BY JEAN P.

Award-winning singer Angélique Kidjo

Africa Rising: My Life, My Music

Angelique Kidjo

Grammy Award-winning singer Angélique Kidjo is known for her electrifying voice and fearless advocacy work. In this intimate memoir, she reveals how she escaped Communist Africa to make her dreams a reality, and how she's prompting others all around the world to reach for theirs as well.

Born in the West African nation of Benin, Angélique Kidjo grew up surrounded by the rich sounds, rhythms, and storytelling of traditional Beninese culture. When the Communists took over, they silenced her dynamic culture and demanded that she sing in praise of them. In Spirit Rising: My Life, My Music, Angélique reveals the details of her dangerous escape into France, and how she rose from poverty to become a Grammy Award–winning artist and an international sensation at the top of Billboard's World Albums chart. She also explains why it's important to give back by sharing stories from her work as a UNICEF ambassador and as founder of the Batonga Foundation, which gives African girls access to education.

Desmond Tutu has contributed the foreword to this remarkable volume; Alicia Keys has provided an introduction. Her eloquent, inspiring narrative is paired with more than one hundred colorful photographs documenting Angélique's life and experiences, as well as a sampling of recipes that has sustained her on her remarkable odyssey.


by Mohamed Abdirahman 

 

 

BIG BROTHER AFRICA.

Big brother Africa is Africas biggest reality show that is on it's ninth season now, Hotshots. basically involves contestants from 15 countries in Africa including South Africa, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Nigeria and other African Countries. the housemates are required to live with each other in the house, perform different activities (extravaganza) and show their talents. Africans from all over are given the mandate to vote for their favourite housemate and the winner walks away with a lot of money.


by Joan Gasto Lyaruu. 

Eric Wainaina- Nchi ya kitu kidogo a kiswahili word for: a country of bribes.

This song is  about corruption in Kenya.

by

Edwin Wachie

Rise up Africa poem

 Rise up Africa - by Matt Ancient.   Apr 4, 2013 

Africa, Africa
rise up Africa
Africa, Africa
stand up Africa
when will you learn Africa
your sons and daughters are calling
they are crying
for they are starving
when will you change
oh Africa
you hate wisdom
so do not have freedom
and mystery consuming your kingdom
to be brave means disrespect
you have lost a great prospect
Africa, Africa
rise up Africa
Africa, Africa
wake up Africa 


















by Mohamed abdirahman     

STEVEN KANUMBA.

Steven Charles Kanumba (8 January 1984 – 7 April 2012) was a tanzanian actor and director. Kanumba died in 2012 at the age of 28. He was described as "Tanzania's most popular film star" and appeared in nollywood films.Kanumba began acting in the 1990s in church productions. In 2002, he joined the theater group Kaole Arts Group. He appeared in the television soap operas Jahazi and Dira and made his film debut in Haviliki. In 2006 he met Nazz who give him adv and further connection to his career appeared in Dar 2 Lagos, a film by Mtitu Game that used both Tanzanian and Nigerian actors and crew He also appeared in such films as She is My Sister, This Is It, and Love Gamble. In 2009, The production of Prince Matenga Patrickdespite his passing,  a lot of people look back onto Kanumbas life and his inspiration towards the African film industry. he has also been a major inspiration to new actors in the industry and proof that hard work pays no matter the occupation. even though he is not with us any more, his legacy will continue forever.



by Joan Gasto Lyaruu

YVONNE CHAKA CHAKA.

Yvonne a famous african artist born in Dobsonville, Soweto, 1965 born to Puti and Sophie Machaka, the Machakas had three girls: Doreen, Refiloe, and Yvonne Ntombizodwa

Considered a role model throughout the African continent, she has demonstrated compassion for others throughout her career. Yvonne has taught literacy, promoted the rights of women, and never stopped to work to protect children everywhere. 
As UNICEF’s Goodwill Ambassador against malaria, and also Ambassador for Roll-Back Malaria (sponsored by the World Bank, United Nations, World Health Organization, and other institutions), Yvonne tirelessly campaigns for medications and bed nets that will help to end malaria — a preventable and curable disease that kills 3,000 people in Africa every day. 

Inspired by these statistics she created her own charity, the Princess of Africa Foundation. Yvonne says, “We want to raise awareness and take initiative to eradicate this needless disease. People need to know more about malaria because it kills almost one million Africans a year, most of them children.”

Yvonne has also served as Ambassador for the University of South Africa (UNISA); City of Johannesburg Tourism, and Nelson Mandela’s 46664 Campaign. Yvonne embraces the belief that every citizen should play a part in building community, so when she was asked to become an honorary Colonel in the South Africa Air Force, she didn’t hesitate. Her duties include team-building and attaining excellence in communication. 

In 2001 Yvonne was named one of the Top 100 Heroes of South Africa by the Star Newspaper. Despite a travel schedule that keeps her on the road much of the time, Yvonne continues to make time to motivate, inspire, and educate everyone she meets. And she says “I am always ready to learn from others.”

Her continual efforts to raise donor monies from various African governments, the Global Fund, the World Bank, and the Gates Foundation ensure that those who need help the most will get it. Of the many awards and accolades she’s earned, Yvonne says that being the recipient of the Rotary Paul Harris Fellowship Award, established in 1957, was a great honour. “This award of excellence is such a distinction. I realize that it is through the efforts of others, who walked this path before me, that I am able to follow in their footsteps to help others. It is a privilege to serve my communities and make the world a better place for all our children. 

Her numerous accomplishments, and endurance in a demanding industry, can be attributed to an indomitable will and a childhood guided by the strength of her mother, Sophie Machaka. A domestic worker with only a Standard 6 education, Yvonne’s mother was a life-long teacher to all who knew her. She was Yvonne’s first mentor and gave her the gift of character. Yvonne says, “I know what it is like to sleep without food. I know what is like not to have. My mum taught me that when you die you will never take anything with you. So when I have, I share with others.” 

Today, the voice of Yvonne Chaka Chaka has also become the voice for untold others who suffer injustice and disease. Her wisdom and insight, combined with common sense and good judgment, have become evident in the dignity, poise, and courage she radiates. It is said that the only way to have a friend is to be one, and the Princess of Africa lives this credo. She has embraced an array of people from every walk of life, and her friendships span the globe. The diversity, and quality, of Yvonne’s relationships are like her music — different notes blending together to create the perfect sound. This belief in the human family is at the core of her beliefs, “I would love for all people to be equal in the world and just to know that God loves us all.”

Those who are closest to Yvonne recognise that she exudes a wisdom that flows from the highest source. Yvonne is a dramatic example of the power of one. Passionate about changing her world, she works ceaselessly to build a better future for Africa. A non-drinker and non-smoker, Yvonne maintains strong spiritual connections. 

Her philosophy is, “When we are born we come with nothing. And when we die, we die with nothing. God thank you for the life that you have given me.I love life, and I live it to the fullest.” “We are the instruments of Heaven. Our work is not design, but destiny.” African icon Yvonne Chaka Chaka is living her destiny, and those who understand her message are enriched by it. 
By JOAN GASTO LYARUU