The time has come!!

Christmas decorations

As routine as it is, the time has come for families to unite and show each other love and appreciation. For some it's a time to get crazier by indulging in excessive alcohol consumption, while for others spending is bound to be tested to it's limits leaving them completely dry. Come January they start running over each other preying on cash loans already flooded by hundred others.

The festive season is here and we ought to be careful on how we go about enjoying it. For some of us its work as usual. Happy holidays every one. Happy Christmas and wishing you a blessed and productive 2009. See you next year!

You reap what you sow!!

Size 10 shoe meant for Bush

Bush has tasted his own medicine. A journalist braved all protocol amid heavy security in an area that appeared tightly secured. He threw his pair of size ten shoes (so we are told) at George W Bush to show his disrespect for thousands of innocent women and children that have lost their lives because of this man's (Bush) policy in Iraq and Afghanistan.

What an exit for Bush. And what is interesting is that, he saw the shoe coming (literally), given the way he ducked and maneuvered to avoid being hit. This should be a lesson that, no one is immune to ridicule if buffoonery is what you stand for. In the Muslim world showing or even worse, throwing a shoe at someone is regarded as highly offensive and who would argue that Bush didn't deserve this.

Death is not entertainment TV

I was shocked and disgusted at an American citizen, who perhaps "sick" of his long sickness has decided to end his life. Inasmuch as I respect his decision to end his agony for whatever reason, I despise his decision to show us his act on TV. I mean for what and for who? What is he trying to achieve by doing that? Craig Ewert, a former computer scientist from Chicago, ended his life in a Swiss clinic because in Switzerland they allow such decisions. Is this some kind of a publicity stunt? Imagine the impact this can have on young kids. Are we promoting suicide? It's so unbelievable, how far some people can go to achieve limelight. If any law allows you to kill yourself, please do it privately. Why involve the world? And worse via the telly? Has  morality  gone down the tubes? We no longer know what is right and wrong.

Peeping Tom's world!

Imagine the nonsense reality show, "Big Brother crap" everyone is talking about these days. Imagine that, transforming into our everyday "real" life, thanks to an envisaged communication bill in the works to be tabled soon in Parliament. Everything you write or talk about my friend would be scrutinized and you may get into trouble.

I have wondered what might have led politician to contemplate bringing such a law in a country as peaceful as Namibia. It would make our life much more difficult because secrecy and privacy will become a thing of the past. I feel as a human being i'm entitled to my privacy and freedom of expression as enshrined in the constitution and why should "Big brother" watch what i do? Most of all, who watches over what "big brother" is doing? The intended bill is only meant to cause fear and society must join hands in condemning this law, for it serves no purpose but to suppress people's civil liberties.

A country that is Zimbabwe!!

I am so tired of Zimbabwe and what's happening there. It's becoming a nuisance!!. I have become so bored with the leadership and every one involved in politics in this once vibrant Southern African country. My boredom has a lot to do with procrastination on the side of politician to implement the so called power sharing agreement. What do these guys want? Do they see how people are suffering because of their selfish and boring tactics?

Just a few days ago, a council inaugurated and initiated no so long ago by Nelson Mandela, called "The Elders" comprised of Kofi Annan (former U-N chief), Graca Machel (wife of Nelson Mandela) and Jimmy Carter (former U-S president), decided to visit Zimbabwe to highlight the humanitarian crisis facing that country, but they were refused entry. Reasons given where that, their presence, will boost an opposition party, MDC.

As we speak, Zimbabwe is faced with an outbreak of Cholera and starvation. "The Elders mission was to simply asses the plight of the people and get in the much needed help. Their visit was one for humanitarian reasons not politics. The Zimbabwean government couldn't agree while its doing nothing to avert a catastrophic situation. What I fail to understand is how, the presence of "The Elders council", would have boosted MDC.

The Zimbabwean government is being too analytical and anxiety seems to cloud over the whole administration, consequently affecting the well-being of it's own people. I am beginning to doubt the viability of this power sharing deal. Will it work at all, if the well-being of the masses is not taken seriously. People, in likes of Kofi Annan and Jimmy Carter hold reputable standing in the world, and their involvement would have brought in the much needed help in Zimbabwe particularly to its populace. I couldn't agree more with Graca Machel when she said, it seems the Zimbabwean leadership has no interest of the people at heart. What a shame!!

Peace settlement urgently needed in the DRC

I have no idea about the root cause of the recent resumption of chaos in the form of war in the DRC, but I believe it has derailed the stability of the SADC region amid the fracas and tug of war in Zimbabwe (both sides wanting more power).

At the end of the day, innocent people are the one feeling the music and this is the problem with African leaders, because they feel nothing for the people when they feel their power is threatened. They will stop at nothing in their quest. I have heard a number of reasons why renegade leader Laurent Nkunda is fighting the government in the DRC. One of them, the Tutsi and Hutu issue, but I know all this boils down to power and the control of vast mineral resources in the central African country.

we need change in Africa, we don't need war upon war and conflict upon conflict. We need leaders who put the interest of people first, for they are where they are because of people. I hope the situation is resolved speedily, for we saw hope in the DRC after the end of the previous war and elections that saw the inuagration of President Joseph Kabila. Like Barack Obama campaign slogan, "Yes we can".

Farewell "Mamma Africa" (Obituary)

Singer Miriam Makeba  Photo: Wikipedia

She died just how she wanted to -- singing on stage for a good cause. And her songs wafted out of taxis and radios, as fellow Africans struggled with their grief at her passing.

Miriam Makeba, the "Mama Africa" whose sultry voice gave South Africans hope when the country was gripped by apartheid, died early Monday of a heart attack after collapsing on stage in Italy. She was 76.

In her dazzling career, Makeba performed with musical legends from around the world -- jazz maestros Nina Simone and Dizzy Gillespie, Harry Belafonte, Paul Simon -- and sang for world leaders such as John F. Kennedy and Nelson Mandela. Her distinctive style, which combined jazz, folk and South African township rhythms, managed to get her banned from South Africa for more than 30 years.

"Her haunting melodies gave voice to the pain of exile and dislocation which she felt for 31 long years. At the same time, her music inspired a powerful sense of hope in all of us," Mandela said in a statement.

He said it was "fitting" that her last moments were spent on stage -- singing at a concert in solidarity with six immigrants from Ghana who were shot to death in September in the town. Makeba collapsed after singing one of her most famous hits "Pata Pata," her family said.

Courtesy of http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/pop/387214_obitmakeba11.html

Michael Crichton is no more! (Obituary)

Novelist Michael Crichton  Photo: Wikipedia

John Michael Crichton,(October 23, 1942 – November 4, 2008) was an American author, film producer, film director, medical doctor, and television producer best known for his science fiction and techno-thriller novels, films, and television programs. His books have sold over 150 million copies worldwide. His works were usually based on the action genre and heavily feature technology. Many of his future history novels have medical or scientific underpinnings, reflecting his medical training and science background. He was the author of The Andromeda Strain, Congo, Disclosure, Rising Sun, Timeline, State of Fear, Prey, and Next. He was also the creator of ER, but most famous for being the author of Jurassic Park, and its sequel The Lost World, both adapted into high grossing films and leading to the very successful franchise.

Michael Crichton died aged 66, due to cancer. Death has robbed the world one of it's greatest minds ever. R.I.P.

History remembers Obama!

History in the making - Barack Obama Photo: Wikipedia

History has been made in the world. Barack Obama, as widely predicted has finally taken the biggest task ever, leading the most powerful country in the world. I stood for Obama, tooth and nail and can only wish him well. He's faced with a daunting task though, for he finds himself in a world messed up by arrogant bastards who wouldn't listen to simple...1..2..3...advice on how to run the financial sector. Not only is he faced with that, but America's credibility, as mentioned in my previous posting, has waned thanks to Jnr George Bush. But as strong as he was, during his campaign and overcoming obstacles in this whole election stuff, I believe, the guy is unstoppable.

I wish to commend Sen.John McCain as well, for his humility and bravery by conceding defeat. It's not easy to accept that you've lost, but he was man enough to swallow his pride and even going as far as congratulating and wishing Obama well. He even calmed his supporters when they jeered statements made about Obama in McCain's address this morning. Democracy is at work and this is a major milestone for Africa as well. We await Obama when he's inaugurated on the 20th of January 2009. Big up!!!!

Bridging the gap

Words by Sylvester “Sly” &
George Sanzila

The Sesheke Bridge is situated 5km west of Katima Mulilo, at the Namibia/Zambia border (Wenela). Its inception came about as part of Germany’s infrastructure aid program. It was built under a schedule of two years.

Engineering masterpiece - Katima Sesheke Bridge

It was officially opened by the then heads of state of Namibia and Zambian President Sam Nujoma Levi Mwanawasa respectively. 

The Inaugural ceremony was held at the frontier of the two nations. Multilingual chants were hollered as history was being made.

It's construction however, proved to be tricky. Engineers & architects’ strategy was to build levees and this had to be done when the water level had dropped. Even now, there’s still quiet a large amount of sand deposits visible in the river.

The monument stands at roughly 50m above, spreading 900m across the river. It’s around 7m in width, with sidewalks on either side. Lamp posts keep the bridge illuminated at night, bright as the stars in the heavens.

Before the bridge was built though, crossing the river was done by use of a ferry. It was a very complicated process and at times very time consuming, Another concern was that the used ferry was obsolete, and this left travelers in angst, worried about the safety of their vehicles. Now, with all that anxiety gone, even hydro-phobics get the courage to hang out on the bridge.

The view from top of the bridge is stimulating. The waters passing underneath carry with them a cool breeze that soars past the structure. The scent of the freshwater fills the air and the aura is quite refreshing. The sound the water makes when ramming against the rocks echoes in the atmosphere. An array of birds can be seen hovering above the water going on about their business.

There’s a handful of people living near the river, mainly seen setting fish-traps and fishing. Since it’s difficult to provide food for their families due to unemployment, fishing becomes the only means to survive.

As summer moves along in full swing, and the rainy season begins, swarms of fish are brought along with the flowing river. When this happens, they get to catch more fish of which some they can make profit out of.

Concurrently, there seems to be a utopia on the banks of the river, masked by the evergreen trees. Aptly named “Stone City” by locals (referring to the rock formations that inhabit the area), This spot has become a place where revelers unwind, to get away from the commotion of the town. The turbulence of the foamy water is reminiscent of the majestic Victoria Falls, one of wonders of the world.

With all the good that comes with the initiation of the bridge though, the only drawback to this virtuous bridge and its surroundings is that no eatery is present and there’s quiet a lack of parking areas for those whose sole purpose is to sightsee.

I guess since, its still in its infancy, its only fair to wait and see if there will be any investors willing to take the opportunity at hand.