Jiliana added, “we came together. Ory, David, and I were in Kenya at various times [during the crisis]. In the early days it was the three of us who were in Kenya…the programming and the setup was done by the guys overseas. What we did was enter content, and blogged on our own blogs and told other people about the [Ushahidi] platform.”
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“An echo, a stain,” seems to have bounced into my corner of the blogoshpere in the form of new meme I feel I must contribute to. Not so much that I must, but very much that I should contribute to it. Thanks to Kiwanja for tagging me.
I blog about Africa because I can seemingly do nothing else. I am neither wealthy, powerful, nor connected in any shape or form that could spark a revolution. I may not have a lot, but I do have dreams, I do have a vision for a new Africa, and I have the ability to express that vision on this here platform. My weapon of choice for change in Africa is my heart. I will bleed it dry in all that I do for the love of that red soil that sifts through my toes every time that I step on my mother’s compound. I will bleed it dry for the noise and symphony of Kampala’s chaotic rapture and Nairobi’s thuggish boasts. I will bleed it dry for the love of Victoria Falls’ thunderous crash, Serengeti’s serenity, and Zanzibar Chest-ful of mystery. I am but one man with a voice and a song for Africa.
Africa is Africa’s problem. She is my problem. And I beg of no one else to assist me with her weighty issues.
She is my Africa. And indeed the very same Africa that many of us blog about. The very same dark and mysterious continent that many of us fall in love with and don’t know why. It grips us, hugs us, and shrouds in a warmth we neither understand nor deny. We simply beg for more, and thus dig deeper into it’s belly in futile thrusts to wrap logic around that which cannot be grasped, only felt like a warm thick air one walks through in a drunken stupor. It’s an emasculating realization to stand in her presence and bathe in new-found truth that you are powerless in her presence.
You simply accept defeat, that this largely uncoordinated babe is lumbering forward on a journey to somewhere and in no certain hurry to get there. Rome wasn’t built in a day, neither will Africa. 60+ years removed from colonial rule, we are but Democratic tad poles, the lot of us. We were left to crawl and stumble into this new form of self-governance, after a century of foreign rule. Our day in the sun will come, oh yes it will. But not after more battle scars decorate our knees and blacken our souls—symbols of the price that has to be paid—in the name of progress.
I blog about Africa because I believe that the dawn of our day in the African sun has begun. I cannot hasten the sunrise alone or brighten the rays. But I blog about Africa, so that I am among those early risers who’ve heard the morning drum. I join this chorus of voices to welcome a new era, and new optimism. I may be one man with a song, but together we are a chorus with an anthem!
Africa is our problem. And we hereby take charge of this brand new day!
In the spirit of this meme, I hereby tag my fellow bloggers to share their views:
I finally got access to some decent bandwidth to upload photos of this month’s Facebook Developer Garage that was held in Kampala, Uganda. Follow the link to see all the action hi-rez glory.
Check it out!
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Managing to successfully thwart an international scheduling conflict, Jon Gossier of AppAfrica synchronized schedules with Leila Chirayath Janar, founder of Samasource to host the first ever Facebook Developer Garage in Kampala. Trekking all the way …
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Will you look at this. I was at dinner this week here in Kampala and ran into Jon of App+Africa fame. Turns out there’s a conference tomorrow. You know, the one we told you about a …
With all our focus on the international African Diaspora and the power of the monies that are sent back to help family and friends we often overlook the local heros. The Guardian covered the story …
Latin Grammys not on your radar? Can’t think of a reason why Africans might give a flying fig about which Grupera, banda or random Cumbia cantante is winning an award tomorrow night? Ah, well do …
Egypt Today magazine has published some interesting, yet alarming figures on Egypt’s brain drain due to migration. What’s surprising is the a majority of Egypt’s current migrants are well-to-do, educated professionals seeking a better life elsewhere. It’s …
As you might know, PD loves us some Fred Mutebi, Uganda’s print-maker extraordinaire. Fred’s camp just sent us a press release to let us know that Fred and the Let Art Talk crew will participate …
MobileActive08 pulled off the impossible by convincing over 350 mobile technology enthusiasts, funders, and developers to descend of Wanderers Club in Johannesburg, South Africa for a three-day feast on all thing mobile and development.
MobileActive08 kicked …
BarCamp Jozi wrapped up last weekend. I finally got myself some free time and decent wifi, even though I am nestled in the basement of a Mugg & Bean Cafe in Johannesburg’s Rosebank district. Which …
Live blog of breakout session: empowering local communities
Appropriate Solutions and Technologies for Africa:
This panel was moderated by a panel of three: Linda Jenkinson from WOW Investments, Sambou Makalou (President of Rising Data Solutions), looking at …
The first day of BarCamp Jozi was supposed to culminate with a live link up with BarCamp Africa. The simple exercise of attempting to find adequate bandwidth for even a one way stream highlighted the anemic availability …
Live blog of the 1st panel discussion. Check back later for the audio to get the full discussion.
To open we started with Politics and governance. What is the stereotype of Africa? One of the …
Alright we are plugged in here all nerdy-style at BarCamp Jozi. I count 23 individuals with a smattering of laptops, video projection equipment, bean bags and enough genius-level brain power to light a couple cities.
11:30 …
Good news, PD is jetting off into the sunset in effort to cover the latest, biggest, baddest confabs about and/or in Africa. Yours truly just landed in Johannesburg, just in time to catch Barcamp Johanessburg this …
Wow is all I have to say. At the age of 15 this guy built his own windmill for his parents. Whoot! Nothing like a little African Ingenuity.
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This just in, Siena at Women of Kireka tells us that the fundraising drive has hit a milestone. Over $1000 has been raised in just over a week. If you haven’t yet sacrificed your cup …
BarCamp Africa has a new blog post up just for you! How to gear-up for a Barcamp? A Guide for the First time Camper I have been both excited and nervous about my first …
Check it.
More info on BarCamp Africa. So read all the latest news straight from the source!
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When I met first Siena Anstis this summer at Cafe Pap in Kampala, I was a rock star. No really, she really thought I was a musician, Bobby Wine to be exact. Here, she tell’s …
I have to admit that I was really not up to speed on the the ins and outs of Uganda land rights history or law but I got a taste of what might be coming …
The BBC Africa takes a look at Africans that are taking over the grunt work in Canada’s logging industry. The article highlights a key factor that makes life for Africa-educated Diaspora difficult. It’s hard …
Hah! I am still learning what BarCamps are all about. I did however manage to read the Wiki and figure out that the engine that drives these “unconferences” is participation of all the people who …
Living in the Diaspora and want to own a some land or a home back home? Anyone who has tried or even though about trying knows that there are not just stumbling blocks in your …
Ok, the registration site is up…. Those of you planning on attending need to sign up here.
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Check ‘em out!
Good info there.. Like for example, the $25 non-mandatory admission fee. Or the fact that they are still looking for sponsors. Be sure and bring it if you can! Also be sure and …
