Mashada Blogs » June 9, 2007

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June 09, 2007
19:00
A Few Clips from London & Edinburgh
From: My Life is...Mochalicious!

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Kionjo tuu!!! This are afew of the clips I took over the Rugby weekends at Twickenham and Murrayfield. The pics are too many and I am having a hard time which ones to share with you…..so bare with me on that one. In the meantime, This is when the crew from BBC were doing a piece [...]

14:05
Africa's wealthiest people & biggest companies - Forbes
From: My Africa Today

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US$ Billionaires
Global rank___Name_______________Country______Worth (billion US$)
62_______Naguib Sawiris____________Egypt_______10
158______Onsi Sawiris______________Egypt_______5
158______Nicky Oppenheimer & family_South Africa__5
194______Johann Rupert & family____South Africa__4.3
226______Nassef Sawiris____________Egypt_______3.9
432______Donald Gordon___________South Africa__2.2
664______Samih Sawiris_____________Egypt______1.5

Biggest Companies
316 Standard Bank Group.. South Africa.. Banking
333 FirstRand ..South Africa.. Banking
474 Sasol.. South Africa.. Oil & Gas Operations
554 Sanlam.. South Africa.. Insurance
656 Telkom.. South Africa.. Telecommunications Services
705 MTN Group.. South Africa.. Telecommunications Services
1023 Remgro.. South Africa.. Conglomerates
1115 Bidvest Group.. South Africa.. Conglomerates
1190 Impala Platinum Holdings.. South Africa.. Materials
1273 Imperial Holdings.. South Africa.. Transportation
1433 Naspers.. South Africa.. Media
1443 Barloworld.. South Africa.. Conglomerates
1702 Steinhoff Intl Holdings.. South Africa.. Consumer Durables
1748 Alexander Forbes.. South Africa.. Insurance
1765 Gold Fields.. South Africa.. Materials
1837 Metropolitan Holdings.. South Africa.. Insurance
803 Royal Caribbean.. Liberia.. Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure
1508 Attijariwafa Bank.. Morocco.. Banking
957 Orascom Telecom.. Egypt.. Telecommunications Services
1560 Orascom Construction Inds.. Egypt.. Construction
1763 Telecom Egypt.. Egypt.. Telecommunications ServicesCustomize your mobile with your Complimentary Ringtone!

13:04
Watch Darfur Via Satellite
From: dkFactor

Tags: amnesty_international darfur_crisis darfur_sudan janjaweed News

Read This Entry & More At dkFactor

Escalation of the Darfur crisis is further evidence that no one really cares, but a new website from Amnesty International gives you a peek into the atrocities being committed.

The new website, www.eyesondarfur.org, posts images caught using high resolution satellite cameras watching over villages in Darfur Sudan and the hope is that this will bring awareness to the violence and plight of the terrorized citizens of the region.

To be quite frank, I don't think the Janjaweed (the people engaged in committing these brutalities) could give a damn. The fact that no one is doing anything has probably emboldened them to the point that I can imagine them posing for a photo from above - 'say cheeese!'
amnesty international, darfur crisis, darfur sudan, janjaweed

12:33
Senegal sees "Atlantic Dubai" new beachside capital.
From: My Africa Today

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Dubai: DP World said yesterday it will invest $534 million (Dh1.95 billion) in Senegal to upgrade the Port of Dakar and build a container terminal as part of several projects being considered in the West African nation.

The company said it has won a 25-year concession from the Senegal government to manage the port facilities. It will initially invest about Dh490 million in infrastructure and equipment at the Terminal à Conteneur to more than double its capacity to 550,000 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent container units).

The first phase of the project will be operational by the beginning of 2008 and completion is due by 2010.

In the second phase, DP World will develop and manage the new container terminal called Port du Futur. To be built at a cost of Dh1.46 billion, the facility will become operational in early 2011. Its annual capacity will be 1.5 million TEUs.

The Senegal project will be DP World's biggest port investment commitment in Africa. The Dubai firm is building a $300-million container terminal in Djibouti, which will open in late 2008 and create a transshipment hub in the East African nation. DP World also runs Djibouti's existing seaport and airport, while other Dubai companies manage customs operations and operate a free trade zone.

Several Dubai entities that form part of Dubai World, DP World's parent company, are planning to invest in Senegal, which is building a new $30-billion capital on its Atlantic coast.

Dubai investment will help the former French colony to establish much needed modern infrastructure.

The port concession follows an accord signed between Senegal and Jafza International, a unit of Dubai World, in December 2006 to set up an integrated Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Dakar. The agreement is expected to be finalised soon.

"There is potential for development of a free zone affiliated to the new port at Dakar. We also see considerable potential for tour-ism in Senegal with its beautiful coastline and extensive national parks. We are looking at investing in hotels and other recreation facilities there," Dubai World chairman Sultan Ahmad Bin Sulayem said.

Jafza International acted as a consultant to the Senegal government in the drafting of the legal framework required to facilitate the creation of the SEZ.Customize your mobile with your Complimentary Ringtone!
12:24
Skyscrapers in Africa by City and Country/.
From: My Africa Today

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Skyscrapers in Africa by City and Country Customize your mobile with your Complimentary Ringtone!

11:55
Breaking News: American Newspaper Questions CNN's Role In Jeff Koinange Niger Delta Scandal
From: You Missed This

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The American press has finally started to address the role of CNN in the controversial Niger Delta affair, involving Kenyan journalist Jeff Koinange.

For months, angry Nigerians have been "shouting themselves hoarse" over the net and other mediums trying to attract world attention to an incident they say they found very offensive. In the incident Koinange and CNN were accused by the Nigrians of paying gunmen to stage a show for a story on the Niger Delta resistance.

In the first major media story in America to address this angle, The New York Post has published what appears to be evidence from the Marianne Brinner emails which seems to suggest that Koinange's employers may have been aware of pay offs to militiamen in the Niger Delta despite official denials by the news organization.

The New York Post quotes from the controversial emails where Jeff wrote in part;

"Of course I had to pay certain people to get the story. But everything was done in agreement with CNN and in accordance with their usual standards. But you do not get such a story without bribing . . . You have to have financial resources. But at the end, it was worth it. CNN has its story and I have my 'fame.'

What makes the whole incident suspicious was the fact that shortly after this incident CNN carried a very positive news item on the Niogerian elections that analysts saw as an effort to appease the Nigerians.

Read the New York Post story.
11:35
McDonald Mariga Shut Out Of English Premiership Deal
From: You Missed This

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archive

One of the most talented soccer players Kenya has ever produced now seems to have been locked out of the premiership over a technicality.

Portsmouth F.C. manager Harry "Houdini" Redknapp has been quoted as saying that his club (and probably all other English clubs) have now given up on Mariga. The reason is that it is unlikely that the British home office will sanction a work permit for the Kenyan midfielder (who is widely being called the “next Patrick Vierra”) because of Kenya’s low FIFA rankings.

Now this is an excellent opportunity for Sports minister Maina Kamanda to get into the good boks of Kenyans. He should get the entire cabinet and indeed government to interceded with the British authorities on behalf of Mariga. All he needs is an assurance of a work petrmitt from the home office, after that there are several clubs and not just Portsmouth who want him badly.

There is no doubt that the English premiership is the biggest and most visible in the world and a breakthrough of the first Kenyan player is a landmark that is so important that we should pull all stops to make it happen. Kenya has a very low FIFA ranking of 124th and apparently this had been overlooked as at least 7 English clubs fought over this “made in Kenya” raw talent.
==============================
Kumekucha Golden Oldie

Kenyan who appeared on the cover of Time magazine
This was one of the earliest posts on Kumekucha
==============================
I get very emotional about things like this and this is one thing that if Hon Kamanda were to pull off for Mariga, I would change my political stand and campaign for the Minister’s re-election. That is how important it is to me and indeed should be for every Kenyan who understands what we are talking about here.

We all know that this would open the door for hundreds of other talented Kenyans now wallowing in poverty to hit the big time. Imagine what that would do for hundreds of families across the country who right now as you read this are staring at the roof like zombies in hopelessness? I meet them all the time.

Hon. Kamanda this is not a bribe but I am a patriotic Kenyan who sees the immediate impact a single action can have on the lives of so many Kenyans.

Read McDonald Mariga’s profile now

Internet Home Based Business: All You Ever Wanted To Know, As told to you by an expert who makes a good living online

Mystery of sleeping arrangements in a polygamous home
11:27
Please Wake Up About South Africa Hon Kamanda… And Kenyans
From: You Missed This

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South Africa is due to host the soccer World cup in 2010. Kenyans are not interested because their world ends and starts in December 2007.

South Africa recently run a feature on the opportunities that will be available for other African countries, and the report quoted the South African Ambassador lamenting on the Kenyan government’s reluctance to cash in on this event.

You and I know the soccer world cup is the biggest sporting event in the world. South African will feel the benefits of hosting this tournament for many years after it is all over. Yet again Hon. Kamanda and company seems not to be interested and no one in government seems to be aware of this potential. For instance if we could just have one of the top teams camp in Kenya prior to the tournament, it could be a very significant injection into our economy and it could also boost our Kenyan game. Many industries, most of all tourism will greatly benefit.

We already have the necessary infrastructure; world class hotels, fairly developed telecommunications, strategic location as a regional airport hub, not to mention a world class airline. So what is the problem?

Why isn’t anybody seeing this golden once in 100 years opportunity? To be fair there are at least some Kenyans who are awake. Actually one local insurance company that has started a savings scheme for Kenyan fans intending to travel to South Africa for the soccer bonanza.

Internet Home Based Business: All You Ever Wanted To Know, As told to you by an expert who makes a good living online

Mystery of sleeping arrangements in a polygamous home

11:08
TED Video and Picture Links
From: Afromusing

Tags: tedglobal2007

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Ted Talks just released the video of Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Brookings Institution fellow and speaker at TED Global 2007. The video is from the talk she did at Monterrey California, but will give you a taste of what we heard this past thursday in Arusha.

Click here to watch - How to help Africa? Do business there

TED Global felt like a seminal moment in Africa. I may have said this already but i will say it again. It was unlike any conference i have ever attended. Stupendous, challenging, interesting, eye-opening, heart-opening literally with Dr. Seyi Olesola and figuratively with Binyavanga Wainaina, Chris Abani and the music of Vusi Mahlasela. It was not uncommon to see people quietly wiping away tears during some of the talks. I would be curious as to the psychology behind the organization of the conference, it literally does something to your brain, sort of like neuron shock-therapy. By this i mean the speed, content, superb production, entertaining ‘mental breaks’ and the mix of amazing people. Its like being given knowledge speed in an engaging syringe with extra tablets of wonderful food. (Yeah i know i am a little corny but seriously, its just fantastic).

A few more pictures posted on my flickr account.

9:32
A GOOD LAWYER,ME THINKS A BRAINY ONE.
From: assidous

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This mail also landed in my inbox some days ago. Some of these things are only possible when Lawyers are put into the picture.

New Orleans lawyer sought an FHA loan for a client. He was told the
loan would be granted if he could prove satisfactory title to a parcel of
property being offered as collateral. The title to the property dated
back to 1803, which took the Lawyer three months to track down.

After sending the information to the FHA, he received the following
reply.
"Upon review of your letter adjoining your client's loan
application, we note that the request is supported by an Abstract
of Title.
While we compliment the able manner in which you have prepared and
presented the application, we must point out that you have only cleared
title to the proposed collateral property back to 1803..
Before final approval can be accorded, it will be necessary to
clear the title back to its origin."

Annoyed, the lawyer responded as follows

"Your letter regarding title in Case No. 189156 has been received. I
note that you wish to have title extended further than the 202 years
covered by the present application.
I was unaware that any educated person in this state, particularly
those working in the property area, would
not know that Louisiana was purchased, by the U.S., from France in
1803, the year of origin identified in our application. For the
edification of uninformed FHA bureaucrats, the title to the land prior to U.S.
ownership was obtained from France, which had acquired it by Right of
Conquest from Spain. The land came into the possession of Spain by Right
of Discovery
made in the year 1492 by a sea captain named Christopher Columbus, who
had been granted the privilege of seeking a new route to India by the
Spanish monarch, Isabella.

The good queen, Isabella, being a pious woman and almost as
careful about titles as the FHA, took the precaution of securing the
blessing of the Pope before she sold her jewels to finance Columbus'
expedition. Now the Pope, as I'm sure you may know, is the emissary of
Jesus Christ, the Son of God and God. It is commonly accepted that God
created this world. Therefore, I believe it is safe to presume that
God also made that part of the world called Louisiana. God, therefore,
would be the owner of origin and His origins date back, to before the
beginning of time, the world as we know it AND the FHA. I hope you find
God's original claim to be satisfactory.
Now, may we have our requested loan?"

9:00
Insanity Is…
From: tHiNkEr'S rOoM

Read This Entry & More At tHiNkEr'S rOoM
A google search for Paris Hilton A google search for Darfur That's right. There is almost FIVE TIMES as much content about some nebulous nobody than one of the biggest tragedies every to befall this earth. We pay more attention to issues of nuisance value than ...

8:20
Transcentury Group (G29) Uncovered
From: RIBA CAPITAL

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The mysterious Transcentury group was uncovered by Business Daily and here is a link to the story.
A past article on G29 Factor.

7:45
awwww aunty farmgal
From: Farmgal

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Am in Machester. Finally met my nephew….soo cute and very tall!

3:33
TPSEA (Serena) 2007 AGM
From: bankelele

Tags: AGM

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TPSEA aka Serena Hotels held their first ever (public) AGM, as the company was listed after the last AGM was held.

The company with with 15 properties (11 owned, 4 managed) is enjoying the ongoing tourist boom. (Sarova should hurry up and take advantage with an IPO while the sector is doing well). 64% of income is earned in Kenya, with improved returns from Tanzania and other properties recorded. But, though Kenya recorded an increase in tourists visiting, a significant number were conference tourists – whose and gains are only felt by Nairobi (not coast or safari) hotels

In a keynote speech, the MD mentioned that they have maintained profitability despite the appreciating shilling, noting that a weakening or the SA rand had provided significant benefits to the south African tourism sector.

He also mentioned that the expansion into the region would cushion the company from company specific risk. Through managing properties (they don't own) in Rwanda and Uganda, they were able to increase awareness of the Serena brand at lower cost – and once those hotels are established and profitable then the group may bid for equity in them.

Future growth plans include Lake Nakuru, Laikipia, and southern Tanzania. The company has also invested in an energy efficiency program that will be completed this year.

The MD called on government to improve on infrastructure (roads) and security while he at the same time lamented that the environmental authorities (NEMA) had approved some lodge expansions that could harm environment and ecosystem.

Shareholders asked:
why company has high retained earnings & low dividend and, increased property investment costs: MD response was that tourism is a high risk business and it is important to keep reinvesting in hotels to maintain premier status and visitor preference. He noted that Kenya used to have four major hotel chains – and that block hotel and AT&H went out of business because they did not make such crucial investments to keep up. Serena must continually refurbish facilities, and must have ready cash since a lot of opportunities come up at short notice. Still, they were able to contain other costs (only 1% increase from the year before)
Serena a market leader? hotels in Nairobi do share information and this confirms Serena's leadership in terms of (revenue per available room), while coast and safari circuit hotel statistics are not easily available - but going by the packages that tour operators put together confirm that Serena properties are marketed as premier packages
corporate social responsibility can shareholders recommend CSR projects to the company? Management said yes as long as projects are in areas where the company has properties. Shareholders can also get discount rates if they book through the Serena offices.

goodies: bonus share, dividend, and a lunch box (with roast beef slice, bottled water, apple & banana, yogurt, boiled egg, cake). I noticed some other shareholders boxes had juice & hamburger as opposed to my water & roast) and I gave my offered my boiled egg (can't eat that) to a lady seated neat to me, who surprised me by giving me her yogurt – fair trade?

See: another past Serena AGM report.

0:37
PORSCHE CELLPHONE!
From: assidous

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I came across this in my internet waltzing escapades. I don't know what will be next, maybe Boeing will also produce a cellphone too.

This modified handset has taken a liberal stance with the Porsche license, tacking a model of the classic 911 onto the cellphone. Strangely enough, the inventor has stuck the name of Porsche's vaunted 4x4 (Cayenne) on top of the 262k color display in perhaps an effort to throw Porsche's lawyers offtrack? Features of this homebrew dual band GSM handset includes MP3 and MP4 playback, a microSD memory card slot, and a 2 megapixel camera located behind the windshield. Pricing details are unavailable, and rightly so.

For more:

http://www.uberphones.com/2007/04/porsche_cellphone_an_accident/

http://www.porsche.com
0:20
WHY BULLS ARE BETTER THAN LITERALY CRITICS!
From: assidous

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The letter below was found among others in Europe recently.

Bulls don't run reviews,
Bulls of 25 don't marry women of 55 and expect to be invited for dinner,
Bulls don't borrow money,
Bulls are edible after they have been killed.

Letter by Ernest Hemingway to American Poet & Critic Ezra Pound.

Read the complete article at

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Tags: amnesty_international darfur_crisis darfur_sudan janjaweed News

Tags: tedglobal2007

Tags: AGM