reach to more English-speaking countries in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Did You Know You Can Start These Businesses In Africa With Just $1,000 or Less?<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, the company plans to launch its brands in South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. With this market, it aims to reach 70% of the total millennial market in Africa. The next step will be to roll out its services continent-wide. The media platform wants to produce more video content in the future. Also, it has plans to create travel and technology content as it grows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 Business Lessons from<\/strong> OMG Global Co-founders<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Act on Feedback<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah emphasizes that customer feedback is very important. By analyzing your feedback, you can know what is lacking in your offerings. Thus, acting on customer feedback can help you adjust your products and make them relevant to your clients. Remember, the ultimate goal is always to enhance customer satisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Look for gaps in the market<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Business is all about delivering value to your customers. Before you venture into your field of interest, conduct some research to identify the gaps in the market. Mensah says that is exactly what they did before establishing OMG Global. Research helps you to identify people's needs that are not currently available. Once you establish a need, set up your business and fulfill that need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Be accessible<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Customers become loyal to businesses that are accessible when issues arise. Sometimes, your clients will want to seek assistance, clarification, or even to speak out about their concerns and problems. So, make sure to put in place channels through which your clients can reach you. That way, you will be accessible when they need to talk to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: \ud83d\ude325 Business Lessons From Cosmas Maduka, The Man That Turned $1 To $500 Million<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Pay attention to numbers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In business, numbers mean everything. You need to have more clients to make more sales and money. So, depending on your business, invest in having as many clients as possible. Develop a clear roadmap on how you will get to your target audience. Once you reach them, aim to convert them into clients or buying customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Any business needs patience<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No business grows overnight. It takes time to get investors and clients as well. In the beginning, investors may not believe that your idea will work. Some will only be convinced to fund your business once you get some loyal clients. Similarly, some clients will not trust your services just because your business is new. In all these instances, you will need to have a lot of patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global is making a significant impact in serving the huge demand for digital content in Africa. Nonetheless, there are still many opportunities in digital publishing and other fields that young entrepreneurs can exploit. We hope that the success story of Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah serves as an encouragement that will spur you to success.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Entrepreneur Spotlight: Three College Students Think Out Of The Box To Create OMG Digital","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"three-college-student-think-out-of-the-box-to-create-omg-digital","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=298246","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401604,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-10-03 10:44:45","post_date_gmt":"2022-10-03 17:44:45","post_content":"\n

\"Quindaro
Quindaro Township Site (Photo credit: KCUR)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first step toward amending wounds is the acceptance of wrongdoing. For many years, there has been a growing call for European countries to offer apologies for their role in the transatlantic slave trade. However, European countries are not the only guilty party. African chiefs facilitated the slave trade in one way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time since the end of the slave trade, African leaders have offered apologies for the wrongdoings of their ancestors. On Wednesday 28 September 2022, African delegates converged at the Quindaro Township Site in Kansas City, Kansas for a ceremony. Also present was Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Anita
Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0<\/em>UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the ceremony, the African delegates read out letters of apology from their tribal leaders and chiefs for the role of their ancestors in the slave trade of fellow Africans. Reacting to the apology letters, Dixon who noted that inviting the African delegates to the Quindaro site was crucial said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the healing that I have yearned for as a Black woman in America. This apology is for African people, Black people scattered all over the globe and not just to people of color.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembrance Of Slave Trade: Is Modern Slavery Worse Than The Pre-colonial Era?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also present at the ceremony was Wyandotte County Commissioner, Gayle Townsend, members of the Wyandotte Tribe, and state and local leaders from Missouri and Kansas. The apology letters zoomed in on the dark past of the African continent and the role local chiefs played in facilitating the slave trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As the 2023 Women's World Cup unfolds, African teams will strive to make their continent proud with their performances on the grand stage. Nigeria, Morocco, Zambia, and South Africa each bring unique qualities and ambitions to the tournament. While Nigeria and South Africa, with their previous experience, may have a higher likelihood of advancing deeper in the competition, Morocco and Zambia's debut appearances present exciting opportunities for growth and development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The world will witness exceptional talent, determination, and passion from these African teams as they compete against the best in the world. Regardless of the results, their participation in the tournament will undoubtedly inspire countless young girls across the continent to pursue their footballing dreams and leave a lasting impact on the future of women's football in Africa.<\/p>\n","post_title":"African Teams in the 2023 Women's World Cup: A Quest for Glory","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-2023-womens-world-cup-unfolds","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 11:45:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 11:45:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=348440","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401016,"post_author":"10056","post_date":"2023-04-01 08:31:00","post_date_gmt":"2023-04-01 15:31:00","post_content":"\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"OMG
OMG Digital Founders [Photo credit: Appsafrica]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

OMG Digital is a brainchild of three college students from Ghana. Dubbed the \u201cBuzzFeed of Africa,\" the media platform aims to become a leading entertainer for African millennials worldwide. The interesting thing about this digital company is that, in the beginning, its founders didn\u2019t consider it as their main project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, they also launched a microlending platform and focused on it. However, it didn\u2019t survive because of funding challenges. At that point, the three had no other option but to revert to their media platform. Currently, OMG Digital has a huge loyal audience from around Africa. Today, we walk you through the encouraging success story of OMG Digital founders\u2014Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Ghanaian Entrepreneur Combats Counterfeit Goods With His Innovative Startup<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

What is OMG Digital?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Digital is an online media company founded in 2016 by Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah. Based in Ghana, the digital company publishes lifestyle and entertainment content targeted at Africa\u2019s millennial population. Currently, it has two digital brands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first one is OMGVoice<\/span><\/a> that is active in three African countries: Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. The second is Servepot<\/span><\/a>, a culinary brand that publishes content on African recipes and food culture. The mission of the media platform is to develop influential and powerful African digital medial platforms and brands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Nigerian Pearlena Igbokwe Hits An Epic Milestone For African Women in Media<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

OMG Digital makes money through digital marketing. Currently, banner ads make up 80% of its ad sales. Its rapid growth has drawn the attention of large advertisers. So far, the media company has partnered with various companies including Coca-Cola, Pringles, Philips, KFC, and Huawei on sponsored content and marketing campaigns. About 6o percent of the company\u2019s audience are millennials aged between 18 to 24 years. The company targets Africa\u2019s 250 million millennials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did Y-Combinator Program influence<\/strong> OMG Digital Founders<\/strong>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Jesse
Jesse Ghansah at Y Combinator [Photo credit: Paystack]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah are graduates of the Y Combinator\u2019s startup accelerator program<\/a>. This program offers startup lessons to help entrepreneurs get started with their businesses and achieve success. For the founders of OMG Digital, their main takeaways were to always make effort to talk to customers. Also, it is important to obtain feedback and adjust accordingly. Ghansah said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe main takeaways we've gotten from YC in general are to talk to your users and paying attention to your core metrics + feedback and adjusting accordingly. That\u2019s how you build a product and company people love. YC also pushed us to move very quickly and take bolder steps in conquering our markets.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: 10 of the Best Startup Accelerators for African Entrepreneurs<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

How has OMG Digital transformed Digital Publishing in Africa?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When the company started as OMG Ghana (which later became OMG Digital) in 2012, traditional media companies dominated the digital media space. These companies were just trying to reinvent the print experience online. So, the content they produced was largely politics and hard news.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, OMG Digital founders recognized the yearning among millennials for entertainment and social content. By creating this type of content, the digital media company has inspired several other millennial-focused media companies on the African market. Now, almost every medial company is striving to create and distribute social content on social medial platforms. OMG Digital has inspired some Western digital media companies to test out the Sub-Saharan Africa market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: How Jason Njoku Overcame Multiple Failures To Build IrokoTV, The Netflix Of Africa<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Motivation to start OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"OMG
OMG Co-Founders - Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah [Photo credit: Techpoint.africa]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah established OMG Ghana in 2012 while in college. Back then, smartphones were becoming popular in Africa. So, after acquiring smartphones, they could not find interesting content to read. Ghansah recalls,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really frustrating for us because we would go online and all the content was just boring news and politics and stuff. Most of the people online back then were youth like us. BuzzFeed and Mashable were doing things for millennials, but we couldn\u2019t really relate to their content, so we created something for ourselves.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consequently, they thought about creating lightweight content for young people like themselves. Since smartphones were penetrating quickly and Facebook was also becoming very popular, the three resolved it was time to launch their company. Thus, they found OMG Ghana. Surprisingly, they did not perceive this company to have great potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: Saran Kaba Jones\u2019s FACE Africa Is Bringing Clean Water To Liberians<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

So, alongside OMG Ghana, they decided to establish a microlending platform. But the lending company soon experienced funding challenges. At the same time, OMG Ghana was growing and getting more readers. When it started to earn them some money, they registered it as a media company and resolved to focus on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Challenges of Running OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Right from the start, access to funding was a huge challenge. In the beginning, the co-founders didn\u2019t realize the growth they had anticipated. This is because they didn\u2019t have enough money to do all that they had planned. So, they would reinvest the profit back into the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the co-founders continued to seek funding nationally and internationally. Their efforts bore fruit in 2017 when they fundraised $1.1M from several international investors including Comcast Ventures, M&Y Growth Partners<\/span>, and Kima Ventures<\/span>. These funds helped to expand the company and scale operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Want To Build Wealth? Here Are 20 Youtube Channels We Think You Should Subscribe To<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Another challenge was the diversity of the continent. So, producing content that was relevant to different communities was a challenge at the onset. However, this challenge was resolved with time as the company hired staff from different regions in the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global Success<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since its inception, the OMG Global website has a total monthly view of more than 90 million. Today, the media company boasts of 4.5 million readers each month. The company is now present in three countries in Africa\u2014Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. So far, OMG Global has published over 20,000 contents. Also, it has over twenty content curators from Africa. With this team, it is easy to create relevant original content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expansion plans<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The digital media company aims to market its content to English speakers in Africa before extending to French-speaking countries. This is because English speakers form the largest population of internet users. So, OMG Global plans to extend its reach to more English-speaking countries in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Did You Know You Can Start These Businesses In Africa With Just $1,000 or Less?<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, the company plans to launch its brands in South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. With this market, it aims to reach 70% of the total millennial market in Africa. The next step will be to roll out its services continent-wide. The media platform wants to produce more video content in the future. Also, it has plans to create travel and technology content as it grows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 Business Lessons from<\/strong> OMG Global Co-founders<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Act on Feedback<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah emphasizes that customer feedback is very important. By analyzing your feedback, you can know what is lacking in your offerings. Thus, acting on customer feedback can help you adjust your products and make them relevant to your clients. Remember, the ultimate goal is always to enhance customer satisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Look for gaps in the market<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Business is all about delivering value to your customers. Before you venture into your field of interest, conduct some research to identify the gaps in the market. Mensah says that is exactly what they did before establishing OMG Global. Research helps you to identify people's needs that are not currently available. Once you establish a need, set up your business and fulfill that need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Be accessible<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Customers become loyal to businesses that are accessible when issues arise. Sometimes, your clients will want to seek assistance, clarification, or even to speak out about their concerns and problems. So, make sure to put in place channels through which your clients can reach you. That way, you will be accessible when they need to talk to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: \ud83d\ude325 Business Lessons From Cosmas Maduka, The Man That Turned $1 To $500 Million<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Pay attention to numbers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In business, numbers mean everything. You need to have more clients to make more sales and money. So, depending on your business, invest in having as many clients as possible. Develop a clear roadmap on how you will get to your target audience. Once you reach them, aim to convert them into clients or buying customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Any business needs patience<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No business grows overnight. It takes time to get investors and clients as well. In the beginning, investors may not believe that your idea will work. Some will only be convinced to fund your business once you get some loyal clients. Similarly, some clients will not trust your services just because your business is new. In all these instances, you will need to have a lot of patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global is making a significant impact in serving the huge demand for digital content in Africa. Nonetheless, there are still many opportunities in digital publishing and other fields that young entrepreneurs can exploit. We hope that the success story of Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah serves as an encouragement that will spur you to success.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Entrepreneur Spotlight: Three College Students Think Out Of The Box To Create OMG Digital","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"three-college-student-think-out-of-the-box-to-create-omg-digital","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=298246","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401604,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-10-03 10:44:45","post_date_gmt":"2022-10-03 17:44:45","post_content":"\n

\"Quindaro
Quindaro Township Site (Photo credit: KCUR)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first step toward amending wounds is the acceptance of wrongdoing. For many years, there has been a growing call for European countries to offer apologies for their role in the transatlantic slave trade. However, European countries are not the only guilty party. African chiefs facilitated the slave trade in one way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time since the end of the slave trade, African leaders have offered apologies for the wrongdoings of their ancestors. On Wednesday 28 September 2022, African delegates converged at the Quindaro Township Site in Kansas City, Kansas for a ceremony. Also present was Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Anita
Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0<\/em>UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the ceremony, the African delegates read out letters of apology from their tribal leaders and chiefs for the role of their ancestors in the slave trade of fellow Africans. Reacting to the apology letters, Dixon who noted that inviting the African delegates to the Quindaro site was crucial said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the healing that I have yearned for as a Black woman in America. This apology is for African people, Black people scattered all over the globe and not just to people of color.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembrance Of Slave Trade: Is Modern Slavery Worse Than The Pre-colonial Era?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also present at the ceremony was Wyandotte County Commissioner, Gayle Townsend, members of the Wyandotte Tribe, and state and local leaders from Missouri and Kansas. The apology letters zoomed in on the dark past of the African continent and the role local chiefs played in facilitating the slave trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n
\"the<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As the 2023 Women's World Cup unfolds, African teams will strive to make their continent proud with their performances on the grand stage. Nigeria, Morocco, Zambia, and South Africa each bring unique qualities and ambitions to the tournament. While Nigeria and South Africa, with their previous experience, may have a higher likelihood of advancing deeper in the competition, Morocco and Zambia's debut appearances present exciting opportunities for growth and development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The world will witness exceptional talent, determination, and passion from these African teams as they compete against the best in the world. Regardless of the results, their participation in the tournament will undoubtedly inspire countless young girls across the continent to pursue their footballing dreams and leave a lasting impact on the future of women's football in Africa.<\/p>\n","post_title":"African Teams in the 2023 Women's World Cup: A Quest for Glory","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-2023-womens-world-cup-unfolds","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 11:45:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 11:45:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=348440","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401016,"post_author":"10056","post_date":"2023-04-01 08:31:00","post_date_gmt":"2023-04-01 15:31:00","post_content":"\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"OMG
OMG Digital Founders [Photo credit: Appsafrica]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

OMG Digital is a brainchild of three college students from Ghana. Dubbed the \u201cBuzzFeed of Africa,\" the media platform aims to become a leading entertainer for African millennials worldwide. The interesting thing about this digital company is that, in the beginning, its founders didn\u2019t consider it as their main project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, they also launched a microlending platform and focused on it. However, it didn\u2019t survive because of funding challenges. At that point, the three had no other option but to revert to their media platform. Currently, OMG Digital has a huge loyal audience from around Africa. Today, we walk you through the encouraging success story of OMG Digital founders\u2014Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Ghanaian Entrepreneur Combats Counterfeit Goods With His Innovative Startup<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

What is OMG Digital?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Digital is an online media company founded in 2016 by Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah. Based in Ghana, the digital company publishes lifestyle and entertainment content targeted at Africa\u2019s millennial population. Currently, it has two digital brands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first one is OMGVoice<\/span><\/a> that is active in three African countries: Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. The second is Servepot<\/span><\/a>, a culinary brand that publishes content on African recipes and food culture. The mission of the media platform is to develop influential and powerful African digital medial platforms and brands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Nigerian Pearlena Igbokwe Hits An Epic Milestone For African Women in Media<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

OMG Digital makes money through digital marketing. Currently, banner ads make up 80% of its ad sales. Its rapid growth has drawn the attention of large advertisers. So far, the media company has partnered with various companies including Coca-Cola, Pringles, Philips, KFC, and Huawei on sponsored content and marketing campaigns. About 6o percent of the company\u2019s audience are millennials aged between 18 to 24 years. The company targets Africa\u2019s 250 million millennials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did Y-Combinator Program influence<\/strong> OMG Digital Founders<\/strong>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Jesse
Jesse Ghansah at Y Combinator [Photo credit: Paystack]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah are graduates of the Y Combinator\u2019s startup accelerator program<\/a>. This program offers startup lessons to help entrepreneurs get started with their businesses and achieve success. For the founders of OMG Digital, their main takeaways were to always make effort to talk to customers. Also, it is important to obtain feedback and adjust accordingly. Ghansah said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe main takeaways we've gotten from YC in general are to talk to your users and paying attention to your core metrics + feedback and adjusting accordingly. That\u2019s how you build a product and company people love. YC also pushed us to move very quickly and take bolder steps in conquering our markets.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: 10 of the Best Startup Accelerators for African Entrepreneurs<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

How has OMG Digital transformed Digital Publishing in Africa?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When the company started as OMG Ghana (which later became OMG Digital) in 2012, traditional media companies dominated the digital media space. These companies were just trying to reinvent the print experience online. So, the content they produced was largely politics and hard news.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, OMG Digital founders recognized the yearning among millennials for entertainment and social content. By creating this type of content, the digital media company has inspired several other millennial-focused media companies on the African market. Now, almost every medial company is striving to create and distribute social content on social medial platforms. OMG Digital has inspired some Western digital media companies to test out the Sub-Saharan Africa market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: How Jason Njoku Overcame Multiple Failures To Build IrokoTV, The Netflix Of Africa<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Motivation to start OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"OMG
OMG Co-Founders - Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah [Photo credit: Techpoint.africa]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah established OMG Ghana in 2012 while in college. Back then, smartphones were becoming popular in Africa. So, after acquiring smartphones, they could not find interesting content to read. Ghansah recalls,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really frustrating for us because we would go online and all the content was just boring news and politics and stuff. Most of the people online back then were youth like us. BuzzFeed and Mashable were doing things for millennials, but we couldn\u2019t really relate to their content, so we created something for ourselves.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consequently, they thought about creating lightweight content for young people like themselves. Since smartphones were penetrating quickly and Facebook was also becoming very popular, the three resolved it was time to launch their company. Thus, they found OMG Ghana. Surprisingly, they did not perceive this company to have great potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: Saran Kaba Jones\u2019s FACE Africa Is Bringing Clean Water To Liberians<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

So, alongside OMG Ghana, they decided to establish a microlending platform. But the lending company soon experienced funding challenges. At the same time, OMG Ghana was growing and getting more readers. When it started to earn them some money, they registered it as a media company and resolved to focus on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Challenges of Running OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Right from the start, access to funding was a huge challenge. In the beginning, the co-founders didn\u2019t realize the growth they had anticipated. This is because they didn\u2019t have enough money to do all that they had planned. So, they would reinvest the profit back into the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the co-founders continued to seek funding nationally and internationally. Their efforts bore fruit in 2017 when they fundraised $1.1M from several international investors including Comcast Ventures, M&Y Growth Partners<\/span>, and Kima Ventures<\/span>. These funds helped to expand the company and scale operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Want To Build Wealth? Here Are 20 Youtube Channels We Think You Should Subscribe To<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Another challenge was the diversity of the continent. So, producing content that was relevant to different communities was a challenge at the onset. However, this challenge was resolved with time as the company hired staff from different regions in the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global Success<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since its inception, the OMG Global website has a total monthly view of more than 90 million. Today, the media company boasts of 4.5 million readers each month. The company is now present in three countries in Africa\u2014Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. So far, OMG Global has published over 20,000 contents. Also, it has over twenty content curators from Africa. With this team, it is easy to create relevant original content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expansion plans<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The digital media company aims to market its content to English speakers in Africa before extending to French-speaking countries. This is because English speakers form the largest population of internet users. So, OMG Global plans to extend its reach to more English-speaking countries in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Did You Know You Can Start These Businesses In Africa With Just $1,000 or Less?<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, the company plans to launch its brands in South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. With this market, it aims to reach 70% of the total millennial market in Africa. The next step will be to roll out its services continent-wide. The media platform wants to produce more video content in the future. Also, it has plans to create travel and technology content as it grows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 Business Lessons from<\/strong> OMG Global Co-founders<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Act on Feedback<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah emphasizes that customer feedback is very important. By analyzing your feedback, you can know what is lacking in your offerings. Thus, acting on customer feedback can help you adjust your products and make them relevant to your clients. Remember, the ultimate goal is always to enhance customer satisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Look for gaps in the market<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Business is all about delivering value to your customers. Before you venture into your field of interest, conduct some research to identify the gaps in the market. Mensah says that is exactly what they did before establishing OMG Global. Research helps you to identify people's needs that are not currently available. Once you establish a need, set up your business and fulfill that need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Be accessible<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Customers become loyal to businesses that are accessible when issues arise. Sometimes, your clients will want to seek assistance, clarification, or even to speak out about their concerns and problems. So, make sure to put in place channels through which your clients can reach you. That way, you will be accessible when they need to talk to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: \ud83d\ude325 Business Lessons From Cosmas Maduka, The Man That Turned $1 To $500 Million<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Pay attention to numbers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In business, numbers mean everything. You need to have more clients to make more sales and money. So, depending on your business, invest in having as many clients as possible. Develop a clear roadmap on how you will get to your target audience. Once you reach them, aim to convert them into clients or buying customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Any business needs patience<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No business grows overnight. It takes time to get investors and clients as well. In the beginning, investors may not believe that your idea will work. Some will only be convinced to fund your business once you get some loyal clients. Similarly, some clients will not trust your services just because your business is new. In all these instances, you will need to have a lot of patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global is making a significant impact in serving the huge demand for digital content in Africa. Nonetheless, there are still many opportunities in digital publishing and other fields that young entrepreneurs can exploit. We hope that the success story of Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah serves as an encouragement that will spur you to success.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Entrepreneur Spotlight: Three College Students Think Out Of The Box To Create OMG Digital","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"three-college-student-think-out-of-the-box-to-create-omg-digital","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=298246","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401604,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-10-03 10:44:45","post_date_gmt":"2022-10-03 17:44:45","post_content":"\n

\"Quindaro
Quindaro Township Site (Photo credit: KCUR)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first step toward amending wounds is the acceptance of wrongdoing. For many years, there has been a growing call for European countries to offer apologies for their role in the transatlantic slave trade. However, European countries are not the only guilty party. African chiefs facilitated the slave trade in one way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time since the end of the slave trade, African leaders have offered apologies for the wrongdoings of their ancestors. On Wednesday 28 September 2022, African delegates converged at the Quindaro Township Site in Kansas City, Kansas for a ceremony. Also present was Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Anita
Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0<\/em>UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the ceremony, the African delegates read out letters of apology from their tribal leaders and chiefs for the role of their ancestors in the slave trade of fellow Africans. Reacting to the apology letters, Dixon who noted that inviting the African delegates to the Quindaro site was crucial said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the healing that I have yearned for as a Black woman in America. This apology is for African people, Black people scattered all over the globe and not just to people of color.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembrance Of Slave Trade: Is Modern Slavery Worse Than The Pre-colonial Era?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also present at the ceremony was Wyandotte County Commissioner, Gayle Townsend, members of the Wyandotte Tribe, and state and local leaders from Missouri and Kansas. The apology letters zoomed in on the dark past of the African continent and the role local chiefs played in facilitating the slave trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Banyana Banyana returns to the World Cup, looking to build upon their previous successes. South Africa has a balanced squad, with experienced players complementing young talents. They have shown their mettle in previous international competitions, and with their disciplined approach, they can trouble even the strongest teams. To win the tournament, South Africa needs to maximize their goal-scoring opportunities and maintain strong defensive discipline. Banyana Banyana will be striving to defeat Argentina, Sweden, and Italy on group stages to progress to the knockout stage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"the<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As the 2023 Women's World Cup unfolds, African teams will strive to make their continent proud with their performances on the grand stage. Nigeria, Morocco, Zambia, and South Africa each bring unique qualities and ambitions to the tournament. While Nigeria and South Africa, with their previous experience, may have a higher likelihood of advancing deeper in the competition, Morocco and Zambia's debut appearances present exciting opportunities for growth and development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The world will witness exceptional talent, determination, and passion from these African teams as they compete against the best in the world. Regardless of the results, their participation in the tournament will undoubtedly inspire countless young girls across the continent to pursue their footballing dreams and leave a lasting impact on the future of women's football in Africa.<\/p>\n","post_title":"African Teams in the 2023 Women's World Cup: A Quest for Glory","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-2023-womens-world-cup-unfolds","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 11:45:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 11:45:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=348440","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401016,"post_author":"10056","post_date":"2023-04-01 08:31:00","post_date_gmt":"2023-04-01 15:31:00","post_content":"\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"OMG
OMG Digital Founders [Photo credit: Appsafrica]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

OMG Digital is a brainchild of three college students from Ghana. Dubbed the \u201cBuzzFeed of Africa,\" the media platform aims to become a leading entertainer for African millennials worldwide. The interesting thing about this digital company is that, in the beginning, its founders didn\u2019t consider it as their main project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, they also launched a microlending platform and focused on it. However, it didn\u2019t survive because of funding challenges. At that point, the three had no other option but to revert to their media platform. Currently, OMG Digital has a huge loyal audience from around Africa. Today, we walk you through the encouraging success story of OMG Digital founders\u2014Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Ghanaian Entrepreneur Combats Counterfeit Goods With His Innovative Startup<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

What is OMG Digital?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Digital is an online media company founded in 2016 by Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah. Based in Ghana, the digital company publishes lifestyle and entertainment content targeted at Africa\u2019s millennial population. Currently, it has two digital brands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first one is OMGVoice<\/span><\/a> that is active in three African countries: Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. The second is Servepot<\/span><\/a>, a culinary brand that publishes content on African recipes and food culture. The mission of the media platform is to develop influential and powerful African digital medial platforms and brands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Nigerian Pearlena Igbokwe Hits An Epic Milestone For African Women in Media<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

OMG Digital makes money through digital marketing. Currently, banner ads make up 80% of its ad sales. Its rapid growth has drawn the attention of large advertisers. So far, the media company has partnered with various companies including Coca-Cola, Pringles, Philips, KFC, and Huawei on sponsored content and marketing campaigns. About 6o percent of the company\u2019s audience are millennials aged between 18 to 24 years. The company targets Africa\u2019s 250 million millennials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did Y-Combinator Program influence<\/strong> OMG Digital Founders<\/strong>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Jesse
Jesse Ghansah at Y Combinator [Photo credit: Paystack]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah are graduates of the Y Combinator\u2019s startup accelerator program<\/a>. This program offers startup lessons to help entrepreneurs get started with their businesses and achieve success. For the founders of OMG Digital, their main takeaways were to always make effort to talk to customers. Also, it is important to obtain feedback and adjust accordingly. Ghansah said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe main takeaways we've gotten from YC in general are to talk to your users and paying attention to your core metrics + feedback and adjusting accordingly. That\u2019s how you build a product and company people love. YC also pushed us to move very quickly and take bolder steps in conquering our markets.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: 10 of the Best Startup Accelerators for African Entrepreneurs<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

How has OMG Digital transformed Digital Publishing in Africa?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When the company started as OMG Ghana (which later became OMG Digital) in 2012, traditional media companies dominated the digital media space. These companies were just trying to reinvent the print experience online. So, the content they produced was largely politics and hard news.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, OMG Digital founders recognized the yearning among millennials for entertainment and social content. By creating this type of content, the digital media company has inspired several other millennial-focused media companies on the African market. Now, almost every medial company is striving to create and distribute social content on social medial platforms. OMG Digital has inspired some Western digital media companies to test out the Sub-Saharan Africa market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: How Jason Njoku Overcame Multiple Failures To Build IrokoTV, The Netflix Of Africa<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Motivation to start OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"OMG
OMG Co-Founders - Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah [Photo credit: Techpoint.africa]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah established OMG Ghana in 2012 while in college. Back then, smartphones were becoming popular in Africa. So, after acquiring smartphones, they could not find interesting content to read. Ghansah recalls,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really frustrating for us because we would go online and all the content was just boring news and politics and stuff. Most of the people online back then were youth like us. BuzzFeed and Mashable were doing things for millennials, but we couldn\u2019t really relate to their content, so we created something for ourselves.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consequently, they thought about creating lightweight content for young people like themselves. Since smartphones were penetrating quickly and Facebook was also becoming very popular, the three resolved it was time to launch their company. Thus, they found OMG Ghana. Surprisingly, they did not perceive this company to have great potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: Saran Kaba Jones\u2019s FACE Africa Is Bringing Clean Water To Liberians<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

So, alongside OMG Ghana, they decided to establish a microlending platform. But the lending company soon experienced funding challenges. At the same time, OMG Ghana was growing and getting more readers. When it started to earn them some money, they registered it as a media company and resolved to focus on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Challenges of Running OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Right from the start, access to funding was a huge challenge. In the beginning, the co-founders didn\u2019t realize the growth they had anticipated. This is because they didn\u2019t have enough money to do all that they had planned. So, they would reinvest the profit back into the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the co-founders continued to seek funding nationally and internationally. Their efforts bore fruit in 2017 when they fundraised $1.1M from several international investors including Comcast Ventures, M&Y Growth Partners<\/span>, and Kima Ventures<\/span>. These funds helped to expand the company and scale operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Want To Build Wealth? Here Are 20 Youtube Channels We Think You Should Subscribe To<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Another challenge was the diversity of the continent. So, producing content that was relevant to different communities was a challenge at the onset. However, this challenge was resolved with time as the company hired staff from different regions in the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global Success<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since its inception, the OMG Global website has a total monthly view of more than 90 million. Today, the media company boasts of 4.5 million readers each month. The company is now present in three countries in Africa\u2014Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. So far, OMG Global has published over 20,000 contents. Also, it has over twenty content curators from Africa. With this team, it is easy to create relevant original content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expansion plans<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The digital media company aims to market its content to English speakers in Africa before extending to French-speaking countries. This is because English speakers form the largest population of internet users. So, OMG Global plans to extend its reach to more English-speaking countries in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Did You Know You Can Start These Businesses In Africa With Just $1,000 or Less?<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, the company plans to launch its brands in South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. With this market, it aims to reach 70% of the total millennial market in Africa. The next step will be to roll out its services continent-wide. The media platform wants to produce more video content in the future. Also, it has plans to create travel and technology content as it grows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 Business Lessons from<\/strong> OMG Global Co-founders<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Act on Feedback<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah emphasizes that customer feedback is very important. By analyzing your feedback, you can know what is lacking in your offerings. Thus, acting on customer feedback can help you adjust your products and make them relevant to your clients. Remember, the ultimate goal is always to enhance customer satisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Look for gaps in the market<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Business is all about delivering value to your customers. Before you venture into your field of interest, conduct some research to identify the gaps in the market. Mensah says that is exactly what they did before establishing OMG Global. Research helps you to identify people's needs that are not currently available. Once you establish a need, set up your business and fulfill that need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Be accessible<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Customers become loyal to businesses that are accessible when issues arise. Sometimes, your clients will want to seek assistance, clarification, or even to speak out about their concerns and problems. So, make sure to put in place channels through which your clients can reach you. That way, you will be accessible when they need to talk to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: \ud83d\ude325 Business Lessons From Cosmas Maduka, The Man That Turned $1 To $500 Million<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Pay attention to numbers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In business, numbers mean everything. You need to have more clients to make more sales and money. So, depending on your business, invest in having as many clients as possible. Develop a clear roadmap on how you will get to your target audience. Once you reach them, aim to convert them into clients or buying customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Any business needs patience<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No business grows overnight. It takes time to get investors and clients as well. In the beginning, investors may not believe that your idea will work. Some will only be convinced to fund your business once you get some loyal clients. Similarly, some clients will not trust your services just because your business is new. In all these instances, you will need to have a lot of patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global is making a significant impact in serving the huge demand for digital content in Africa. Nonetheless, there are still many opportunities in digital publishing and other fields that young entrepreneurs can exploit. We hope that the success story of Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah serves as an encouragement that will spur you to success.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Entrepreneur Spotlight: Three College Students Think Out Of The Box To Create OMG Digital","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"three-college-student-think-out-of-the-box-to-create-omg-digital","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=298246","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401604,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-10-03 10:44:45","post_date_gmt":"2022-10-03 17:44:45","post_content":"\n

\"Quindaro
Quindaro Township Site (Photo credit: KCUR)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first step toward amending wounds is the acceptance of wrongdoing. For many years, there has been a growing call for European countries to offer apologies for their role in the transatlantic slave trade. However, European countries are not the only guilty party. African chiefs facilitated the slave trade in one way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time since the end of the slave trade, African leaders have offered apologies for the wrongdoings of their ancestors. On Wednesday 28 September 2022, African delegates converged at the Quindaro Township Site in Kansas City, Kansas for a ceremony. Also present was Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Anita
Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0<\/em>UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the ceremony, the African delegates read out letters of apology from their tribal leaders and chiefs for the role of their ancestors in the slave trade of fellow Africans. Reacting to the apology letters, Dixon who noted that inviting the African delegates to the Quindaro site was crucial said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the healing that I have yearned for as a Black woman in America. This apology is for African people, Black people scattered all over the globe and not just to people of color.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembrance Of Slave Trade: Is Modern Slavery Worse Than The Pre-colonial Era?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also present at the ceremony was Wyandotte County Commissioner, Gayle Townsend, members of the Wyandotte Tribe, and state and local leaders from Missouri and Kansas. The apology letters zoomed in on the dark past of the African continent and the role local chiefs played in facilitating the slave trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

South Africa - Banyana Banyana<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Banyana Banyana returns to the World Cup, looking to build upon their previous successes. South Africa has a balanced squad, with experienced players complementing young talents. They have shown their mettle in previous international competitions, and with their disciplined approach, they can trouble even the strongest teams. To win the tournament, South Africa needs to maximize their goal-scoring opportunities and maintain strong defensive discipline. Banyana Banyana will be striving to defeat Argentina, Sweden, and Italy on group stages to progress to the knockout stage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"the<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As the 2023 Women's World Cup unfolds, African teams will strive to make their continent proud with their performances on the grand stage. Nigeria, Morocco, Zambia, and South Africa each bring unique qualities and ambitions to the tournament. While Nigeria and South Africa, with their previous experience, may have a higher likelihood of advancing deeper in the competition, Morocco and Zambia's debut appearances present exciting opportunities for growth and development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The world will witness exceptional talent, determination, and passion from these African teams as they compete against the best in the world. Regardless of the results, their participation in the tournament will undoubtedly inspire countless young girls across the continent to pursue their footballing dreams and leave a lasting impact on the future of women's football in Africa.<\/p>\n","post_title":"African Teams in the 2023 Women's World Cup: A Quest for Glory","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-2023-womens-world-cup-unfolds","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 11:45:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 11:45:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=348440","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401016,"post_author":"10056","post_date":"2023-04-01 08:31:00","post_date_gmt":"2023-04-01 15:31:00","post_content":"\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"OMG
OMG Digital Founders [Photo credit: Appsafrica]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

OMG Digital is a brainchild of three college students from Ghana. Dubbed the \u201cBuzzFeed of Africa,\" the media platform aims to become a leading entertainer for African millennials worldwide. The interesting thing about this digital company is that, in the beginning, its founders didn\u2019t consider it as their main project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, they also launched a microlending platform and focused on it. However, it didn\u2019t survive because of funding challenges. At that point, the three had no other option but to revert to their media platform. Currently, OMG Digital has a huge loyal audience from around Africa. Today, we walk you through the encouraging success story of OMG Digital founders\u2014Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Ghanaian Entrepreneur Combats Counterfeit Goods With His Innovative Startup<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

What is OMG Digital?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Digital is an online media company founded in 2016 by Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah. Based in Ghana, the digital company publishes lifestyle and entertainment content targeted at Africa\u2019s millennial population. Currently, it has two digital brands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first one is OMGVoice<\/span><\/a> that is active in three African countries: Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. The second is Servepot<\/span><\/a>, a culinary brand that publishes content on African recipes and food culture. The mission of the media platform is to develop influential and powerful African digital medial platforms and brands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Nigerian Pearlena Igbokwe Hits An Epic Milestone For African Women in Media<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

OMG Digital makes money through digital marketing. Currently, banner ads make up 80% of its ad sales. Its rapid growth has drawn the attention of large advertisers. So far, the media company has partnered with various companies including Coca-Cola, Pringles, Philips, KFC, and Huawei on sponsored content and marketing campaigns. About 6o percent of the company\u2019s audience are millennials aged between 18 to 24 years. The company targets Africa\u2019s 250 million millennials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did Y-Combinator Program influence<\/strong> OMG Digital Founders<\/strong>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Jesse
Jesse Ghansah at Y Combinator [Photo credit: Paystack]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah are graduates of the Y Combinator\u2019s startup accelerator program<\/a>. This program offers startup lessons to help entrepreneurs get started with their businesses and achieve success. For the founders of OMG Digital, their main takeaways were to always make effort to talk to customers. Also, it is important to obtain feedback and adjust accordingly. Ghansah said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe main takeaways we've gotten from YC in general are to talk to your users and paying attention to your core metrics + feedback and adjusting accordingly. That\u2019s how you build a product and company people love. YC also pushed us to move very quickly and take bolder steps in conquering our markets.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: 10 of the Best Startup Accelerators for African Entrepreneurs<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

How has OMG Digital transformed Digital Publishing in Africa?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When the company started as OMG Ghana (which later became OMG Digital) in 2012, traditional media companies dominated the digital media space. These companies were just trying to reinvent the print experience online. So, the content they produced was largely politics and hard news.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, OMG Digital founders recognized the yearning among millennials for entertainment and social content. By creating this type of content, the digital media company has inspired several other millennial-focused media companies on the African market. Now, almost every medial company is striving to create and distribute social content on social medial platforms. OMG Digital has inspired some Western digital media companies to test out the Sub-Saharan Africa market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: How Jason Njoku Overcame Multiple Failures To Build IrokoTV, The Netflix Of Africa<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Motivation to start OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"OMG
OMG Co-Founders - Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah [Photo credit: Techpoint.africa]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah established OMG Ghana in 2012 while in college. Back then, smartphones were becoming popular in Africa. So, after acquiring smartphones, they could not find interesting content to read. Ghansah recalls,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really frustrating for us because we would go online and all the content was just boring news and politics and stuff. Most of the people online back then were youth like us. BuzzFeed and Mashable were doing things for millennials, but we couldn\u2019t really relate to their content, so we created something for ourselves.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consequently, they thought about creating lightweight content for young people like themselves. Since smartphones were penetrating quickly and Facebook was also becoming very popular, the three resolved it was time to launch their company. Thus, they found OMG Ghana. Surprisingly, they did not perceive this company to have great potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: Saran Kaba Jones\u2019s FACE Africa Is Bringing Clean Water To Liberians<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

So, alongside OMG Ghana, they decided to establish a microlending platform. But the lending company soon experienced funding challenges. At the same time, OMG Ghana was growing and getting more readers. When it started to earn them some money, they registered it as a media company and resolved to focus on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Challenges of Running OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Right from the start, access to funding was a huge challenge. In the beginning, the co-founders didn\u2019t realize the growth they had anticipated. This is because they didn\u2019t have enough money to do all that they had planned. So, they would reinvest the profit back into the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the co-founders continued to seek funding nationally and internationally. Their efforts bore fruit in 2017 when they fundraised $1.1M from several international investors including Comcast Ventures, M&Y Growth Partners<\/span>, and Kima Ventures<\/span>. These funds helped to expand the company and scale operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Want To Build Wealth? Here Are 20 Youtube Channels We Think You Should Subscribe To<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Another challenge was the diversity of the continent. So, producing content that was relevant to different communities was a challenge at the onset. However, this challenge was resolved with time as the company hired staff from different regions in the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global Success<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since its inception, the OMG Global website has a total monthly view of more than 90 million. Today, the media company boasts of 4.5 million readers each month. The company is now present in three countries in Africa\u2014Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. So far, OMG Global has published over 20,000 contents. Also, it has over twenty content curators from Africa. With this team, it is easy to create relevant original content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expansion plans<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The digital media company aims to market its content to English speakers in Africa before extending to French-speaking countries. This is because English speakers form the largest population of internet users. So, OMG Global plans to extend its reach to more English-speaking countries in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Did You Know You Can Start These Businesses In Africa With Just $1,000 or Less?<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, the company plans to launch its brands in South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. With this market, it aims to reach 70% of the total millennial market in Africa. The next step will be to roll out its services continent-wide. The media platform wants to produce more video content in the future. Also, it has plans to create travel and technology content as it grows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 Business Lessons from<\/strong> OMG Global Co-founders<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Act on Feedback<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah emphasizes that customer feedback is very important. By analyzing your feedback, you can know what is lacking in your offerings. Thus, acting on customer feedback can help you adjust your products and make them relevant to your clients. Remember, the ultimate goal is always to enhance customer satisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Look for gaps in the market<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Business is all about delivering value to your customers. Before you venture into your field of interest, conduct some research to identify the gaps in the market. Mensah says that is exactly what they did before establishing OMG Global. Research helps you to identify people's needs that are not currently available. Once you establish a need, set up your business and fulfill that need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Be accessible<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Customers become loyal to businesses that are accessible when issues arise. Sometimes, your clients will want to seek assistance, clarification, or even to speak out about their concerns and problems. So, make sure to put in place channels through which your clients can reach you. That way, you will be accessible when they need to talk to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: \ud83d\ude325 Business Lessons From Cosmas Maduka, The Man That Turned $1 To $500 Million<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Pay attention to numbers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In business, numbers mean everything. You need to have more clients to make more sales and money. So, depending on your business, invest in having as many clients as possible. Develop a clear roadmap on how you will get to your target audience. Once you reach them, aim to convert them into clients or buying customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Any business needs patience<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No business grows overnight. It takes time to get investors and clients as well. In the beginning, investors may not believe that your idea will work. Some will only be convinced to fund your business once you get some loyal clients. Similarly, some clients will not trust your services just because your business is new. In all these instances, you will need to have a lot of patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global is making a significant impact in serving the huge demand for digital content in Africa. Nonetheless, there are still many opportunities in digital publishing and other fields that young entrepreneurs can exploit. We hope that the success story of Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah serves as an encouragement that will spur you to success.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Entrepreneur Spotlight: Three College Students Think Out Of The Box To Create OMG Digital","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"three-college-student-think-out-of-the-box-to-create-omg-digital","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=298246","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401604,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-10-03 10:44:45","post_date_gmt":"2022-10-03 17:44:45","post_content":"\n

\"Quindaro
Quindaro Township Site (Photo credit: KCUR)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first step toward amending wounds is the acceptance of wrongdoing. For many years, there has been a growing call for European countries to offer apologies for their role in the transatlantic slave trade. However, European countries are not the only guilty party. African chiefs facilitated the slave trade in one way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time since the end of the slave trade, African leaders have offered apologies for the wrongdoings of their ancestors. On Wednesday 28 September 2022, African delegates converged at the Quindaro Township Site in Kansas City, Kansas for a ceremony. Also present was Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Anita
Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0<\/em>UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the ceremony, the African delegates read out letters of apology from their tribal leaders and chiefs for the role of their ancestors in the slave trade of fellow Africans. Reacting to the apology letters, Dixon who noted that inviting the African delegates to the Quindaro site was crucial said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the healing that I have yearned for as a Black woman in America. This apology is for African people, Black people scattered all over the globe and not just to people of color.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembrance Of Slave Trade: Is Modern Slavery Worse Than The Pre-colonial Era?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also present at the ceremony was Wyandotte County Commissioner, Gayle Townsend, members of the Wyandotte Tribe, and state and local leaders from Missouri and Kansas. The apology letters zoomed in on the dark past of the African continent and the role local chiefs played in facilitating the slave trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n
\"the
The Copper Queens of Zambia - (Photo credit Twitter Zambia Daily Nation<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

South Africa - Banyana Banyana<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Banyana Banyana returns to the World Cup, looking to build upon their previous successes. South Africa has a balanced squad, with experienced players complementing young talents. They have shown their mettle in previous international competitions, and with their disciplined approach, they can trouble even the strongest teams. To win the tournament, South Africa needs to maximize their goal-scoring opportunities and maintain strong defensive discipline. Banyana Banyana will be striving to defeat Argentina, Sweden, and Italy on group stages to progress to the knockout stage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"the<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As the 2023 Women's World Cup unfolds, African teams will strive to make their continent proud with their performances on the grand stage. Nigeria, Morocco, Zambia, and South Africa each bring unique qualities and ambitions to the tournament. While Nigeria and South Africa, with their previous experience, may have a higher likelihood of advancing deeper in the competition, Morocco and Zambia's debut appearances present exciting opportunities for growth and development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The world will witness exceptional talent, determination, and passion from these African teams as they compete against the best in the world. Regardless of the results, their participation in the tournament will undoubtedly inspire countless young girls across the continent to pursue their footballing dreams and leave a lasting impact on the future of women's football in Africa.<\/p>\n","post_title":"African Teams in the 2023 Women's World Cup: A Quest for Glory","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-2023-womens-world-cup-unfolds","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 11:45:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 11:45:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=348440","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401016,"post_author":"10056","post_date":"2023-04-01 08:31:00","post_date_gmt":"2023-04-01 15:31:00","post_content":"\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"OMG
OMG Digital Founders [Photo credit: Appsafrica]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

OMG Digital is a brainchild of three college students from Ghana. Dubbed the \u201cBuzzFeed of Africa,\" the media platform aims to become a leading entertainer for African millennials worldwide. The interesting thing about this digital company is that, in the beginning, its founders didn\u2019t consider it as their main project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, they also launched a microlending platform and focused on it. However, it didn\u2019t survive because of funding challenges. At that point, the three had no other option but to revert to their media platform. Currently, OMG Digital has a huge loyal audience from around Africa. Today, we walk you through the encouraging success story of OMG Digital founders\u2014Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Ghanaian Entrepreneur Combats Counterfeit Goods With His Innovative Startup<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

What is OMG Digital?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Digital is an online media company founded in 2016 by Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah. Based in Ghana, the digital company publishes lifestyle and entertainment content targeted at Africa\u2019s millennial population. Currently, it has two digital brands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first one is OMGVoice<\/span><\/a> that is active in three African countries: Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. The second is Servepot<\/span><\/a>, a culinary brand that publishes content on African recipes and food culture. The mission of the media platform is to develop influential and powerful African digital medial platforms and brands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Nigerian Pearlena Igbokwe Hits An Epic Milestone For African Women in Media<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

OMG Digital makes money through digital marketing. Currently, banner ads make up 80% of its ad sales. Its rapid growth has drawn the attention of large advertisers. So far, the media company has partnered with various companies including Coca-Cola, Pringles, Philips, KFC, and Huawei on sponsored content and marketing campaigns. About 6o percent of the company\u2019s audience are millennials aged between 18 to 24 years. The company targets Africa\u2019s 250 million millennials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did Y-Combinator Program influence<\/strong> OMG Digital Founders<\/strong>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Jesse
Jesse Ghansah at Y Combinator [Photo credit: Paystack]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah are graduates of the Y Combinator\u2019s startup accelerator program<\/a>. This program offers startup lessons to help entrepreneurs get started with their businesses and achieve success. For the founders of OMG Digital, their main takeaways were to always make effort to talk to customers. Also, it is important to obtain feedback and adjust accordingly. Ghansah said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe main takeaways we've gotten from YC in general are to talk to your users and paying attention to your core metrics + feedback and adjusting accordingly. That\u2019s how you build a product and company people love. YC also pushed us to move very quickly and take bolder steps in conquering our markets.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: 10 of the Best Startup Accelerators for African Entrepreneurs<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

How has OMG Digital transformed Digital Publishing in Africa?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When the company started as OMG Ghana (which later became OMG Digital) in 2012, traditional media companies dominated the digital media space. These companies were just trying to reinvent the print experience online. So, the content they produced was largely politics and hard news.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, OMG Digital founders recognized the yearning among millennials for entertainment and social content. By creating this type of content, the digital media company has inspired several other millennial-focused media companies on the African market. Now, almost every medial company is striving to create and distribute social content on social medial platforms. OMG Digital has inspired some Western digital media companies to test out the Sub-Saharan Africa market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: How Jason Njoku Overcame Multiple Failures To Build IrokoTV, The Netflix Of Africa<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Motivation to start OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"OMG
OMG Co-Founders - Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah [Photo credit: Techpoint.africa]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah established OMG Ghana in 2012 while in college. Back then, smartphones were becoming popular in Africa. So, after acquiring smartphones, they could not find interesting content to read. Ghansah recalls,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really frustrating for us because we would go online and all the content was just boring news and politics and stuff. Most of the people online back then were youth like us. BuzzFeed and Mashable were doing things for millennials, but we couldn\u2019t really relate to their content, so we created something for ourselves.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consequently, they thought about creating lightweight content for young people like themselves. Since smartphones were penetrating quickly and Facebook was also becoming very popular, the three resolved it was time to launch their company. Thus, they found OMG Ghana. Surprisingly, they did not perceive this company to have great potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: Saran Kaba Jones\u2019s FACE Africa Is Bringing Clean Water To Liberians<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

So, alongside OMG Ghana, they decided to establish a microlending platform. But the lending company soon experienced funding challenges. At the same time, OMG Ghana was growing and getting more readers. When it started to earn them some money, they registered it as a media company and resolved to focus on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Challenges of Running OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Right from the start, access to funding was a huge challenge. In the beginning, the co-founders didn\u2019t realize the growth they had anticipated. This is because they didn\u2019t have enough money to do all that they had planned. So, they would reinvest the profit back into the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the co-founders continued to seek funding nationally and internationally. Their efforts bore fruit in 2017 when they fundraised $1.1M from several international investors including Comcast Ventures, M&Y Growth Partners<\/span>, and Kima Ventures<\/span>. These funds helped to expand the company and scale operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Want To Build Wealth? Here Are 20 Youtube Channels We Think You Should Subscribe To<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Another challenge was the diversity of the continent. So, producing content that was relevant to different communities was a challenge at the onset. However, this challenge was resolved with time as the company hired staff from different regions in the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global Success<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since its inception, the OMG Global website has a total monthly view of more than 90 million. Today, the media company boasts of 4.5 million readers each month. The company is now present in three countries in Africa\u2014Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. So far, OMG Global has published over 20,000 contents. Also, it has over twenty content curators from Africa. With this team, it is easy to create relevant original content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expansion plans<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The digital media company aims to market its content to English speakers in Africa before extending to French-speaking countries. This is because English speakers form the largest population of internet users. So, OMG Global plans to extend its reach to more English-speaking countries in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Did You Know You Can Start These Businesses In Africa With Just $1,000 or Less?<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, the company plans to launch its brands in South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. With this market, it aims to reach 70% of the total millennial market in Africa. The next step will be to roll out its services continent-wide. The media platform wants to produce more video content in the future. Also, it has plans to create travel and technology content as it grows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 Business Lessons from<\/strong> OMG Global Co-founders<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Act on Feedback<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah emphasizes that customer feedback is very important. By analyzing your feedback, you can know what is lacking in your offerings. Thus, acting on customer feedback can help you adjust your products and make them relevant to your clients. Remember, the ultimate goal is always to enhance customer satisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Look for gaps in the market<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Business is all about delivering value to your customers. Before you venture into your field of interest, conduct some research to identify the gaps in the market. Mensah says that is exactly what they did before establishing OMG Global. Research helps you to identify people's needs that are not currently available. Once you establish a need, set up your business and fulfill that need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Be accessible<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Customers become loyal to businesses that are accessible when issues arise. Sometimes, your clients will want to seek assistance, clarification, or even to speak out about their concerns and problems. So, make sure to put in place channels through which your clients can reach you. That way, you will be accessible when they need to talk to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: \ud83d\ude325 Business Lessons From Cosmas Maduka, The Man That Turned $1 To $500 Million<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Pay attention to numbers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In business, numbers mean everything. You need to have more clients to make more sales and money. So, depending on your business, invest in having as many clients as possible. Develop a clear roadmap on how you will get to your target audience. Once you reach them, aim to convert them into clients or buying customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Any business needs patience<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No business grows overnight. It takes time to get investors and clients as well. In the beginning, investors may not believe that your idea will work. Some will only be convinced to fund your business once you get some loyal clients. Similarly, some clients will not trust your services just because your business is new. In all these instances, you will need to have a lot of patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global is making a significant impact in serving the huge demand for digital content in Africa. Nonetheless, there are still many opportunities in digital publishing and other fields that young entrepreneurs can exploit. We hope that the success story of Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah serves as an encouragement that will spur you to success.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Entrepreneur Spotlight: Three College Students Think Out Of The Box To Create OMG Digital","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"three-college-student-think-out-of-the-box-to-create-omg-digital","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=298246","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401604,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-10-03 10:44:45","post_date_gmt":"2022-10-03 17:44:45","post_content":"\n

\"Quindaro
Quindaro Township Site (Photo credit: KCUR)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first step toward amending wounds is the acceptance of wrongdoing. For many years, there has been a growing call for European countries to offer apologies for their role in the transatlantic slave trade. However, European countries are not the only guilty party. African chiefs facilitated the slave trade in one way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time since the end of the slave trade, African leaders have offered apologies for the wrongdoings of their ancestors. On Wednesday 28 September 2022, African delegates converged at the Quindaro Township Site in Kansas City, Kansas for a ceremony. Also present was Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Anita
Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0<\/em>UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the ceremony, the African delegates read out letters of apology from their tribal leaders and chiefs for the role of their ancestors in the slave trade of fellow Africans. Reacting to the apology letters, Dixon who noted that inviting the African delegates to the Quindaro site was crucial said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the healing that I have yearned for as a Black woman in America. This apology is for African people, Black people scattered all over the globe and not just to people of color.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembrance Of Slave Trade: Is Modern Slavery Worse Than The Pre-colonial Era?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also present at the ceremony was Wyandotte County Commissioner, Gayle Townsend, members of the Wyandotte Tribe, and state and local leaders from Missouri and Kansas. The apology letters zoomed in on the dark past of the African continent and the role local chiefs played in facilitating the slave trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

ALSO READ: Transfer Trails: The Goodbye of Algerian Riyad Mahrez from Manchester<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"the
The Copper Queens of Zambia - (Photo credit Twitter Zambia Daily Nation<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

South Africa - Banyana Banyana<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Banyana Banyana returns to the World Cup, looking to build upon their previous successes. South Africa has a balanced squad, with experienced players complementing young talents. They have shown their mettle in previous international competitions, and with their disciplined approach, they can trouble even the strongest teams. To win the tournament, South Africa needs to maximize their goal-scoring opportunities and maintain strong defensive discipline. Banyana Banyana will be striving to defeat Argentina, Sweden, and Italy on group stages to progress to the knockout stage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"the<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As the 2023 Women's World Cup unfolds, African teams will strive to make their continent proud with their performances on the grand stage. Nigeria, Morocco, Zambia, and South Africa each bring unique qualities and ambitions to the tournament. While Nigeria and South Africa, with their previous experience, may have a higher likelihood of advancing deeper in the competition, Morocco and Zambia's debut appearances present exciting opportunities for growth and development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The world will witness exceptional talent, determination, and passion from these African teams as they compete against the best in the world. Regardless of the results, their participation in the tournament will undoubtedly inspire countless young girls across the continent to pursue their footballing dreams and leave a lasting impact on the future of women's football in Africa.<\/p>\n","post_title":"African Teams in the 2023 Women's World Cup: A Quest for Glory","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-2023-womens-world-cup-unfolds","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 11:45:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 11:45:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=348440","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401016,"post_author":"10056","post_date":"2023-04-01 08:31:00","post_date_gmt":"2023-04-01 15:31:00","post_content":"\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"OMG
OMG Digital Founders [Photo credit: Appsafrica]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

OMG Digital is a brainchild of three college students from Ghana. Dubbed the \u201cBuzzFeed of Africa,\" the media platform aims to become a leading entertainer for African millennials worldwide. The interesting thing about this digital company is that, in the beginning, its founders didn\u2019t consider it as their main project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, they also launched a microlending platform and focused on it. However, it didn\u2019t survive because of funding challenges. At that point, the three had no other option but to revert to their media platform. Currently, OMG Digital has a huge loyal audience from around Africa. Today, we walk you through the encouraging success story of OMG Digital founders\u2014Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Ghanaian Entrepreneur Combats Counterfeit Goods With His Innovative Startup<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

What is OMG Digital?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Digital is an online media company founded in 2016 by Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah. Based in Ghana, the digital company publishes lifestyle and entertainment content targeted at Africa\u2019s millennial population. Currently, it has two digital brands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first one is OMGVoice<\/span><\/a> that is active in three African countries: Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. The second is Servepot<\/span><\/a>, a culinary brand that publishes content on African recipes and food culture. The mission of the media platform is to develop influential and powerful African digital medial platforms and brands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Nigerian Pearlena Igbokwe Hits An Epic Milestone For African Women in Media<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

OMG Digital makes money through digital marketing. Currently, banner ads make up 80% of its ad sales. Its rapid growth has drawn the attention of large advertisers. So far, the media company has partnered with various companies including Coca-Cola, Pringles, Philips, KFC, and Huawei on sponsored content and marketing campaigns. About 6o percent of the company\u2019s audience are millennials aged between 18 to 24 years. The company targets Africa\u2019s 250 million millennials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did Y-Combinator Program influence<\/strong> OMG Digital Founders<\/strong>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Jesse
Jesse Ghansah at Y Combinator [Photo credit: Paystack]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah are graduates of the Y Combinator\u2019s startup accelerator program<\/a>. This program offers startup lessons to help entrepreneurs get started with their businesses and achieve success. For the founders of OMG Digital, their main takeaways were to always make effort to talk to customers. Also, it is important to obtain feedback and adjust accordingly. Ghansah said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe main takeaways we've gotten from YC in general are to talk to your users and paying attention to your core metrics + feedback and adjusting accordingly. That\u2019s how you build a product and company people love. YC also pushed us to move very quickly and take bolder steps in conquering our markets.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: 10 of the Best Startup Accelerators for African Entrepreneurs<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

How has OMG Digital transformed Digital Publishing in Africa?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When the company started as OMG Ghana (which later became OMG Digital) in 2012, traditional media companies dominated the digital media space. These companies were just trying to reinvent the print experience online. So, the content they produced was largely politics and hard news.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, OMG Digital founders recognized the yearning among millennials for entertainment and social content. By creating this type of content, the digital media company has inspired several other millennial-focused media companies on the African market. Now, almost every medial company is striving to create and distribute social content on social medial platforms. OMG Digital has inspired some Western digital media companies to test out the Sub-Saharan Africa market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: How Jason Njoku Overcame Multiple Failures To Build IrokoTV, The Netflix Of Africa<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Motivation to start OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"OMG
OMG Co-Founders - Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah [Photo credit: Techpoint.africa]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah established OMG Ghana in 2012 while in college. Back then, smartphones were becoming popular in Africa. So, after acquiring smartphones, they could not find interesting content to read. Ghansah recalls,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really frustrating for us because we would go online and all the content was just boring news and politics and stuff. Most of the people online back then were youth like us. BuzzFeed and Mashable were doing things for millennials, but we couldn\u2019t really relate to their content, so we created something for ourselves.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consequently, they thought about creating lightweight content for young people like themselves. Since smartphones were penetrating quickly and Facebook was also becoming very popular, the three resolved it was time to launch their company. Thus, they found OMG Ghana. Surprisingly, they did not perceive this company to have great potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: Saran Kaba Jones\u2019s FACE Africa Is Bringing Clean Water To Liberians<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

So, alongside OMG Ghana, they decided to establish a microlending platform. But the lending company soon experienced funding challenges. At the same time, OMG Ghana was growing and getting more readers. When it started to earn them some money, they registered it as a media company and resolved to focus on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Challenges of Running OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Right from the start, access to funding was a huge challenge. In the beginning, the co-founders didn\u2019t realize the growth they had anticipated. This is because they didn\u2019t have enough money to do all that they had planned. So, they would reinvest the profit back into the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the co-founders continued to seek funding nationally and internationally. Their efforts bore fruit in 2017 when they fundraised $1.1M from several international investors including Comcast Ventures, M&Y Growth Partners<\/span>, and Kima Ventures<\/span>. These funds helped to expand the company and scale operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Want To Build Wealth? Here Are 20 Youtube Channels We Think You Should Subscribe To<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Another challenge was the diversity of the continent. So, producing content that was relevant to different communities was a challenge at the onset. However, this challenge was resolved with time as the company hired staff from different regions in the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global Success<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since its inception, the OMG Global website has a total monthly view of more than 90 million. Today, the media company boasts of 4.5 million readers each month. The company is now present in three countries in Africa\u2014Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. So far, OMG Global has published over 20,000 contents. Also, it has over twenty content curators from Africa. With this team, it is easy to create relevant original content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expansion plans<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The digital media company aims to market its content to English speakers in Africa before extending to French-speaking countries. This is because English speakers form the largest population of internet users. So, OMG Global plans to extend its reach to more English-speaking countries in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Did You Know You Can Start These Businesses In Africa With Just $1,000 or Less?<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, the company plans to launch its brands in South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. With this market, it aims to reach 70% of the total millennial market in Africa. The next step will be to roll out its services continent-wide. The media platform wants to produce more video content in the future. Also, it has plans to create travel and technology content as it grows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 Business Lessons from<\/strong> OMG Global Co-founders<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Act on Feedback<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah emphasizes that customer feedback is very important. By analyzing your feedback, you can know what is lacking in your offerings. Thus, acting on customer feedback can help you adjust your products and make them relevant to your clients. Remember, the ultimate goal is always to enhance customer satisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Look for gaps in the market<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Business is all about delivering value to your customers. Before you venture into your field of interest, conduct some research to identify the gaps in the market. Mensah says that is exactly what they did before establishing OMG Global. Research helps you to identify people's needs that are not currently available. Once you establish a need, set up your business and fulfill that need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Be accessible<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Customers become loyal to businesses that are accessible when issues arise. Sometimes, your clients will want to seek assistance, clarification, or even to speak out about their concerns and problems. So, make sure to put in place channels through which your clients can reach you. That way, you will be accessible when they need to talk to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: \ud83d\ude325 Business Lessons From Cosmas Maduka, The Man That Turned $1 To $500 Million<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Pay attention to numbers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In business, numbers mean everything. You need to have more clients to make more sales and money. So, depending on your business, invest in having as many clients as possible. Develop a clear roadmap on how you will get to your target audience. Once you reach them, aim to convert them into clients or buying customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Any business needs patience<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No business grows overnight. It takes time to get investors and clients as well. In the beginning, investors may not believe that your idea will work. Some will only be convinced to fund your business once you get some loyal clients. Similarly, some clients will not trust your services just because your business is new. In all these instances, you will need to have a lot of patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global is making a significant impact in serving the huge demand for digital content in Africa. Nonetheless, there are still many opportunities in digital publishing and other fields that young entrepreneurs can exploit. We hope that the success story of Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah serves as an encouragement that will spur you to success.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Entrepreneur Spotlight: Three College Students Think Out Of The Box To Create OMG Digital","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"three-college-student-think-out-of-the-box-to-create-omg-digital","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=298246","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401604,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-10-03 10:44:45","post_date_gmt":"2022-10-03 17:44:45","post_content":"\n

\"Quindaro
Quindaro Township Site (Photo credit: KCUR)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first step toward amending wounds is the acceptance of wrongdoing. For many years, there has been a growing call for European countries to offer apologies for their role in the transatlantic slave trade. However, European countries are not the only guilty party. African chiefs facilitated the slave trade in one way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time since the end of the slave trade, African leaders have offered apologies for the wrongdoings of their ancestors. On Wednesday 28 September 2022, African delegates converged at the Quindaro Township Site in Kansas City, Kansas for a ceremony. Also present was Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Anita
Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0<\/em>UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the ceremony, the African delegates read out letters of apology from their tribal leaders and chiefs for the role of their ancestors in the slave trade of fellow Africans. Reacting to the apology letters, Dixon who noted that inviting the African delegates to the Quindaro site was crucial said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the healing that I have yearned for as a Black woman in America. This apology is for African people, Black people scattered all over the globe and not just to people of color.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembrance Of Slave Trade: Is Modern Slavery Worse Than The Pre-colonial Era?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also present at the ceremony was Wyandotte County Commissioner, Gayle Townsend, members of the Wyandotte Tribe, and state and local leaders from Missouri and Kansas. The apology letters zoomed in on the dark past of the African continent and the role local chiefs played in facilitating the slave trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

The Copper Queens of Zambia showcased their talent by qualifying for their maiden Women's World Cup. With an attacking mindset and flair, Zambia's youthful exuberance could surprise some of their opponents. To win the tournament, they must strengthen their defensive strategies and maintain composure during crucial moments. The copper queens of Zambia will be battling in group stage with Japan, Costa Rica, and Spain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Transfer Trails: The Goodbye of Algerian Riyad Mahrez from Manchester<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"the
The Copper Queens of Zambia - (Photo credit Twitter Zambia Daily Nation<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

South Africa - Banyana Banyana<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Banyana Banyana returns to the World Cup, looking to build upon their previous successes. South Africa has a balanced squad, with experienced players complementing young talents. They have shown their mettle in previous international competitions, and with their disciplined approach, they can trouble even the strongest teams. To win the tournament, South Africa needs to maximize their goal-scoring opportunities and maintain strong defensive discipline. Banyana Banyana will be striving to defeat Argentina, Sweden, and Italy on group stages to progress to the knockout stage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"the<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As the 2023 Women's World Cup unfolds, African teams will strive to make their continent proud with their performances on the grand stage. Nigeria, Morocco, Zambia, and South Africa each bring unique qualities and ambitions to the tournament. While Nigeria and South Africa, with their previous experience, may have a higher likelihood of advancing deeper in the competition, Morocco and Zambia's debut appearances present exciting opportunities for growth and development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The world will witness exceptional talent, determination, and passion from these African teams as they compete against the best in the world. Regardless of the results, their participation in the tournament will undoubtedly inspire countless young girls across the continent to pursue their footballing dreams and leave a lasting impact on the future of women's football in Africa.<\/p>\n","post_title":"African Teams in the 2023 Women's World Cup: A Quest for Glory","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-2023-womens-world-cup-unfolds","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 11:45:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 11:45:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=348440","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401016,"post_author":"10056","post_date":"2023-04-01 08:31:00","post_date_gmt":"2023-04-01 15:31:00","post_content":"\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"OMG
OMG Digital Founders [Photo credit: Appsafrica]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

OMG Digital is a brainchild of three college students from Ghana. Dubbed the \u201cBuzzFeed of Africa,\" the media platform aims to become a leading entertainer for African millennials worldwide. The interesting thing about this digital company is that, in the beginning, its founders didn\u2019t consider it as their main project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, they also launched a microlending platform and focused on it. However, it didn\u2019t survive because of funding challenges. At that point, the three had no other option but to revert to their media platform. Currently, OMG Digital has a huge loyal audience from around Africa. Today, we walk you through the encouraging success story of OMG Digital founders\u2014Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Ghanaian Entrepreneur Combats Counterfeit Goods With His Innovative Startup<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

What is OMG Digital?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Digital is an online media company founded in 2016 by Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah. Based in Ghana, the digital company publishes lifestyle and entertainment content targeted at Africa\u2019s millennial population. Currently, it has two digital brands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first one is OMGVoice<\/span><\/a> that is active in three African countries: Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. The second is Servepot<\/span><\/a>, a culinary brand that publishes content on African recipes and food culture. The mission of the media platform is to develop influential and powerful African digital medial platforms and brands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Nigerian Pearlena Igbokwe Hits An Epic Milestone For African Women in Media<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

OMG Digital makes money through digital marketing. Currently, banner ads make up 80% of its ad sales. Its rapid growth has drawn the attention of large advertisers. So far, the media company has partnered with various companies including Coca-Cola, Pringles, Philips, KFC, and Huawei on sponsored content and marketing campaigns. About 6o percent of the company\u2019s audience are millennials aged between 18 to 24 years. The company targets Africa\u2019s 250 million millennials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did Y-Combinator Program influence<\/strong> OMG Digital Founders<\/strong>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Jesse
Jesse Ghansah at Y Combinator [Photo credit: Paystack]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah are graduates of the Y Combinator\u2019s startup accelerator program<\/a>. This program offers startup lessons to help entrepreneurs get started with their businesses and achieve success. For the founders of OMG Digital, their main takeaways were to always make effort to talk to customers. Also, it is important to obtain feedback and adjust accordingly. Ghansah said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe main takeaways we've gotten from YC in general are to talk to your users and paying attention to your core metrics + feedback and adjusting accordingly. That\u2019s how you build a product and company people love. YC also pushed us to move very quickly and take bolder steps in conquering our markets.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: 10 of the Best Startup Accelerators for African Entrepreneurs<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

How has OMG Digital transformed Digital Publishing in Africa?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When the company started as OMG Ghana (which later became OMG Digital) in 2012, traditional media companies dominated the digital media space. These companies were just trying to reinvent the print experience online. So, the content they produced was largely politics and hard news.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, OMG Digital founders recognized the yearning among millennials for entertainment and social content. By creating this type of content, the digital media company has inspired several other millennial-focused media companies on the African market. Now, almost every medial company is striving to create and distribute social content on social medial platforms. OMG Digital has inspired some Western digital media companies to test out the Sub-Saharan Africa market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: How Jason Njoku Overcame Multiple Failures To Build IrokoTV, The Netflix Of Africa<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Motivation to start OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"OMG
OMG Co-Founders - Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah [Photo credit: Techpoint.africa]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah established OMG Ghana in 2012 while in college. Back then, smartphones were becoming popular in Africa. So, after acquiring smartphones, they could not find interesting content to read. Ghansah recalls,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really frustrating for us because we would go online and all the content was just boring news and politics and stuff. Most of the people online back then were youth like us. BuzzFeed and Mashable were doing things for millennials, but we couldn\u2019t really relate to their content, so we created something for ourselves.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consequently, they thought about creating lightweight content for young people like themselves. Since smartphones were penetrating quickly and Facebook was also becoming very popular, the three resolved it was time to launch their company. Thus, they found OMG Ghana. Surprisingly, they did not perceive this company to have great potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: Saran Kaba Jones\u2019s FACE Africa Is Bringing Clean Water To Liberians<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

So, alongside OMG Ghana, they decided to establish a microlending platform. But the lending company soon experienced funding challenges. At the same time, OMG Ghana was growing and getting more readers. When it started to earn them some money, they registered it as a media company and resolved to focus on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Challenges of Running OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Right from the start, access to funding was a huge challenge. In the beginning, the co-founders didn\u2019t realize the growth they had anticipated. This is because they didn\u2019t have enough money to do all that they had planned. So, they would reinvest the profit back into the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the co-founders continued to seek funding nationally and internationally. Their efforts bore fruit in 2017 when they fundraised $1.1M from several international investors including Comcast Ventures, M&Y Growth Partners<\/span>, and Kima Ventures<\/span>. These funds helped to expand the company and scale operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Want To Build Wealth? Here Are 20 Youtube Channels We Think You Should Subscribe To<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Another challenge was the diversity of the continent. So, producing content that was relevant to different communities was a challenge at the onset. However, this challenge was resolved with time as the company hired staff from different regions in the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global Success<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since its inception, the OMG Global website has a total monthly view of more than 90 million. Today, the media company boasts of 4.5 million readers each month. The company is now present in three countries in Africa\u2014Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. So far, OMG Global has published over 20,000 contents. Also, it has over twenty content curators from Africa. With this team, it is easy to create relevant original content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expansion plans<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The digital media company aims to market its content to English speakers in Africa before extending to French-speaking countries. This is because English speakers form the largest population of internet users. So, OMG Global plans to extend its reach to more English-speaking countries in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Did You Know You Can Start These Businesses In Africa With Just $1,000 or Less?<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, the company plans to launch its brands in South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. With this market, it aims to reach 70% of the total millennial market in Africa. The next step will be to roll out its services continent-wide. The media platform wants to produce more video content in the future. Also, it has plans to create travel and technology content as it grows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 Business Lessons from<\/strong> OMG Global Co-founders<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Act on Feedback<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah emphasizes that customer feedback is very important. By analyzing your feedback, you can know what is lacking in your offerings. Thus, acting on customer feedback can help you adjust your products and make them relevant to your clients. Remember, the ultimate goal is always to enhance customer satisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Look for gaps in the market<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Business is all about delivering value to your customers. Before you venture into your field of interest, conduct some research to identify the gaps in the market. Mensah says that is exactly what they did before establishing OMG Global. Research helps you to identify people's needs that are not currently available. Once you establish a need, set up your business and fulfill that need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Be accessible<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Customers become loyal to businesses that are accessible when issues arise. Sometimes, your clients will want to seek assistance, clarification, or even to speak out about their concerns and problems. So, make sure to put in place channels through which your clients can reach you. That way, you will be accessible when they need to talk to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: \ud83d\ude325 Business Lessons From Cosmas Maduka, The Man That Turned $1 To $500 Million<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Pay attention to numbers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In business, numbers mean everything. You need to have more clients to make more sales and money. So, depending on your business, invest in having as many clients as possible. Develop a clear roadmap on how you will get to your target audience. Once you reach them, aim to convert them into clients or buying customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Any business needs patience<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No business grows overnight. It takes time to get investors and clients as well. In the beginning, investors may not believe that your idea will work. Some will only be convinced to fund your business once you get some loyal clients. Similarly, some clients will not trust your services just because your business is new. In all these instances, you will need to have a lot of patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global is making a significant impact in serving the huge demand for digital content in Africa. Nonetheless, there are still many opportunities in digital publishing and other fields that young entrepreneurs can exploit. We hope that the success story of Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah serves as an encouragement that will spur you to success.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Entrepreneur Spotlight: Three College Students Think Out Of The Box To Create OMG Digital","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"three-college-student-think-out-of-the-box-to-create-omg-digital","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=298246","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401604,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-10-03 10:44:45","post_date_gmt":"2022-10-03 17:44:45","post_content":"\n

\"Quindaro
Quindaro Township Site (Photo credit: KCUR)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first step toward amending wounds is the acceptance of wrongdoing. For many years, there has been a growing call for European countries to offer apologies for their role in the transatlantic slave trade. However, European countries are not the only guilty party. African chiefs facilitated the slave trade in one way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time since the end of the slave trade, African leaders have offered apologies for the wrongdoings of their ancestors. On Wednesday 28 September 2022, African delegates converged at the Quindaro Township Site in Kansas City, Kansas for a ceremony. Also present was Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Anita
Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0<\/em>UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the ceremony, the African delegates read out letters of apology from their tribal leaders and chiefs for the role of their ancestors in the slave trade of fellow Africans. Reacting to the apology letters, Dixon who noted that inviting the African delegates to the Quindaro site was crucial said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the healing that I have yearned for as a Black woman in America. This apology is for African people, Black people scattered all over the globe and not just to people of color.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembrance Of Slave Trade: Is Modern Slavery Worse Than The Pre-colonial Era?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also present at the ceremony was Wyandotte County Commissioner, Gayle Townsend, members of the Wyandotte Tribe, and state and local leaders from Missouri and Kansas. The apology letters zoomed in on the dark past of the African continent and the role local chiefs played in facilitating the slave trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Zambia - The Copper Queens<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Copper Queens of Zambia showcased their talent by qualifying for their maiden Women's World Cup. With an attacking mindset and flair, Zambia's youthful exuberance could surprise some of their opponents. To win the tournament, they must strengthen their defensive strategies and maintain composure during crucial moments. The copper queens of Zambia will be battling in group stage with Japan, Costa Rica, and Spain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Transfer Trails: The Goodbye of Algerian Riyad Mahrez from Manchester<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"the
The Copper Queens of Zambia - (Photo credit Twitter Zambia Daily Nation<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

South Africa - Banyana Banyana<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Banyana Banyana returns to the World Cup, looking to build upon their previous successes. South Africa has a balanced squad, with experienced players complementing young talents. They have shown their mettle in previous international competitions, and with their disciplined approach, they can trouble even the strongest teams. To win the tournament, South Africa needs to maximize their goal-scoring opportunities and maintain strong defensive discipline. Banyana Banyana will be striving to defeat Argentina, Sweden, and Italy on group stages to progress to the knockout stage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"the<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As the 2023 Women's World Cup unfolds, African teams will strive to make their continent proud with their performances on the grand stage. Nigeria, Morocco, Zambia, and South Africa each bring unique qualities and ambitions to the tournament. While Nigeria and South Africa, with their previous experience, may have a higher likelihood of advancing deeper in the competition, Morocco and Zambia's debut appearances present exciting opportunities for growth and development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The world will witness exceptional talent, determination, and passion from these African teams as they compete against the best in the world. Regardless of the results, their participation in the tournament will undoubtedly inspire countless young girls across the continent to pursue their footballing dreams and leave a lasting impact on the future of women's football in Africa.<\/p>\n","post_title":"African Teams in the 2023 Women's World Cup: A Quest for Glory","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-2023-womens-world-cup-unfolds","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 11:45:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 11:45:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=348440","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401016,"post_author":"10056","post_date":"2023-04-01 08:31:00","post_date_gmt":"2023-04-01 15:31:00","post_content":"\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"OMG
OMG Digital Founders [Photo credit: Appsafrica]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

OMG Digital is a brainchild of three college students from Ghana. Dubbed the \u201cBuzzFeed of Africa,\" the media platform aims to become a leading entertainer for African millennials worldwide. The interesting thing about this digital company is that, in the beginning, its founders didn\u2019t consider it as their main project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, they also launched a microlending platform and focused on it. However, it didn\u2019t survive because of funding challenges. At that point, the three had no other option but to revert to their media platform. Currently, OMG Digital has a huge loyal audience from around Africa. Today, we walk you through the encouraging success story of OMG Digital founders\u2014Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Ghanaian Entrepreneur Combats Counterfeit Goods With His Innovative Startup<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

What is OMG Digital?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Digital is an online media company founded in 2016 by Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah. Based in Ghana, the digital company publishes lifestyle and entertainment content targeted at Africa\u2019s millennial population. Currently, it has two digital brands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first one is OMGVoice<\/span><\/a> that is active in three African countries: Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. The second is Servepot<\/span><\/a>, a culinary brand that publishes content on African recipes and food culture. The mission of the media platform is to develop influential and powerful African digital medial platforms and brands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Nigerian Pearlena Igbokwe Hits An Epic Milestone For African Women in Media<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

OMG Digital makes money through digital marketing. Currently, banner ads make up 80% of its ad sales. Its rapid growth has drawn the attention of large advertisers. So far, the media company has partnered with various companies including Coca-Cola, Pringles, Philips, KFC, and Huawei on sponsored content and marketing campaigns. About 6o percent of the company\u2019s audience are millennials aged between 18 to 24 years. The company targets Africa\u2019s 250 million millennials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did Y-Combinator Program influence<\/strong> OMG Digital Founders<\/strong>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Jesse
Jesse Ghansah at Y Combinator [Photo credit: Paystack]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah are graduates of the Y Combinator\u2019s startup accelerator program<\/a>. This program offers startup lessons to help entrepreneurs get started with their businesses and achieve success. For the founders of OMG Digital, their main takeaways were to always make effort to talk to customers. Also, it is important to obtain feedback and adjust accordingly. Ghansah said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe main takeaways we've gotten from YC in general are to talk to your users and paying attention to your core metrics + feedback and adjusting accordingly. That\u2019s how you build a product and company people love. YC also pushed us to move very quickly and take bolder steps in conquering our markets.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: 10 of the Best Startup Accelerators for African Entrepreneurs<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

How has OMG Digital transformed Digital Publishing in Africa?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When the company started as OMG Ghana (which later became OMG Digital) in 2012, traditional media companies dominated the digital media space. These companies were just trying to reinvent the print experience online. So, the content they produced was largely politics and hard news.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, OMG Digital founders recognized the yearning among millennials for entertainment and social content. By creating this type of content, the digital media company has inspired several other millennial-focused media companies on the African market. Now, almost every medial company is striving to create and distribute social content on social medial platforms. OMG Digital has inspired some Western digital media companies to test out the Sub-Saharan Africa market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: How Jason Njoku Overcame Multiple Failures To Build IrokoTV, The Netflix Of Africa<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Motivation to start OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"OMG
OMG Co-Founders - Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah [Photo credit: Techpoint.africa]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah established OMG Ghana in 2012 while in college. Back then, smartphones were becoming popular in Africa. So, after acquiring smartphones, they could not find interesting content to read. Ghansah recalls,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really frustrating for us because we would go online and all the content was just boring news and politics and stuff. Most of the people online back then were youth like us. BuzzFeed and Mashable were doing things for millennials, but we couldn\u2019t really relate to their content, so we created something for ourselves.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consequently, they thought about creating lightweight content for young people like themselves. Since smartphones were penetrating quickly and Facebook was also becoming very popular, the three resolved it was time to launch their company. Thus, they found OMG Ghana. Surprisingly, they did not perceive this company to have great potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: Saran Kaba Jones\u2019s FACE Africa Is Bringing Clean Water To Liberians<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

So, alongside OMG Ghana, they decided to establish a microlending platform. But the lending company soon experienced funding challenges. At the same time, OMG Ghana was growing and getting more readers. When it started to earn them some money, they registered it as a media company and resolved to focus on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Challenges of Running OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Right from the start, access to funding was a huge challenge. In the beginning, the co-founders didn\u2019t realize the growth they had anticipated. This is because they didn\u2019t have enough money to do all that they had planned. So, they would reinvest the profit back into the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the co-founders continued to seek funding nationally and internationally. Their efforts bore fruit in 2017 when they fundraised $1.1M from several international investors including Comcast Ventures, M&Y Growth Partners<\/span>, and Kima Ventures<\/span>. These funds helped to expand the company and scale operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Want To Build Wealth? Here Are 20 Youtube Channels We Think You Should Subscribe To<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Another challenge was the diversity of the continent. So, producing content that was relevant to different communities was a challenge at the onset. However, this challenge was resolved with time as the company hired staff from different regions in the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global Success<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since its inception, the OMG Global website has a total monthly view of more than 90 million. Today, the media company boasts of 4.5 million readers each month. The company is now present in three countries in Africa\u2014Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. So far, OMG Global has published over 20,000 contents. Also, it has over twenty content curators from Africa. With this team, it is easy to create relevant original content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expansion plans<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The digital media company aims to market its content to English speakers in Africa before extending to French-speaking countries. This is because English speakers form the largest population of internet users. So, OMG Global plans to extend its reach to more English-speaking countries in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Did You Know You Can Start These Businesses In Africa With Just $1,000 or Less?<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, the company plans to launch its brands in South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. With this market, it aims to reach 70% of the total millennial market in Africa. The next step will be to roll out its services continent-wide. The media platform wants to produce more video content in the future. Also, it has plans to create travel and technology content as it grows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 Business Lessons from<\/strong> OMG Global Co-founders<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Act on Feedback<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah emphasizes that customer feedback is very important. By analyzing your feedback, you can know what is lacking in your offerings. Thus, acting on customer feedback can help you adjust your products and make them relevant to your clients. Remember, the ultimate goal is always to enhance customer satisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Look for gaps in the market<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Business is all about delivering value to your customers. Before you venture into your field of interest, conduct some research to identify the gaps in the market. Mensah says that is exactly what they did before establishing OMG Global. Research helps you to identify people's needs that are not currently available. Once you establish a need, set up your business and fulfill that need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Be accessible<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Customers become loyal to businesses that are accessible when issues arise. Sometimes, your clients will want to seek assistance, clarification, or even to speak out about their concerns and problems. So, make sure to put in place channels through which your clients can reach you. That way, you will be accessible when they need to talk to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: \ud83d\ude325 Business Lessons From Cosmas Maduka, The Man That Turned $1 To $500 Million<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Pay attention to numbers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In business, numbers mean everything. You need to have more clients to make more sales and money. So, depending on your business, invest in having as many clients as possible. Develop a clear roadmap on how you will get to your target audience. Once you reach them, aim to convert them into clients or buying customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Any business needs patience<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No business grows overnight. It takes time to get investors and clients as well. In the beginning, investors may not believe that your idea will work. Some will only be convinced to fund your business once you get some loyal clients. Similarly, some clients will not trust your services just because your business is new. In all these instances, you will need to have a lot of patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global is making a significant impact in serving the huge demand for digital content in Africa. Nonetheless, there are still many opportunities in digital publishing and other fields that young entrepreneurs can exploit. We hope that the success story of Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah serves as an encouragement that will spur you to success.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Entrepreneur Spotlight: Three College Students Think Out Of The Box To Create OMG Digital","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"three-college-student-think-out-of-the-box-to-create-omg-digital","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=298246","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401604,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-10-03 10:44:45","post_date_gmt":"2022-10-03 17:44:45","post_content":"\n

\"Quindaro
Quindaro Township Site (Photo credit: KCUR)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first step toward amending wounds is the acceptance of wrongdoing. For many years, there has been a growing call for European countries to offer apologies for their role in the transatlantic slave trade. However, European countries are not the only guilty party. African chiefs facilitated the slave trade in one way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time since the end of the slave trade, African leaders have offered apologies for the wrongdoings of their ancestors. On Wednesday 28 September 2022, African delegates converged at the Quindaro Township Site in Kansas City, Kansas for a ceremony. Also present was Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Anita
Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0<\/em>UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the ceremony, the African delegates read out letters of apology from their tribal leaders and chiefs for the role of their ancestors in the slave trade of fellow Africans. Reacting to the apology letters, Dixon who noted that inviting the African delegates to the Quindaro site was crucial said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the healing that I have yearned for as a Black woman in America. This apology is for African people, Black people scattered all over the globe and not just to people of color.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembrance Of Slave Trade: Is Modern Slavery Worse Than The Pre-colonial Era?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also present at the ceremony was Wyandotte County Commissioner, Gayle Townsend, members of the Wyandotte Tribe, and state and local leaders from Missouri and Kansas. The apology letters zoomed in on the dark past of the African continent and the role local chiefs played in facilitating the slave trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n
\"the<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Zambia - The Copper Queens<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Copper Queens of Zambia showcased their talent by qualifying for their maiden Women's World Cup. With an attacking mindset and flair, Zambia's youthful exuberance could surprise some of their opponents. To win the tournament, they must strengthen their defensive strategies and maintain composure during crucial moments. The copper queens of Zambia will be battling in group stage with Japan, Costa Rica, and Spain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Transfer Trails: The Goodbye of Algerian Riyad Mahrez from Manchester<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"the
The Copper Queens of Zambia - (Photo credit Twitter Zambia Daily Nation<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

South Africa - Banyana Banyana<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Banyana Banyana returns to the World Cup, looking to build upon their previous successes. South Africa has a balanced squad, with experienced players complementing young talents. They have shown their mettle in previous international competitions, and with their disciplined approach, they can trouble even the strongest teams. To win the tournament, South Africa needs to maximize their goal-scoring opportunities and maintain strong defensive discipline. Banyana Banyana will be striving to defeat Argentina, Sweden, and Italy on group stages to progress to the knockout stage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"the<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As the 2023 Women's World Cup unfolds, African teams will strive to make their continent proud with their performances on the grand stage. Nigeria, Morocco, Zambia, and South Africa each bring unique qualities and ambitions to the tournament. While Nigeria and South Africa, with their previous experience, may have a higher likelihood of advancing deeper in the competition, Morocco and Zambia's debut appearances present exciting opportunities for growth and development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The world will witness exceptional talent, determination, and passion from these African teams as they compete against the best in the world. Regardless of the results, their participation in the tournament will undoubtedly inspire countless young girls across the continent to pursue their footballing dreams and leave a lasting impact on the future of women's football in Africa.<\/p>\n","post_title":"African Teams in the 2023 Women's World Cup: A Quest for Glory","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-2023-womens-world-cup-unfolds","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 11:45:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 11:45:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=348440","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401016,"post_author":"10056","post_date":"2023-04-01 08:31:00","post_date_gmt":"2023-04-01 15:31:00","post_content":"\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"OMG
OMG Digital Founders [Photo credit: Appsafrica]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

OMG Digital is a brainchild of three college students from Ghana. Dubbed the \u201cBuzzFeed of Africa,\" the media platform aims to become a leading entertainer for African millennials worldwide. The interesting thing about this digital company is that, in the beginning, its founders didn\u2019t consider it as their main project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, they also launched a microlending platform and focused on it. However, it didn\u2019t survive because of funding challenges. At that point, the three had no other option but to revert to their media platform. Currently, OMG Digital has a huge loyal audience from around Africa. Today, we walk you through the encouraging success story of OMG Digital founders\u2014Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Ghanaian Entrepreneur Combats Counterfeit Goods With His Innovative Startup<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

What is OMG Digital?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Digital is an online media company founded in 2016 by Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah. Based in Ghana, the digital company publishes lifestyle and entertainment content targeted at Africa\u2019s millennial population. Currently, it has two digital brands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first one is OMGVoice<\/span><\/a> that is active in three African countries: Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. The second is Servepot<\/span><\/a>, a culinary brand that publishes content on African recipes and food culture. The mission of the media platform is to develop influential and powerful African digital medial platforms and brands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Nigerian Pearlena Igbokwe Hits An Epic Milestone For African Women in Media<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

OMG Digital makes money through digital marketing. Currently, banner ads make up 80% of its ad sales. Its rapid growth has drawn the attention of large advertisers. So far, the media company has partnered with various companies including Coca-Cola, Pringles, Philips, KFC, and Huawei on sponsored content and marketing campaigns. About 6o percent of the company\u2019s audience are millennials aged between 18 to 24 years. The company targets Africa\u2019s 250 million millennials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did Y-Combinator Program influence<\/strong> OMG Digital Founders<\/strong>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Jesse
Jesse Ghansah at Y Combinator [Photo credit: Paystack]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah are graduates of the Y Combinator\u2019s startup accelerator program<\/a>. This program offers startup lessons to help entrepreneurs get started with their businesses and achieve success. For the founders of OMG Digital, their main takeaways were to always make effort to talk to customers. Also, it is important to obtain feedback and adjust accordingly. Ghansah said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe main takeaways we've gotten from YC in general are to talk to your users and paying attention to your core metrics + feedback and adjusting accordingly. That\u2019s how you build a product and company people love. YC also pushed us to move very quickly and take bolder steps in conquering our markets.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: 10 of the Best Startup Accelerators for African Entrepreneurs<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

How has OMG Digital transformed Digital Publishing in Africa?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When the company started as OMG Ghana (which later became OMG Digital) in 2012, traditional media companies dominated the digital media space. These companies were just trying to reinvent the print experience online. So, the content they produced was largely politics and hard news.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, OMG Digital founders recognized the yearning among millennials for entertainment and social content. By creating this type of content, the digital media company has inspired several other millennial-focused media companies on the African market. Now, almost every medial company is striving to create and distribute social content on social medial platforms. OMG Digital has inspired some Western digital media companies to test out the Sub-Saharan Africa market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: How Jason Njoku Overcame Multiple Failures To Build IrokoTV, The Netflix Of Africa<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Motivation to start OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"OMG
OMG Co-Founders - Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah [Photo credit: Techpoint.africa]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah established OMG Ghana in 2012 while in college. Back then, smartphones were becoming popular in Africa. So, after acquiring smartphones, they could not find interesting content to read. Ghansah recalls,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really frustrating for us because we would go online and all the content was just boring news and politics and stuff. Most of the people online back then were youth like us. BuzzFeed and Mashable were doing things for millennials, but we couldn\u2019t really relate to their content, so we created something for ourselves.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consequently, they thought about creating lightweight content for young people like themselves. Since smartphones were penetrating quickly and Facebook was also becoming very popular, the three resolved it was time to launch their company. Thus, they found OMG Ghana. Surprisingly, they did not perceive this company to have great potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: Saran Kaba Jones\u2019s FACE Africa Is Bringing Clean Water To Liberians<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

So, alongside OMG Ghana, they decided to establish a microlending platform. But the lending company soon experienced funding challenges. At the same time, OMG Ghana was growing and getting more readers. When it started to earn them some money, they registered it as a media company and resolved to focus on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Challenges of Running OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Right from the start, access to funding was a huge challenge. In the beginning, the co-founders didn\u2019t realize the growth they had anticipated. This is because they didn\u2019t have enough money to do all that they had planned. So, they would reinvest the profit back into the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the co-founders continued to seek funding nationally and internationally. Their efforts bore fruit in 2017 when they fundraised $1.1M from several international investors including Comcast Ventures, M&Y Growth Partners<\/span>, and Kima Ventures<\/span>. These funds helped to expand the company and scale operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Want To Build Wealth? Here Are 20 Youtube Channels We Think You Should Subscribe To<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Another challenge was the diversity of the continent. So, producing content that was relevant to different communities was a challenge at the onset. However, this challenge was resolved with time as the company hired staff from different regions in the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global Success<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since its inception, the OMG Global website has a total monthly view of more than 90 million. Today, the media company boasts of 4.5 million readers each month. The company is now present in three countries in Africa\u2014Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. So far, OMG Global has published over 20,000 contents. Also, it has over twenty content curators from Africa. With this team, it is easy to create relevant original content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expansion plans<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The digital media company aims to market its content to English speakers in Africa before extending to French-speaking countries. This is because English speakers form the largest population of internet users. So, OMG Global plans to extend its reach to more English-speaking countries in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Did You Know You Can Start These Businesses In Africa With Just $1,000 or Less?<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, the company plans to launch its brands in South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. With this market, it aims to reach 70% of the total millennial market in Africa. The next step will be to roll out its services continent-wide. The media platform wants to produce more video content in the future. Also, it has plans to create travel and technology content as it grows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 Business Lessons from<\/strong> OMG Global Co-founders<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Act on Feedback<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah emphasizes that customer feedback is very important. By analyzing your feedback, you can know what is lacking in your offerings. Thus, acting on customer feedback can help you adjust your products and make them relevant to your clients. Remember, the ultimate goal is always to enhance customer satisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Look for gaps in the market<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Business is all about delivering value to your customers. Before you venture into your field of interest, conduct some research to identify the gaps in the market. Mensah says that is exactly what they did before establishing OMG Global. Research helps you to identify people's needs that are not currently available. Once you establish a need, set up your business and fulfill that need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Be accessible<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Customers become loyal to businesses that are accessible when issues arise. Sometimes, your clients will want to seek assistance, clarification, or even to speak out about their concerns and problems. So, make sure to put in place channels through which your clients can reach you. That way, you will be accessible when they need to talk to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: \ud83d\ude325 Business Lessons From Cosmas Maduka, The Man That Turned $1 To $500 Million<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Pay attention to numbers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In business, numbers mean everything. You need to have more clients to make more sales and money. So, depending on your business, invest in having as many clients as possible. Develop a clear roadmap on how you will get to your target audience. Once you reach them, aim to convert them into clients or buying customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Any business needs patience<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No business grows overnight. It takes time to get investors and clients as well. In the beginning, investors may not believe that your idea will work. Some will only be convinced to fund your business once you get some loyal clients. Similarly, some clients will not trust your services just because your business is new. In all these instances, you will need to have a lot of patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global is making a significant impact in serving the huge demand for digital content in Africa. Nonetheless, there are still many opportunities in digital publishing and other fields that young entrepreneurs can exploit. We hope that the success story of Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah serves as an encouragement that will spur you to success.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Entrepreneur Spotlight: Three College Students Think Out Of The Box To Create OMG Digital","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"three-college-student-think-out-of-the-box-to-create-omg-digital","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=298246","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401604,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-10-03 10:44:45","post_date_gmt":"2022-10-03 17:44:45","post_content":"\n

\"Quindaro
Quindaro Township Site (Photo credit: KCUR)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first step toward amending wounds is the acceptance of wrongdoing. For many years, there has been a growing call for European countries to offer apologies for their role in the transatlantic slave trade. However, European countries are not the only guilty party. African chiefs facilitated the slave trade in one way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time since the end of the slave trade, African leaders have offered apologies for the wrongdoings of their ancestors. On Wednesday 28 September 2022, African delegates converged at the Quindaro Township Site in Kansas City, Kansas for a ceremony. Also present was Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Anita
Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0<\/em>UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the ceremony, the African delegates read out letters of apology from their tribal leaders and chiefs for the role of their ancestors in the slave trade of fellow Africans. Reacting to the apology letters, Dixon who noted that inviting the African delegates to the Quindaro site was crucial said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the healing that I have yearned for as a Black woman in America. This apology is for African people, Black people scattered all over the globe and not just to people of color.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembrance Of Slave Trade: Is Modern Slavery Worse Than The Pre-colonial Era?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also present at the ceremony was Wyandotte County Commissioner, Gayle Townsend, members of the Wyandotte Tribe, and state and local leaders from Missouri and Kansas. The apology letters zoomed in on the dark past of the African continent and the role local chiefs played in facilitating the slave trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

This is a historic moment for Morocco's women's team, marking their first appearance in a Women's World Cup. The Moroccan Lionesses have made significant progress in recent years and will be eager to make a mark in the tournament. While their journey may be challenging, Morocco can use this opportunity to gain experience and build a foundation for future success. Morocco is in the same group as Germany, Colombia, and South Korea. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"the<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Zambia - The Copper Queens<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Copper Queens of Zambia showcased their talent by qualifying for their maiden Women's World Cup. With an attacking mindset and flair, Zambia's youthful exuberance could surprise some of their opponents. To win the tournament, they must strengthen their defensive strategies and maintain composure during crucial moments. The copper queens of Zambia will be battling in group stage with Japan, Costa Rica, and Spain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Transfer Trails: The Goodbye of Algerian Riyad Mahrez from Manchester<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"the
The Copper Queens of Zambia - (Photo credit Twitter Zambia Daily Nation<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

South Africa - Banyana Banyana<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Banyana Banyana returns to the World Cup, looking to build upon their previous successes. South Africa has a balanced squad, with experienced players complementing young talents. They have shown their mettle in previous international competitions, and with their disciplined approach, they can trouble even the strongest teams. To win the tournament, South Africa needs to maximize their goal-scoring opportunities and maintain strong defensive discipline. Banyana Banyana will be striving to defeat Argentina, Sweden, and Italy on group stages to progress to the knockout stage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"the<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As the 2023 Women's World Cup unfolds, African teams will strive to make their continent proud with their performances on the grand stage. Nigeria, Morocco, Zambia, and South Africa each bring unique qualities and ambitions to the tournament. While Nigeria and South Africa, with their previous experience, may have a higher likelihood of advancing deeper in the competition, Morocco and Zambia's debut appearances present exciting opportunities for growth and development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The world will witness exceptional talent, determination, and passion from these African teams as they compete against the best in the world. Regardless of the results, their participation in the tournament will undoubtedly inspire countless young girls across the continent to pursue their footballing dreams and leave a lasting impact on the future of women's football in Africa.<\/p>\n","post_title":"African Teams in the 2023 Women's World Cup: A Quest for Glory","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-2023-womens-world-cup-unfolds","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 11:45:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 11:45:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=348440","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401016,"post_author":"10056","post_date":"2023-04-01 08:31:00","post_date_gmt":"2023-04-01 15:31:00","post_content":"\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"OMG
OMG Digital Founders [Photo credit: Appsafrica]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

OMG Digital is a brainchild of three college students from Ghana. Dubbed the \u201cBuzzFeed of Africa,\" the media platform aims to become a leading entertainer for African millennials worldwide. The interesting thing about this digital company is that, in the beginning, its founders didn\u2019t consider it as their main project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, they also launched a microlending platform and focused on it. However, it didn\u2019t survive because of funding challenges. At that point, the three had no other option but to revert to their media platform. Currently, OMG Digital has a huge loyal audience from around Africa. Today, we walk you through the encouraging success story of OMG Digital founders\u2014Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Ghanaian Entrepreneur Combats Counterfeit Goods With His Innovative Startup<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

What is OMG Digital?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Digital is an online media company founded in 2016 by Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah. Based in Ghana, the digital company publishes lifestyle and entertainment content targeted at Africa\u2019s millennial population. Currently, it has two digital brands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first one is OMGVoice<\/span><\/a> that is active in three African countries: Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. The second is Servepot<\/span><\/a>, a culinary brand that publishes content on African recipes and food culture. The mission of the media platform is to develop influential and powerful African digital medial platforms and brands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Nigerian Pearlena Igbokwe Hits An Epic Milestone For African Women in Media<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

OMG Digital makes money through digital marketing. Currently, banner ads make up 80% of its ad sales. Its rapid growth has drawn the attention of large advertisers. So far, the media company has partnered with various companies including Coca-Cola, Pringles, Philips, KFC, and Huawei on sponsored content and marketing campaigns. About 6o percent of the company\u2019s audience are millennials aged between 18 to 24 years. The company targets Africa\u2019s 250 million millennials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did Y-Combinator Program influence<\/strong> OMG Digital Founders<\/strong>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Jesse
Jesse Ghansah at Y Combinator [Photo credit: Paystack]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah are graduates of the Y Combinator\u2019s startup accelerator program<\/a>. This program offers startup lessons to help entrepreneurs get started with their businesses and achieve success. For the founders of OMG Digital, their main takeaways were to always make effort to talk to customers. Also, it is important to obtain feedback and adjust accordingly. Ghansah said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe main takeaways we've gotten from YC in general are to talk to your users and paying attention to your core metrics + feedback and adjusting accordingly. That\u2019s how you build a product and company people love. YC also pushed us to move very quickly and take bolder steps in conquering our markets.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: 10 of the Best Startup Accelerators for African Entrepreneurs<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

How has OMG Digital transformed Digital Publishing in Africa?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When the company started as OMG Ghana (which later became OMG Digital) in 2012, traditional media companies dominated the digital media space. These companies were just trying to reinvent the print experience online. So, the content they produced was largely politics and hard news.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, OMG Digital founders recognized the yearning among millennials for entertainment and social content. By creating this type of content, the digital media company has inspired several other millennial-focused media companies on the African market. Now, almost every medial company is striving to create and distribute social content on social medial platforms. OMG Digital has inspired some Western digital media companies to test out the Sub-Saharan Africa market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: How Jason Njoku Overcame Multiple Failures To Build IrokoTV, The Netflix Of Africa<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Motivation to start OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"OMG
OMG Co-Founders - Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah [Photo credit: Techpoint.africa]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah established OMG Ghana in 2012 while in college. Back then, smartphones were becoming popular in Africa. So, after acquiring smartphones, they could not find interesting content to read. Ghansah recalls,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really frustrating for us because we would go online and all the content was just boring news and politics and stuff. Most of the people online back then were youth like us. BuzzFeed and Mashable were doing things for millennials, but we couldn\u2019t really relate to their content, so we created something for ourselves.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consequently, they thought about creating lightweight content for young people like themselves. Since smartphones were penetrating quickly and Facebook was also becoming very popular, the three resolved it was time to launch their company. Thus, they found OMG Ghana. Surprisingly, they did not perceive this company to have great potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: Saran Kaba Jones\u2019s FACE Africa Is Bringing Clean Water To Liberians<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

So, alongside OMG Ghana, they decided to establish a microlending platform. But the lending company soon experienced funding challenges. At the same time, OMG Ghana was growing and getting more readers. When it started to earn them some money, they registered it as a media company and resolved to focus on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Challenges of Running OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Right from the start, access to funding was a huge challenge. In the beginning, the co-founders didn\u2019t realize the growth they had anticipated. This is because they didn\u2019t have enough money to do all that they had planned. So, they would reinvest the profit back into the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the co-founders continued to seek funding nationally and internationally. Their efforts bore fruit in 2017 when they fundraised $1.1M from several international investors including Comcast Ventures, M&Y Growth Partners<\/span>, and Kima Ventures<\/span>. These funds helped to expand the company and scale operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Want To Build Wealth? Here Are 20 Youtube Channels We Think You Should Subscribe To<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Another challenge was the diversity of the continent. So, producing content that was relevant to different communities was a challenge at the onset. However, this challenge was resolved with time as the company hired staff from different regions in the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global Success<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since its inception, the OMG Global website has a total monthly view of more than 90 million. Today, the media company boasts of 4.5 million readers each month. The company is now present in three countries in Africa\u2014Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. So far, OMG Global has published over 20,000 contents. Also, it has over twenty content curators from Africa. With this team, it is easy to create relevant original content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expansion plans<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The digital media company aims to market its content to English speakers in Africa before extending to French-speaking countries. This is because English speakers form the largest population of internet users. So, OMG Global plans to extend its reach to more English-speaking countries in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Did You Know You Can Start These Businesses In Africa With Just $1,000 or Less?<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, the company plans to launch its brands in South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. With this market, it aims to reach 70% of the total millennial market in Africa. The next step will be to roll out its services continent-wide. The media platform wants to produce more video content in the future. Also, it has plans to create travel and technology content as it grows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 Business Lessons from<\/strong> OMG Global Co-founders<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Act on Feedback<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah emphasizes that customer feedback is very important. By analyzing your feedback, you can know what is lacking in your offerings. Thus, acting on customer feedback can help you adjust your products and make them relevant to your clients. Remember, the ultimate goal is always to enhance customer satisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Look for gaps in the market<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Business is all about delivering value to your customers. Before you venture into your field of interest, conduct some research to identify the gaps in the market. Mensah says that is exactly what they did before establishing OMG Global. Research helps you to identify people's needs that are not currently available. Once you establish a need, set up your business and fulfill that need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Be accessible<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Customers become loyal to businesses that are accessible when issues arise. Sometimes, your clients will want to seek assistance, clarification, or even to speak out about their concerns and problems. So, make sure to put in place channels through which your clients can reach you. That way, you will be accessible when they need to talk to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: \ud83d\ude325 Business Lessons From Cosmas Maduka, The Man That Turned $1 To $500 Million<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Pay attention to numbers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In business, numbers mean everything. You need to have more clients to make more sales and money. So, depending on your business, invest in having as many clients as possible. Develop a clear roadmap on how you will get to your target audience. Once you reach them, aim to convert them into clients or buying customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Any business needs patience<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No business grows overnight. It takes time to get investors and clients as well. In the beginning, investors may not believe that your idea will work. Some will only be convinced to fund your business once you get some loyal clients. Similarly, some clients will not trust your services just because your business is new. In all these instances, you will need to have a lot of patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global is making a significant impact in serving the huge demand for digital content in Africa. Nonetheless, there are still many opportunities in digital publishing and other fields that young entrepreneurs can exploit. We hope that the success story of Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah serves as an encouragement that will spur you to success.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Entrepreneur Spotlight: Three College Students Think Out Of The Box To Create OMG Digital","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"three-college-student-think-out-of-the-box-to-create-omg-digital","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=298246","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401604,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-10-03 10:44:45","post_date_gmt":"2022-10-03 17:44:45","post_content":"\n

\"Quindaro
Quindaro Township Site (Photo credit: KCUR)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first step toward amending wounds is the acceptance of wrongdoing. For many years, there has been a growing call for European countries to offer apologies for their role in the transatlantic slave trade. However, European countries are not the only guilty party. African chiefs facilitated the slave trade in one way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time since the end of the slave trade, African leaders have offered apologies for the wrongdoings of their ancestors. On Wednesday 28 September 2022, African delegates converged at the Quindaro Township Site in Kansas City, Kansas for a ceremony. Also present was Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Anita
Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0<\/em>UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the ceremony, the African delegates read out letters of apology from their tribal leaders and chiefs for the role of their ancestors in the slave trade of fellow Africans. Reacting to the apology letters, Dixon who noted that inviting the African delegates to the Quindaro site was crucial said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the healing that I have yearned for as a Black woman in America. This apology is for African people, Black people scattered all over the globe and not just to people of color.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembrance Of Slave Trade: Is Modern Slavery Worse Than The Pre-colonial Era?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also present at the ceremony was Wyandotte County Commissioner, Gayle Townsend, members of the Wyandotte Tribe, and state and local leaders from Missouri and Kansas. The apology letters zoomed in on the dark past of the African continent and the role local chiefs played in facilitating the slave trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Morocco - Atlas Lionesses<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is a historic moment for Morocco's women's team, marking their first appearance in a Women's World Cup. The Moroccan Lionesses have made significant progress in recent years and will be eager to make a mark in the tournament. While their journey may be challenging, Morocco can use this opportunity to gain experience and build a foundation for future success. Morocco is in the same group as Germany, Colombia, and South Korea. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"the<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Zambia - The Copper Queens<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Copper Queens of Zambia showcased their talent by qualifying for their maiden Women's World Cup. With an attacking mindset and flair, Zambia's youthful exuberance could surprise some of their opponents. To win the tournament, they must strengthen their defensive strategies and maintain composure during crucial moments. The copper queens of Zambia will be battling in group stage with Japan, Costa Rica, and Spain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Transfer Trails: The Goodbye of Algerian Riyad Mahrez from Manchester<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"the
The Copper Queens of Zambia - (Photo credit Twitter Zambia Daily Nation<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

South Africa - Banyana Banyana<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Banyana Banyana returns to the World Cup, looking to build upon their previous successes. South Africa has a balanced squad, with experienced players complementing young talents. They have shown their mettle in previous international competitions, and with their disciplined approach, they can trouble even the strongest teams. To win the tournament, South Africa needs to maximize their goal-scoring opportunities and maintain strong defensive discipline. Banyana Banyana will be striving to defeat Argentina, Sweden, and Italy on group stages to progress to the knockout stage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"the<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As the 2023 Women's World Cup unfolds, African teams will strive to make their continent proud with their performances on the grand stage. Nigeria, Morocco, Zambia, and South Africa each bring unique qualities and ambitions to the tournament. While Nigeria and South Africa, with their previous experience, may have a higher likelihood of advancing deeper in the competition, Morocco and Zambia's debut appearances present exciting opportunities for growth and development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The world will witness exceptional talent, determination, and passion from these African teams as they compete against the best in the world. Regardless of the results, their participation in the tournament will undoubtedly inspire countless young girls across the continent to pursue their footballing dreams and leave a lasting impact on the future of women's football in Africa.<\/p>\n","post_title":"African Teams in the 2023 Women's World Cup: A Quest for Glory","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-2023-womens-world-cup-unfolds","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 11:45:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 11:45:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=348440","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401016,"post_author":"10056","post_date":"2023-04-01 08:31:00","post_date_gmt":"2023-04-01 15:31:00","post_content":"\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"OMG
OMG Digital Founders [Photo credit: Appsafrica]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

OMG Digital is a brainchild of three college students from Ghana. Dubbed the \u201cBuzzFeed of Africa,\" the media platform aims to become a leading entertainer for African millennials worldwide. The interesting thing about this digital company is that, in the beginning, its founders didn\u2019t consider it as their main project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, they also launched a microlending platform and focused on it. However, it didn\u2019t survive because of funding challenges. At that point, the three had no other option but to revert to their media platform. Currently, OMG Digital has a huge loyal audience from around Africa. Today, we walk you through the encouraging success story of OMG Digital founders\u2014Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Ghanaian Entrepreneur Combats Counterfeit Goods With His Innovative Startup<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

What is OMG Digital?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Digital is an online media company founded in 2016 by Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah. Based in Ghana, the digital company publishes lifestyle and entertainment content targeted at Africa\u2019s millennial population. Currently, it has two digital brands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first one is OMGVoice<\/span><\/a> that is active in three African countries: Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. The second is Servepot<\/span><\/a>, a culinary brand that publishes content on African recipes and food culture. The mission of the media platform is to develop influential and powerful African digital medial platforms and brands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Nigerian Pearlena Igbokwe Hits An Epic Milestone For African Women in Media<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

OMG Digital makes money through digital marketing. Currently, banner ads make up 80% of its ad sales. Its rapid growth has drawn the attention of large advertisers. So far, the media company has partnered with various companies including Coca-Cola, Pringles, Philips, KFC, and Huawei on sponsored content and marketing campaigns. About 6o percent of the company\u2019s audience are millennials aged between 18 to 24 years. The company targets Africa\u2019s 250 million millennials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did Y-Combinator Program influence<\/strong> OMG Digital Founders<\/strong>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Jesse
Jesse Ghansah at Y Combinator [Photo credit: Paystack]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah are graduates of the Y Combinator\u2019s startup accelerator program<\/a>. This program offers startup lessons to help entrepreneurs get started with their businesses and achieve success. For the founders of OMG Digital, their main takeaways were to always make effort to talk to customers. Also, it is important to obtain feedback and adjust accordingly. Ghansah said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe main takeaways we've gotten from YC in general are to talk to your users and paying attention to your core metrics + feedback and adjusting accordingly. That\u2019s how you build a product and company people love. YC also pushed us to move very quickly and take bolder steps in conquering our markets.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: 10 of the Best Startup Accelerators for African Entrepreneurs<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

How has OMG Digital transformed Digital Publishing in Africa?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When the company started as OMG Ghana (which later became OMG Digital) in 2012, traditional media companies dominated the digital media space. These companies were just trying to reinvent the print experience online. So, the content they produced was largely politics and hard news.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, OMG Digital founders recognized the yearning among millennials for entertainment and social content. By creating this type of content, the digital media company has inspired several other millennial-focused media companies on the African market. Now, almost every medial company is striving to create and distribute social content on social medial platforms. OMG Digital has inspired some Western digital media companies to test out the Sub-Saharan Africa market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: How Jason Njoku Overcame Multiple Failures To Build IrokoTV, The Netflix Of Africa<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Motivation to start OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"OMG
OMG Co-Founders - Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah [Photo credit: Techpoint.africa]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah established OMG Ghana in 2012 while in college. Back then, smartphones were becoming popular in Africa. So, after acquiring smartphones, they could not find interesting content to read. Ghansah recalls,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really frustrating for us because we would go online and all the content was just boring news and politics and stuff. Most of the people online back then were youth like us. BuzzFeed and Mashable were doing things for millennials, but we couldn\u2019t really relate to their content, so we created something for ourselves.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consequently, they thought about creating lightweight content for young people like themselves. Since smartphones were penetrating quickly and Facebook was also becoming very popular, the three resolved it was time to launch their company. Thus, they found OMG Ghana. Surprisingly, they did not perceive this company to have great potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: Saran Kaba Jones\u2019s FACE Africa Is Bringing Clean Water To Liberians<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

So, alongside OMG Ghana, they decided to establish a microlending platform. But the lending company soon experienced funding challenges. At the same time, OMG Ghana was growing and getting more readers. When it started to earn them some money, they registered it as a media company and resolved to focus on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Challenges of Running OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Right from the start, access to funding was a huge challenge. In the beginning, the co-founders didn\u2019t realize the growth they had anticipated. This is because they didn\u2019t have enough money to do all that they had planned. So, they would reinvest the profit back into the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the co-founders continued to seek funding nationally and internationally. Their efforts bore fruit in 2017 when they fundraised $1.1M from several international investors including Comcast Ventures, M&Y Growth Partners<\/span>, and Kima Ventures<\/span>. These funds helped to expand the company and scale operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Want To Build Wealth? Here Are 20 Youtube Channels We Think You Should Subscribe To<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Another challenge was the diversity of the continent. So, producing content that was relevant to different communities was a challenge at the onset. However, this challenge was resolved with time as the company hired staff from different regions in the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global Success<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since its inception, the OMG Global website has a total monthly view of more than 90 million. Today, the media company boasts of 4.5 million readers each month. The company is now present in three countries in Africa\u2014Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. So far, OMG Global has published over 20,000 contents. Also, it has over twenty content curators from Africa. With this team, it is easy to create relevant original content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expansion plans<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The digital media company aims to market its content to English speakers in Africa before extending to French-speaking countries. This is because English speakers form the largest population of internet users. So, OMG Global plans to extend its reach to more English-speaking countries in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Did You Know You Can Start These Businesses In Africa With Just $1,000 or Less?<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, the company plans to launch its brands in South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. With this market, it aims to reach 70% of the total millennial market in Africa. The next step will be to roll out its services continent-wide. The media platform wants to produce more video content in the future. Also, it has plans to create travel and technology content as it grows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 Business Lessons from<\/strong> OMG Global Co-founders<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Act on Feedback<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah emphasizes that customer feedback is very important. By analyzing your feedback, you can know what is lacking in your offerings. Thus, acting on customer feedback can help you adjust your products and make them relevant to your clients. Remember, the ultimate goal is always to enhance customer satisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Look for gaps in the market<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Business is all about delivering value to your customers. Before you venture into your field of interest, conduct some research to identify the gaps in the market. Mensah says that is exactly what they did before establishing OMG Global. Research helps you to identify people's needs that are not currently available. Once you establish a need, set up your business and fulfill that need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Be accessible<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Customers become loyal to businesses that are accessible when issues arise. Sometimes, your clients will want to seek assistance, clarification, or even to speak out about their concerns and problems. So, make sure to put in place channels through which your clients can reach you. That way, you will be accessible when they need to talk to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: \ud83d\ude325 Business Lessons From Cosmas Maduka, The Man That Turned $1 To $500 Million<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Pay attention to numbers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In business, numbers mean everything. You need to have more clients to make more sales and money. So, depending on your business, invest in having as many clients as possible. Develop a clear roadmap on how you will get to your target audience. Once you reach them, aim to convert them into clients or buying customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Any business needs patience<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No business grows overnight. It takes time to get investors and clients as well. In the beginning, investors may not believe that your idea will work. Some will only be convinced to fund your business once you get some loyal clients. Similarly, some clients will not trust your services just because your business is new. In all these instances, you will need to have a lot of patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global is making a significant impact in serving the huge demand for digital content in Africa. Nonetheless, there are still many opportunities in digital publishing and other fields that young entrepreneurs can exploit. We hope that the success story of Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah serves as an encouragement that will spur you to success.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Entrepreneur Spotlight: Three College Students Think Out Of The Box To Create OMG Digital","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"three-college-student-think-out-of-the-box-to-create-omg-digital","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=298246","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401604,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-10-03 10:44:45","post_date_gmt":"2022-10-03 17:44:45","post_content":"\n

\"Quindaro
Quindaro Township Site (Photo credit: KCUR)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first step toward amending wounds is the acceptance of wrongdoing. For many years, there has been a growing call for European countries to offer apologies for their role in the transatlantic slave trade. However, European countries are not the only guilty party. African chiefs facilitated the slave trade in one way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time since the end of the slave trade, African leaders have offered apologies for the wrongdoings of their ancestors. On Wednesday 28 September 2022, African delegates converged at the Quindaro Township Site in Kansas City, Kansas for a ceremony. Also present was Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Anita
Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0<\/em>UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the ceremony, the African delegates read out letters of apology from their tribal leaders and chiefs for the role of their ancestors in the slave trade of fellow Africans. Reacting to the apology letters, Dixon who noted that inviting the African delegates to the Quindaro site was crucial said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the healing that I have yearned for as a Black woman in America. This apology is for African people, Black people scattered all over the globe and not just to people of color.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembrance Of Slave Trade: Is Modern Slavery Worse Than The Pre-colonial Era?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also present at the ceremony was Wyandotte County Commissioner, Gayle Townsend, members of the Wyandotte Tribe, and state and local leaders from Missouri and Kansas. The apology letters zoomed in on the dark past of the African continent and the role local chiefs played in facilitating the slave trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n
\"the<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco - Atlas Lionesses<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is a historic moment for Morocco's women's team, marking their first appearance in a Women's World Cup. The Moroccan Lionesses have made significant progress in recent years and will be eager to make a mark in the tournament. While their journey may be challenging, Morocco can use this opportunity to gain experience and build a foundation for future success. Morocco is in the same group as Germany, Colombia, and South Korea. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"the<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Zambia - The Copper Queens<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Copper Queens of Zambia showcased their talent by qualifying for their maiden Women's World Cup. With an attacking mindset and flair, Zambia's youthful exuberance could surprise some of their opponents. To win the tournament, they must strengthen their defensive strategies and maintain composure during crucial moments. The copper queens of Zambia will be battling in group stage with Japan, Costa Rica, and Spain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Transfer Trails: The Goodbye of Algerian Riyad Mahrez from Manchester<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"the
The Copper Queens of Zambia - (Photo credit Twitter Zambia Daily Nation<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

South Africa - Banyana Banyana<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Banyana Banyana returns to the World Cup, looking to build upon their previous successes. South Africa has a balanced squad, with experienced players complementing young talents. They have shown their mettle in previous international competitions, and with their disciplined approach, they can trouble even the strongest teams. To win the tournament, South Africa needs to maximize their goal-scoring opportunities and maintain strong defensive discipline. Banyana Banyana will be striving to defeat Argentina, Sweden, and Italy on group stages to progress to the knockout stage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"the<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As the 2023 Women's World Cup unfolds, African teams will strive to make their continent proud with their performances on the grand stage. Nigeria, Morocco, Zambia, and South Africa each bring unique qualities and ambitions to the tournament. While Nigeria and South Africa, with their previous experience, may have a higher likelihood of advancing deeper in the competition, Morocco and Zambia's debut appearances present exciting opportunities for growth and development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The world will witness exceptional talent, determination, and passion from these African teams as they compete against the best in the world. Regardless of the results, their participation in the tournament will undoubtedly inspire countless young girls across the continent to pursue their footballing dreams and leave a lasting impact on the future of women's football in Africa.<\/p>\n","post_title":"African Teams in the 2023 Women's World Cup: A Quest for Glory","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-2023-womens-world-cup-unfolds","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 11:45:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 11:45:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=348440","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401016,"post_author":"10056","post_date":"2023-04-01 08:31:00","post_date_gmt":"2023-04-01 15:31:00","post_content":"\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"OMG
OMG Digital Founders [Photo credit: Appsafrica]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

OMG Digital is a brainchild of three college students from Ghana. Dubbed the \u201cBuzzFeed of Africa,\" the media platform aims to become a leading entertainer for African millennials worldwide. The interesting thing about this digital company is that, in the beginning, its founders didn\u2019t consider it as their main project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, they also launched a microlending platform and focused on it. However, it didn\u2019t survive because of funding challenges. At that point, the three had no other option but to revert to their media platform. Currently, OMG Digital has a huge loyal audience from around Africa. Today, we walk you through the encouraging success story of OMG Digital founders\u2014Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Ghanaian Entrepreneur Combats Counterfeit Goods With His Innovative Startup<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

What is OMG Digital?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Digital is an online media company founded in 2016 by Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah. Based in Ghana, the digital company publishes lifestyle and entertainment content targeted at Africa\u2019s millennial population. Currently, it has two digital brands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first one is OMGVoice<\/span><\/a> that is active in three African countries: Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. The second is Servepot<\/span><\/a>, a culinary brand that publishes content on African recipes and food culture. The mission of the media platform is to develop influential and powerful African digital medial platforms and brands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Nigerian Pearlena Igbokwe Hits An Epic Milestone For African Women in Media<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

OMG Digital makes money through digital marketing. Currently, banner ads make up 80% of its ad sales. Its rapid growth has drawn the attention of large advertisers. So far, the media company has partnered with various companies including Coca-Cola, Pringles, Philips, KFC, and Huawei on sponsored content and marketing campaigns. About 6o percent of the company\u2019s audience are millennials aged between 18 to 24 years. The company targets Africa\u2019s 250 million millennials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did Y-Combinator Program influence<\/strong> OMG Digital Founders<\/strong>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Jesse
Jesse Ghansah at Y Combinator [Photo credit: Paystack]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah are graduates of the Y Combinator\u2019s startup accelerator program<\/a>. This program offers startup lessons to help entrepreneurs get started with their businesses and achieve success. For the founders of OMG Digital, their main takeaways were to always make effort to talk to customers. Also, it is important to obtain feedback and adjust accordingly. Ghansah said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe main takeaways we've gotten from YC in general are to talk to your users and paying attention to your core metrics + feedback and adjusting accordingly. That\u2019s how you build a product and company people love. YC also pushed us to move very quickly and take bolder steps in conquering our markets.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: 10 of the Best Startup Accelerators for African Entrepreneurs<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

How has OMG Digital transformed Digital Publishing in Africa?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When the company started as OMG Ghana (which later became OMG Digital) in 2012, traditional media companies dominated the digital media space. These companies were just trying to reinvent the print experience online. So, the content they produced was largely politics and hard news.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, OMG Digital founders recognized the yearning among millennials for entertainment and social content. By creating this type of content, the digital media company has inspired several other millennial-focused media companies on the African market. Now, almost every medial company is striving to create and distribute social content on social medial platforms. OMG Digital has inspired some Western digital media companies to test out the Sub-Saharan Africa market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: How Jason Njoku Overcame Multiple Failures To Build IrokoTV, The Netflix Of Africa<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Motivation to start OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"OMG
OMG Co-Founders - Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah [Photo credit: Techpoint.africa]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah established OMG Ghana in 2012 while in college. Back then, smartphones were becoming popular in Africa. So, after acquiring smartphones, they could not find interesting content to read. Ghansah recalls,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really frustrating for us because we would go online and all the content was just boring news and politics and stuff. Most of the people online back then were youth like us. BuzzFeed and Mashable were doing things for millennials, but we couldn\u2019t really relate to their content, so we created something for ourselves.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consequently, they thought about creating lightweight content for young people like themselves. Since smartphones were penetrating quickly and Facebook was also becoming very popular, the three resolved it was time to launch their company. Thus, they found OMG Ghana. Surprisingly, they did not perceive this company to have great potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: Saran Kaba Jones\u2019s FACE Africa Is Bringing Clean Water To Liberians<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

So, alongside OMG Ghana, they decided to establish a microlending platform. But the lending company soon experienced funding challenges. At the same time, OMG Ghana was growing and getting more readers. When it started to earn them some money, they registered it as a media company and resolved to focus on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Challenges of Running OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Right from the start, access to funding was a huge challenge. In the beginning, the co-founders didn\u2019t realize the growth they had anticipated. This is because they didn\u2019t have enough money to do all that they had planned. So, they would reinvest the profit back into the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the co-founders continued to seek funding nationally and internationally. Their efforts bore fruit in 2017 when they fundraised $1.1M from several international investors including Comcast Ventures, M&Y Growth Partners<\/span>, and Kima Ventures<\/span>. These funds helped to expand the company and scale operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Want To Build Wealth? Here Are 20 Youtube Channels We Think You Should Subscribe To<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Another challenge was the diversity of the continent. So, producing content that was relevant to different communities was a challenge at the onset. However, this challenge was resolved with time as the company hired staff from different regions in the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global Success<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since its inception, the OMG Global website has a total monthly view of more than 90 million. Today, the media company boasts of 4.5 million readers each month. The company is now present in three countries in Africa\u2014Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. So far, OMG Global has published over 20,000 contents. Also, it has over twenty content curators from Africa. With this team, it is easy to create relevant original content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expansion plans<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The digital media company aims to market its content to English speakers in Africa before extending to French-speaking countries. This is because English speakers form the largest population of internet users. So, OMG Global plans to extend its reach to more English-speaking countries in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Did You Know You Can Start These Businesses In Africa With Just $1,000 or Less?<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, the company plans to launch its brands in South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. With this market, it aims to reach 70% of the total millennial market in Africa. The next step will be to roll out its services continent-wide. The media platform wants to produce more video content in the future. Also, it has plans to create travel and technology content as it grows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 Business Lessons from<\/strong> OMG Global Co-founders<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Act on Feedback<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah emphasizes that customer feedback is very important. By analyzing your feedback, you can know what is lacking in your offerings. Thus, acting on customer feedback can help you adjust your products and make them relevant to your clients. Remember, the ultimate goal is always to enhance customer satisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Look for gaps in the market<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Business is all about delivering value to your customers. Before you venture into your field of interest, conduct some research to identify the gaps in the market. Mensah says that is exactly what they did before establishing OMG Global. Research helps you to identify people's needs that are not currently available. Once you establish a need, set up your business and fulfill that need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Be accessible<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Customers become loyal to businesses that are accessible when issues arise. Sometimes, your clients will want to seek assistance, clarification, or even to speak out about their concerns and problems. So, make sure to put in place channels through which your clients can reach you. That way, you will be accessible when they need to talk to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: \ud83d\ude325 Business Lessons From Cosmas Maduka, The Man That Turned $1 To $500 Million<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Pay attention to numbers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In business, numbers mean everything. You need to have more clients to make more sales and money. So, depending on your business, invest in having as many clients as possible. Develop a clear roadmap on how you will get to your target audience. Once you reach them, aim to convert them into clients or buying customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Any business needs patience<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No business grows overnight. It takes time to get investors and clients as well. In the beginning, investors may not believe that your idea will work. Some will only be convinced to fund your business once you get some loyal clients. Similarly, some clients will not trust your services just because your business is new. In all these instances, you will need to have a lot of patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global is making a significant impact in serving the huge demand for digital content in Africa. Nonetheless, there are still many opportunities in digital publishing and other fields that young entrepreneurs can exploit. We hope that the success story of Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah serves as an encouragement that will spur you to success.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Entrepreneur Spotlight: Three College Students Think Out Of The Box To Create OMG Digital","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"three-college-student-think-out-of-the-box-to-create-omg-digital","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=298246","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401604,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-10-03 10:44:45","post_date_gmt":"2022-10-03 17:44:45","post_content":"\n

\"Quindaro
Quindaro Township Site (Photo credit: KCUR)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first step toward amending wounds is the acceptance of wrongdoing. For many years, there has been a growing call for European countries to offer apologies for their role in the transatlantic slave trade. However, European countries are not the only guilty party. African chiefs facilitated the slave trade in one way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time since the end of the slave trade, African leaders have offered apologies for the wrongdoings of their ancestors. On Wednesday 28 September 2022, African delegates converged at the Quindaro Township Site in Kansas City, Kansas for a ceremony. Also present was Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Anita
Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0<\/em>UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the ceremony, the African delegates read out letters of apology from their tribal leaders and chiefs for the role of their ancestors in the slave trade of fellow Africans. Reacting to the apology letters, Dixon who noted that inviting the African delegates to the Quindaro site was crucial said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the healing that I have yearned for as a Black woman in America. This apology is for African people, Black people scattered all over the globe and not just to people of color.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembrance Of Slave Trade: Is Modern Slavery Worse Than The Pre-colonial Era?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also present at the ceremony was Wyandotte County Commissioner, Gayle Townsend, members of the Wyandotte Tribe, and state and local leaders from Missouri and Kansas. The apology letters zoomed in on the dark past of the African continent and the role local chiefs played in facilitating the slave trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

The Super Falcons of Nigeria are one of the most successful women's national teams in Africa. They have a rich footballing history and a tradition of success in continental competitions. Nigeria's key to success lies in their physicality, pace, and technical ability. With experienced players and a strong domestic league, they have the potential to upset higher-ranked teams. To win the tournament, Nigeria must maintain consistency, tighten their defensive lines, and capitalize on their clinical finishing. Nigeria is placed in group B with the host Australia, Canada and the Republic of Ireland. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"the<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco - Atlas Lionesses<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is a historic moment for Morocco's women's team, marking their first appearance in a Women's World Cup. The Moroccan Lionesses have made significant progress in recent years and will be eager to make a mark in the tournament. While their journey may be challenging, Morocco can use this opportunity to gain experience and build a foundation for future success. Morocco is in the same group as Germany, Colombia, and South Korea. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"the<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Zambia - The Copper Queens<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Copper Queens of Zambia showcased their talent by qualifying for their maiden Women's World Cup. With an attacking mindset and flair, Zambia's youthful exuberance could surprise some of their opponents. To win the tournament, they must strengthen their defensive strategies and maintain composure during crucial moments. The copper queens of Zambia will be battling in group stage with Japan, Costa Rica, and Spain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Transfer Trails: The Goodbye of Algerian Riyad Mahrez from Manchester<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"the
The Copper Queens of Zambia - (Photo credit Twitter Zambia Daily Nation<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

South Africa - Banyana Banyana<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Banyana Banyana returns to the World Cup, looking to build upon their previous successes. South Africa has a balanced squad, with experienced players complementing young talents. They have shown their mettle in previous international competitions, and with their disciplined approach, they can trouble even the strongest teams. To win the tournament, South Africa needs to maximize their goal-scoring opportunities and maintain strong defensive discipline. Banyana Banyana will be striving to defeat Argentina, Sweden, and Italy on group stages to progress to the knockout stage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"the<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As the 2023 Women's World Cup unfolds, African teams will strive to make their continent proud with their performances on the grand stage. Nigeria, Morocco, Zambia, and South Africa each bring unique qualities and ambitions to the tournament. While Nigeria and South Africa, with their previous experience, may have a higher likelihood of advancing deeper in the competition, Morocco and Zambia's debut appearances present exciting opportunities for growth and development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The world will witness exceptional talent, determination, and passion from these African teams as they compete against the best in the world. Regardless of the results, their participation in the tournament will undoubtedly inspire countless young girls across the continent to pursue their footballing dreams and leave a lasting impact on the future of women's football in Africa.<\/p>\n","post_title":"African Teams in the 2023 Women's World Cup: A Quest for Glory","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-2023-womens-world-cup-unfolds","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 11:45:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 11:45:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=348440","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401016,"post_author":"10056","post_date":"2023-04-01 08:31:00","post_date_gmt":"2023-04-01 15:31:00","post_content":"\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"OMG
OMG Digital Founders [Photo credit: Appsafrica]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

OMG Digital is a brainchild of three college students from Ghana. Dubbed the \u201cBuzzFeed of Africa,\" the media platform aims to become a leading entertainer for African millennials worldwide. The interesting thing about this digital company is that, in the beginning, its founders didn\u2019t consider it as their main project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, they also launched a microlending platform and focused on it. However, it didn\u2019t survive because of funding challenges. At that point, the three had no other option but to revert to their media platform. Currently, OMG Digital has a huge loyal audience from around Africa. Today, we walk you through the encouraging success story of OMG Digital founders\u2014Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Ghanaian Entrepreneur Combats Counterfeit Goods With His Innovative Startup<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

What is OMG Digital?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Digital is an online media company founded in 2016 by Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah. Based in Ghana, the digital company publishes lifestyle and entertainment content targeted at Africa\u2019s millennial population. Currently, it has two digital brands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first one is OMGVoice<\/span><\/a> that is active in three African countries: Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. The second is Servepot<\/span><\/a>, a culinary brand that publishes content on African recipes and food culture. The mission of the media platform is to develop influential and powerful African digital medial platforms and brands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Nigerian Pearlena Igbokwe Hits An Epic Milestone For African Women in Media<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

OMG Digital makes money through digital marketing. Currently, banner ads make up 80% of its ad sales. Its rapid growth has drawn the attention of large advertisers. So far, the media company has partnered with various companies including Coca-Cola, Pringles, Philips, KFC, and Huawei on sponsored content and marketing campaigns. About 6o percent of the company\u2019s audience are millennials aged between 18 to 24 years. The company targets Africa\u2019s 250 million millennials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did Y-Combinator Program influence<\/strong> OMG Digital Founders<\/strong>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Jesse
Jesse Ghansah at Y Combinator [Photo credit: Paystack]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah are graduates of the Y Combinator\u2019s startup accelerator program<\/a>. This program offers startup lessons to help entrepreneurs get started with their businesses and achieve success. For the founders of OMG Digital, their main takeaways were to always make effort to talk to customers. Also, it is important to obtain feedback and adjust accordingly. Ghansah said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe main takeaways we've gotten from YC in general are to talk to your users and paying attention to your core metrics + feedback and adjusting accordingly. That\u2019s how you build a product and company people love. YC also pushed us to move very quickly and take bolder steps in conquering our markets.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: 10 of the Best Startup Accelerators for African Entrepreneurs<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

How has OMG Digital transformed Digital Publishing in Africa?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When the company started as OMG Ghana (which later became OMG Digital) in 2012, traditional media companies dominated the digital media space. These companies were just trying to reinvent the print experience online. So, the content they produced was largely politics and hard news.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, OMG Digital founders recognized the yearning among millennials for entertainment and social content. By creating this type of content, the digital media company has inspired several other millennial-focused media companies on the African market. Now, almost every medial company is striving to create and distribute social content on social medial platforms. OMG Digital has inspired some Western digital media companies to test out the Sub-Saharan Africa market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: How Jason Njoku Overcame Multiple Failures To Build IrokoTV, The Netflix Of Africa<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Motivation to start OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"OMG
OMG Co-Founders - Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah [Photo credit: Techpoint.africa]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah established OMG Ghana in 2012 while in college. Back then, smartphones were becoming popular in Africa. So, after acquiring smartphones, they could not find interesting content to read. Ghansah recalls,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really frustrating for us because we would go online and all the content was just boring news and politics and stuff. Most of the people online back then were youth like us. BuzzFeed and Mashable were doing things for millennials, but we couldn\u2019t really relate to their content, so we created something for ourselves.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consequently, they thought about creating lightweight content for young people like themselves. Since smartphones were penetrating quickly and Facebook was also becoming very popular, the three resolved it was time to launch their company. Thus, they found OMG Ghana. Surprisingly, they did not perceive this company to have great potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: Saran Kaba Jones\u2019s FACE Africa Is Bringing Clean Water To Liberians<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

So, alongside OMG Ghana, they decided to establish a microlending platform. But the lending company soon experienced funding challenges. At the same time, OMG Ghana was growing and getting more readers. When it started to earn them some money, they registered it as a media company and resolved to focus on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Challenges of Running OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Right from the start, access to funding was a huge challenge. In the beginning, the co-founders didn\u2019t realize the growth they had anticipated. This is because they didn\u2019t have enough money to do all that they had planned. So, they would reinvest the profit back into the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the co-founders continued to seek funding nationally and internationally. Their efforts bore fruit in 2017 when they fundraised $1.1M from several international investors including Comcast Ventures, M&Y Growth Partners<\/span>, and Kima Ventures<\/span>. These funds helped to expand the company and scale operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Want To Build Wealth? Here Are 20 Youtube Channels We Think You Should Subscribe To<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Another challenge was the diversity of the continent. So, producing content that was relevant to different communities was a challenge at the onset. However, this challenge was resolved with time as the company hired staff from different regions in the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global Success<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since its inception, the OMG Global website has a total monthly view of more than 90 million. Today, the media company boasts of 4.5 million readers each month. The company is now present in three countries in Africa\u2014Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. So far, OMG Global has published over 20,000 contents. Also, it has over twenty content curators from Africa. With this team, it is easy to create relevant original content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expansion plans<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The digital media company aims to market its content to English speakers in Africa before extending to French-speaking countries. This is because English speakers form the largest population of internet users. So, OMG Global plans to extend its reach to more English-speaking countries in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Did You Know You Can Start These Businesses In Africa With Just $1,000 or Less?<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, the company plans to launch its brands in South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. With this market, it aims to reach 70% of the total millennial market in Africa. The next step will be to roll out its services continent-wide. The media platform wants to produce more video content in the future. Also, it has plans to create travel and technology content as it grows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 Business Lessons from<\/strong> OMG Global Co-founders<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Act on Feedback<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah emphasizes that customer feedback is very important. By analyzing your feedback, you can know what is lacking in your offerings. Thus, acting on customer feedback can help you adjust your products and make them relevant to your clients. Remember, the ultimate goal is always to enhance customer satisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Look for gaps in the market<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Business is all about delivering value to your customers. Before you venture into your field of interest, conduct some research to identify the gaps in the market. Mensah says that is exactly what they did before establishing OMG Global. Research helps you to identify people's needs that are not currently available. Once you establish a need, set up your business and fulfill that need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Be accessible<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Customers become loyal to businesses that are accessible when issues arise. Sometimes, your clients will want to seek assistance, clarification, or even to speak out about their concerns and problems. So, make sure to put in place channels through which your clients can reach you. That way, you will be accessible when they need to talk to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: \ud83d\ude325 Business Lessons From Cosmas Maduka, The Man That Turned $1 To $500 Million<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Pay attention to numbers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In business, numbers mean everything. You need to have more clients to make more sales and money. So, depending on your business, invest in having as many clients as possible. Develop a clear roadmap on how you will get to your target audience. Once you reach them, aim to convert them into clients or buying customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Any business needs patience<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No business grows overnight. It takes time to get investors and clients as well. In the beginning, investors may not believe that your idea will work. Some will only be convinced to fund your business once you get some loyal clients. Similarly, some clients will not trust your services just because your business is new. In all these instances, you will need to have a lot of patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global is making a significant impact in serving the huge demand for digital content in Africa. Nonetheless, there are still many opportunities in digital publishing and other fields that young entrepreneurs can exploit. We hope that the success story of Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah serves as an encouragement that will spur you to success.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Entrepreneur Spotlight: Three College Students Think Out Of The Box To Create OMG Digital","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"three-college-student-think-out-of-the-box-to-create-omg-digital","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=298246","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401604,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-10-03 10:44:45","post_date_gmt":"2022-10-03 17:44:45","post_content":"\n

\"Quindaro
Quindaro Township Site (Photo credit: KCUR)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first step toward amending wounds is the acceptance of wrongdoing. For many years, there has been a growing call for European countries to offer apologies for their role in the transatlantic slave trade. However, European countries are not the only guilty party. African chiefs facilitated the slave trade in one way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time since the end of the slave trade, African leaders have offered apologies for the wrongdoings of their ancestors. On Wednesday 28 September 2022, African delegates converged at the Quindaro Township Site in Kansas City, Kansas for a ceremony. Also present was Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Anita
Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0<\/em>UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the ceremony, the African delegates read out letters of apology from their tribal leaders and chiefs for the role of their ancestors in the slave trade of fellow Africans. Reacting to the apology letters, Dixon who noted that inviting the African delegates to the Quindaro site was crucial said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the healing that I have yearned for as a Black woman in America. This apology is for African people, Black people scattered all over the globe and not just to people of color.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembrance Of Slave Trade: Is Modern Slavery Worse Than The Pre-colonial Era?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also present at the ceremony was Wyandotte County Commissioner, Gayle Townsend, members of the Wyandotte Tribe, and state and local leaders from Missouri and Kansas. The apology letters zoomed in on the dark past of the African continent and the role local chiefs played in facilitating the slave trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

ALSO READ: AFCON 2023: Who\u2019s In and Who\u2019s Out? The Latest Lineup Revealed!<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Super Falcons of Nigeria are one of the most successful women's national teams in Africa. They have a rich footballing history and a tradition of success in continental competitions. Nigeria's key to success lies in their physicality, pace, and technical ability. With experienced players and a strong domestic league, they have the potential to upset higher-ranked teams. To win the tournament, Nigeria must maintain consistency, tighten their defensive lines, and capitalize on their clinical finishing. Nigeria is placed in group B with the host Australia, Canada and the Republic of Ireland. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"the<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco - Atlas Lionesses<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is a historic moment for Morocco's women's team, marking their first appearance in a Women's World Cup. The Moroccan Lionesses have made significant progress in recent years and will be eager to make a mark in the tournament. While their journey may be challenging, Morocco can use this opportunity to gain experience and build a foundation for future success. Morocco is in the same group as Germany, Colombia, and South Korea. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"the<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Zambia - The Copper Queens<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Copper Queens of Zambia showcased their talent by qualifying for their maiden Women's World Cup. With an attacking mindset and flair, Zambia's youthful exuberance could surprise some of their opponents. To win the tournament, they must strengthen their defensive strategies and maintain composure during crucial moments. The copper queens of Zambia will be battling in group stage with Japan, Costa Rica, and Spain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Transfer Trails: The Goodbye of Algerian Riyad Mahrez from Manchester<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"the
The Copper Queens of Zambia - (Photo credit Twitter Zambia Daily Nation<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

South Africa - Banyana Banyana<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Banyana Banyana returns to the World Cup, looking to build upon their previous successes. South Africa has a balanced squad, with experienced players complementing young talents. They have shown their mettle in previous international competitions, and with their disciplined approach, they can trouble even the strongest teams. To win the tournament, South Africa needs to maximize their goal-scoring opportunities and maintain strong defensive discipline. Banyana Banyana will be striving to defeat Argentina, Sweden, and Italy on group stages to progress to the knockout stage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"the<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As the 2023 Women's World Cup unfolds, African teams will strive to make their continent proud with their performances on the grand stage. Nigeria, Morocco, Zambia, and South Africa each bring unique qualities and ambitions to the tournament. While Nigeria and South Africa, with their previous experience, may have a higher likelihood of advancing deeper in the competition, Morocco and Zambia's debut appearances present exciting opportunities for growth and development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The world will witness exceptional talent, determination, and passion from these African teams as they compete against the best in the world. Regardless of the results, their participation in the tournament will undoubtedly inspire countless young girls across the continent to pursue their footballing dreams and leave a lasting impact on the future of women's football in Africa.<\/p>\n","post_title":"African Teams in the 2023 Women's World Cup: A Quest for Glory","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-2023-womens-world-cup-unfolds","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 11:45:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 11:45:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=348440","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401016,"post_author":"10056","post_date":"2023-04-01 08:31:00","post_date_gmt":"2023-04-01 15:31:00","post_content":"\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"OMG
OMG Digital Founders [Photo credit: Appsafrica]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

OMG Digital is a brainchild of three college students from Ghana. Dubbed the \u201cBuzzFeed of Africa,\" the media platform aims to become a leading entertainer for African millennials worldwide. The interesting thing about this digital company is that, in the beginning, its founders didn\u2019t consider it as their main project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, they also launched a microlending platform and focused on it. However, it didn\u2019t survive because of funding challenges. At that point, the three had no other option but to revert to their media platform. Currently, OMG Digital has a huge loyal audience from around Africa. Today, we walk you through the encouraging success story of OMG Digital founders\u2014Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Ghanaian Entrepreneur Combats Counterfeit Goods With His Innovative Startup<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

What is OMG Digital?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Digital is an online media company founded in 2016 by Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah. Based in Ghana, the digital company publishes lifestyle and entertainment content targeted at Africa\u2019s millennial population. Currently, it has two digital brands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first one is OMGVoice<\/span><\/a> that is active in three African countries: Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. The second is Servepot<\/span><\/a>, a culinary brand that publishes content on African recipes and food culture. The mission of the media platform is to develop influential and powerful African digital medial platforms and brands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Nigerian Pearlena Igbokwe Hits An Epic Milestone For African Women in Media<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

OMG Digital makes money through digital marketing. Currently, banner ads make up 80% of its ad sales. Its rapid growth has drawn the attention of large advertisers. So far, the media company has partnered with various companies including Coca-Cola, Pringles, Philips, KFC, and Huawei on sponsored content and marketing campaigns. About 6o percent of the company\u2019s audience are millennials aged between 18 to 24 years. The company targets Africa\u2019s 250 million millennials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did Y-Combinator Program influence<\/strong> OMG Digital Founders<\/strong>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Jesse
Jesse Ghansah at Y Combinator [Photo credit: Paystack]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah are graduates of the Y Combinator\u2019s startup accelerator program<\/a>. This program offers startup lessons to help entrepreneurs get started with their businesses and achieve success. For the founders of OMG Digital, their main takeaways were to always make effort to talk to customers. Also, it is important to obtain feedback and adjust accordingly. Ghansah said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe main takeaways we've gotten from YC in general are to talk to your users and paying attention to your core metrics + feedback and adjusting accordingly. That\u2019s how you build a product and company people love. YC also pushed us to move very quickly and take bolder steps in conquering our markets.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: 10 of the Best Startup Accelerators for African Entrepreneurs<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

How has OMG Digital transformed Digital Publishing in Africa?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When the company started as OMG Ghana (which later became OMG Digital) in 2012, traditional media companies dominated the digital media space. These companies were just trying to reinvent the print experience online. So, the content they produced was largely politics and hard news.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, OMG Digital founders recognized the yearning among millennials for entertainment and social content. By creating this type of content, the digital media company has inspired several other millennial-focused media companies on the African market. Now, almost every medial company is striving to create and distribute social content on social medial platforms. OMG Digital has inspired some Western digital media companies to test out the Sub-Saharan Africa market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: How Jason Njoku Overcame Multiple Failures To Build IrokoTV, The Netflix Of Africa<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Motivation to start OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"OMG
OMG Co-Founders - Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah [Photo credit: Techpoint.africa]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah established OMG Ghana in 2012 while in college. Back then, smartphones were becoming popular in Africa. So, after acquiring smartphones, they could not find interesting content to read. Ghansah recalls,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really frustrating for us because we would go online and all the content was just boring news and politics and stuff. Most of the people online back then were youth like us. BuzzFeed and Mashable were doing things for millennials, but we couldn\u2019t really relate to their content, so we created something for ourselves.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consequently, they thought about creating lightweight content for young people like themselves. Since smartphones were penetrating quickly and Facebook was also becoming very popular, the three resolved it was time to launch their company. Thus, they found OMG Ghana. Surprisingly, they did not perceive this company to have great potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: Saran Kaba Jones\u2019s FACE Africa Is Bringing Clean Water To Liberians<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

So, alongside OMG Ghana, they decided to establish a microlending platform. But the lending company soon experienced funding challenges. At the same time, OMG Ghana was growing and getting more readers. When it started to earn them some money, they registered it as a media company and resolved to focus on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Challenges of Running OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Right from the start, access to funding was a huge challenge. In the beginning, the co-founders didn\u2019t realize the growth they had anticipated. This is because they didn\u2019t have enough money to do all that they had planned. So, they would reinvest the profit back into the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the co-founders continued to seek funding nationally and internationally. Their efforts bore fruit in 2017 when they fundraised $1.1M from several international investors including Comcast Ventures, M&Y Growth Partners<\/span>, and Kima Ventures<\/span>. These funds helped to expand the company and scale operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Want To Build Wealth? Here Are 20 Youtube Channels We Think You Should Subscribe To<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Another challenge was the diversity of the continent. So, producing content that was relevant to different communities was a challenge at the onset. However, this challenge was resolved with time as the company hired staff from different regions in the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global Success<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since its inception, the OMG Global website has a total monthly view of more than 90 million. Today, the media company boasts of 4.5 million readers each month. The company is now present in three countries in Africa\u2014Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. So far, OMG Global has published over 20,000 contents. Also, it has over twenty content curators from Africa. With this team, it is easy to create relevant original content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expansion plans<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The digital media company aims to market its content to English speakers in Africa before extending to French-speaking countries. This is because English speakers form the largest population of internet users. So, OMG Global plans to extend its reach to more English-speaking countries in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Did You Know You Can Start These Businesses In Africa With Just $1,000 or Less?<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, the company plans to launch its brands in South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. With this market, it aims to reach 70% of the total millennial market in Africa. The next step will be to roll out its services continent-wide. The media platform wants to produce more video content in the future. Also, it has plans to create travel and technology content as it grows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 Business Lessons from<\/strong> OMG Global Co-founders<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Act on Feedback<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah emphasizes that customer feedback is very important. By analyzing your feedback, you can know what is lacking in your offerings. Thus, acting on customer feedback can help you adjust your products and make them relevant to your clients. Remember, the ultimate goal is always to enhance customer satisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Look for gaps in the market<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Business is all about delivering value to your customers. Before you venture into your field of interest, conduct some research to identify the gaps in the market. Mensah says that is exactly what they did before establishing OMG Global. Research helps you to identify people's needs that are not currently available. Once you establish a need, set up your business and fulfill that need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Be accessible<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Customers become loyal to businesses that are accessible when issues arise. Sometimes, your clients will want to seek assistance, clarification, or even to speak out about their concerns and problems. So, make sure to put in place channels through which your clients can reach you. That way, you will be accessible when they need to talk to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: \ud83d\ude325 Business Lessons From Cosmas Maduka, The Man That Turned $1 To $500 Million<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Pay attention to numbers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In business, numbers mean everything. You need to have more clients to make more sales and money. So, depending on your business, invest in having as many clients as possible. Develop a clear roadmap on how you will get to your target audience. Once you reach them, aim to convert them into clients or buying customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Any business needs patience<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No business grows overnight. It takes time to get investors and clients as well. In the beginning, investors may not believe that your idea will work. Some will only be convinced to fund your business once you get some loyal clients. Similarly, some clients will not trust your services just because your business is new. In all these instances, you will need to have a lot of patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global is making a significant impact in serving the huge demand for digital content in Africa. Nonetheless, there are still many opportunities in digital publishing and other fields that young entrepreneurs can exploit. We hope that the success story of Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah serves as an encouragement that will spur you to success.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Entrepreneur Spotlight: Three College Students Think Out Of The Box To Create OMG Digital","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"three-college-student-think-out-of-the-box-to-create-omg-digital","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=298246","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401604,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-10-03 10:44:45","post_date_gmt":"2022-10-03 17:44:45","post_content":"\n

\"Quindaro
Quindaro Township Site (Photo credit: KCUR)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first step toward amending wounds is the acceptance of wrongdoing. For many years, there has been a growing call for European countries to offer apologies for their role in the transatlantic slave trade. However, European countries are not the only guilty party. African chiefs facilitated the slave trade in one way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time since the end of the slave trade, African leaders have offered apologies for the wrongdoings of their ancestors. On Wednesday 28 September 2022, African delegates converged at the Quindaro Township Site in Kansas City, Kansas for a ceremony. Also present was Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Anita
Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0<\/em>UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the ceremony, the African delegates read out letters of apology from their tribal leaders and chiefs for the role of their ancestors in the slave trade of fellow Africans. Reacting to the apology letters, Dixon who noted that inviting the African delegates to the Quindaro site was crucial said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the healing that I have yearned for as a Black woman in America. This apology is for African people, Black people scattered all over the globe and not just to people of color.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembrance Of Slave Trade: Is Modern Slavery Worse Than The Pre-colonial Era?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also present at the ceremony was Wyandotte County Commissioner, Gayle Townsend, members of the Wyandotte Tribe, and state and local leaders from Missouri and Kansas. The apology letters zoomed in on the dark past of the African continent and the role local chiefs played in facilitating the slave trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

The Super Falcons- Nigeria<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: AFCON 2023: Who\u2019s In and Who\u2019s Out? The Latest Lineup Revealed!<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Super Falcons of Nigeria are one of the most successful women's national teams in Africa. They have a rich footballing history and a tradition of success in continental competitions. Nigeria's key to success lies in their physicality, pace, and technical ability. With experienced players and a strong domestic league, they have the potential to upset higher-ranked teams. To win the tournament, Nigeria must maintain consistency, tighten their defensive lines, and capitalize on their clinical finishing. Nigeria is placed in group B with the host Australia, Canada and the Republic of Ireland. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"the<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco - Atlas Lionesses<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is a historic moment for Morocco's women's team, marking their first appearance in a Women's World Cup. The Moroccan Lionesses have made significant progress in recent years and will be eager to make a mark in the tournament. While their journey may be challenging, Morocco can use this opportunity to gain experience and build a foundation for future success. Morocco is in the same group as Germany, Colombia, and South Korea. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"the<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Zambia - The Copper Queens<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Copper Queens of Zambia showcased their talent by qualifying for their maiden Women's World Cup. With an attacking mindset and flair, Zambia's youthful exuberance could surprise some of their opponents. To win the tournament, they must strengthen their defensive strategies and maintain composure during crucial moments. The copper queens of Zambia will be battling in group stage with Japan, Costa Rica, and Spain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Transfer Trails: The Goodbye of Algerian Riyad Mahrez from Manchester<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"the
The Copper Queens of Zambia - (Photo credit Twitter Zambia Daily Nation<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

South Africa - Banyana Banyana<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Banyana Banyana returns to the World Cup, looking to build upon their previous successes. South Africa has a balanced squad, with experienced players complementing young talents. They have shown their mettle in previous international competitions, and with their disciplined approach, they can trouble even the strongest teams. To win the tournament, South Africa needs to maximize their goal-scoring opportunities and maintain strong defensive discipline. Banyana Banyana will be striving to defeat Argentina, Sweden, and Italy on group stages to progress to the knockout stage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"the<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As the 2023 Women's World Cup unfolds, African teams will strive to make their continent proud with their performances on the grand stage. Nigeria, Morocco, Zambia, and South Africa each bring unique qualities and ambitions to the tournament. While Nigeria and South Africa, with their previous experience, may have a higher likelihood of advancing deeper in the competition, Morocco and Zambia's debut appearances present exciting opportunities for growth and development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The world will witness exceptional talent, determination, and passion from these African teams as they compete against the best in the world. Regardless of the results, their participation in the tournament will undoubtedly inspire countless young girls across the continent to pursue their footballing dreams and leave a lasting impact on the future of women's football in Africa.<\/p>\n","post_title":"African Teams in the 2023 Women's World Cup: A Quest for Glory","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-2023-womens-world-cup-unfolds","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 11:45:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 11:45:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=348440","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401016,"post_author":"10056","post_date":"2023-04-01 08:31:00","post_date_gmt":"2023-04-01 15:31:00","post_content":"\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"OMG
OMG Digital Founders [Photo credit: Appsafrica]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

OMG Digital is a brainchild of three college students from Ghana. Dubbed the \u201cBuzzFeed of Africa,\" the media platform aims to become a leading entertainer for African millennials worldwide. The interesting thing about this digital company is that, in the beginning, its founders didn\u2019t consider it as their main project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, they also launched a microlending platform and focused on it. However, it didn\u2019t survive because of funding challenges. At that point, the three had no other option but to revert to their media platform. Currently, OMG Digital has a huge loyal audience from around Africa. Today, we walk you through the encouraging success story of OMG Digital founders\u2014Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Ghanaian Entrepreneur Combats Counterfeit Goods With His Innovative Startup<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

What is OMG Digital?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Digital is an online media company founded in 2016 by Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah. Based in Ghana, the digital company publishes lifestyle and entertainment content targeted at Africa\u2019s millennial population. Currently, it has two digital brands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first one is OMGVoice<\/span><\/a> that is active in three African countries: Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. The second is Servepot<\/span><\/a>, a culinary brand that publishes content on African recipes and food culture. The mission of the media platform is to develop influential and powerful African digital medial platforms and brands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Nigerian Pearlena Igbokwe Hits An Epic Milestone For African Women in Media<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

OMG Digital makes money through digital marketing. Currently, banner ads make up 80% of its ad sales. Its rapid growth has drawn the attention of large advertisers. So far, the media company has partnered with various companies including Coca-Cola, Pringles, Philips, KFC, and Huawei on sponsored content and marketing campaigns. About 6o percent of the company\u2019s audience are millennials aged between 18 to 24 years. The company targets Africa\u2019s 250 million millennials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did Y-Combinator Program influence<\/strong> OMG Digital Founders<\/strong>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Jesse
Jesse Ghansah at Y Combinator [Photo credit: Paystack]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah are graduates of the Y Combinator\u2019s startup accelerator program<\/a>. This program offers startup lessons to help entrepreneurs get started with their businesses and achieve success. For the founders of OMG Digital, their main takeaways were to always make effort to talk to customers. Also, it is important to obtain feedback and adjust accordingly. Ghansah said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe main takeaways we've gotten from YC in general are to talk to your users and paying attention to your core metrics + feedback and adjusting accordingly. That\u2019s how you build a product and company people love. YC also pushed us to move very quickly and take bolder steps in conquering our markets.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: 10 of the Best Startup Accelerators for African Entrepreneurs<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

How has OMG Digital transformed Digital Publishing in Africa?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When the company started as OMG Ghana (which later became OMG Digital) in 2012, traditional media companies dominated the digital media space. These companies were just trying to reinvent the print experience online. So, the content they produced was largely politics and hard news.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, OMG Digital founders recognized the yearning among millennials for entertainment and social content. By creating this type of content, the digital media company has inspired several other millennial-focused media companies on the African market. Now, almost every medial company is striving to create and distribute social content on social medial platforms. OMG Digital has inspired some Western digital media companies to test out the Sub-Saharan Africa market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: How Jason Njoku Overcame Multiple Failures To Build IrokoTV, The Netflix Of Africa<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Motivation to start OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"OMG
OMG Co-Founders - Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah [Photo credit: Techpoint.africa]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah established OMG Ghana in 2012 while in college. Back then, smartphones were becoming popular in Africa. So, after acquiring smartphones, they could not find interesting content to read. Ghansah recalls,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really frustrating for us because we would go online and all the content was just boring news and politics and stuff. Most of the people online back then were youth like us. BuzzFeed and Mashable were doing things for millennials, but we couldn\u2019t really relate to their content, so we created something for ourselves.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consequently, they thought about creating lightweight content for young people like themselves. Since smartphones were penetrating quickly and Facebook was also becoming very popular, the three resolved it was time to launch their company. Thus, they found OMG Ghana. Surprisingly, they did not perceive this company to have great potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: Saran Kaba Jones\u2019s FACE Africa Is Bringing Clean Water To Liberians<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

So, alongside OMG Ghana, they decided to establish a microlending platform. But the lending company soon experienced funding challenges. At the same time, OMG Ghana was growing and getting more readers. When it started to earn them some money, they registered it as a media company and resolved to focus on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Challenges of Running OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Right from the start, access to funding was a huge challenge. In the beginning, the co-founders didn\u2019t realize the growth they had anticipated. This is because they didn\u2019t have enough money to do all that they had planned. So, they would reinvest the profit back into the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the co-founders continued to seek funding nationally and internationally. Their efforts bore fruit in 2017 when they fundraised $1.1M from several international investors including Comcast Ventures, M&Y Growth Partners<\/span>, and Kima Ventures<\/span>. These funds helped to expand the company and scale operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Want To Build Wealth? Here Are 20 Youtube Channels We Think You Should Subscribe To<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Another challenge was the diversity of the continent. So, producing content that was relevant to different communities was a challenge at the onset. However, this challenge was resolved with time as the company hired staff from different regions in the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global Success<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since its inception, the OMG Global website has a total monthly view of more than 90 million. Today, the media company boasts of 4.5 million readers each month. The company is now present in three countries in Africa\u2014Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. So far, OMG Global has published over 20,000 contents. Also, it has over twenty content curators from Africa. With this team, it is easy to create relevant original content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expansion plans<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The digital media company aims to market its content to English speakers in Africa before extending to French-speaking countries. This is because English speakers form the largest population of internet users. So, OMG Global plans to extend its reach to more English-speaking countries in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Did You Know You Can Start These Businesses In Africa With Just $1,000 or Less?<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, the company plans to launch its brands in South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. With this market, it aims to reach 70% of the total millennial market in Africa. The next step will be to roll out its services continent-wide. The media platform wants to produce more video content in the future. Also, it has plans to create travel and technology content as it grows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 Business Lessons from<\/strong> OMG Global Co-founders<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Act on Feedback<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah emphasizes that customer feedback is very important. By analyzing your feedback, you can know what is lacking in your offerings. Thus, acting on customer feedback can help you adjust your products and make them relevant to your clients. Remember, the ultimate goal is always to enhance customer satisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Look for gaps in the market<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Business is all about delivering value to your customers. Before you venture into your field of interest, conduct some research to identify the gaps in the market. Mensah says that is exactly what they did before establishing OMG Global. Research helps you to identify people's needs that are not currently available. Once you establish a need, set up your business and fulfill that need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Be accessible<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Customers become loyal to businesses that are accessible when issues arise. Sometimes, your clients will want to seek assistance, clarification, or even to speak out about their concerns and problems. So, make sure to put in place channels through which your clients can reach you. That way, you will be accessible when they need to talk to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: \ud83d\ude325 Business Lessons From Cosmas Maduka, The Man That Turned $1 To $500 Million<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Pay attention to numbers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In business, numbers mean everything. You need to have more clients to make more sales and money. So, depending on your business, invest in having as many clients as possible. Develop a clear roadmap on how you will get to your target audience. Once you reach them, aim to convert them into clients or buying customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Any business needs patience<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No business grows overnight. It takes time to get investors and clients as well. In the beginning, investors may not believe that your idea will work. Some will only be convinced to fund your business once you get some loyal clients. Similarly, some clients will not trust your services just because your business is new. In all these instances, you will need to have a lot of patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global is making a significant impact in serving the huge demand for digital content in Africa. Nonetheless, there are still many opportunities in digital publishing and other fields that young entrepreneurs can exploit. We hope that the success story of Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah serves as an encouragement that will spur you to success.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Entrepreneur Spotlight: Three College Students Think Out Of The Box To Create OMG Digital","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"three-college-student-think-out-of-the-box-to-create-omg-digital","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=298246","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401604,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-10-03 10:44:45","post_date_gmt":"2022-10-03 17:44:45","post_content":"\n

\"Quindaro
Quindaro Township Site (Photo credit: KCUR)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first step toward amending wounds is the acceptance of wrongdoing. For many years, there has been a growing call for European countries to offer apologies for their role in the transatlantic slave trade. However, European countries are not the only guilty party. African chiefs facilitated the slave trade in one way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time since the end of the slave trade, African leaders have offered apologies for the wrongdoings of their ancestors. On Wednesday 28 September 2022, African delegates converged at the Quindaro Township Site in Kansas City, Kansas for a ceremony. Also present was Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Anita
Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0<\/em>UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the ceremony, the African delegates read out letters of apology from their tribal leaders and chiefs for the role of their ancestors in the slave trade of fellow Africans. Reacting to the apology letters, Dixon who noted that inviting the African delegates to the Quindaro site was crucial said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the healing that I have yearned for as a Black woman in America. This apology is for African people, Black people scattered all over the globe and not just to people of color.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembrance Of Slave Trade: Is Modern Slavery Worse Than The Pre-colonial Era?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also present at the ceremony was Wyandotte County Commissioner, Gayle Townsend, members of the Wyandotte Tribe, and state and local leaders from Missouri and Kansas. The apology letters zoomed in on the dark past of the African continent and the role local chiefs played in facilitating the slave trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Now, let's analyze each African team's possibility to win the tournament:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Super Falcons- Nigeria<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: AFCON 2023: Who\u2019s In and Who\u2019s Out? The Latest Lineup Revealed!<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Super Falcons of Nigeria are one of the most successful women's national teams in Africa. They have a rich footballing history and a tradition of success in continental competitions. Nigeria's key to success lies in their physicality, pace, and technical ability. With experienced players and a strong domestic league, they have the potential to upset higher-ranked teams. To win the tournament, Nigeria must maintain consistency, tighten their defensive lines, and capitalize on their clinical finishing. Nigeria is placed in group B with the host Australia, Canada and the Republic of Ireland. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"the<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco - Atlas Lionesses<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is a historic moment for Morocco's women's team, marking their first appearance in a Women's World Cup. The Moroccan Lionesses have made significant progress in recent years and will be eager to make a mark in the tournament. While their journey may be challenging, Morocco can use this opportunity to gain experience and build a foundation for future success. Morocco is in the same group as Germany, Colombia, and South Korea. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"the<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Zambia - The Copper Queens<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Copper Queens of Zambia showcased their talent by qualifying for their maiden Women's World Cup. With an attacking mindset and flair, Zambia's youthful exuberance could surprise some of their opponents. To win the tournament, they must strengthen their defensive strategies and maintain composure during crucial moments. The copper queens of Zambia will be battling in group stage with Japan, Costa Rica, and Spain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Transfer Trails: The Goodbye of Algerian Riyad Mahrez from Manchester<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"the
The Copper Queens of Zambia - (Photo credit Twitter Zambia Daily Nation<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

South Africa - Banyana Banyana<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Banyana Banyana returns to the World Cup, looking to build upon their previous successes. South Africa has a balanced squad, with experienced players complementing young talents. They have shown their mettle in previous international competitions, and with their disciplined approach, they can trouble even the strongest teams. To win the tournament, South Africa needs to maximize their goal-scoring opportunities and maintain strong defensive discipline. Banyana Banyana will be striving to defeat Argentina, Sweden, and Italy on group stages to progress to the knockout stage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"the<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As the 2023 Women's World Cup unfolds, African teams will strive to make their continent proud with their performances on the grand stage. Nigeria, Morocco, Zambia, and South Africa each bring unique qualities and ambitions to the tournament. While Nigeria and South Africa, with their previous experience, may have a higher likelihood of advancing deeper in the competition, Morocco and Zambia's debut appearances present exciting opportunities for growth and development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The world will witness exceptional talent, determination, and passion from these African teams as they compete against the best in the world. Regardless of the results, their participation in the tournament will undoubtedly inspire countless young girls across the continent to pursue their footballing dreams and leave a lasting impact on the future of women's football in Africa.<\/p>\n","post_title":"African Teams in the 2023 Women's World Cup: A Quest for Glory","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-2023-womens-world-cup-unfolds","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 11:45:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 11:45:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=348440","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401016,"post_author":"10056","post_date":"2023-04-01 08:31:00","post_date_gmt":"2023-04-01 15:31:00","post_content":"\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"OMG
OMG Digital Founders [Photo credit: Appsafrica]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

OMG Digital is a brainchild of three college students from Ghana. Dubbed the \u201cBuzzFeed of Africa,\" the media platform aims to become a leading entertainer for African millennials worldwide. The interesting thing about this digital company is that, in the beginning, its founders didn\u2019t consider it as their main project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, they also launched a microlending platform and focused on it. However, it didn\u2019t survive because of funding challenges. At that point, the three had no other option but to revert to their media platform. Currently, OMG Digital has a huge loyal audience from around Africa. Today, we walk you through the encouraging success story of OMG Digital founders\u2014Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Ghanaian Entrepreneur Combats Counterfeit Goods With His Innovative Startup<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

What is OMG Digital?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Digital is an online media company founded in 2016 by Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah. Based in Ghana, the digital company publishes lifestyle and entertainment content targeted at Africa\u2019s millennial population. Currently, it has two digital brands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first one is OMGVoice<\/span><\/a> that is active in three African countries: Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. The second is Servepot<\/span><\/a>, a culinary brand that publishes content on African recipes and food culture. The mission of the media platform is to develop influential and powerful African digital medial platforms and brands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Nigerian Pearlena Igbokwe Hits An Epic Milestone For African Women in Media<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

OMG Digital makes money through digital marketing. Currently, banner ads make up 80% of its ad sales. Its rapid growth has drawn the attention of large advertisers. So far, the media company has partnered with various companies including Coca-Cola, Pringles, Philips, KFC, and Huawei on sponsored content and marketing campaigns. About 6o percent of the company\u2019s audience are millennials aged between 18 to 24 years. The company targets Africa\u2019s 250 million millennials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did Y-Combinator Program influence<\/strong> OMG Digital Founders<\/strong>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Jesse
Jesse Ghansah at Y Combinator [Photo credit: Paystack]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah are graduates of the Y Combinator\u2019s startup accelerator program<\/a>. This program offers startup lessons to help entrepreneurs get started with their businesses and achieve success. For the founders of OMG Digital, their main takeaways were to always make effort to talk to customers. Also, it is important to obtain feedback and adjust accordingly. Ghansah said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe main takeaways we've gotten from YC in general are to talk to your users and paying attention to your core metrics + feedback and adjusting accordingly. That\u2019s how you build a product and company people love. YC also pushed us to move very quickly and take bolder steps in conquering our markets.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: 10 of the Best Startup Accelerators for African Entrepreneurs<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

How has OMG Digital transformed Digital Publishing in Africa?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When the company started as OMG Ghana (which later became OMG Digital) in 2012, traditional media companies dominated the digital media space. These companies were just trying to reinvent the print experience online. So, the content they produced was largely politics and hard news.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, OMG Digital founders recognized the yearning among millennials for entertainment and social content. By creating this type of content, the digital media company has inspired several other millennial-focused media companies on the African market. Now, almost every medial company is striving to create and distribute social content on social medial platforms. OMG Digital has inspired some Western digital media companies to test out the Sub-Saharan Africa market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: How Jason Njoku Overcame Multiple Failures To Build IrokoTV, The Netflix Of Africa<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Motivation to start OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"OMG
OMG Co-Founders - Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah [Photo credit: Techpoint.africa]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah established OMG Ghana in 2012 while in college. Back then, smartphones were becoming popular in Africa. So, after acquiring smartphones, they could not find interesting content to read. Ghansah recalls,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really frustrating for us because we would go online and all the content was just boring news and politics and stuff. Most of the people online back then were youth like us. BuzzFeed and Mashable were doing things for millennials, but we couldn\u2019t really relate to their content, so we created something for ourselves.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consequently, they thought about creating lightweight content for young people like themselves. Since smartphones were penetrating quickly and Facebook was also becoming very popular, the three resolved it was time to launch their company. Thus, they found OMG Ghana. Surprisingly, they did not perceive this company to have great potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: Saran Kaba Jones\u2019s FACE Africa Is Bringing Clean Water To Liberians<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

So, alongside OMG Ghana, they decided to establish a microlending platform. But the lending company soon experienced funding challenges. At the same time, OMG Ghana was growing and getting more readers. When it started to earn them some money, they registered it as a media company and resolved to focus on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Challenges of Running OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Right from the start, access to funding was a huge challenge. In the beginning, the co-founders didn\u2019t realize the growth they had anticipated. This is because they didn\u2019t have enough money to do all that they had planned. So, they would reinvest the profit back into the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the co-founders continued to seek funding nationally and internationally. Their efforts bore fruit in 2017 when they fundraised $1.1M from several international investors including Comcast Ventures, M&Y Growth Partners<\/span>, and Kima Ventures<\/span>. These funds helped to expand the company and scale operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Want To Build Wealth? Here Are 20 Youtube Channels We Think You Should Subscribe To<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Another challenge was the diversity of the continent. So, producing content that was relevant to different communities was a challenge at the onset. However, this challenge was resolved with time as the company hired staff from different regions in the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global Success<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since its inception, the OMG Global website has a total monthly view of more than 90 million. Today, the media company boasts of 4.5 million readers each month. The company is now present in three countries in Africa\u2014Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. So far, OMG Global has published over 20,000 contents. Also, it has over twenty content curators from Africa. With this team, it is easy to create relevant original content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expansion plans<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The digital media company aims to market its content to English speakers in Africa before extending to French-speaking countries. This is because English speakers form the largest population of internet users. So, OMG Global plans to extend its reach to more English-speaking countries in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Did You Know You Can Start These Businesses In Africa With Just $1,000 or Less?<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, the company plans to launch its brands in South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. With this market, it aims to reach 70% of the total millennial market in Africa. The next step will be to roll out its services continent-wide. The media platform wants to produce more video content in the future. Also, it has plans to create travel and technology content as it grows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 Business Lessons from<\/strong> OMG Global Co-founders<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Act on Feedback<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah emphasizes that customer feedback is very important. By analyzing your feedback, you can know what is lacking in your offerings. Thus, acting on customer feedback can help you adjust your products and make them relevant to your clients. Remember, the ultimate goal is always to enhance customer satisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Look for gaps in the market<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Business is all about delivering value to your customers. Before you venture into your field of interest, conduct some research to identify the gaps in the market. Mensah says that is exactly what they did before establishing OMG Global. Research helps you to identify people's needs that are not currently available. Once you establish a need, set up your business and fulfill that need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Be accessible<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Customers become loyal to businesses that are accessible when issues arise. Sometimes, your clients will want to seek assistance, clarification, or even to speak out about their concerns and problems. So, make sure to put in place channels through which your clients can reach you. That way, you will be accessible when they need to talk to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: \ud83d\ude325 Business Lessons From Cosmas Maduka, The Man That Turned $1 To $500 Million<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Pay attention to numbers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In business, numbers mean everything. You need to have more clients to make more sales and money. So, depending on your business, invest in having as many clients as possible. Develop a clear roadmap on how you will get to your target audience. Once you reach them, aim to convert them into clients or buying customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Any business needs patience<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No business grows overnight. It takes time to get investors and clients as well. In the beginning, investors may not believe that your idea will work. Some will only be convinced to fund your business once you get some loyal clients. Similarly, some clients will not trust your services just because your business is new. In all these instances, you will need to have a lot of patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global is making a significant impact in serving the huge demand for digital content in Africa. Nonetheless, there are still many opportunities in digital publishing and other fields that young entrepreneurs can exploit. We hope that the success story of Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah serves as an encouragement that will spur you to success.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Entrepreneur Spotlight: Three College Students Think Out Of The Box To Create OMG Digital","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"three-college-student-think-out-of-the-box-to-create-omg-digital","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=298246","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401604,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-10-03 10:44:45","post_date_gmt":"2022-10-03 17:44:45","post_content":"\n

\"Quindaro
Quindaro Township Site (Photo credit: KCUR)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first step toward amending wounds is the acceptance of wrongdoing. For many years, there has been a growing call for European countries to offer apologies for their role in the transatlantic slave trade. However, European countries are not the only guilty party. African chiefs facilitated the slave trade in one way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time since the end of the slave trade, African leaders have offered apologies for the wrongdoings of their ancestors. On Wednesday 28 September 2022, African delegates converged at the Quindaro Township Site in Kansas City, Kansas for a ceremony. Also present was Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Anita
Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0<\/em>UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the ceremony, the African delegates read out letters of apology from their tribal leaders and chiefs for the role of their ancestors in the slave trade of fellow Africans. Reacting to the apology letters, Dixon who noted that inviting the African delegates to the Quindaro site was crucial said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the healing that I have yearned for as a Black woman in America. This apology is for African people, Black people scattered all over the globe and not just to people of color.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembrance Of Slave Trade: Is Modern Slavery Worse Than The Pre-colonial Era?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also present at the ceremony was Wyandotte County Commissioner, Gayle Townsend, members of the Wyandotte Tribe, and state and local leaders from Missouri and Kansas. The apology letters zoomed in on the dark past of the African continent and the role local chiefs played in facilitating the slave trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

Analysis of African Teams in the 2023 Women's World Cup<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Now, let's analyze each African team's possibility to win the tournament:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Super Falcons- Nigeria<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: AFCON 2023: Who\u2019s In and Who\u2019s Out? The Latest Lineup Revealed!<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Super Falcons of Nigeria are one of the most successful women's national teams in Africa. They have a rich footballing history and a tradition of success in continental competitions. Nigeria's key to success lies in their physicality, pace, and technical ability. With experienced players and a strong domestic league, they have the potential to upset higher-ranked teams. To win the tournament, Nigeria must maintain consistency, tighten their defensive lines, and capitalize on their clinical finishing. Nigeria is placed in group B with the host Australia, Canada and the Republic of Ireland. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"the<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco - Atlas Lionesses<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is a historic moment for Morocco's women's team, marking their first appearance in a Women's World Cup. The Moroccan Lionesses have made significant progress in recent years and will be eager to make a mark in the tournament. While their journey may be challenging, Morocco can use this opportunity to gain experience and build a foundation for future success. Morocco is in the same group as Germany, Colombia, and South Korea. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"the<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Zambia - The Copper Queens<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Copper Queens of Zambia showcased their talent by qualifying for their maiden Women's World Cup. With an attacking mindset and flair, Zambia's youthful exuberance could surprise some of their opponents. To win the tournament, they must strengthen their defensive strategies and maintain composure during crucial moments. The copper queens of Zambia will be battling in group stage with Japan, Costa Rica, and Spain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Transfer Trails: The Goodbye of Algerian Riyad Mahrez from Manchester<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"the
The Copper Queens of Zambia - (Photo credit Twitter Zambia Daily Nation<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

South Africa - Banyana Banyana<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Banyana Banyana returns to the World Cup, looking to build upon their previous successes. South Africa has a balanced squad, with experienced players complementing young talents. They have shown their mettle in previous international competitions, and with their disciplined approach, they can trouble even the strongest teams. To win the tournament, South Africa needs to maximize their goal-scoring opportunities and maintain strong defensive discipline. Banyana Banyana will be striving to defeat Argentina, Sweden, and Italy on group stages to progress to the knockout stage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"the<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As the 2023 Women's World Cup unfolds, African teams will strive to make their continent proud with their performances on the grand stage. Nigeria, Morocco, Zambia, and South Africa each bring unique qualities and ambitions to the tournament. While Nigeria and South Africa, with their previous experience, may have a higher likelihood of advancing deeper in the competition, Morocco and Zambia's debut appearances present exciting opportunities for growth and development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The world will witness exceptional talent, determination, and passion from these African teams as they compete against the best in the world. Regardless of the results, their participation in the tournament will undoubtedly inspire countless young girls across the continent to pursue their footballing dreams and leave a lasting impact on the future of women's football in Africa.<\/p>\n","post_title":"African Teams in the 2023 Women's World Cup: A Quest for Glory","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-2023-womens-world-cup-unfolds","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 11:45:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 11:45:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=348440","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401016,"post_author":"10056","post_date":"2023-04-01 08:31:00","post_date_gmt":"2023-04-01 15:31:00","post_content":"\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"OMG
OMG Digital Founders [Photo credit: Appsafrica]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

OMG Digital is a brainchild of three college students from Ghana. Dubbed the \u201cBuzzFeed of Africa,\" the media platform aims to become a leading entertainer for African millennials worldwide. The interesting thing about this digital company is that, in the beginning, its founders didn\u2019t consider it as their main project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, they also launched a microlending platform and focused on it. However, it didn\u2019t survive because of funding challenges. At that point, the three had no other option but to revert to their media platform. Currently, OMG Digital has a huge loyal audience from around Africa. Today, we walk you through the encouraging success story of OMG Digital founders\u2014Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Ghanaian Entrepreneur Combats Counterfeit Goods With His Innovative Startup<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

What is OMG Digital?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Digital is an online media company founded in 2016 by Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah. Based in Ghana, the digital company publishes lifestyle and entertainment content targeted at Africa\u2019s millennial population. Currently, it has two digital brands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first one is OMGVoice<\/span><\/a> that is active in three African countries: Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. The second is Servepot<\/span><\/a>, a culinary brand that publishes content on African recipes and food culture. The mission of the media platform is to develop influential and powerful African digital medial platforms and brands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Nigerian Pearlena Igbokwe Hits An Epic Milestone For African Women in Media<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

OMG Digital makes money through digital marketing. Currently, banner ads make up 80% of its ad sales. Its rapid growth has drawn the attention of large advertisers. So far, the media company has partnered with various companies including Coca-Cola, Pringles, Philips, KFC, and Huawei on sponsored content and marketing campaigns. About 6o percent of the company\u2019s audience are millennials aged between 18 to 24 years. The company targets Africa\u2019s 250 million millennials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did Y-Combinator Program influence<\/strong> OMG Digital Founders<\/strong>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Jesse
Jesse Ghansah at Y Combinator [Photo credit: Paystack]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah are graduates of the Y Combinator\u2019s startup accelerator program<\/a>. This program offers startup lessons to help entrepreneurs get started with their businesses and achieve success. For the founders of OMG Digital, their main takeaways were to always make effort to talk to customers. Also, it is important to obtain feedback and adjust accordingly. Ghansah said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe main takeaways we've gotten from YC in general are to talk to your users and paying attention to your core metrics + feedback and adjusting accordingly. That\u2019s how you build a product and company people love. YC also pushed us to move very quickly and take bolder steps in conquering our markets.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: 10 of the Best Startup Accelerators for African Entrepreneurs<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

How has OMG Digital transformed Digital Publishing in Africa?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When the company started as OMG Ghana (which later became OMG Digital) in 2012, traditional media companies dominated the digital media space. These companies were just trying to reinvent the print experience online. So, the content they produced was largely politics and hard news.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, OMG Digital founders recognized the yearning among millennials for entertainment and social content. By creating this type of content, the digital media company has inspired several other millennial-focused media companies on the African market. Now, almost every medial company is striving to create and distribute social content on social medial platforms. OMG Digital has inspired some Western digital media companies to test out the Sub-Saharan Africa market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: How Jason Njoku Overcame Multiple Failures To Build IrokoTV, The Netflix Of Africa<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Motivation to start OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"OMG
OMG Co-Founders - Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah [Photo credit: Techpoint.africa]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah established OMG Ghana in 2012 while in college. Back then, smartphones were becoming popular in Africa. So, after acquiring smartphones, they could not find interesting content to read. Ghansah recalls,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really frustrating for us because we would go online and all the content was just boring news and politics and stuff. Most of the people online back then were youth like us. BuzzFeed and Mashable were doing things for millennials, but we couldn\u2019t really relate to their content, so we created something for ourselves.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consequently, they thought about creating lightweight content for young people like themselves. Since smartphones were penetrating quickly and Facebook was also becoming very popular, the three resolved it was time to launch their company. Thus, they found OMG Ghana. Surprisingly, they did not perceive this company to have great potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: Saran Kaba Jones\u2019s FACE Africa Is Bringing Clean Water To Liberians<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

So, alongside OMG Ghana, they decided to establish a microlending platform. But the lending company soon experienced funding challenges. At the same time, OMG Ghana was growing and getting more readers. When it started to earn them some money, they registered it as a media company and resolved to focus on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Challenges of Running OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Right from the start, access to funding was a huge challenge. In the beginning, the co-founders didn\u2019t realize the growth they had anticipated. This is because they didn\u2019t have enough money to do all that they had planned. So, they would reinvest the profit back into the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the co-founders continued to seek funding nationally and internationally. Their efforts bore fruit in 2017 when they fundraised $1.1M from several international investors including Comcast Ventures, M&Y Growth Partners<\/span>, and Kima Ventures<\/span>. These funds helped to expand the company and scale operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Want To Build Wealth? Here Are 20 Youtube Channels We Think You Should Subscribe To<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Another challenge was the diversity of the continent. So, producing content that was relevant to different communities was a challenge at the onset. However, this challenge was resolved with time as the company hired staff from different regions in the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global Success<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since its inception, the OMG Global website has a total monthly view of more than 90 million. Today, the media company boasts of 4.5 million readers each month. The company is now present in three countries in Africa\u2014Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. So far, OMG Global has published over 20,000 contents. Also, it has over twenty content curators from Africa. With this team, it is easy to create relevant original content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expansion plans<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The digital media company aims to market its content to English speakers in Africa before extending to French-speaking countries. This is because English speakers form the largest population of internet users. So, OMG Global plans to extend its reach to more English-speaking countries in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Did You Know You Can Start These Businesses In Africa With Just $1,000 or Less?<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, the company plans to launch its brands in South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. With this market, it aims to reach 70% of the total millennial market in Africa. The next step will be to roll out its services continent-wide. The media platform wants to produce more video content in the future. Also, it has plans to create travel and technology content as it grows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 Business Lessons from<\/strong> OMG Global Co-founders<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Act on Feedback<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah emphasizes that customer feedback is very important. By analyzing your feedback, you can know what is lacking in your offerings. Thus, acting on customer feedback can help you adjust your products and make them relevant to your clients. Remember, the ultimate goal is always to enhance customer satisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Look for gaps in the market<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Business is all about delivering value to your customers. Before you venture into your field of interest, conduct some research to identify the gaps in the market. Mensah says that is exactly what they did before establishing OMG Global. Research helps you to identify people's needs that are not currently available. Once you establish a need, set up your business and fulfill that need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Be accessible<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Customers become loyal to businesses that are accessible when issues arise. Sometimes, your clients will want to seek assistance, clarification, or even to speak out about their concerns and problems. So, make sure to put in place channels through which your clients can reach you. That way, you will be accessible when they need to talk to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: \ud83d\ude325 Business Lessons From Cosmas Maduka, The Man That Turned $1 To $500 Million<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Pay attention to numbers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In business, numbers mean everything. You need to have more clients to make more sales and money. So, depending on your business, invest in having as many clients as possible. Develop a clear roadmap on how you will get to your target audience. Once you reach them, aim to convert them into clients or buying customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Any business needs patience<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No business grows overnight. It takes time to get investors and clients as well. In the beginning, investors may not believe that your idea will work. Some will only be convinced to fund your business once you get some loyal clients. Similarly, some clients will not trust your services just because your business is new. In all these instances, you will need to have a lot of patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global is making a significant impact in serving the huge demand for digital content in Africa. Nonetheless, there are still many opportunities in digital publishing and other fields that young entrepreneurs can exploit. We hope that the success story of Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah serves as an encouragement that will spur you to success.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Entrepreneur Spotlight: Three College Students Think Out Of The Box To Create OMG Digital","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"three-college-student-think-out-of-the-box-to-create-omg-digital","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=298246","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401604,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-10-03 10:44:45","post_date_gmt":"2022-10-03 17:44:45","post_content":"\n

\"Quindaro
Quindaro Township Site (Photo credit: KCUR)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first step toward amending wounds is the acceptance of wrongdoing. For many years, there has been a growing call for European countries to offer apologies for their role in the transatlantic slave trade. However, European countries are not the only guilty party. African chiefs facilitated the slave trade in one way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time since the end of the slave trade, African leaders have offered apologies for the wrongdoings of their ancestors. On Wednesday 28 September 2022, African delegates converged at the Quindaro Township Site in Kansas City, Kansas for a ceremony. Also present was Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Anita
Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0<\/em>UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the ceremony, the African delegates read out letters of apology from their tribal leaders and chiefs for the role of their ancestors in the slave trade of fellow Africans. Reacting to the apology letters, Dixon who noted that inviting the African delegates to the Quindaro site was crucial said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the healing that I have yearned for as a Black woman in America. This apology is for African people, Black people scattered all over the globe and not just to people of color.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembrance Of Slave Trade: Is Modern Slavery Worse Than The Pre-colonial Era?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also present at the ceremony was Wyandotte County Commissioner, Gayle Townsend, members of the Wyandotte Tribe, and state and local leaders from Missouri and Kansas. The apology letters zoomed in on the dark past of the African continent and the role local chiefs played in facilitating the slave trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Analysis of African Teams in the 2023 Women's World Cup<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Now, let's analyze each African team's possibility to win the tournament:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Super Falcons- Nigeria<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: AFCON 2023: Who\u2019s In and Who\u2019s Out? The Latest Lineup Revealed!<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Super Falcons of Nigeria are one of the most successful women's national teams in Africa. They have a rich footballing history and a tradition of success in continental competitions. Nigeria's key to success lies in their physicality, pace, and technical ability. With experienced players and a strong domestic league, they have the potential to upset higher-ranked teams. To win the tournament, Nigeria must maintain consistency, tighten their defensive lines, and capitalize on their clinical finishing. Nigeria is placed in group B with the host Australia, Canada and the Republic of Ireland. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"the<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco - Atlas Lionesses<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is a historic moment for Morocco's women's team, marking their first appearance in a Women's World Cup. The Moroccan Lionesses have made significant progress in recent years and will be eager to make a mark in the tournament. While their journey may be challenging, Morocco can use this opportunity to gain experience and build a foundation for future success. Morocco is in the same group as Germany, Colombia, and South Korea. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"the<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Zambia - The Copper Queens<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Copper Queens of Zambia showcased their talent by qualifying for their maiden Women's World Cup. With an attacking mindset and flair, Zambia's youthful exuberance could surprise some of their opponents. To win the tournament, they must strengthen their defensive strategies and maintain composure during crucial moments. The copper queens of Zambia will be battling in group stage with Japan, Costa Rica, and Spain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Transfer Trails: The Goodbye of Algerian Riyad Mahrez from Manchester<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"the
The Copper Queens of Zambia - (Photo credit Twitter Zambia Daily Nation<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

South Africa - Banyana Banyana<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Banyana Banyana returns to the World Cup, looking to build upon their previous successes. South Africa has a balanced squad, with experienced players complementing young talents. They have shown their mettle in previous international competitions, and with their disciplined approach, they can trouble even the strongest teams. To win the tournament, South Africa needs to maximize their goal-scoring opportunities and maintain strong defensive discipline. Banyana Banyana will be striving to defeat Argentina, Sweden, and Italy on group stages to progress to the knockout stage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"the<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As the 2023 Women's World Cup unfolds, African teams will strive to make their continent proud with their performances on the grand stage. Nigeria, Morocco, Zambia, and South Africa each bring unique qualities and ambitions to the tournament. While Nigeria and South Africa, with their previous experience, may have a higher likelihood of advancing deeper in the competition, Morocco and Zambia's debut appearances present exciting opportunities for growth and development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The world will witness exceptional talent, determination, and passion from these African teams as they compete against the best in the world. Regardless of the results, their participation in the tournament will undoubtedly inspire countless young girls across the continent to pursue their footballing dreams and leave a lasting impact on the future of women's football in Africa.<\/p>\n","post_title":"African Teams in the 2023 Women's World Cup: A Quest for Glory","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-2023-womens-world-cup-unfolds","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 11:45:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 11:45:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=348440","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401016,"post_author":"10056","post_date":"2023-04-01 08:31:00","post_date_gmt":"2023-04-01 15:31:00","post_content":"\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"OMG
OMG Digital Founders [Photo credit: Appsafrica]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

OMG Digital is a brainchild of three college students from Ghana. Dubbed the \u201cBuzzFeed of Africa,\" the media platform aims to become a leading entertainer for African millennials worldwide. The interesting thing about this digital company is that, in the beginning, its founders didn\u2019t consider it as their main project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, they also launched a microlending platform and focused on it. However, it didn\u2019t survive because of funding challenges. At that point, the three had no other option but to revert to their media platform. Currently, OMG Digital has a huge loyal audience from around Africa. Today, we walk you through the encouraging success story of OMG Digital founders\u2014Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Ghanaian Entrepreneur Combats Counterfeit Goods With His Innovative Startup<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

What is OMG Digital?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Digital is an online media company founded in 2016 by Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah. Based in Ghana, the digital company publishes lifestyle and entertainment content targeted at Africa\u2019s millennial population. Currently, it has two digital brands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first one is OMGVoice<\/span><\/a> that is active in three African countries: Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. The second is Servepot<\/span><\/a>, a culinary brand that publishes content on African recipes and food culture. The mission of the media platform is to develop influential and powerful African digital medial platforms and brands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Nigerian Pearlena Igbokwe Hits An Epic Milestone For African Women in Media<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

OMG Digital makes money through digital marketing. Currently, banner ads make up 80% of its ad sales. Its rapid growth has drawn the attention of large advertisers. So far, the media company has partnered with various companies including Coca-Cola, Pringles, Philips, KFC, and Huawei on sponsored content and marketing campaigns. About 6o percent of the company\u2019s audience are millennials aged between 18 to 24 years. The company targets Africa\u2019s 250 million millennials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did Y-Combinator Program influence<\/strong> OMG Digital Founders<\/strong>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Jesse
Jesse Ghansah at Y Combinator [Photo credit: Paystack]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah are graduates of the Y Combinator\u2019s startup accelerator program<\/a>. This program offers startup lessons to help entrepreneurs get started with their businesses and achieve success. For the founders of OMG Digital, their main takeaways were to always make effort to talk to customers. Also, it is important to obtain feedback and adjust accordingly. Ghansah said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe main takeaways we've gotten from YC in general are to talk to your users and paying attention to your core metrics + feedback and adjusting accordingly. That\u2019s how you build a product and company people love. YC also pushed us to move very quickly and take bolder steps in conquering our markets.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: 10 of the Best Startup Accelerators for African Entrepreneurs<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

How has OMG Digital transformed Digital Publishing in Africa?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When the company started as OMG Ghana (which later became OMG Digital) in 2012, traditional media companies dominated the digital media space. These companies were just trying to reinvent the print experience online. So, the content they produced was largely politics and hard news.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, OMG Digital founders recognized the yearning among millennials for entertainment and social content. By creating this type of content, the digital media company has inspired several other millennial-focused media companies on the African market. Now, almost every medial company is striving to create and distribute social content on social medial platforms. OMG Digital has inspired some Western digital media companies to test out the Sub-Saharan Africa market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: How Jason Njoku Overcame Multiple Failures To Build IrokoTV, The Netflix Of Africa<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Motivation to start OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"OMG
OMG Co-Founders - Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah [Photo credit: Techpoint.africa]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah established OMG Ghana in 2012 while in college. Back then, smartphones were becoming popular in Africa. So, after acquiring smartphones, they could not find interesting content to read. Ghansah recalls,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really frustrating for us because we would go online and all the content was just boring news and politics and stuff. Most of the people online back then were youth like us. BuzzFeed and Mashable were doing things for millennials, but we couldn\u2019t really relate to their content, so we created something for ourselves.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consequently, they thought about creating lightweight content for young people like themselves. Since smartphones were penetrating quickly and Facebook was also becoming very popular, the three resolved it was time to launch their company. Thus, they found OMG Ghana. Surprisingly, they did not perceive this company to have great potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: Saran Kaba Jones\u2019s FACE Africa Is Bringing Clean Water To Liberians<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

So, alongside OMG Ghana, they decided to establish a microlending platform. But the lending company soon experienced funding challenges. At the same time, OMG Ghana was growing and getting more readers. When it started to earn them some money, they registered it as a media company and resolved to focus on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Challenges of Running OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Right from the start, access to funding was a huge challenge. In the beginning, the co-founders didn\u2019t realize the growth they had anticipated. This is because they didn\u2019t have enough money to do all that they had planned. So, they would reinvest the profit back into the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the co-founders continued to seek funding nationally and internationally. Their efforts bore fruit in 2017 when they fundraised $1.1M from several international investors including Comcast Ventures, M&Y Growth Partners<\/span>, and Kima Ventures<\/span>. These funds helped to expand the company and scale operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Want To Build Wealth? Here Are 20 Youtube Channels We Think You Should Subscribe To<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Another challenge was the diversity of the continent. So, producing content that was relevant to different communities was a challenge at the onset. However, this challenge was resolved with time as the company hired staff from different regions in the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global Success<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since its inception, the OMG Global website has a total monthly view of more than 90 million. Today, the media company boasts of 4.5 million readers each month. The company is now present in three countries in Africa\u2014Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. So far, OMG Global has published over 20,000 contents. Also, it has over twenty content curators from Africa. With this team, it is easy to create relevant original content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expansion plans<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The digital media company aims to market its content to English speakers in Africa before extending to French-speaking countries. This is because English speakers form the largest population of internet users. So, OMG Global plans to extend its reach to more English-speaking countries in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Did You Know You Can Start These Businesses In Africa With Just $1,000 or Less?<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, the company plans to launch its brands in South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. With this market, it aims to reach 70% of the total millennial market in Africa. The next step will be to roll out its services continent-wide. The media platform wants to produce more video content in the future. Also, it has plans to create travel and technology content as it grows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 Business Lessons from<\/strong> OMG Global Co-founders<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Act on Feedback<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah emphasizes that customer feedback is very important. By analyzing your feedback, you can know what is lacking in your offerings. Thus, acting on customer feedback can help you adjust your products and make them relevant to your clients. Remember, the ultimate goal is always to enhance customer satisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Look for gaps in the market<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Business is all about delivering value to your customers. Before you venture into your field of interest, conduct some research to identify the gaps in the market. Mensah says that is exactly what they did before establishing OMG Global. Research helps you to identify people's needs that are not currently available. Once you establish a need, set up your business and fulfill that need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Be accessible<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Customers become loyal to businesses that are accessible when issues arise. Sometimes, your clients will want to seek assistance, clarification, or even to speak out about their concerns and problems. So, make sure to put in place channels through which your clients can reach you. That way, you will be accessible when they need to talk to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: \ud83d\ude325 Business Lessons From Cosmas Maduka, The Man That Turned $1 To $500 Million<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Pay attention to numbers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In business, numbers mean everything. You need to have more clients to make more sales and money. So, depending on your business, invest in having as many clients as possible. Develop a clear roadmap on how you will get to your target audience. Once you reach them, aim to convert them into clients or buying customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Any business needs patience<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No business grows overnight. It takes time to get investors and clients as well. In the beginning, investors may not believe that your idea will work. Some will only be convinced to fund your business once you get some loyal clients. Similarly, some clients will not trust your services just because your business is new. In all these instances, you will need to have a lot of patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global is making a significant impact in serving the huge demand for digital content in Africa. Nonetheless, there are still many opportunities in digital publishing and other fields that young entrepreneurs can exploit. We hope that the success story of Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah serves as an encouragement that will spur you to success.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Entrepreneur Spotlight: Three College Students Think Out Of The Box To Create OMG Digital","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"three-college-student-think-out-of-the-box-to-create-omg-digital","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=298246","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401604,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-10-03 10:44:45","post_date_gmt":"2022-10-03 17:44:45","post_content":"\n

\"Quindaro
Quindaro Township Site (Photo credit: KCUR)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first step toward amending wounds is the acceptance of wrongdoing. For many years, there has been a growing call for European countries to offer apologies for their role in the transatlantic slave trade. However, European countries are not the only guilty party. African chiefs facilitated the slave trade in one way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time since the end of the slave trade, African leaders have offered apologies for the wrongdoings of their ancestors. On Wednesday 28 September 2022, African delegates converged at the Quindaro Township Site in Kansas City, Kansas for a ceremony. Also present was Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Anita
Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0<\/em>UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the ceremony, the African delegates read out letters of apology from their tribal leaders and chiefs for the role of their ancestors in the slave trade of fellow Africans. Reacting to the apology letters, Dixon who noted that inviting the African delegates to the Quindaro site was crucial said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the healing that I have yearned for as a Black woman in America. This apology is for African people, Black people scattered all over the globe and not just to people of color.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembrance Of Slave Trade: Is Modern Slavery Worse Than The Pre-colonial Era?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also present at the ceremony was Wyandotte County Commissioner, Gayle Townsend, members of the Wyandotte Tribe, and state and local leaders from Missouri and Kansas. The apology letters zoomed in on the dark past of the African continent and the role local chiefs played in facilitating the slave trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

As the 2023 Women's World Cup commenced on 20th July, football fans around the world are eagerly anticipating the performance of African teams in the tournament. Nigeria, Morocco, Zambia, and South Africa will proudly represent the continent on the global stage, each with its unique strengths and aspirations. In this article, we will delve into the possibilities of these African teams winning the tournament and explore their groupings in the competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Analysis of African Teams in the 2023 Women's World Cup<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Now, let's analyze each African team's possibility to win the tournament:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Super Falcons- Nigeria<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: AFCON 2023: Who\u2019s In and Who\u2019s Out? The Latest Lineup Revealed!<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Super Falcons of Nigeria are one of the most successful women's national teams in Africa. They have a rich footballing history and a tradition of success in continental competitions. Nigeria's key to success lies in their physicality, pace, and technical ability. With experienced players and a strong domestic league, they have the potential to upset higher-ranked teams. To win the tournament, Nigeria must maintain consistency, tighten their defensive lines, and capitalize on their clinical finishing. Nigeria is placed in group B with the host Australia, Canada and the Republic of Ireland. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"the<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco - Atlas Lionesses<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is a historic moment for Morocco's women's team, marking their first appearance in a Women's World Cup. The Moroccan Lionesses have made significant progress in recent years and will be eager to make a mark in the tournament. While their journey may be challenging, Morocco can use this opportunity to gain experience and build a foundation for future success. Morocco is in the same group as Germany, Colombia, and South Korea. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"the<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Zambia - The Copper Queens<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Copper Queens of Zambia showcased their talent by qualifying for their maiden Women's World Cup. With an attacking mindset and flair, Zambia's youthful exuberance could surprise some of their opponents. To win the tournament, they must strengthen their defensive strategies and maintain composure during crucial moments. The copper queens of Zambia will be battling in group stage with Japan, Costa Rica, and Spain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Transfer Trails: The Goodbye of Algerian Riyad Mahrez from Manchester<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"the
The Copper Queens of Zambia - (Photo credit Twitter Zambia Daily Nation<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

South Africa - Banyana Banyana<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Banyana Banyana returns to the World Cup, looking to build upon their previous successes. South Africa has a balanced squad, with experienced players complementing young talents. They have shown their mettle in previous international competitions, and with their disciplined approach, they can trouble even the strongest teams. To win the tournament, South Africa needs to maximize their goal-scoring opportunities and maintain strong defensive discipline. Banyana Banyana will be striving to defeat Argentina, Sweden, and Italy on group stages to progress to the knockout stage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"the<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As the 2023 Women's World Cup unfolds, African teams will strive to make their continent proud with their performances on the grand stage. Nigeria, Morocco, Zambia, and South Africa each bring unique qualities and ambitions to the tournament. While Nigeria and South Africa, with their previous experience, may have a higher likelihood of advancing deeper in the competition, Morocco and Zambia's debut appearances present exciting opportunities for growth and development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The world will witness exceptional talent, determination, and passion from these African teams as they compete against the best in the world. Regardless of the results, their participation in the tournament will undoubtedly inspire countless young girls across the continent to pursue their footballing dreams and leave a lasting impact on the future of women's football in Africa.<\/p>\n","post_title":"African Teams in the 2023 Women's World Cup: A Quest for Glory","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-2023-womens-world-cup-unfolds","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 11:45:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 11:45:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=348440","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401016,"post_author":"10056","post_date":"2023-04-01 08:31:00","post_date_gmt":"2023-04-01 15:31:00","post_content":"\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"OMG
OMG Digital Founders [Photo credit: Appsafrica]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

OMG Digital is a brainchild of three college students from Ghana. Dubbed the \u201cBuzzFeed of Africa,\" the media platform aims to become a leading entertainer for African millennials worldwide. The interesting thing about this digital company is that, in the beginning, its founders didn\u2019t consider it as their main project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, they also launched a microlending platform and focused on it. However, it didn\u2019t survive because of funding challenges. At that point, the three had no other option but to revert to their media platform. Currently, OMG Digital has a huge loyal audience from around Africa. Today, we walk you through the encouraging success story of OMG Digital founders\u2014Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Ghanaian Entrepreneur Combats Counterfeit Goods With His Innovative Startup<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

What is OMG Digital?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Digital is an online media company founded in 2016 by Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah. Based in Ghana, the digital company publishes lifestyle and entertainment content targeted at Africa\u2019s millennial population. Currently, it has two digital brands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first one is OMGVoice<\/span><\/a> that is active in three African countries: Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. The second is Servepot<\/span><\/a>, a culinary brand that publishes content on African recipes and food culture. The mission of the media platform is to develop influential and powerful African digital medial platforms and brands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Nigerian Pearlena Igbokwe Hits An Epic Milestone For African Women in Media<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

OMG Digital makes money through digital marketing. Currently, banner ads make up 80% of its ad sales. Its rapid growth has drawn the attention of large advertisers. So far, the media company has partnered with various companies including Coca-Cola, Pringles, Philips, KFC, and Huawei on sponsored content and marketing campaigns. About 6o percent of the company\u2019s audience are millennials aged between 18 to 24 years. The company targets Africa\u2019s 250 million millennials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did Y-Combinator Program influence<\/strong> OMG Digital Founders<\/strong>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Jesse
Jesse Ghansah at Y Combinator [Photo credit: Paystack]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah are graduates of the Y Combinator\u2019s startup accelerator program<\/a>. This program offers startup lessons to help entrepreneurs get started with their businesses and achieve success. For the founders of OMG Digital, their main takeaways were to always make effort to talk to customers. Also, it is important to obtain feedback and adjust accordingly. Ghansah said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe main takeaways we've gotten from YC in general are to talk to your users and paying attention to your core metrics + feedback and adjusting accordingly. That\u2019s how you build a product and company people love. YC also pushed us to move very quickly and take bolder steps in conquering our markets.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: 10 of the Best Startup Accelerators for African Entrepreneurs<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

How has OMG Digital transformed Digital Publishing in Africa?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When the company started as OMG Ghana (which later became OMG Digital) in 2012, traditional media companies dominated the digital media space. These companies were just trying to reinvent the print experience online. So, the content they produced was largely politics and hard news.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, OMG Digital founders recognized the yearning among millennials for entertainment and social content. By creating this type of content, the digital media company has inspired several other millennial-focused media companies on the African market. Now, almost every medial company is striving to create and distribute social content on social medial platforms. OMG Digital has inspired some Western digital media companies to test out the Sub-Saharan Africa market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: How Jason Njoku Overcame Multiple Failures To Build IrokoTV, The Netflix Of Africa<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Motivation to start OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"OMG
OMG Co-Founders - Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah [Photo credit: Techpoint.africa]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah established OMG Ghana in 2012 while in college. Back then, smartphones were becoming popular in Africa. So, after acquiring smartphones, they could not find interesting content to read. Ghansah recalls,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really frustrating for us because we would go online and all the content was just boring news and politics and stuff. Most of the people online back then were youth like us. BuzzFeed and Mashable were doing things for millennials, but we couldn\u2019t really relate to their content, so we created something for ourselves.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consequently, they thought about creating lightweight content for young people like themselves. Since smartphones were penetrating quickly and Facebook was also becoming very popular, the three resolved it was time to launch their company. Thus, they found OMG Ghana. Surprisingly, they did not perceive this company to have great potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: Saran Kaba Jones\u2019s FACE Africa Is Bringing Clean Water To Liberians<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

So, alongside OMG Ghana, they decided to establish a microlending platform. But the lending company soon experienced funding challenges. At the same time, OMG Ghana was growing and getting more readers. When it started to earn them some money, they registered it as a media company and resolved to focus on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Challenges of Running OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Right from the start, access to funding was a huge challenge. In the beginning, the co-founders didn\u2019t realize the growth they had anticipated. This is because they didn\u2019t have enough money to do all that they had planned. So, they would reinvest the profit back into the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the co-founders continued to seek funding nationally and internationally. Their efforts bore fruit in 2017 when they fundraised $1.1M from several international investors including Comcast Ventures, M&Y Growth Partners<\/span>, and Kima Ventures<\/span>. These funds helped to expand the company and scale operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Want To Build Wealth? Here Are 20 Youtube Channels We Think You Should Subscribe To<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Another challenge was the diversity of the continent. So, producing content that was relevant to different communities was a challenge at the onset. However, this challenge was resolved with time as the company hired staff from different regions in the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global Success<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since its inception, the OMG Global website has a total monthly view of more than 90 million. Today, the media company boasts of 4.5 million readers each month. The company is now present in three countries in Africa\u2014Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. So far, OMG Global has published over 20,000 contents. Also, it has over twenty content curators from Africa. With this team, it is easy to create relevant original content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expansion plans<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The digital media company aims to market its content to English speakers in Africa before extending to French-speaking countries. This is because English speakers form the largest population of internet users. So, OMG Global plans to extend its reach to more English-speaking countries in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Did You Know You Can Start These Businesses In Africa With Just $1,000 or Less?<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, the company plans to launch its brands in South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. With this market, it aims to reach 70% of the total millennial market in Africa. The next step will be to roll out its services continent-wide. The media platform wants to produce more video content in the future. Also, it has plans to create travel and technology content as it grows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 Business Lessons from<\/strong> OMG Global Co-founders<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Act on Feedback<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah emphasizes that customer feedback is very important. By analyzing your feedback, you can know what is lacking in your offerings. Thus, acting on customer feedback can help you adjust your products and make them relevant to your clients. Remember, the ultimate goal is always to enhance customer satisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Look for gaps in the market<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Business is all about delivering value to your customers. Before you venture into your field of interest, conduct some research to identify the gaps in the market. Mensah says that is exactly what they did before establishing OMG Global. Research helps you to identify people's needs that are not currently available. Once you establish a need, set up your business and fulfill that need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Be accessible<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Customers become loyal to businesses that are accessible when issues arise. Sometimes, your clients will want to seek assistance, clarification, or even to speak out about their concerns and problems. So, make sure to put in place channels through which your clients can reach you. That way, you will be accessible when they need to talk to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: \ud83d\ude325 Business Lessons From Cosmas Maduka, The Man That Turned $1 To $500 Million<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Pay attention to numbers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In business, numbers mean everything. You need to have more clients to make more sales and money. So, depending on your business, invest in having as many clients as possible. Develop a clear roadmap on how you will get to your target audience. Once you reach them, aim to convert them into clients or buying customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Any business needs patience<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No business grows overnight. It takes time to get investors and clients as well. In the beginning, investors may not believe that your idea will work. Some will only be convinced to fund your business once you get some loyal clients. Similarly, some clients will not trust your services just because your business is new. In all these instances, you will need to have a lot of patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global is making a significant impact in serving the huge demand for digital content in Africa. Nonetheless, there are still many opportunities in digital publishing and other fields that young entrepreneurs can exploit. We hope that the success story of Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah serves as an encouragement that will spur you to success.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Entrepreneur Spotlight: Three College Students Think Out Of The Box To Create OMG Digital","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"three-college-student-think-out-of-the-box-to-create-omg-digital","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=298246","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401604,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-10-03 10:44:45","post_date_gmt":"2022-10-03 17:44:45","post_content":"\n

\"Quindaro
Quindaro Township Site (Photo credit: KCUR)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first step toward amending wounds is the acceptance of wrongdoing. For many years, there has been a growing call for European countries to offer apologies for their role in the transatlantic slave trade. However, European countries are not the only guilty party. African chiefs facilitated the slave trade in one way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time since the end of the slave trade, African leaders have offered apologies for the wrongdoings of their ancestors. On Wednesday 28 September 2022, African delegates converged at the Quindaro Township Site in Kansas City, Kansas for a ceremony. Also present was Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Anita
Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0<\/em>UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the ceremony, the African delegates read out letters of apology from their tribal leaders and chiefs for the role of their ancestors in the slave trade of fellow Africans. Reacting to the apology letters, Dixon who noted that inviting the African delegates to the Quindaro site was crucial said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the healing that I have yearned for as a Black woman in America. This apology is for African people, Black people scattered all over the globe and not just to people of color.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembrance Of Slave Trade: Is Modern Slavery Worse Than The Pre-colonial Era?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also present at the ceremony was Wyandotte County Commissioner, Gayle Townsend, members of the Wyandotte Tribe, and state and local leaders from Missouri and Kansas. The apology letters zoomed in on the dark past of the African continent and the role local chiefs played in facilitating the slave trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the 2023 Women's World Cup commenced on 20th July, football fans around the world are eagerly anticipating the performance of African teams in the tournament. Nigeria, Morocco, Zambia, and South Africa will proudly represent the continent on the global stage, each with its unique strengths and aspirations. In this article, we will delve into the possibilities of these African teams winning the tournament and explore their groupings in the competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Analysis of African Teams in the 2023 Women's World Cup<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Now, let's analyze each African team's possibility to win the tournament:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Super Falcons- Nigeria<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: AFCON 2023: Who\u2019s In and Who\u2019s Out? The Latest Lineup Revealed!<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Super Falcons of Nigeria are one of the most successful women's national teams in Africa. They have a rich footballing history and a tradition of success in continental competitions. Nigeria's key to success lies in their physicality, pace, and technical ability. With experienced players and a strong domestic league, they have the potential to upset higher-ranked teams. To win the tournament, Nigeria must maintain consistency, tighten their defensive lines, and capitalize on their clinical finishing. Nigeria is placed in group B with the host Australia, Canada and the Republic of Ireland. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"the<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morocco - Atlas Lionesses<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is a historic moment for Morocco's women's team, marking their first appearance in a Women's World Cup. The Moroccan Lionesses have made significant progress in recent years and will be eager to make a mark in the tournament. While their journey may be challenging, Morocco can use this opportunity to gain experience and build a foundation for future success. Morocco is in the same group as Germany, Colombia, and South Korea. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"the<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Zambia - The Copper Queens<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Copper Queens of Zambia showcased their talent by qualifying for their maiden Women's World Cup. With an attacking mindset and flair, Zambia's youthful exuberance could surprise some of their opponents. To win the tournament, they must strengthen their defensive strategies and maintain composure during crucial moments. The copper queens of Zambia will be battling in group stage with Japan, Costa Rica, and Spain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Transfer Trails: The Goodbye of Algerian Riyad Mahrez from Manchester<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"the
The Copper Queens of Zambia - (Photo credit Twitter Zambia Daily Nation<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

South Africa - Banyana Banyana<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Banyana Banyana returns to the World Cup, looking to build upon their previous successes. South Africa has a balanced squad, with experienced players complementing young talents. They have shown their mettle in previous international competitions, and with their disciplined approach, they can trouble even the strongest teams. To win the tournament, South Africa needs to maximize their goal-scoring opportunities and maintain strong defensive discipline. Banyana Banyana will be striving to defeat Argentina, Sweden, and Italy on group stages to progress to the knockout stage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"the<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As the 2023 Women's World Cup unfolds, African teams will strive to make their continent proud with their performances on the grand stage. Nigeria, Morocco, Zambia, and South Africa each bring unique qualities and ambitions to the tournament. While Nigeria and South Africa, with their previous experience, may have a higher likelihood of advancing deeper in the competition, Morocco and Zambia's debut appearances present exciting opportunities for growth and development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The world will witness exceptional talent, determination, and passion from these African teams as they compete against the best in the world. Regardless of the results, their participation in the tournament will undoubtedly inspire countless young girls across the continent to pursue their footballing dreams and leave a lasting impact on the future of women's football in Africa.<\/p>\n","post_title":"African Teams in the 2023 Women's World Cup: A Quest for Glory","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-2023-womens-world-cup-unfolds","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 11:45:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 11:45:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=348440","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401016,"post_author":"10056","post_date":"2023-04-01 08:31:00","post_date_gmt":"2023-04-01 15:31:00","post_content":"\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"OMG
OMG Digital Founders [Photo credit: Appsafrica]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

OMG Digital is a brainchild of three college students from Ghana. Dubbed the \u201cBuzzFeed of Africa,\" the media platform aims to become a leading entertainer for African millennials worldwide. The interesting thing about this digital company is that, in the beginning, its founders didn\u2019t consider it as their main project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, they also launched a microlending platform and focused on it. However, it didn\u2019t survive because of funding challenges. At that point, the three had no other option but to revert to their media platform. Currently, OMG Digital has a huge loyal audience from around Africa. Today, we walk you through the encouraging success story of OMG Digital founders\u2014Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Ghanaian Entrepreneur Combats Counterfeit Goods With His Innovative Startup<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

What is OMG Digital?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Digital is an online media company founded in 2016 by Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah. Based in Ghana, the digital company publishes lifestyle and entertainment content targeted at Africa\u2019s millennial population. Currently, it has two digital brands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first one is OMGVoice<\/span><\/a> that is active in three African countries: Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. The second is Servepot<\/span><\/a>, a culinary brand that publishes content on African recipes and food culture. The mission of the media platform is to develop influential and powerful African digital medial platforms and brands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Nigerian Pearlena Igbokwe Hits An Epic Milestone For African Women in Media<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

OMG Digital makes money through digital marketing. Currently, banner ads make up 80% of its ad sales. Its rapid growth has drawn the attention of large advertisers. So far, the media company has partnered with various companies including Coca-Cola, Pringles, Philips, KFC, and Huawei on sponsored content and marketing campaigns. About 6o percent of the company\u2019s audience are millennials aged between 18 to 24 years. The company targets Africa\u2019s 250 million millennials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did Y-Combinator Program influence<\/strong> OMG Digital Founders<\/strong>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Jesse
Jesse Ghansah at Y Combinator [Photo credit: Paystack]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah are graduates of the Y Combinator\u2019s startup accelerator program<\/a>. This program offers startup lessons to help entrepreneurs get started with their businesses and achieve success. For the founders of OMG Digital, their main takeaways were to always make effort to talk to customers. Also, it is important to obtain feedback and adjust accordingly. Ghansah said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe main takeaways we've gotten from YC in general are to talk to your users and paying attention to your core metrics + feedback and adjusting accordingly. That\u2019s how you build a product and company people love. YC also pushed us to move very quickly and take bolder steps in conquering our markets.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: 10 of the Best Startup Accelerators for African Entrepreneurs<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

How has OMG Digital transformed Digital Publishing in Africa?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When the company started as OMG Ghana (which later became OMG Digital) in 2012, traditional media companies dominated the digital media space. These companies were just trying to reinvent the print experience online. So, the content they produced was largely politics and hard news.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, OMG Digital founders recognized the yearning among millennials for entertainment and social content. By creating this type of content, the digital media company has inspired several other millennial-focused media companies on the African market. Now, almost every medial company is striving to create and distribute social content on social medial platforms. OMG Digital has inspired some Western digital media companies to test out the Sub-Saharan Africa market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: How Jason Njoku Overcame Multiple Failures To Build IrokoTV, The Netflix Of Africa<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Motivation to start OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"OMG
OMG Co-Founders - Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah [Photo credit: Techpoint.africa]<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah, Boampong, and Mensah established OMG Ghana in 2012 while in college. Back then, smartphones were becoming popular in Africa. So, after acquiring smartphones, they could not find interesting content to read. Ghansah recalls,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was really frustrating for us because we would go online and all the content was just boring news and politics and stuff. Most of the people online back then were youth like us. BuzzFeed and Mashable were doing things for millennials, but we couldn\u2019t really relate to their content, so we created something for ourselves.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consequently, they thought about creating lightweight content for young people like themselves. Since smartphones were penetrating quickly and Facebook was also becoming very popular, the three resolved it was time to launch their company. Thus, they found OMG Ghana. Surprisingly, they did not perceive this company to have great potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: Saran Kaba Jones\u2019s FACE Africa Is Bringing Clean Water To Liberians<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

So, alongside OMG Ghana, they decided to establish a microlending platform. But the lending company soon experienced funding challenges. At the same time, OMG Ghana was growing and getting more readers. When it started to earn them some money, they registered it as a media company and resolved to focus on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Challenges of Running OMG Digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Right from the start, access to funding was a huge challenge. In the beginning, the co-founders didn\u2019t realize the growth they had anticipated. This is because they didn\u2019t have enough money to do all that they had planned. So, they would reinvest the profit back into the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the co-founders continued to seek funding nationally and internationally. Their efforts bore fruit in 2017 when they fundraised $1.1M from several international investors including Comcast Ventures, M&Y Growth Partners<\/span>, and Kima Ventures<\/span>. These funds helped to expand the company and scale operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Want To Build Wealth? Here Are 20 Youtube Channels We Think You Should Subscribe To<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Another challenge was the diversity of the continent. So, producing content that was relevant to different communities was a challenge at the onset. However, this challenge was resolved with time as the company hired staff from different regions in the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global Success<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since its inception, the OMG Global website has a total monthly view of more than 90 million. Today, the media company boasts of 4.5 million readers each month. The company is now present in three countries in Africa\u2014Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. So far, OMG Global has published over 20,000 contents. Also, it has over twenty content curators from Africa. With this team, it is easy to create relevant original content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expansion plans<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The digital media company aims to market its content to English speakers in Africa before extending to French-speaking countries. This is because English speakers form the largest population of internet users. So, OMG Global plans to extend its reach to more English-speaking countries in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Did You Know You Can Start These Businesses In Africa With Just $1,000 or Less?<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, the company plans to launch its brands in South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. With this market, it aims to reach 70% of the total millennial market in Africa. The next step will be to roll out its services continent-wide. The media platform wants to produce more video content in the future. Also, it has plans to create travel and technology content as it grows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 Business Lessons from<\/strong> OMG Global Co-founders<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Act on Feedback<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ghansah emphasizes that customer feedback is very important. By analyzing your feedback, you can know what is lacking in your offerings. Thus, acting on customer feedback can help you adjust your products and make them relevant to your clients. Remember, the ultimate goal is always to enhance customer satisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Look for gaps in the market<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Business is all about delivering value to your customers. Before you venture into your field of interest, conduct some research to identify the gaps in the market. Mensah says that is exactly what they did before establishing OMG Global. Research helps you to identify people's needs that are not currently available. Once you establish a need, set up your business and fulfill that need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Be accessible<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Customers become loyal to businesses that are accessible when issues arise. Sometimes, your clients will want to seek assistance, clarification, or even to speak out about their concerns and problems. So, make sure to put in place channels through which your clients can reach you. That way, you will be accessible when they need to talk to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: Entrepreneur Spotlight: \ud83d\ude325 Business Lessons From Cosmas Maduka, The Man That Turned $1 To $500 Million<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. Pay attention to numbers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In business, numbers mean everything. You need to have more clients to make more sales and money. So, depending on your business, invest in having as many clients as possible. Develop a clear roadmap on how you will get to your target audience. Once you reach them, aim to convert them into clients or buying customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Any business needs patience<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No business grows overnight. It takes time to get investors and clients as well. In the beginning, investors may not believe that your idea will work. Some will only be convinced to fund your business once you get some loyal clients. Similarly, some clients will not trust your services just because your business is new. In all these instances, you will need to have a lot of patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

OMG Global is making a significant impact in serving the huge demand for digital content in Africa. Nonetheless, there are still many opportunities in digital publishing and other fields that young entrepreneurs can exploit. We hope that the success story of Dominic Mensah, Prince Boakye Boampong, and Jesse Arhin Ghansah serves as an encouragement that will spur you to success.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Entrepreneur Spotlight: Three College Students Think Out Of The Box To Create OMG Digital","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"three-college-student-think-out-of-the-box-to-create-omg-digital","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 19:35:17","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.africanvibes.com\/?p=298246","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401604,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-10-03 10:44:45","post_date_gmt":"2022-10-03 17:44:45","post_content":"\n

\"Quindaro
Quindaro Township Site (Photo credit: KCUR)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The first step toward amending wounds is the acceptance of wrongdoing. For many years, there has been a growing call for European countries to offer apologies for their role in the transatlantic slave trade. However, European countries are not the only guilty party. African chiefs facilitated the slave trade in one way or another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the first time since the end of the slave trade, African leaders have offered apologies for the wrongdoings of their ancestors. On Wednesday 28 September 2022, African delegates converged at the Quindaro Township Site in Kansas City, Kansas for a ceremony. Also present was Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Anita
Anita Dixon, the Executive Director at\u00a0<\/em>UNESCO<\/em>\u00a0Creative City of Music-KC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the ceremony, the African delegates read out letters of apology from their tribal leaders and chiefs for the role of their ancestors in the slave trade of fellow Africans. Reacting to the apology letters, Dixon who noted that inviting the African delegates to the Quindaro site was crucial said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is the healing that I have yearned for as a Black woman in America. This apology is for African people, Black people scattered all over the globe and not just to people of color.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembrance Of Slave Trade: Is Modern Slavery Worse Than The Pre-colonial Era?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also present at the ceremony was Wyandotte County Commissioner, Gayle Townsend, members of the Wyandotte Tribe, and state and local leaders from Missouri and Kansas. The apology letters zoomed in on the dark past of the African continent and the role local chiefs played in facilitating the slave trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The false representation of enslavement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charles
\"\"Charles Nzally from the Gambia offers an apology for the role of African leaders in the slave trade era<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For so long, the popular story has been that Americans and Europeans stormed Africa and forced some of the continent\u2019s strongest citizens into slavery. However, David Haley who is a Kansas senator said the apology from the African leaders creates \u201cawareness that there is a broad culture that facilitated the travesty of enslavement\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without a doubt, the transatlantic slave trade that lasted for years will not have been successful without the cooperation of African chiefs. Some of the delegates from Africa tendered their apology at the event. One of them was Charles Nzally from the Gambia in West Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[I am] really sad that several African chiefs violated the oath they swore to protect their people. They kidnapped and sold or negotiated the exchange of their people to foreigners.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another African delegate to tender an apology was Chiluba Mosunda from Zambia. Mosunda further highlighted the importance of an apology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt gives us the opportunity to have vital conversations. This conversation must take place among Africans in addressing the Transatlantic slave trade that changed people of African descent forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chiluba
Chiluba Musonda from Zambia also offer an apology from the traditional leaders<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dixon mentioned that the letters of apology will help people to think about the decisions of African tribal leaders. According to Dixon, it helps to open a new chapter of life, love, and healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Ghana Joins A Growing List Of Countries Calling For Slavery Reparation. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recounting some of the traumas of being a Black person in America, Dixon said, \u201cWhen you look at a black person and can\u2019t tell their country of origin, it is heartbreaking for Black Americans\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

See the video from the event here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muammar Gaddafi apologizes for the role of Arab leaders in the slave trade<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Late
Late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in military regalia (Photo credit: Middle East Monitor)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the first African leaders to acknowledge and apologize for the role of African tribal leaders in the transatlantic slave trade was Muammar Gaddafi. At the 2010 Arab African Summit in Sirte, the late leader tendered an apology and condemned the behavior of wealthy Arab leaders that contributed to the slave trade. In a heartfelt speech, the late Libyan leader said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOn behalf of the Arabs, I\u2019d like to condemn, apologize, and express deep sorrow for the conduct of some Arabs, especially the wealthy ones towards their African brothers. They bought children and took them to North Africa to the Arabian Peninsula, and to the other Arab regions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=gCrOfNx63nM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana offers an apology too<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Elmina Castle in Ghana was a notorious trading ground for enslaved Africans. Millions of enslaved Africans were sold there. From there, they were shipped to uncertain futures in the Caribbean, Europe, and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An epitaph on the wall of the Elmina Castle bears an inscription that acknowledges the wrongdoing of Africans and offers some form of apology.  The inscription reads,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn everlasting memory of the anguish of our ancestors. May those who died rest in peace. May those who return find their roots, and may humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity. We the living vow to uphold this.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=yNGcKZ7hCWc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calls for African leaders to apologize for their role in the slave trade go a long way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As far back as 2009, the Civil Rights Congres<\/a>s of Nigeria wrote to tribal chiefs saying that it was wrong to keep on blaming the white men since Africans, especially tribal rulers also took part in the slave trade. According to the congress, African leaders raided and kidnapped defenseless people and traded them to Europeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The congress believes that an apology from African tribal leaders will \u201cput a final seal on the slave trade era\u201d. For so long, many American and European nations have accepted the cruelty done by their ancestors. Some have even offered some form of compensation for their wrongdoings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Remembering Victims Of Child Slavery And How To Put An End To The Menace In Africa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, African tribal leaders have been reluctant to do the same. Rather, they continue to trade blame. The ceremony at the Quindaro Township Site is the first time that a group of African leaders is offering an apology to African Americans who can no longer trace their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An apology should come with a means of reintegration<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Professor
Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu cut sod for Obokese University (Photo credit: Citinewsroom)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An apology alone may not be enough to undo the wrongs that span over 400 years. While an apology to Black people of African descent all over the world is long overdue, there should be a process to reintegrate those that want to return to their roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Omanhene Okatakyi Amanfi VII, the King of Asebu Traditional Area took a bold step towards the reintegration of African diasporans by setting aside 5,000 acres of land for free close to Cape Coast, Ghana. The land is for descendants of kidnapped and enslaved Africans who will want to return to the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is not enough to ask others to issue an apology. You have to forgive yourself first. The time is long overdue for Africans to move away from their painful past and forge a better future for the continent. Perhaps, the Quindaro Township Site ceremony will set the ball rolling for a brighter future for the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you think Africans should continue to blame the whites for the transatlantic slave trade or focus on uniting the continent considering that the slave trade still happens on the continent?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post was updated on 15 November 2020 to dissociate UNESCO from the event after it was brought to our notice by Ghana UNESCO Representative, Abdourahamane Diallo, that the organization was not involved in the planning of the event in any form.<\/h5>\n\n\n","post_title":"African Delegates Offer Apology For Africa\u2019s Role In The Slave Trade","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"african-delegates-offer-apology-for-africas-role-in-the-slave-trade","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_modified_gmt":"2024-10-16 17:01:11","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=343247","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401533,"post_author":"2777","post_date":"2022-07-23 15:50:00","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-23 22:50:00","post_content":"\n

Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON 2022) came to an end on Saturday 23 July 2022. The rarity of goals throughout the tournament shows how much female soccer has grown on the continent. All the four semi-finalists have already qualified for next year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Host Morocco and South Africa battled it out in WAFCON 2022 finals. South Africa got to the final after beating Zambia by a lone goal in the semi-finals. Host, Morocco didn\u2019t have a smooth sail to the final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Women\u2019s African Cup Of Nations WAFCON 2022: Road To The Quarterfinals<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were held by a 9-woman Nigerian team to the penalties. Morocco later won the game by 5\u20144 on penalties. Interestingly, South Africa and Morocco are the only two teams in the tournament that did not lose any games heading to the finals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GRqp9NpFRsc\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Recap of the WAFCON 2022 final game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WAFCON 2022 was not bereft of drama. The first half was fairly even with both teams playing cautiously. South Africa had a few moments that they failed to convert. However, the second half was more open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drama started after Jermaine made an important run through the flank. She stayed on her feet even after a strong tackle to deliver a cool pass to Hilda Magaia who slotted it home at the hour mark. Ten minutes later a similar combination saw Magaia double the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550956552852586496\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At this time, some of the Moroccan fans were already leaving the pitch. However, the Moroccan team showed that they were no pushovers. They fought hard to get one back before the 80th minute through Rosella Ayane. That seemed to rejuvenate the Moroccans who pushed hard to get their equalizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ: <\/strong>CAF Postpones 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. See Why<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/CAFwomen\/status\/1550958671160639488\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the 90 minutes of regular play, the fourth officials showed 9 minutes of added time. The South Africans held on and would not be broken. In the end, it was South Africa 2, Morocco 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defending champions go home without a medal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coming into WAFCON 2022 as defending champions, there were lots of expectations from the Nigerian team. However, that expectation dwindled after they lost their first group game to South Africa. The Nigerian team seemed to find their rhythm afterward and push on to the semi-finals where they lost to Morocco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going into the third-place match with two of their key players on red cards was a serious blow. However, that is not to write off the effort of the Zambian team. Eventually, it was an own goal from Chiamaka Nnadozie, the young Nigerian goalkeeper that handed Zambia the bronze, their first in the history of the tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting facts from WAFCON 2022<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
South African skipper taking on Moroccan defence (Photo credit: Twitter\/@Banyana_Banyana)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While WAFCON 2022 has come to an end in grand style, there are interesting facts that you may have missed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco has never reached the finals of the WAFCON<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the nation expected the women to go all the way judging by the huge number of fans that were always present during their games, reaching the finals and qualifying for the World Cup is already a win for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa has always been knocking on the door<\/strong>. Four times, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa have come close to winning the WAFCON but have either fallen to Nigeria or Equatorial Guinea. They have also won the bronze medal twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> CAF Awards 2022: Nominee List, Award Date, And Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Morocco is the first North African Nation to host WAFCON<\/strong>. In all its previous 11 editions, the Women\u2019s African Cup of Nations has either been hosted by a West African, South African, or Central African country. WAFCON 2022 was a breath of fresh air of some sort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria and South Africa have hosted the tournament the most times<\/strong>. The two countries have hosted WAFCON a record three times with Nigeria winning in all six cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zambia team won their first bronze.<\/strong> Another country that performed remarkably well and set a new record was Zambia. This was their first time reaching the last four in the tournament. They will also be making their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nigeria has reached the last four in all WAFCON tournaments<\/strong>. Inasmuch as the Super Falcons left WAFCON 2022 without a trophy, they are the only team on the continent that has played in all WAFCON semifinals.<\/p>\n","post_title":"South Africa Wins WAFCON 2022, Other Interesting Statistics","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"south-africa-wins-wafcon-2022-other-interesting-statistics","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-16 17:20:25","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=339902","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":401520,"post_author":"10046","post_date":"2022-07-15 05:27:14","post_date_gmt":"2022-07-15 12:27:14","post_content":"\n

Elon Musk is a name that does not need much introduction. Unlike most other billionaires, Elon Musk doesn\u2019t shy away from the spotlight. He is so often at the center of some crazy new inventions or controversies<\/a>. This is unusual, especially for a man who is described as introverted and who has publicly admitted he is \u201csuch a bad public speaker.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this is all part of Musk\u2019s charm. His unusual personality has made many to wonder if he is a visionary or a mad scientist. But one thing everyone acknowledges is that the man is a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Elon Musk (Photo credit: Twitter\/@MarcoSilberhand)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

His revolutionary way of thinking has transformed both the automobile industry and the space industry. But that\u2019s not all, Musk is a man with many talents. He has both the drive and means to excel in any industry he shows interest in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though most of his ideas seem outlandish and fictitious, Musk has gained an incredible amount of trust both in the tech world and beyond. One reason for this is that he always comes through regardless of how the odds are stacked against him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> <\/a>African Vibes List Of African Billionaires Of 2022<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk hasn\u2019t shown as much interest in Africa as CEOs of other big tech firms. We have seen CEOs of Airbnb, Microsoft, Google, Alphabet, and most recently Twitter (before his takeover bid which now seems to be on the edge), pay a visit to Africa. Amazon and Twitter have already moved to establish a base in Africa. But none of Musk\u2019s companies is in Africa, until recently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starlink Satellite Internet Connection and What it Means for Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It was reported that Starlink, one of Elon Musk\u2019s companies, will be coming to Africa. Starlink is a satellite network developed by Spacex to provide a high-speed internet connection. It will be accessible even in the most rural areas of the world where connectivity is a challenge. The company\u2019s representative had been in talks with regulators in some African countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
Starlink worldwide availability (Photo credit: Twitter\/@SpaceX)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But so far, they seem to be getting nowhere in some of the countries. One reason for this could be the regulation and licensing agreement that is required for Starlink to operate in these countries. However, Mozambique has taken the lead. As of February 23rd, Starlink received the green light to operate in Mozambique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1530234643219243009\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starlink\u2019s presence in Africa will mean better connections, especially in areas where traditional terrestrial connections are inadequate. This means that you can have internet access wherever you live in Africa. But that is if all goes as planned and the respective governments approve their operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong>  Elon Musk Is Building Technology So You can Do This With Your Brain<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Twitter and Elon Musk\u2019s Ambitious Free Speech in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While free speech may not be a bone of contention in the West, many African governments still grapple with the concept. Recall that on June 4th, 2021, the Nigerian government banned Twitter from operating in the country. It all started on June 2nd when Twitter removed the Nigerian President\u2019s tweet for violating its rules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subsequently, the Nigerian government banned Twitter, accusing it of siding with secessionists to undermine the country\u2019s \u201ccorporate existence\u201d. The ban lasted for about seven months before it was finally lifted on 12th January 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Elon<\/a>
(Photo credit: Twitter\/@NadaanPrindey1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is believed that Twitter had consented to the regulatory guidelines set by the government of Nigeria. The absence of official comment from Twitter serves to buttress this point. The question is, does Twitter\u2019s agreement mean that it can no longer fight for the cause of the people? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will happen should #ENDARS repeat itself? Can the Nigerian government arm-twist Twitter into submission? So many questions. Perhaps, this was why Elon Musk\u2019s initial bid to take over Twitter garnered so much conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Nigerian Government Twitter Ban: Who Is suffering More, The Government Or The Masses?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk taking over Twitter trended for a while<\/a>. In his typical fashion, Musk has people talking once again. This time, it is about \u201cFree Speech\u201d. Prior to announcing his bid, Musk berated Twitter<\/a> for not living up to its duties as the \u201cde facto public town square\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further stated that the platform undermines democracy by doing so. It is clear that Musk aims to modify Twitter's rules on censorship. How this plays out in countries where \u201cfree speech\u201d has been violated is left to be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On July 8, Elon Musk announced that he was pulling out of the Twitter deal. According to him, the company failed to provide details on the number of fake and spam accounts on the platform. Twitter says they will head to court to force the billionaire to honor the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the drama continues to play out, Twitter shares has lost about 20% of their value from the time Elon Musk announced the purchase in April to July 8. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interesting Facts About Elon Musk\u2019s African Roots<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But while some people debate on this, others have taken a deeper look at why the billionaire is eager to promote free speech on the platform. A recent article<\/a> has shed some light on Musk\u2019s childhood in Africa and revealed interesting facts. Most notable is his experience as a young white boy in an apartheid regime where misinformation was practiced. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this is what drives Elon Musk or not is anybody\u2019s guess. One thing is certain, Elon Musk is a fascinating personality. Here are even more interesting facts about his African roots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1. He has always been pro-freedom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk is a white South African and that means growing up he had to deal with the unjust apartheid system in his home country. Although Musk rarely talks about his childhood, it seems it had such an impact on him. According to him, this was one of the reasons he left South Africa at the age of 17. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the South African government demanded that all white males between the ages of 17 and 65 years undergo compulsory military service. Musk said, \u201c I don\u2019t have an issue with serving in the military per se, but serving in the South African military suppressing black people just didn\u2019t seem like a good way to spend time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2. He sold candies at an exorbitant price to make some money<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk might have grown up to be a tech slash business tycoon, but it began a long time ago. Musk lived with his parents and siblings in Pretoria. As a privileged white South African, he lived among other wealthy neighbors. Musk and his brother took advantage of their environment to make some money selling homemade Easter eggs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would go door-to-door to sell these chocolates at a very steep price. Whether this was his idea or his brother\u2019s idea is unknown. But you could clearly see the entrepreneurial spirit in young Elon Musk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3. He felt sympathy for his father whom he describes as \u201ca terrible human being\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the young age of 10, Elon Musk witnessed his parents separate. But while his siblings moved in with his mother in Durban, Musk stayed back with his father. This was an action he would later regret. In an interview, Musk describes his childhood as miserable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the many reasons for this is the fact that his father was \u201ca terrible human being\u201d. When asked why he had moved in with his father, Musk replied that he felt sympathy for his father Errol Musk who seemed \u201clonely\u201d and \u201cvery sad\u201d by himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Breakthrough In Vaccine Equality As mRNA Vaccine Technology Comes To 6 African Countries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4. He has a sibling whose mother is his stepsister<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk and his father are estranged and it seems to be for the better. Among the many atrocities of Errol Musk, fathering a child with his own stepdaughter sits at the very top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As vile as this may sound, Errol defends himself saying it was in \u201cthe heat of the moment\u201d and that he is just a man who makes mistakes. This revelation might have shocked the world but clearly nothing strange to Elon Musk, who knew what kind of man his father is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#5. He struck his first deal at age 12<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While most kids his age were playing sports, the piano, or reading comics, Elon Musk was busy closing business deals. At the age of 12, Musk had struck his first deal worth $500. That was a huge sum of money at the time. He earned the money selling a trivial space game called Blaster which he coded at the age of 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6. He disliked the apartheid system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elon Musk grew up in a South Africa that was rife with misinformation. Black South Africans were considered terrorists and many white South African kids bought into the story but not Elon Musk. In fact, Musk was known to make friends with his black classmates and even defended them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An act that often made him the target of bullies. It\u2019s also reported that Musk was among the few white kids who attended the funeral of a classmate that passed away in a car accident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Kenya Set To Join African Countries Manufacturing Electric Cars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#7. He was often bullied<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Musk\u2019s gregarious personality may sometimes make him look formidable. But, as a young South African, Elon Musk was often bullied by his classmates. According to him, he was \u201cthe youngest and smallest in his class\u201d. In addition to this, Elon Musk was a stereotypical nerd who was fond of books and this placed a bullseye on his back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#8. His parents thought he was Deaf<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dealing with a gifted child could be a handful and it was no different in the case of Elon Musk. As a young child in South Africa, Elon was an introvert but that\u2019s not surprising. What\u2019s actually surprising is that he would often get lost in his thoughts, so much so that his parents thought he was deaf.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, Elon Musk had an operation because his parents and even the doctors assumed he was deaf. To help restore his hearing, the doctors removed his adenoid glands, but it made no difference. It turned out he wasn\u2019t deaf. Perhaps, the earth wasn\u2019t as entertaining. Luckily for him, the adenoid gland plays a minor role in the body\u2019s defense system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ:<\/strong> Meet The Founder Of The Year 2021 Winners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#9. He came from a very wealthy home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At some point, while building his business empire, Elon Musk ran into some financial issues. What is also true is that he came from a very wealthy background. His father Errol Musk was an engineer among many things and he was part owner of an Emerald mine in Zambia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The elder Musk said \u201cWe were very wealthy, we had so much money at times we couldn\u2019t close our safe. One person will have to hold the money in place with another closing the door.\u201d This paints a very vivid picture of just how wealthy the Musk family was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

#10. He failed in business, a lot<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A lot of young Africans blame the lack of funding as an excuse for not starting or failing in their business. For them, having rich parents would have made the difference. Well, having rich parents did not make Elon Musk immune to failure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a fresh graduate in 1995, he applied to Netscape and got no response. He was even ignored on his physical visit to the company. Eventually, he founded Zip2 which was supposed to be an online business directory. As the startup grew, the board lost faith in him as the CEO and he was demoted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar fate would play out with PayPal which he cofounded with Greg Kouri. In 2000 when he decided to take a break and restrategize, he contracted lethal cerebral malaria during a vacation to South Africa and Brazil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tesla which surpassed $1 trillion valuation in October 2021<\/a> was almost a failure at some point. He had to throw in the $35 million he made from the sale of PayPal and resort to loans from friends to keep the company alive. In 2010, Elon was officially broke. However, the beauty of his story lies in how he consistently turned what seemed like a failure into success. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The life of tech billionaire Elon Musk is indeed fascinating. While he navigates the world of business and technology, Musk so often stops to give us a tweet or two. How he is able to juggle so many things remains a mystery but in his usual witty fashion, he once replied to this question by saying \u201cI\u2019m an Alien\u201d. Of course, he was just joking, or was he?. Let's hear your thoughts in the comment section below.<\/p>\n","post_title":"10 Interesting Facts About Elon Musk's African Root And His Plans In Africa","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"interesting-facts-about-elon-musks-african-roots-and-his-plans-in-africa","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_modified_gmt":"2024-08-12 08:43:21","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/africanvibes.com\/?p=338174","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":false,"total_page":1},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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