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With compliments of +44 (0)20 7263 3774 FEBRUARY 2008 I MONTHLY NEWSPAPER FOR AFRICAN COMMUNITIES IN UK AND EUROPE I PRICE 1,00 £ 1,00 free€press Phone: +390687410531 I Fax: +390687410528 I Email: [email protected] I MY OWN MEDIA Ltd Press: Tel/Fax +44(0)207263 3774 I Email: [email protected] Report: More than 100,000 asylum seeker children in UK trapped in poverty Allow asylum seekers to work, UK Govt urged Continued on Page 3 COMMUNITY UK deports terminally ill woman to Ghana, rejects plea for her return P. 16 McFadden: "Every worker should earn a fair wage" P. 4 Suzanna Lubrano releases irresistibly danceable LP “Saida” © AP PHOTO A new report shows that some 100,000 children are caught in a 10-year backlog of UK asylum applications and are living in poverty. The report "Like Any Other Child?" published by children's charity Barnardo's, shows that these vulnerable children frequently live in intolerably poor accommodation from which they are moved over and over again. "There is a desperate need for a new approach and in particular a moral and economic case for allowing parents trapped in the backlog to work and support their children. Often they have skills the UK needs and they have no wish to live on government handouts. They seek only the right to give their children a better life and to recover some dignity for themselves," says Barnardo's Chief Executive, Martin Narey. IMMIGRATION NEWS Frattini proposes fingerprinting visitors P. 5 to EU THE GUIDE The famous Cape Verdean songstress Suzanna Lubrano is back with a new LP "Saida", an excellent, sweet and irresistibly danceable LP with powerful and relevant messages. P. 21 How to deal with relationship problems P. 6 Beckham: Act to save children from dying from preventable causes UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador David Beckham visited Sierra Leone in January to draw attention to the issue of child survival. "We can't turn a blind eye to the tens of thousands of young children who die every day in the developing world mostly from causes that are preventable. In Sierra Leone, one in four children dies before reaching their fifth birthday - it's shocking and tragic especially when the solutions are simple - things like vaccinations against measles or using a mosquito net to reduce the chance of getting malaria," he said. P. 8 ENTERTAINMENT FOCUS DJ Dubwise: “Politics is a game that can either build or destroy a nation” Interview with Flavia Mbazima, Miss Zambia UK P. 15 P. 20 2 UK IMMIGRATION NEWS February 2008 UK now fingerprinting all visa applicants Anyone applying for a UK visa from 133 countries covering three quarters of the world's population now have their fingerprints checked against UK databases, Immigration Minister Liam Byrne has revealed. He said the new system has already spotted nearly 500 cases of identity swapping. Addressing the staff of the Border and Immigration Agency (BIA) in early January, Mr. Byrne said: "The public wants stronger borders. They want us to shut down the causes of illegal immigration and hold newcomers to account, deporting rule breakers where necessary. They also want a compassionate system, which makes and enforces decisions fast when we have obligations to honour - and lets those we need contribute to Britain as long as they speak English, pay tax and obey the law. "My goal therefore in 2008 is as ambitious as it is urgent. There are four themes to our work: protection, prevention, accountability and compassion. By Christmas the system will look and feel different. Every month the public will be able to see us not talking about change but delivering on our ten point plan for change. The public is right to demand a new system. We have listened. And we will act." Mr. Byrne set out the government's timetable to achieve ten milestones on migration. He said that within 15 days, the UK will check fingerprints before a visa is issued anywhere in the world. Within 60 days, the government Overstaying students in UK can be excused UK's Immigration officers have been informed not to deport foreign students whose visas have expired unless they have broken other laws, a leaked Home Office memorandum suggests. The Daily Mail obtained a note circulated to department officials it claims was written by Border and Immigration Agency director Jonathan Lindley after chief executive Lin Homer took notice of one student's case. Ms. Homer said that if there was evidence of corruption or fraud, students would still be removed. The Tories said a blind eye was being turned to those with no right to stay, BBC reported. Mr Lindley said the policy on dealing with out-of-time applications was currently under review and asked that officers did not proceed with enforcing any student refusal cases unless "deemed to be a priority". Ms Homer told BBC Radio 5 Live that the advice was triggered by the case of a Chinese student at university in Manchester who applied to extend her leave in time but got her bank details wrong, so had to resubmit her application. "She corrected and sent us another form of payment, actually an old fashioned postal order, which arrived a day or two after her leave expired and because of a toughening up of the rules that was refused and enforcement action was taken now that seemed to me to be us taking our toughness a stage too far," Ms Homer said. According to John Tincey of t h e Immigration Service Union, the memo was "astonishing". He told 5 Live Ms. Lin Homer, hief Executive, the main prioriBorder and Immigration Agency ties were removing foreign rities have to be set." national prisoners, followed Shadow home secretary by failed asylum seekers, BBC David Davis said: "It is astonireported. shing that warped government He said: "In an ideal world priorities are dictating that our the Home Office would have immigration authorities turn a enough money and enough blind eye to those with no right immigration officers to actual- to stay in the UK. These revely go after everybody who lations reflect the continued shouldn't be in the country. chaos at the BIA, which is "But the Home Office esti- already struggling to deport mates there are some 600,000 foreign prisoners and remove people in the country illegally hundreds of thousands of fai- to look for those people we led asylum seekers who are in have less than 1,500 immigra- the UK illegally." tion officers, so basically prio- UK to ratify anti-trafficking treaty Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has said UK intends to ratify the Council of Europe Convention against Trafficking by the end of the year. She said the ratification of the Convention against Trafficking will be yet another milestone in the Government's concerted strategy to protect the victims of trafficking and bring to justice those that exploit them. Ms. Smith said: "One of the vilest crimes that threaten our society is the trafficking of human beings. This horrendous crime is the product of organised criminality, whose business is to make money from human misery.” The Home Secretary said the UK will make the necessary legislative and procedural changes before the end of the year as part of its wider strategy to combat trafficking. She said "Ratification is not and should not be an end in itself. Efforts to rescue victims of trafficking and bring to justice those that exploit them will go on until we ratify and we will continue to try to improve our ability to combat this horrendous crime after we ratify. Ms. Smith said: the UK has already achieved a great deal. “In March 2007 we launched the comprehensive UK Action Plan on Trafficking on the same day as signing the Convention. We have also EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Stephen Ogongo Tel: +390687410531 Fax: +390687410528 Email: [email protected] ADVERTISING: Tel/fax +44(0)2072633774 Email: [email protected] DISTRIBUTION: Tel/fax: +44(0)2072633774 Email: [email protected] plans to introduce on the spot fines for employers who don't make the right right-to-work checks. The new points system for managing migration is also to be introduced within 80 days while a single border force and police-like powers for frontline staff will be introduced within 100 days. The government also plans within 200 days to activate powers to automatically deport foreign national prisoners and within 330 days to begin issuing compulsory ID cards for those foreign nationals who want to stay. By Christmas UK will begin counting foreign nationals in and out of the country and introduce compulsory watch-list checks for high risk journeys before they land.Mr. Byrne said the Government is currently consulting on proposals to overhaul how UK marriage and short term visas are issued. "Taken together all these measures make-up the biggest shake-up of the immigration system in its history. They allow the UK to continue to reap the benefits of migration, while also preventing abuse of the system," he said. established a dedicated Human Trafficking Centre and provided £4.5m over the last 5 years for victim protection under the Poppy scheme, which supports adult women trafficked into the UK for sexual exploitation." The Home Office said criminalisation of all forms of human trafficking has already secured 68 convictions under the Sexual Offences Act and combating trafficking has been made a priority for The Serious and Organised Crime Agency. UK's decision to ratify the Council of Europe's Convention on Action Against Human Trafficking has been welcomed by Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary Chris Huhne who called on the Government to step up its efforts to make sure other member states of the EU followed suit. So far, only 10 countries have ratified the convention which enters into force on 1st February this year. "I regret to say that the signatories are mainly poor countries. Although we will be the seventh European Union country to sign up and ratify, we will be only the third developed country to do so after Austria and Denmark. I very much hope that the Government will maintain the pressure on other EU member states to stop displacement," Mr. Huhne said. CONTRIBUTORS: TAYO, Musah Ibrahim Musah, Reggie Tagoe, Pauline Long, Kwaku Boatin, Eric Singh, Stephen Oladipupo, Ekarika Nana 0bot PUBLISHER: Stranieri in Italia, Via Virgilio Maroso 50, Roma 00142 ITALY Tel. +390687410531 Fax +390687410528 Email: [email protected] PRINTING PRESS: CENTRO STAMPA QUOTIDIANI spa Via dell'Industria 52, Brescia 25030, Italy Supplemento europeo di Africa News & Nouvelles REGISTRAZIONE TRIBUNALE DI ROMA n. 22/2003 del 21-01-2003 UK IMMIGRATION NEWS February 2008 3 More than 100,000 asylum seeker children in UK trapped in poverty Govt urged to change law to allow asylum seekers work Some 100,000 children are caught in a 10-year backlog of UK asylum applications and are living in poverty, a new report shows. These vulnerable children frequently live in intolerably poor accommodation from which they are moved over and over again. Although their parents are often desperate to work and pay their way in the UK, the system does not allow this, a report published by children's charity Barnardo's shows. Barnardo's has published the report "Like Any Other Child?" as part of its campaign to end child poverty in the UK. The major children's charity is calling for asylum seekers to be given the right to work, so they can lift their children out of poverty. The charity said it welcomes new procedures introduced by the Home Office which will mean that from now on many more families arriving in the UK will, if their claim fails, be swiftly returned to their country of origin. It, however, said that the asylum backlog needs to be dealt with urgently and, specifically, parents in the UK for longer than six months should be allowed to work and support their children. The report cites the appalling conditions experienced by asylum seeking “Banning asylum seekers from working condemns them and their families to poverty while they await the outcome of their asylum claims. With cases often taking months and even years to resolve, asylum seekers face the stark choice of trying to survive on meagre benefits, paid at a lower rate than everyone else, or of exploitation at the hands of unscrupulous employers in the informal economy.” TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber “There is a desperate need for a new approach and in particular a moral and economic case for allowing parents trapped in the backlog to work and support their children. Often they have skills the UK needs and they have no wish to live on government handouts. They seek only the right to give their children a better life and to recover some dignity for themselves." Children's Charity Barnardo's Chief Executive, Martin Narey families in the UK who are awaiting decisions on their claims - in some cases for up to ten years. It highlights the shocking disadvantages asylum seeking children are forced to endure, living in families with incomes significantly below, already modest, normal benefit levels; living in damp and unsafe housing; often suffering aggressive racial abuse and frequently having to change schools. On top of all that, asylum seekers also live with terrible uncertainty for years on end, which can create an unbearable environment for children. Some children face deportation to countries they can't remember or might never have lived in. One asylum seeker, Kirsi, 29, fled to the UK from Kenya in 2004 after being tortured by rebels, who wanted information on her husband, as he was involved in land rights disputes. Kirsi and her three year-old son, Daniel currently live on the 12th floor of a tower block in Glasgow in a damp, overcrowded flat. In Africa, Kirsi was a trained accounts clerk and since being in Scotland has passed her Scottish Qualifications Authority in computing: "The longer my application takes, the more chances I miss. I want to be contributing to society and providing a better life for Danny, but I am forced to rely on benefits. All my life I have worked, where I come from we're not used to getting handouts. I feel wasted and frustrated, it's so depressing, our lives are on hold." Barnardo's Chief Executive, Martin Narey, said: "The Government's New Asylum Model (NAM) recognises the need for a speedier process for asylum seekers, which is humane and fair, and we welcome its introduction. We do not oppose asylum policy and recognise that under the new procedures many families will be removed from the UK speedily. But for those whose cases have been languishing in the old system, often for years, there is a desperate need for a new approach and in particular a moral and economic case for allowing parents trapped in the backlog to work and support their children. Often they have skills the UK needs and they have no wish to live on government handouts. They seek only the right to give their children a better life and to recover some dignity for themselves." "Like Any Other Child?" is calling for the Home Office to re-address the current UK asylum process, focussing on the needs of the children. It recommends giving asylum seekers who have been in the UK for more than six months the right to work. It also recommends housing asylum seeking families with children only in conditions which would be acceptable for UK families living in temporary accommodation. The report asks the government to ensure that asylum-seeking families with children are allocated to accommodation which they can occupy for the duration of their asylum applications. Another major recommendation of the "Like Any Other Child?" report is that asylum-seeking families should not be made to move distances which entail children changing schools. Reacting to the findings of "Like every other child?" report, Donna Covey, Chief Executive of the Refugee Council said the report "adds a welcome voice to the debate about the treatment of asylum seeking children and their families. The testimony contained within it highlights the often shocking conditions asylum seeking children are forced to endure and the hugely detrimental impact government policy such as detention and the restrictions on the right to work has on asylum seeking families." The report was also welcomed by TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber who said: "Banning asylum seekers from working condemns them and their families to poverty while they await the outcome of their asylum claims. With cases often taking months and even years to resolve, asylum seekers face the stark choice of trying to survive on meagre benefits, paid at a lower rate than everyone else, or of exploitation at the hands of unscrupulous employers in the informal economy." The UK Government has intensified checks on those arriving in the country. Now there are dogs sniffing for drugs in hand luggage while immigration officers check the passengers' passports at Gatwick. Travellers suspected of carrying illegal substances are also being asked by Customs staff to step into the 'Sentinel' - a hi-tech machine which can detect small quantities of drugs in the air around them. The Home Office said that ahead of the completed merger of the Border and Immigration Agency and Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs taking place later this year, Gatwick already has a single checkpoint to protect Britain from unwanted people and illegal goods. Immigration Minister Liam Byrne explained why a single border force is needed saying: "The Single Border Force is the public face of the biggest shake-up of Britain's border security for 40 years. "Our controls are much more visi- © GNN PHOTO Tougher checks at Gatwick airport "Smuggling people and goods into Britain is big business and we have to stop the criminal gangs behind it. That's why we are merging immigration control and customs and creating the UK Border Agency later this year.” Immigration Minister Liam ble. With officers in uniform and bold signage, taxpayers can now see the extra security they are paying for, like fingerprint visas, which prevent people lying about their identity to get to the UK. Smuggling people and goods into Britain is big business and we have to stop the criminal gangs behind it. That's why we are merging immigration control and customs and creating the UK Border Agency later this year. "In the meantime, customs and immigration officers are sharing more intelligence about threats to the country and are increasingly making use of each others' powers to protect the border." The Government is also working behind the scenes to control illegal immigration and crime. In order to stop unwanted people before they reach UK's border, British immigration officers are stationed at the major European ports, like Calais, Paris and Brussels. The number of Airline Liaison Officers working out of foreign airports to help travel operators identify forged passports has also been increased. Over the next few years, ticket purchase information will be made available in advance to the UK Border Agency, to stop would-be illegal immigrants, terrorists and criminals ever setting foot on a plane. At the UK's border, immigration officers are being given stronger police-style powers to make arrests and prosecute offenders more often. UK IMMIGRATION NEWS 4 Campaign launched to promote awareness of minimum wage February 2008 The UK government has launched a three-month campaign to promote aware- “We want to make sure worness of the national minikers know their rights and mum wage (NMW) and help employers know their responexpose cases of underpay- sibilities. The national miniment. mum wage remains one of The campaign was launched on 10th January in East the most important new rights London with the unveiling of a introduced by this minimum wage information Government. Employers who tour bus. The '£5.52: Are you on board?' bus will travel to don't pay the minimum wage are not only cheating wormore than 30 towns and cities across the UK, providing free kers, they're undercutting help and information to memhonest businesses.” bers of the public - as well as access to online and phone Minister for Employment support. Relations, Pat McFadden According to the Department for Business, it is estimated that 1 million people earn a fair wage for a fair in the UK currently earn the national day's work. We want to make minimum wage, which increased in sure workers know their October last year to £5.52 for people rights and employers know aged 22 and over, £3.40 for 16-17 year their responsibilities. olds, £4.60 for 18- 21 year olds. "The national minimum wage Launching the campaign, Minister remains one of the most important new for Employment Relations, Pat rights introduced by this Government. McFadden said: "Every worker should Employers who don't pay the minimum © GNN PHOTO McFadden: “Every worker should earn a fair wage” wage are not only cheating workers, they're undercutting honest businesses. This information campaign will help provide those most at risk of underpayment with the advice and support they need to take action where necessary." The Department for Business, which is funding the campaign, hopes the bus will reach almost 800,000 people during its journey. Workers visiting the bus will be able to use the tools provided on board to work out if they're being paid correctly, or to make a complaint if they have concerns, which enforcement officers will investigate. The confidential NMW helpline (0845 6000 678) accepts calls and enquiries from workers (which can be anonymous), employers and any other interested parties, such as independent advisors. Lines are open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm. In Northern Ireland the helpline number is 0845 6500 207. The Government has also announced a range of tough new measures to crack down on rogue bosses who refuse to pay the national minimum wage, including potentially unlimited penalties for the most serious offenders and stronger powers for inspectors to investigate evidence of wrong-doing. These new reforms include a simpler, more effective penalty regime where all employers underpaying workers will be fined. Save into private pension for a better future life, workers advised average men only survived to age 49 and women to 53. Today, one in four babies is expected to live to 100. "People are living longer, are more active and expect to be able to enjoy the type of lifestyle in retirement they had while working." Mr Hain noted that while around three quarters of people say they will need more than the State Pension to live on, only around four in 10 working age people are saving into a private pension. "With increasing longevity, if we don't tackle the challenge of under-saving, by around 2050 we face the nightmare of a pensions crisis with people of working age struggling to pay for an ageing population. The state, individuals and employers all share in the responsibility to avert such a crisis - so we must act decisively now to renew the social contract between us," he said. State Pension age in the UK will increase gradually to 68 by 2046 so that future genera- One hundred years ago few people lived long enough to collect a State Pension - on average men only survived to age 49 and women to 53. Today, one in four babies is expected to live to 100. People are living longer, are more active and expect to be able to enjoy the type of lifestyle in retirement they had while working." © GNN PHOTO Individual workers in the UK have been encouraged to take personal responsibility by saving for later life as part of a renewed social contract designed to avoid the nightmare of a pensions crisis in years to come. Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Peter Hain said action was vital so that future generations of workers were not left struggling to pay for an ageing population. Speaking ahead of the second reading of the Pensions Bill 2007 - which proposes automatic enrolment from 2012 into good workplace pensions with an employer contribution of at least three percent, Mr Hain said: "The Government's pension reform package is one of the most radical changes in the 100 years since the first state pension was created by the Old Age Pensions Act 1908. "And radical change is needed. One hundred years ago few people lived long enough to collect a State Pension - on Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Peter Hain tions are not left footing the bill for increasing longevity, the minister said. The new Bill would make it easier for people to save through automatic enrolment into a qualifying workplace pension scheme, including the new personal accounts scheme. Mr Hain said: "Automatic enrolment will combat the inertia which is such a barrier to saving, while the minimum employer contribution and tax relief will mean individuals' contributions are matched £1 for £1. "But it's crucial that individuals play their part in this renewed social contract. To achieve the type of lifestyle they expect in retirement they must take personal responsibility by participating in a pen- sion. "For most, the downsides of not saving far outweigh the small risk of saving and later regretting it. These reforms will give millions of people the means to fulfil their aspirations for a better and more secure income in later life." Communities urged to empower Muslim women Communities and local authorities across the UK have been asked to look for more ways of improving the opportunities available to Muslim women so that they can play a bigger role in civic society as well as in tackling violent extremism. Communities Secretary Hazel Blears said there was need to step up work and increase the number of projects which are supporting Muslim women to play a fuller role in their communities - such as projects aimed at increasing educational opportunities, employment, leadership training and civic empowerment. She said that for the country to create resilient communities, there was need to get better at listening to Muslim women and work together to open the door for more women to get involved. Ms. Blears said: "Public debate about Muslim women too often reverts to stereotypes and preconceptions. We pay too much attention to Muslim women's appearance - with the perennial debate about headscarves and veils- and too little to what they say and do. "Resilient communities can only exist where women are playing a full and active part. There are 800,000 Muslim women living in Britain today. They have a unique viewpoint on the challenges faced by the communities they live in and as such have a unique role to play in tackling the spread of violent extremism. That is why we are putting our work with them centrestage - to give the silent majority a voice and make it easier for more empowered, confident women to play a part." EU IMMIGRATION NEWS February 2008 5 Frattini proposes fingerprinting visitors to 27-nation bloc © AP PHOTO "One of the main problems we face now is overstayers -people who enter the EU legally and then disappear because they stay over the allowed period. This cannot be tolerated. Overstayers are the factor number one of illegal immigration." EU Justice Commissioner Franco Frattini The package, which European Commission sources said would be submitted to the EU executive on Feb.13, is aimed to make a "better use of existing technology", “We must evaluate what the Mr. Frattini said. "One of the main advantages are. The problems we face now European Union has the is overstayers -- people right to know who enters, but who enter the EU legalI am not sure that a large ly and then disappear because they stay over amount of information that the allowed period. This would be collected can be cannot be tolerated. examined by each member Overstayers are the facstate ... we need more infortor number one of illegal immigration," Mr. mation on the effectiveness of Frattini said. the system." He said the new measures are absolutely Luxembourg's Justice necessary and should Minister Luc Frieden therefore be adopted as soon as possible. © AP PHOTO The European Union Justice Commissioner Franco Frattini has proposed plans to fingerprint and electronically record the entry and exit of all visitors to the 27-nation bloc. He said the new system would make EU borders more secure and stop foreigners from illegally entering the EU. Mr. Frattini noted that the new measures would also prevent those entering legally from overstaying the threemonth stay period, saying that those overstaying their visas are the main cause of illegal immigration. The EU Justice Commissioner would like the electronic register to include viable biometric identifiers. He plans to present the new measures this month. "I will present in February a package of measures aimed at improving the capacity of the EU to protect its external borders," Mr. Frattini said. But Mr. Frattini's plans have been met with resistance from some EU nations and civil liberties' advocates, who fear that collecting details about a person's travel arrangements in and out of the EU would violate their privacy. Details about a traveler's airline ticket, including how it was paid for, would be shared among all EU member states, as well as with third countries such as the US. The EU insists it will not divulge sensitive information about a traveler's ethnic origins or political and religious beliefs. Luxembourg's Justice Minister Luc Frieden said more study was needed before the bloc moved to set up such a system, AP reported. "We must evaluate what the advantages are," Frieden said. "The European Union has the right to know who enters, but I am not sure that a large amount of information that would be collected can be examined by each member state ... we need more information on the effectiveness of the system." Mr. Frattini urged them to put their doubts aside, saying the data-storage system was absolutely necessary. "We have been dealing with the security of Americans, (and) now the time has come to deal with the security of Europeans," Mr. Frattini said, adding that "Terrorism remains the number one threat." Funding for English classes in UK to aid integration The UK Government has published a set of proposals relating to English language tuition for migrants. Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills John Denham announced that public funding for English language teaching should be targeted where it will have the biggest impact on community cohesion and integration. In practice this will often mean the most deprived and socially excluded groups who may find it hard to find places on English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) courses today. Local councils would get more of a say in how funding for ESOL is allocated. The consultation follows a report published last year by the Commission for Integration and Cohesion, 'Our Shared Vision', which identified being able to communicate in English as one of the most important issues facing integration and cohesion in Britain. The report suggested that English language binds us together as a single group and vulnerable communities are being left without the English skills they need to get by. According to the consultation document, the national priorities for ESOL include: legal residents expected to stay in the country long-term; excluded women, particularly those with children under 16; parents or carers in families with multiple problems; those Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills John Denham identified as raising particular issues for community cohesion; people with low levels of literacy in their own language; those with no secondary education; refugees and asylum seekers still in the country beyond six months awaiting a decision on their status or who cannot return home. Mr. Denham said: "The Government is committed to promoting community cohesion and integration and good English language skills have a vital role to play in this work. "Since 2001, spending on ESOL has trebled and over two million people have been helped to improve their language skills. But we must make sure that ESOL makes the biggest possible contribution to improving community cohesion and integration. "Recent reforms are already ensuring that those who can afford to pay for English classes do so and are encouraging employers to take more responsibility for funding training for economic migrants in their workforces. "Now we must go further and ensure that the priority is to reach long-term residents for whom poor English is a real barrier to integration in work or in the community." In response to the publication of the government consultation on the provision of ESOL classes, Donna Covey, Chief Executive of the Refugee Council said they welcome "the Government's commitment to promoting community cohesion through the provision of English language classes. We also welcome the recognition that refugees often face higher levels of social isolation and unemployment. Our own research and experience continually highlights ESOL as a key issue for refugees and asylum seekers. Learning English is vital to feeling safe, retraining and getting a job in the UK. We urge the Government to include refugees as a priority group for ESOL funding. "We're pleased the Government is consulting on the role of voluntary and community groups to support ESOL learners. Many refugee community organisations already provide English language classes. We hope this will mean they will get the funding and support they need to continue to provide this essential service." Darra Singh, Chair of the Commission on Integration and Cohesion, said he was pleased to "endorse the Government's intention to place community cohesion at the heart of ESOL provision. I believe that English language skills are fundamental to integration and cohesion for all communities and help to create strong, positive relationships between people from different backgrounds in the workplace, in schools and other institutions within neighbourhoods." Communities Secretary Hazel Blears welcomed the consultation saying "Speaking English is the greatest asset you can possess for getting involved in your community, and getting on and doing well for yourself and your family. Research has shown that 60 per cent of people believe not speaking the language is the biggest barrier to integration. Not speaking English also reduces opportunities in the labour market by 20 per cent. That is why we need to put greater emphasis on learning English as well as ensuring a commonsense approach is applied to translation." 6 THE GUIDE February 2008 Dealing with relationship problems If you are having problems in your relationship, acting early and seeking counselling may help prevent it breaking down. If the relationship is definitely over however, then mediation can help make the split less painful and less damaging for all concerned. Counselling A counsellor can help you discuss emotive issues and will help couples that want to save their marriage. Counsellors are professionally trained, though some offer their services voluntarily. They are trained to listen and to help you to work out your own solutions to relationship problems. They don't negotiate for you or tell you what to do. Family support is counselling that can help the whole family to deal with problems and prevent relationships breaking down and families splitting up. Tackling problems early is important in order to save a relationship. The longer a problem is left unresolved, the harder it usually is to deal with it. Counselling can also help a family to accept what is happening to them and to deal with the emotional stress that separation or divorce can cause within a f a m i l y . Attempting to work things out through counselling or mediation could lead to better family decisions and long-term relationships after the divorce. agreement without bias or being on anyone's 'side'. Public funding is available for those who qualify for legal aid. The funding is for mediation and for legal help, during and after mediation, for legal advice on any agreements reached. You can find mediation services in your area by calling the Family Mediation Helpline on 0845 60 26 627. Mediation Mediation during a Mediation is different from divorce, civil partnercounselling and is more con- ship dissolution or cerned with dealing with the separation practicalities of day-to-day life following relationship breakdown. It is more like negotiating an agreement and resolving a dispute without involving lawyers or the courts. You can ask a trained family mediator to act as an impartial third party; they will help couples come to an You can negotiate directly with your partner and reach agreement without any outside help about issues such as your children's care and splitting property and finance. That is usually the best way. You may not be able to reach agreement on everything, but it can still help to make issues easier to resolve even if you go to court. Mediation can be used when you have decided to go ahead with a divorce, dissolution or separation, by helping you to work out solutions in ways that reduce confrontation. Tax credits and relationship breakdown If you received tax credits as a couple but have now split up, you can make a new claim as a single person over the phone. In most cases, there will be no break in payments, with new arrangements in place within a week. For more information, call 0845 300 3900. By Direct.gov.uk Getting a divorce Getting a divorce starts with a form called a 'petition for divorce'. Once you have filled in a petition, which you can get from a solicitor, some stationers, or the HM Courts Service website, take it to a divorce county court or to the Principal Registry of the Family Division in London. On the form you'll have to explain why you want a divorce. You cannot start divorce proceedings unless you have been married for one year. grounds for the divorce. They are known as 'the co-respondent', The courts will then post a copy of the petition to your husband or wife and any co-respondents named in your divorce petition. This is known as 'serving the petition'. Your husband or wife then has what contact they will have with the non-resident parent) before the divorce is granted. The next and most important part of the divorce process is known as 'the Decree Nisi'. This is the first stage of the actual divorce. It is granted only when a judge has reviewed all of the Reasons for a divorce The court will only grant you a divorce if a judge agrees that your marriage is at an end. The legal term for this is 'irretrievably broken down'. You must satisfy the court that one or more of the following is true as proof that your marriage is over: - adultery by your husband or wife - unreasonable behaviour by your husband or wife - desertion for a period of at least two years - two years' separation, if you both agree to the divorce - five years' separation, if there is no agreement to the divorce The main stages of divorce Once you return your petition to the divorce county court you have started the divorce process. From now on you are legally known know as 'the petitioner'. Your husband or wife who you are divorcing is legally known as 'the respondent.' You will need to supply copies of your marriage certificate, details of any children involved and also the name and address of any person with whom your husband or wife has committed adultery if you wish to name them in the divorce proceedings as Absolute, then your husband or wife as the respondent can apply for it, but only after a further three months have passed. When you receive the Decree Absolute, you are no longer married and are free to re-marry. The court will only grant the Decree Absolute when the judge agrees that all arrangements for the children are now satisfactory. A judge can make a final financial order before the Decree Absolute is granted, but the order will only come into force after the decree has been made absolute. Getting help with the process eight days to acknowledge receipt of the petition. If they don't do this, the court will contact you and ask for more details and, if necessary, arrange for a court official - know as a bailiff to serve the petition in person. Once the petition has been served, what happens next depends upon whether or not your husband or wife contests the divorce or agrees to it. You may be asked to provide more information by the court. If you have children then the court must examine and agree with arrangements made for the children (e.g. who they are going to live with, where they are going to live, papers and is satisfied that there are proper grounds for a divorce. The judge will also check that all financial issues and arrangements for the children have been agreed or are in the process of being resolved. You may be required to attend court, but many divorces happen entirely by post. Decree Absolute The final stage of a divorce is called 'the Decree Absolute.' You can apply for the Decree Absolute six weeks and one day after the Decree Nisi. If you don't apply for the Decree You do not have to use a solicitor; many couples get divorced without consulting a solicitor. But you may need legal advice if you are not sure whether you have grounds for a divorce, or if your husband or wife does not agree to a divorce, or if you have children. You may also need legal advice about financial issues, even if you agree on how to divide up your property and finances. The process of sorting out the financial aspect of the divorce is known as 'ancillary relief'. It is not the case that property is automatically divided in a 50/50 split. If you do go to court the judge will consider a number of factors when deciding who should get what, but the needs of any children will always be the main consideration. The Citizens Advice Bureau can help you fill in the necessary forms, and can help you find a solicitor, if you need one. There are also many sources of free advice and support available online during what can be a very stressful and difficult time. By Direct.gov.uk ! W E N NEXT DAY TO AFRICA* £4.90 Envoyez aujourd'hui, recevez demain! © 2007 WESTERN UNION HOLDINGS, INC. All rights reserved. Tunawaletea huduma mpya siku moja! NEW NEXT DAY SERVICE TO AFRICA. *£4.90 fee from the UK applicable with the Next Day Service for amounts up to £100 when sending money to African countries where Western Union service is available except Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Libya and Egypt. Prices subject to change without notice. Money is usually available the following calendar day of the send country for collection, subject to service at the receive Agent locations and other terms and conditions of service. See send form for details. In addition to transfer fees, Western Union also makes money when it changes your pounds into foreign currency. IN AFRICA THIS MONTH 8 UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador David Beckham visits Sierra Leone February 2008 We can’t turn a blind eye to thousands of children who die every day from preventable causes "We can't turn a blind eye to the tens of thousands of young children who die every day in the developing world mostly from causes that are preventable. In Sierra Leone, one in four children dies before reaching their fifth birthday it's shocking and tragic especially when the solutions are simple - things like vaccinations against measles or using a mosquito net to reduce the chance of getting malaria.” UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador David Beckham dying. Evidence shows that real progress has been made by providing ongoing health care for women throughout their pregnancy and ensuring immunisation and health check-ups for the baby from birth to early childhood. Empowering communities to participate in health care has also proven to be an effective way to save lives. Beckham saw an example of this by joining two health workers as they travelled into a local community to vaccinate children who are unable to access the clinic. At the same time the health workers teach the communities about the importance of good hygiene to prevent diseases. This is an important part of the clinic's work - helping them reach hundreds more children who would otherwise miss out on these vital lifesaving measures. At a feeding centre for severely malnourished children Beckham visited babies who had survived on water because their mothers were malnourished and unable to breastfeed. These children weigh less than 70 per cent of their recommended body weight. One seven-month-old baby weighed less than the recommended weight for a one-month-old. With supplies from UNICEF, the clinic provides the children with fortified milk and high protein biscuits. UNICEF also encourages women to exclusively breastfeed their babies for the first six months - globally this has had a tremendous impact on the health of children. The clinic has been successful in curing over 90 per cent of the children There has been a 60% fall in child mortality rates since 1960 “All children have a right to survival but too many are dying needlessly. But this can be changed if there is sufficient collective will to act with determination and urgency. Surely there is no reward more precious than saving the life of a child? Their futures remain in our hands." UNICEF UK's Executive Director David Bull can be changed if there is sufficient collective will to act with determination and urgency. Surely there is no reward more precious than saving the life of a child? Their futures remain in our hands." UNICEF is calling on governments for urgent political will, long-term funding and improved health strategies - on an unprecedented scale to reduce the number of children under the age of five that die every day around the admitted. Mr. Beckham said: "We can't turn a blind eye to the tens of thousands of young children who die every day in the developing world mostly from causes that are preventable. In Sierra Leone, one in four children dies before reaching their fifth birthday - it's shocking and tragic especially when the solutions are simple - things like vaccinations against measles or using a mosquito net to reduce the chance of getting malaria. Saving these children's lives is a top priority for UNICEF and as an Ambassador I hope I can help to draw attention to this issue across the world." Blair becomes advisor to Govt of Rwanda Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair is to become an advisor to Rwanda, Dr David Himbara, the head of the Strategy and Policy unit in the Office of the President revealed to The New Times. "It started with a meeting he held with the President (Paul Kagame) where he expressed his interest Former UK Prime Minister in offering pro bono Tony Blair services as advisor to Rwanda. Shortly after that, I met with him to played a significant role in comprehensively brief him on Rwanda's reconstruction. "For instance, it was during the situation in our country," The Times quoted Mr. his tenure that the British Government initiated the Himbara to have said. A team from Mr. Blair's direct budget support to office reportedly recently visi- Rwanda and they were the ted Rwanda for a week to first country to do so. He has assess the challenges on the always believed in our goverground. Mr. Himbara said the nment's effort and ways to former UK Prime Minister is identify what is best for our expected to visit Rwanda this people. "Now it is another chance month. "His visit will mark the kick-off of his involvement," for him to put his belief in concrete practice. But it is a said Mr. Himbara. Mr. Blair's attachment to chance for our government as Rwanda, according to Mr. well to work with a figure like Himbara, dates back to the Blair whose influence is glotime when he was still head of bal and has good knowledge the British government. At the about Rwanda," Mr. Himbara time he and his government added. © AP PHOTO There has been a 60 per cent drop in the rate of child mortality since 1960, UNICEF's State of the World's Children (SOWC) 2008 report shows. The report outlines what needs to be done to reduce child deaths further. There remains a long way to go to achieve the Millennium Development Goal on child survival - which would mean lowering the number of underfive deaths from 9.7 million to less than five million by 2015. Nowhere in the world is the need for lifesaving measures more apparent than in Sierra Leone and the rest of subSaharan Africa. UNICEF, however, maintains that attaining the goal is still possible but the challenge is formidable. UNICEF UK's Executive Director David Bull said UNICEF is grateful to "Beckham for shining the spotlight on the unacceptable number of young children who are dying, often needlessly, in Sierra Leone and other developing countries. Everyone can play a role in changing this situation governments, donors and the public. All children have a right to survival but too many are dying needlessly. But this © AP PHOTO UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador David Beckham visited Sierra Leone in January to draw attention to the issue of child survival. The "The State of the World's Children 2008" published by UNICEF reveals that every day more than 26,000 children under the age of five die around the world mostly from preventable causes. Nearly all of them live in the developing world. The report also shows that in Sierra Leone a staggering 27 per cent of children die before reaching their fifth birthday - the highest number in the world. UNICEF is calling for child survival to be placed at the heart of the international development agenda and to make it a top priority at the G8 summit. Mr. Beckham arrived in the capital Freetown on 18th January and travelled to Makeni, Bombali District in the northern province of Sierra Leone, which has the highest number of underfive child deaths in the country. During his visit, Beckham spent time at a health clinic learning about the most common causes of these deaths, like malaria which accounts for 33 per cent of child deaths. Diarrhoea, malnutrition and vaccine preventable diseases like measles and tuberculosis are also major contributors. UNICEF is working with health clinics in Sierra Leone, and across the developing world, to reduce the number of children under the age of five world. UNICEF is calling on the public for urgent funds to help prevent babies and young children dying before the age of five. A little can go a long way. £1.50 could immunise 50 children. Just a few pence for a vitamin A capsule would prevent and treat vitamin A deficiency, or pay for one sachet of rehydration salts which, when mixed with clean water, helps children combat dehydration and diarrhoea. IN AFRICA THIS MONTH February 2008 9 Raila & Kibaki meeting rekindles hope for peace The meeting and handshake between President Mwai Kibaki and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Amolo Raila Odinga has rekindled hope for peace in Kenya. It was the first time the two met since December's disputed presidential election. On 27th December Kenyans went to vote peacefully in parliamentary and presidential elections. In the parliamentary elections, 99 of the 210 seats were won by ODM while Mr. Kibaki's Party of National Unity (PNU) only got 43 seats. The presidential vote count was tampered with. The chairman of the Electoral Commission of Kenya said that he did "not know whether Mr. Kibaki won the elections." Mr. Odinga rejected the results. The European Union Electoral Mission and USA also expressed grave doubts about the legitimacy of the presidential results. The latest to cast doubt on the results is the Commonwealth Observer Group, stating that the polls did not meet international standards. "The Electoral Commission of Kenya has not succeeded in establishing the integrity of the tallying process, thereby bringing the validity of the election results into question,” the report said. Shortly after the results were announced, Mr. Kibaki was swiftly inaugurated for a second term. Shortly after his inauguration the government issued a circular banning all live broadcasts in the interests of public security and good order, an order that is still on as we go to press. The announcement of Kibaki's win provoked protests in many parts of the country. All opinion polls showed that Mr. Odinga was ahead of Mr. Kibaki. Even the exit polls and local media reports showed that Mr. Odinga was leading with a big margin. But something that is yet to be explained happened. After suspending tallying of presidential results and taking unnecessarily long to do so, it was finally announced that Mr. Kibaki had won. It was so difficult to believe such a result that the Kenyans who were ready to celebrate the victory of their new president felt that the least they could do was to protest against those incredible results. They simply wanted to protest against results they believed were manipulated in favour of Mr. Kibaki. But the police had been prepared and strategically placed to deal with rioters with overwhelming force. In several cities the police used live ammunition to disperse protesters and disperse looters, killing and wounding dozens. Some observers and even police have described the police response as an unofficial "shoot to kill" policy. © AP PHOTO By Stephen Ogongo Kenya's President Mwai Kibaki, left, shakes hands with opposition leader Raila Odinga, right The ban on live broadcasts could have been made to stop TV stations covering the way the police dealt with people very clear that they have not agreed on and its presidential candidate in the last anything. Mr. Annan will continue election. As we wait and hope for good meeting officials from both parties to news out of these talks, the only thing work on an agreement. Mr. Odinga holds that he is ready to dialogue with Mr. Kibaki as long as "truth and want justice. There will “I remain committed to dialogue justice are upheld". He wants "Kenyans be no justice before we sit down and reconciliation at all levels of Mr. Kibaki to admit that he to talk. We are ready to talk to (Kibaki) lost the elections. "I our society. The Government wel- won the presidency and it was achieve justice and truth. comes the eminent African state- stolen from me. Mr Kibaki must Mheshimiwa Kibaki (Hon. smen and woman and we shall accept the people's verdict," Mr. Kibaki) and I will talk until this have dialogue within the constitu- Odinga said, adding that "It is matter is resolved. There is no hard to negotiate with someone tional and legal framework. need for bitterness." you know very well has stolen a We shall ensure we achieve hea- cow from you." He said the ling, reconciliation and lasting right way of handling the issue Orange Democratic Movement harmony.” is: "The person who stole the (ODM) leader Amolo Raila cow must be told to return it Odinga first and then negotiate." Mr. Mwai Kibaki But Mr. Kibaki has rejected such calls. In fact after their first meeting, in presence of Mr. demonstrating against election results. Odinga, Mr. Kibaki said "As your duly they both seem to agree on is a commitAbout 1000 people are said to have elected and sworn in President, I will ment to peace. Both Mr. Odinga and died in unrest which followed the poll, lead our country to promote unity, tole- Mr. Kibaki appealed to their supporters while more than 250,000 have been rance, peace and harmony among to maintain calm as they continued the displaced. Kenyans. I remain committed to dialo- newly established dialogue. Early attempts to broker a peace gue and reconciliation at all levels of Mr. Odinga said "I said that deal between Mr. Odinga and our society." we're ready to walk the extra mile to Mr. Kibaki failed. Ghanaian Mr. Kibaki's remarks that he was the give Kenyans peace. Today, we take President John Kufuor, head of duly elected Head of State provoked the first step. My party and I are ready the African Union spent a few swift and strong criticism from ODM. for this long journey to restore peace in days in the country to try to In a statement issued by the secretary- our land." bring the two together but left general Prof Anyang' Nyong'o, the He thanked the mediation team for without success. ODM leaders said Mr. Kibaki's state- responding swiftly. "I pledge that my Now the former UN boss Mr. ment negated "the whole rationale for team and I will spare no effort to resolKofi Annan is in the country to international mediation." ve this crisis. We urge our people to be try to solve the political crisis. ODM said "Mr. Mwai Kibaki abu- patient as parties work day and night to He leads a panel of "eminent sed the occasion by attempting to legi- ensure that negotiations do not last a Africans" set up by the African timise his usurpation of the presidency. day longer than necessary." Union, which includes former His demeaning and unacceptable behaMr. Odinga renewed his call for Tanzanian President Benjamin viour was meant to undermine the justice, saying "Kenyans want justice. Mkapa and Nelson Mandela's mediation and prolong the suffering of There will be no justice before we sit wife Graca Machel. people of Kenya." down to talk. We are ready to talk to It is not easy to predict how Prof Nyong'o said that as far as achieve justice and truth. Mheshimiwa these talks will end. The fact ODM was concerned, there was no Kibaki (Hon. Kibaki) and I will talk that the two agreed to meet is a government in Kenya. His party he until this matter is resolved. There is no very good sign, even though it is said, was only having talks with PNU need for bitterness." 10 February 2008 IN AFRICA THIS MONTH DR CONGO “The rapists roam the streets” Rape and other forms of sexual violence remain prevalent in Northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), despite the cessation of military activities and the disarmament of militias in the region, according to aid workers. Before, this was mainly attributed to men in uniform, but now civilians comprise a significant number of the perpetrators. "The rapists roam the streets; [local] customs allow them to pay a goat [as recompense to the victim's family] without serving prison terms. Even worse, some of the rapists are HIVpositive or old and rape girls of around 12 and 13 thinking they will be cured [of illness] or live longer," Marie Pacuryema, the coordinator of a local NGO, Solidarité Féminine pour la Paix et le Développement Intégré en Ituri, said. A November 2007 report released by Médecins Sans Frontières-Suisse said that since 2003, between 30 and 500 patients reported sexual assaults "The rapists roam the streets; [local] customs allow them to pay a goat [as recompense to the victim's family] without serving prison terms. Even worse, some of the rapists are HIV-positive or old and rape girls of around 12 and 13 thinking they will be cured [of illness] or live longer" Marie Pacuryema, coordinator of a local NGO, Solidarité Féminine pour la Paix et le Développement Intégré en Ituri each month in Ituri. At least 2,708 people were also raped in an 18-month period, with 7,000 more having been raped in a four-year period, according to the report. "The statistics do not give the real picture on the ground," Marie-Louise Uronya, head of the Office for Gender, Family and Children in Ituri, said. "Many have been raped but fear reporting it due to shame, fear of reprisals or rejection by society, among other reasons," Uronya said. "There are mothers who were raped three or four years ago who are continuing to visit us," she said. While in the past the victims of sexual violence were raped by two or more aggressors or sometimes in the presence of a third party, from early 2007 rape tended to be carried out by a single assailant. "It does not stop; we think that the same rapists of yesterday who were released from the armed groups into the community are still carrying on with the habit," F r a n c i n e Mangaza, an officer with the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), in the district of Ituri, said. At least 23,000 ex-combatants, in addition to 11,000 child soldiers, have been reintegrated into the community under a national disarmament, demobilisation Rape is widespread in Ituri, despite the end to the and reintegrafive-year conflict tion programme. along with some of his staff for The main perpetrators of the crimes ment killing civilians, whom they then include the military, the police, civi- buried in30a mass grave. The female viclians, ex-combatants and even children. tims, both women and girls, were "The military and the police are sup- systematically raped first. posed to know the law, which is well perpetrator of rape behaves explained in training centres. But I like"The an animal. The aggressor is tranhave come to realise that they rape to sformed into a beast attacks the defy the law. None has claimed igno- prey. The rapist, oncewhich sated, abandons rance of the law. In court cases they the victim," Mayembe said. claim not to have known the age of the An 18-year-old woman, who was victim, which cannot be right because a raped soldiers in March 2007, agre13-year-old is easily identified due to ed. "Atbyabout two o'clock in the morher physical development," Maj ning my husband heard someone Innocent Mayembe, the judge and pushing the door. We thought were chairman of the military tribunal in bandits. They continued to they the Ituri District, said in the regional capi- door and we also started to push push the tal, Bunia. door from the inside," she testified. "My husband opened the door holSevere judgements ..... ding a knife, but the attacker had a gun. told my husband that was going to The forms of sexual violence being He be the last day of his life and shot him perpetrated are more violent and dan- in the neck. My husband fell and died gerous than before, according to the on the spot. We out for help from judges. In February 2007, the comman- our neighbours called but they did not come. der of one of the regular army batta- When my husband fell, I opened the lions in the town of Bavi, 60km south door and saw a FARDC [DRC army] of Bunia, François Molessa, alias soldier with a rifle and wearing army Bozizé, was sentenced to life imprison- uniform. He told me he was going to © IRINN PHOTO By IRIN kill me if I refused to sleep with him. He raped me, then asked me for food. My lower abdomen is painful; I am worried because my husband had money but this was looted. I was left a widow." The military tribunal in Bunia has sentenced the perpetrator, who was charged with murder and rape, to death. "We render severe judgments to discourage the men in uniform. We refer the rape cases to the army and sentence perpetrators to life imprisonment if the victims were murdered. We reject [any claims] such as [the rape was due to] provocation by the victim or the morals of the victim," said Mayembe. … but slow progress However, Mayembe said the impact of the strict sentencing had not been very significant as few cases came to court compared with the number of crimes reported. "It is difficult to objectively say there has been progress with the [rape] statistics remaining constant. In 2007, we rendered 17 judgments in the new military tribunal; it was difficult for the military justice system to flush out all the cases of sexual violence," he said. In a bid to reduce cases of rape and sexual violence, the UN Mission in the DRC, MONUC, conducts inquests into all reported rape cases involving agents of the state (police, military, FARDC) and takes the perpetrators to court. In addition, the mission is also involved in awareness-building among the military. According to the human rights division of MONUC, there had been a decline in the number of state agents committing rape, with current cases mainly involving civilians and minors. At least 30 boys of about 14 and 15 have been detained on rape charges at the central prison in Bunia. Culture of impunity One of the causes of the chronic rape was the culture of impunity, Mangaza of UNICEF said. UNICEF had helped at least 110 rape victims in Ituri although 80 judgments have not been rendered. According to Mangaza, this was sending a wrong message to potential perpetrators of rape that they would not serve sentences or pay fines. At least 50,000 people died in the five-year conflict, which began in 1999, with 150,000 others still displaced due to security concerns, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Bunia. South Africa Zuma will be ANC presidential candidate The newly elected President of South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC) Jacob Zuma will be the party's presidential candidate in 2009. Last December the state prosecutors presented fresh corruption charges against Mr. Zuma but the party's National Executive Committee expressed "its concern and grave misgivings about the timing of those charges, and the general conduct of the (The National Prosecuting Authority) NPA in this case, including inconsistency in the application of its mandate and leaking of information to the media." Mr Zuma's corruption trial will begin in August. In 2006, he was acquitted on charges of rape and previous graft charges were put on hold. NPA charged him with corruption, fraud, racketeering and money laundering. According to BBC reports, the charges are believed to be linked to a controversial $5bn arms procurement deal by the South African government in 1999. The new ANC president who was first tried for corruption in 2005, has always maintained his innocence. The party's NEC "reaffirmed its support for the ANC President during these trying times. It confirmed that the ANC President will lead the ANC election campaign as the organisation's candidate for president of South Africa in the 2009 election." The NEC said "the ANC seeks no special treatment for its President; only fairness and justice." Limpopo residents to have wireless internet access The Limpopo government plans to install the infrastructure for wireless broadband technology so residents can gain access to internet throughout the province. BuaNews reported that the project, which is expected to be completed by March 2010, involves connecting about 6, 000 sites around the province, including 4, 400 schools and a number of clinics and hospitals situated in some of the more remote areas. Lizel Bodenstein, an information and communication technology (ICT) service manager for the Department of Local and Provincial Government said so far they had shortlisted 13 companies to implement the project. "This is a closed bid tender for the 13 companies that have been short-listed for the job," she said. The winning company will be announced on 23rd February. Bodenstein said that the winning company will be responsible for installing, designing, maintaining and strategically placing the provincially shared broadband network. 235x355_SUPERCARD_AFRICA_News_36Page 1 16/01/2008 16:02:16 123,1r12$&&2817r*(1(52860,187(6 S OUTH A FRICA AFRICA 350 minutes FROM YOUR MOBILE Buy a phone card directly from your mobile today! simply dial 015 1265 3653 at the prompt press '1' to buy £5 call-credit & make international calls by entering your full International destination number. Wait to be connected. SOUTH AFRICA 350 min 100 min GHANA 500 min RWANDA 150 min ZAMBIA 300 min NIGERIA 150 min ZZZVXSHUFDUGZRUOGFRXN £5 ,W'V&KHDS&RQYHQLHQW&DOO1RZ T&C’s: Ask bill payer’s permission. Charges apply from the moment of connection. After pressing '1' an SMS will be sent to confirm the £5 charge. Calls to the 0151 number cost mobile standard rate to a landline or may be used as part of inclusive minutes. Check with your network operator. Minutes quoted are based on the first call made to the landline destination, unless otherwise stated. A completion fee of 9p per call applies. On every call 9p will be deducted from your credit balance every 400 seconds. Credit expires after 90 days. Prices are subject to change without prior notice. See website for minutes to other destinations. To stop auto recharge when credit is low, text STOP to 65656 (standard SMS rate). This service is provided by Auracall Ltd. Agents required, call 084 4545 3788. Helpline: 084 4545 3642. 12 February 2008 IN NIGERIA THIS MONTH Govt: Poverty and poor education behind child trafficking Authorities in Nigeria have started identifying the parents of 105 children found packed on a lorry in late January who they suspect were trafficked to serve as beggars or servants after their parents allowed them to go away with strangers who promised to feed and educate them. The children, all boys between four and 18 years old, were coming from Kano state in the north and had been driven to a town close to Nigeria's political capital Abuja, when the police stopped the lorry at a checkpoint on 17th January. "The conditions in which the children were found made the policeman suspect that these children were being trafficked to serve as beggars or domestic workers," Orakwue Arinze, the spokesperson for the National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons (NAPTIP), told IRIN. "The children were packed like sardines in a lorry meant to carry goods and that could contain a maximum of 15 persons," Arinze said. According to "The fact is that once these children are taken out of their communities they will be devoured by wicked people, easily abused and molested" Orakwue Arinze, the spokesperson for the National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons (NAPTIP) NAPTIP, they were hungry, had swollen legs and were traumatised. Four men arrested by police said they were taking the children to a school in Suleja, 400 km away in Niger state, to learn the Koran. If found guilty of trafficking, they could face up to 14 years in jail, the NAPTIP said. Globally, child trafficking is one of the fastest growing organised crimes with an estimated 1.2 million victims per year, of whom 32 percent are African, according to the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF). NAPTIP said the children all came from Kuru village, 80 km south of Kano. "The parents didn't realise they were doing something bad. There is no school in that area," the head of NAPTIP in Kano, Ahmed Mohamed Bello, told IRIN by telephone. "They decided to send their children away to Suleja because they heard it had been raining there, so the children would be able to farm in the morning to feed themselves and go to Koranic school in the afternoon," he explained. The lack of education and the poverty of the area are behind the decision to send the children away, Bello said. Ruth, 13, doing her homework. From the age of five to nine she In view of the clandestine nature of the crime it is difficult to determi- was denied the right to go to school and had to work selling water at a market in Gabon, after having been trafficked from Nigeria ne how many children are trafficked in Nigeria, but with between 50 and Six million Nigerian children are will be devoured by wicked people, 70 percent of the population living on less than a dollar a day, human traffic- estimated to be at risk of trafficking for easily abused and molested," said king is believed to be widespread in the domestic and forced labour, prostitu- NAPTIP's Arinze. tion and pornography every year, The government agency to fight country. Last October, Nigerian police inter- according to a national survey conduc- human trafficking was created in 2003 cepted 57 children trafficked from the ted by the International Labour to help implement a then newly-created law prohibiting all forms of trafficking southern Cross River state to Lagos, Organization in 2003. "The fact is that once these children in persons. the economic capital, according to are taken out of their communities they NAPTIP. Yar'Adua confident immunity clause will be removed due process punishable by law. "We now have a situation in which people award contracts without caring whether they have enough money to complete the project and because of this, there are lots of abandoned projects all over the country, in fact some going into billions of dollars. This is the kind of disrespect for established regulations and procedures that feeds corruption. "Our decision to fight corruption properly and have respect for law, order and due process will now make such acts of omission or commission punishable President Umaru Musa by law, and that will clean the system and Yar'Adua make sure that whatethat is the only condition I ver business dealings govergave, that everything they do nment enters into, we have the must be within the law establi- ability to abide by the coveshing them and within the laws nant we signed. In fact, that is of the Federation," he said. the path of honour, not only As part of the war against for any government but also corruption, the president said for companies that are operathe Federal Government ting in Nigeria," President would soon introduce a legi- Yar'Adua said. slation that would make all violations and disrespect for © AP PHOTO President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua has said he is confident that the immunity clause in the 1999 Constitution will be removed in the imminent amendment by the National Assembly. The clause protects the president, vice-president, governors and their deputies from criminal prosecution. Speaking in Davos, Switzerland, President Yar'Adua said "I have confidence that the next constitutional amendment will strip these public officials of this immunity and I am personally in support of that," In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Communications, Mr. Olusegun Adeniyi, Mr. Yar'Adua said he expected the removal of the immunity clause from the constitution to greatly facilitate the work of Nigeria's anti-corruption agencies. "One thing I have done is to give them total and complete independence of action. The institutions are directly under me in the Presidency, so when I assumed office, I called their chairmen and told them that they have total independence to go and act within the law: © IRINN PHOTO By IRIN Peace in Niger Delta imminent - Minister There will be peace in the Niger Delta very soon, the Minister of State for Energy, (Gas) Odusina Olatunde Emmanuel, has told the international community. He said that President Umaru Yar'Adua has intensified efforts with the cooperation of all stakeholders to amicably resolve all issues in the Niger Delta that have made some youths to embark on violent and lawless activities. Mr. Odusina told the Ambassador of Portugal, Dr. Maria De Fatima Perestrello, who paid him a courtesy visit that the Government is determination to use gas as an effective tool for economic development. He observed that Nigeria's gas is enough for Government's export programme and for domestic utilization. The Minister assured the Envoy that the December 2008 gas flaring deadline is realizable in spite of previous postponements. He remarked that all stakeholders are aware of Government's position on the flaring of gas and said that he is optimistic that there will be total compliance this time. Minister: Ban on importation of bagged cement still in place The ban on importation of bagged cement in Nigeria is still in place. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry refuted a recent report in a Nigerian newspaper suggesting that the Federal Government had lifted the embargo on imported bagged cement. The Minister of Commerce and Industry Charles Ugwuh, condemned the story as inappropriate, misleading and capable of creating the wrong impression that the country has returned to the era of importation of bagged cement. He said Federal Government has only granted provisional licenses to some local cement manufacturers and stakeholders for the importation of bulk cement for bagging in Nigeria. The Minister stressed that there was no policy reversal in this regard, as Government was consistent in its commitment to encourage and promote local production of cement to meet local demand, which is currently ahead of local capacity. IN GHANA THIS MONTH February 2008 13 Rawlings appeals for all inclusive governance governance because of a selfish lust for power and money. And so, we see emerging a serious challenge to the meticulous adherence to constitu- tionalism." He went to say that such leaders are "busy attempting to prolong their stay in power through fair or foul means, to modify, sometimes © GHP PHOTO Ghana receives world emerging economy award Thomson Financial's International Financing Review (IFR) has given a prestigious award to Ghana as the most emerging economy in the world for the year 2007. Ghana emerged as the winner following a year of intense scrutiny and monitoring of the emerging global economic activities by Thomson IFR's independent, global team of expert reporters and analysts. The IFR award represents the key industry benchmark of global capital markets and national economic excellence. The Award was presented in London at the 13th IFR Annual Awards Gala Dinner attended by over 1,500 senior investment bankers, economists and representatives of governments from around the globe in mid January with Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal attending. Thomson Financial's International Financing Review (IFR) is the world's leading source of international capital markets and national economies intelligence Published weekly through International Financing Review, it is also in real-time through ifrmarkets.com and on Reuters, Bloomberg and TradeWeb, IFR provides indepth coverage and analysis of all international bond, syndicated loan, national economies, equity and convertible issues, as well as developments in leveraged finance, emerging markets interest-rate and credit derivatives. It is read by all major banks. IFR which has its headquarters in London with bureaus in New York, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Singapore, Sao Paulo, and Sydney provides in-depth coverage of developments in global financing markets, including analysis of all international bond, syndicated loan, leveraged finance, highyield debt, emerging market, equity and convertible issues, as well as developments in the derivatives market. Other winners of the night included, Bank of the Year Goldman Sachs; Bond House of the Year - Deutsche Bank; Equity House of the Year UBS Citi Group annexed the Loan House of the Year, with Securitisation House of the Year award again going to Deutsche Bank. The HSBC bank was adjourned the best bank in terms of loans granting to the Asian economy. Matthew Davies, Editor of Thomson Financial's IFR, commented: "Many economy watchers - and many of its rivals - had characterised Ghana's economic strategy as one suitable for a propelling what he described as "bull and The former president appealed for respect of the electoral process saying that it is the assurance of a peaceful and constitutional transition from one government to another. "As a leader whose political party has tasted defeats in the polls before, I can say that there should be no need to tamper with the rotational principle in good governance. "However, evidence abound that the Former President of Ghana overwhelming ambiJerry John Rawlings tion of some political leaders makes the crudely, multiparty demo- acceptance of election results cracy into a virtual one- rather difficult and has led party state, to arrogantly some African leaders commitabuse the concept of the ting electoral crimes and the separation of powers, to refusal to adhere to the peaceignore the rule of law, to ful and smooth change-over of undermine judicial inde- government." pendence, to interfere with According to Mr Rawlings, the fundamental human such deviant political beharights of political oppo- viour is usually prompted and nents especially, and to capri- encouraged by certain outside ciously use decentralization to powers for like certain African promote parochial or sectarian leaders for their own selfish interests." national interest. "Some of those very politicians who gained leadership positions as a result of the strict adherence to the norms of democracy are now, and at the end of their tenures, the very people trying to corrupt the democratic system of governance because of a selfish lust for power and money. And so, we see emerging a serious challenge to the meticulous adherence to constitutionalism." © AP PHOTO The former President of Ghana Jerry John Rawlings has condemned the 'winner takes all mentality' within governments and called for an all inclusiveness in government. "The winner takes all mentality that we have inherited from the Westminster and other systems of western democracy has led to the overt rejection of the concept of power sharing or the involvement of other party members in a government of inclusion, even when it is clearly in the national interest so to do," The Enquirer quoted Mr. Rawlings to have said. In a public lecture in Nigeria in mid January, Mr. Rawlings condemned the manipulation of election results saying democracy is not only the observance of certain norms and traditions, but the upholding of the integrity of the electoral process itself. "Some of those very politicians who gained leadership positions as a result of the strict adherence to the norms of democracy are now, and at the end of their tenures, the very people trying to corrupt the democratic system of boomed economy". He noted that Ghana's economic performance in 2007 was remarkable. "Against a background of unprecedented difficulties in world trade and political instability in certain parts of the world especially on the African continent, which saw enormous write downs across the many economies ousted, Ghana's economy was able to grow." He added. He said the lessons on Ghana's economic progress were very relevant to other countries especially those in Africa and third world countries. Ghana's Finance and Economic Planning Minister, Mr. Kwadwo Baah Wiredu, who received the award on behalf of Ghana, expressed the delight that the Ghana's economic upturn has impressed the world. He said the vision of the government of Ghana is to help provide and maintain a buoyant and robust economy for her citizens. According to him, Ghana has extended it's arms to the world's investment community to participate in her economy and "I stand here to say that the response has been tremendous. This is mainly due to the economic and political stability we have exhibited as a nation". By Nana Sifa Twum & Isaac Amo-Kyereme WHO: Meningitis outbreak has begun in West African region There is an outbreak of the deadly meningitis bacterium in three West African countries, the World Health Organization (WHO) has said. Experts have warned that this might be the worst meningitis epidemic to hit Africa in a decade. "One district is on alert in Burkina Faso, an epidemic has been reported in a region of Nigeria and there are two cases in Niger, as well as cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo," Professor Kader Kondé, director of WHO's Ouagadougou-based MultiDisease Surveillance Centre (MDSC) told IRIN. Last October the WHO warned that 80 million people out of roughly 350 million who live in 21 African countries stretching from Ethiopia in the east to Mauritania in the west might need to be vaccinated against the bacterium this year. The meningitis bacterium, which usually reaches epidemic levels in the region often referred to as Africa's "meningitis belt" between December and May, could be especially severe this year as the region is heading toward the peak of a 10- to 12-year cycle of meningitis crises, health forecasters say. Kondé said that the situation could be worse this year because of high dust levels in the region and the low level of immunity among populations. He said new research by WHO and national research centres also appears to have shown a new strain of the bacterium. "If you take into account all these factors we find ourselves in a situation where the risk [of epidemics] is high," Kondé said. IRIN reported that preparedness for meningitis epidemics is notoriously difficult because vaccines cannot be administered until it is known which of the many different forms of the bacterium are spreading. Hans Ebbing, regional health coordinator of the International Federation of the Red Cross, told IRIN the Federation has already started training 25,000 volunteers across the region, and is educating people about how to recognise meningitis and the dangers. "We know this is not really going to prevent a major outbreak. But we're hoping that early activity can prevent some spread of the disease and we do know that training and preparedness can make the response faster," he said. Meningitis is an infection of the thin lining around the brain and spinal cord. Even when meningitis is diagnosed early and adequate therapy is available, between 5 and 10 percent of patients die, typically within 24 and 48 hours of experiencing the first symptoms. Many thousands of survivors are left with brain damage, hearing loss or learning disabilities. 14 AFRICANS IN UK February 2008 Judge orders inquiry after Zim asylum seeker gets job at UK Home Office A Zimbabwean asylum seeker conned his way into getting a job in which he processed dozens of immigration appeals for almost a year, a UK court heard in January. Eugene Tawanda Mazima, 24, was jailed for 12 months by the Leicester Crown Court for holding forged papers after he landed an administration job at the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal "Why was he able to get a fulltime job with the Appeals and Immigration Tribunal Service, of all people, who are meant to be dealing with people seeking asylum? No proper checks were made and yet he must have been on their records." Judge Hammond Service (AITS), having supposedly undergone background checks. Madzima, who was well regarded by work colleagues, gave staff presentations and even helped train staff at Leicester's AITS - part of the Home Office's Ministry of Justice department. The Zimbabwean's con was not revealed until he tried to open a bank account at a Leicester HSBC branch in December last year. He presented a forged Zimbabwean passport in the name of Nigel Mazima and gave bank staff a bogus address at Walton Street in the Leicester city centre which was found not to exist, said Meena Evans, prosecuting. In fact, he lives on London Road, Leicester. Judge Hammond said the scandal was "staggering" and "beggars belief". He added: "Why was he able to get a fulltime job with the Appeals and Immigration Tribunal Service, of all people, who are meant to be dealing with people seeking asylum? "No proper checks were made and yet he must have been on their records." The judge also ordered an inquiry into Madzima's claim that he was sold the fake passport by a London solicitor who handled his asylum claim in 2002 for £1000. As no record exists of his asylum decision, the judge also demanded to know why the application had apparently never been processed. The court heard that Madzima and his mother came to the UK in 2002, after their home in Zimbabwe was destroyed during political unrest, and made a joint application to stay. His mother was refused and left the country but there is no record of a decision on Madzima. Judge Hammond said he was not Looking for a JOB, a CAR, a ROOM, a FRIEND? USA Place your ad on AFRICA NEWS! Only with us, £1.5 per classified ad! up in the department, and the situation was now under review. She said: "Before he was employed, Eugene Madzima did undergo full preemployment checks in line with civil service procedures at the time. "From April 2007, enhanced checks were introduced, as they were across the civil service. Recruitment staff are given detailed advice on how to check the authenticity of documents. Following his admission of a criminal offence, Madzima's employment has been terminated." The opposition Conservative party called the situation "shambolic". Shadow Home David Eugene Tawanda Mazima, 24, was jailed for Secretary Davis said: "It is truly 12 months for holding forged papers shambolic that in less than three months the recommending deportation because of the situation in Zimbabwe. A decision Government has managed to employ on Madzima's status will be taken later. illegal immigrants as security guards, Jacqui Callam, defending said cleaners and now as part of its training Madzima had "simply made up a staff at the heart of the immigration National Insurance number" when he system. "The Government waxes lyrical acquired the immigration service job. She said he had worked hard and about cracking down on firms who employ illegal workers but yet again it earned the respect of colleagues. A spokeswoman for the Tribunals has failed to get its own house in Service said checks had been stepped order." © NEWZIMBABWE.COM PHOTO By Newzimbabwe.com Cartoonist, Illustrator and Author TAYO Fatunla’s book signing in New York SMS YOUR ADVERT REQUEST TO: TEL. 81616 This is the keyword for your ads on Africa News: Keyword: Homeland These are the AdCodes: 01 Job search 02 Job offers 03 Accommodation search 04 Accommodation offers 05 For sale 06 For purchase 07 Vehicles 08 Find a friend 09 General Type your message* as follows: Keyword-space-AdCode-space-your message Example: Homeland 04 Telesales people needed. £285pw. Good personality essential! Phone Shirley 0208 1111 111. *You will be charged £1.5 per ad after you receive an advert confirmation via SMS. Message is limited to160 characters including spacing in between characters. Advert is charged at £1.5 per SMS plus your standard text charge. All ads coming in before the 24th of each month will be published in the next issue. Please contact us at 020 7263 3774 for any enquiries in regards to your advert. Messages promoting adult content, dating, gambling or similar services and messages that are abusive, offensive or illegal are not allowed. Africa News will not be liable the copy write sent by advertisers. We reserve the right to edit or delete classified ads without explanation. TAYO Fatunla (www.tayofatunla.com), a cartoonist, illustrator and author will be signing copies of "OUR ROOTS", his illustrated feature on Black History and Black achievers in the diaspora to celebrate Black History Month in the US on 8th February 2008 at A & B Books, 146 Lawrence Street, Brooklyn, 11201, New York. TAYO will be available from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. "OUR ROOTS" began as a school project at the Joe Kubert School of cartoon and Graphic Art, New Jersey and has been read around the world as a newspaper strip, on web sites and in a book format. CartoonArts International was the first in the US to syndicate "OUR ROOTS" as far back as 1995. "OUR ROOTS" has been featured in New York Amsterdam News, and Philadelphia Enquirer. TAYO will also be holding a talkshop presentation of "OUR ROOTS" as well as drawing caricatures of attendees. In 2007, selected poster size drawings of "OUR ROOTS" were exhibited at the African Film Festival Edinburgh, Scotland to very good press reviews and also at the Studio Museum, Harlem New York. For further information, please contact Tasha, Tel- (718) 596 0872. AFRICANS IN UK February 2008 15 Interview with Flavia Mbazima, Miss Zambia UK “Eliminate stigma and accept AIDS as just another cancer” disease in order to win the fight by taking the disease seriously and making sure that each one of us takes a stand against HIV/AIDS. We also need innovative ways and accelerated efforts to raise awareness through extensive campaigns and education programmes on the impacts and how to prevent HIV/AIDS in our communities. By Stephen Ogongo The society should stop considering HIV/AIDS a disease of shame that is only contracted through sexual promiscuity. "Removing the stigma will go a long way in eliminating discrimination; thereby allowing sufferers to come out in the open and obtain the necessary treatment on time," says Flavia Mbazima, the Miss Zambia UK. In this exclusive with Africa News, she appeals to the society to eliminate stigma surrounding the disease and "accept the HIV/AIDS as just another cancer." Flavia was born on 22nd February 1981 in a town called Kitwe, on the Copperbelt of Zambia. She moved to the UK in 2003 and lives with her father in South East London. She is currently studying for an ACCA (Association of Certified and Chartered Accountants) qualification in London. What's your advice to African governments as far as treatment of people with HIV/AIDS is concerned? My advice to African governments is to make concerted efforts in ensuring that funds donated to their governments for treatment of people with HIV/AIDS are specifically used for that particular purpose. African governments also need to embark on innovative and effective awareness campaigns to sensitise their populations in the effects and impacts of HIV/AIDS on their communities and also to educate the people on ways of preventing contracting HIV/AIDS. In addition to this, subsidies should be made available to make the drugs for the treatment and prevention of HIV/AIDS more easily accessible and affordable to everyone who is in need more especially the people in rural areas of Africa. It would also help if the stigma surrounding the disease is eliminated and the society can accept the HIV/AIDS as just another cancer rather than a disease of shame that is only contracted through sexual promiscuity. Removing the stigma will go a long way in eliminating discrimination; thereby allowing sufferers to come out in the open and obtain the necessary treatment on time. What are the objectives of Miss Zambia UK? Miss Zambia UK Beauty Pageant is a social responsibility and community development initiative based on the principle of "Beauty with a Purpose", and is ultimately aimed at charitable and community works. The Pageant celebrates the beauty of every Zambian woman and is dedicated to all Zambian women who have died of HIV/AIDS. As we celebrate the Zambian woman, we remember our sisters who have died of HIV/AIDS and in so doing we are reminded of our responsibility to the children that our sisters have left behind. A percentage of the proceeds from the event is donated to charities for HIV/AIDS orphans in Zambia. Winners and title-holders use their position and influence to raise funds for the welfare of Zambian HIV/AIDS orphans during the period of their reign and beyond. Over the years, Miss Zambia UK Beauty Pageant has also become a ground-breaking PR campaign to profile Zambia and its people, and is a creative way to showcase Zambia's beauty, pride and rich cultural heritage to a global audience. Through the Miss Zambia UK Beauty Pageant, we revisit our roots and celebrate our rich cultural heritage. By so doing, we educate the world about our history, traditions and cultures that identify us as the Zambian people. How does it feel to be considered the most beautiful Zambian girl in the UK? Actually every Zambian woman, or shall I say every African woman is beautiful, but if you ask me how it feels to be a representative of such beauty, it is an absolute honour which has completely changed my life. First of all by becoming Miss Zambia UK title-holder, I have gained a platform on which to stand to be able to help vulnerable and underprivileged children. The past one year has been a whirlwind of endless social and charitable activities. I have been receiving invitations to red carpet events, charity balls, fundraisers and several other events in the UK and Europe. Most people think being Miss Zambia UK is just about glitz and glamour, but in reality it is a full time job in itself and a very deman- What are the qualities of your ideal man? Miss Zambia UK with her father & Justina Mutale, the founder of Miss Zambia UK Beauty Pageant after being crowned ding one. Since my crowning I suddenly find myself being invited as a celebrity guest, VIP or Guest of Honour at all kinds of events. It is definitely an honour but you just have to be down to earth and not let it get to your head. What have you achieved so far as Miss Zambia UK? As part of my charitable obligations, I have done a lot of public speeches at charitable events at which I have officiated with prominent figures in the UK and Europe. I joined the Zambian High Commissioner to the UK, Mr Anderson Chibwa; and the Mayor of Bournemouth, at the Contesa Charity Ball held in Bournemouth to help raise funds for HIV/AIDS orphans and other vulnerable children in Zambia. As a model, I am signed to INTSTYLES Model & Artist Management, a division of Perryfield Promotions, the organisers of Miss Zambia UK Beauty Pageant in London. In addition to other projects in the pipeline, I am now working on the launch of a new black skincare and make-up range for which I will be the lead and spokes model. Any particular charity projects you are involved in? Upon my crowning, I adopted the Kalingalinga HIV/AIDS Orphanage in Lusaka, which is the official Miss Zambia UK charity project. Kalingalinga is a day care centre for children living with HIV/AIDS. Miss Zambia UK has so far laid the foundation stone to build the "HOUSE OF HOPE" - a boarding house with classrooms and a clinic to provide the orphans with a home of their own, an education and access to health care. During my reign I have helped raise funds for two additional Zambian Charities based in the UK - the Contesa Charity based in Bournemouth, for the benefit of HIV/AIDS orphans and other vulnerable children in Zambia, and also the Mugurameno Charitable Trust which is building a school for children in rural Zambia. How can we reverse the impact of HIV/AIDS in our communities? I believe abstinence is the best medicine, and those in relationships should stay faithful to one partner or use protection. The whole world needs to speak with one voice if the HIV/AIDS Pandemic is to be reversed. I believe the solution to reversing the impact of HIV/AIDS lies in the hands of each and every one of us. We need to build a strong global voice against HIV/AIDS and consider seriously what role each one of us can play in reversing the He has to be intelligent, honest and humble. He also has to be real with a good sense of humour and be a man of honour. How can our readers support your charity activities? Readers can support our charities by making any form of donations, whether monetary or otherwise. They can email me at [email protected] or call my manager on Telephone: +44 (0) 7791 692 490. What's your advice to young girls aspiring to become models? Modelling is a very lucrative and fulfilling job, at the same time it is very demanding and requires a lot of hard work. You have to be prepared to work hard and to keep your head above your shoulders and stay focused so that you do not fall into all sorts of scams from unscrupulous people who spoil the profession. Being a beauty queen is even more remarkable as you get the opportunity to use your heart and your position to help other people. Any advice to Africans in the UK/Europe? My advise to Africans in the UK and Europe is to believe in themselves and to be proud of who they are as Africans. We should never forget where we come from. Even though we live in a Western culture we should not lose our identity and cultural heritage. 16 February 2008 AFRICANS IN UK UK deports terminally ill woman to Ghana, rejects plea for her return first three months' treatment. However, he said the hospital could not help her as she had no source of funding for the ongoing medical care she required. A Dutch woman living in Wales has also paid her three months' treatment. Ms. Sumani's plight made Ghana's High Commissioner to the UK Annan Cato urge the government on Radio Four's The World Tonight to allow her back to the UK. He said the decision to deport her was regrettable. Mr Cato said: "Even now I don't think it is too late for them to reconsider Ms. Ama Sumani, deported despite being their position to terminally ill allow her to come back and receive treAfter deporting a terminally ill atment. I would appeal to them to do Ghanaian woman with an expired so. visa, the UK government has said it "I would plead that this lady come will not reconsider its decision. back and receive treatment in the UK. On 9th January, Ama Sumani, suffe- The UK has in the past done this for ring from cancer was taken from a many, many people and I am confident hospital in Cardiff and flown back to they could do it again." Ghana. Sumani, 39, and a mother of The Commons home affairs comtwo, had been receiving dialysis treat- mittee chairman Keith Vaz described ment three times a week to prolong her the deportation decision as "astonilife after her kidneys were damaged by shing". Mr. Vaz told BBC Radio Wales: cancer. "We know that there have to be rules After her deportation to Accra, it governing immigration, we also know emerged that she can't afford more than those who break rules have to be retur£3,000 needed for the first three ned, but there is also a question of months of treatment. According to ministerial discretion. BBC reports, a hospital official in "This is a compassionate goverGhana said Ms. Sumani had been nment that needs to act on occasion in accompanied by British immigration a compassionate way, while being officials who had offered to pay for the extremely tough and ensuring the rules are upheld." "We understand her health is deteriorating, that is not a proper use of immigration powers in my view. It is far better to remove someone that is able bodied than someone who is very sick and receiving treatment." Mr. Cato's appeal was rejected when the Border and Immigration Agency underlined the legal grounds for the deportation. A spokesman said: "Anyone seeking to remain in the UK needs to ensure they have the legal right to do so or face removal. "We examine with great care each individual case before removal and we assess fitness to travel and whether the necessary medical treatment is available in the country to which we are returning. "The UK cannot offer healthcare to individuals with no legal right to remain in the UK solely because they would not be able to access a similar standard of treatment in their country of origin - this has been upheld in law. "While it is preferable for those with no right to remain in the United Kingdom to return home voluntarily, it is regrettable that not all choose to do so and in those circumstances it may be necessary to enforce removal, this is carried out with courtesy and dignity." The decision to deport the terminally ill woman was strongly criticised by the Lancet medical journal. In an editorial, it said: "To stop treating patients in the knowledge that they are being sent home to die is an unacceptable breach of the duties of any health professional. The UK has committed an atrocious barbarism. It is time for doctors' leaders to say so-forcefully and uncompromisingly." The head of the Border and Immigration Agency defended their decision telling MPs that the case did not stand out from other difficult cases. Lin Homer, the agency's chief executive, told the Home Affairs Select Committee: "I think it is difficult to see the circumstances in which this case stands out from the many very difficult cases we consider." Ms Homer said the decision was backed up by previous rulings in the domestic courts, the House of Lords and the European Court in Strasbourg. "Even now I don't think it is too late for them to reconsider their position to allow her to come back and receive treatment. I would appeal to them to do so. I would plead that this lady come back and receive treatment in the UK. The UK has in the past done this for many, many people and I am confident they could do it again." Ghana's High Commissioner to the UK Annan Cato Bishops and politicians appeal for Sumani’s return to UK for treatment Reacting to the deportation of Ama Sumani, a terminally ill Ghanaian woman with an expired visa, the Home Affairs Select Committee member Gwyn Prosser said: "Many people would believe that this case is exceptional. If it's not exceptional, good God, what is?" Liberal Democrat MP Evan Harris, who co-chairs the All-Party Parliamentary Kidney Group, said he was "appalled by the callous conduct of the Home Office." "If the Home Office is willing to pay £3,000 for treatment plus thousands more pounds for her removal, they may well as well have paid for her treatment here at least until they had confirmed that she would get treatment in Ghana," Dr Harris said. A former Home Office minister defended Ms. Sumani's removal saying that it is an issue about "health services in her own country". Cardiff MP Alun Michael told the BBC that he delayed the removal of Ms. Sumani from the city last year to ensure her status was examined "in great detail". Mr. Michael, the Labour MP for Cardiff South and Penarth, was Ms Sumani's local MP when she lived in Wales, and the case came to him. He said: "Isn't the debate really about the quality of treatment and medical services available in her own country? "The question anybody has to ask themselves is whether it's right for somebody who has no right to be in this country to be given medical treatment which would not be available to them had they not become an illegal resident." First Minister Rhodri Morgan compared Ms Sumani's case to that of Watford footballer Al Bangura, from Sierra Leone who has been allowed to remain in the UK while he applies for a work permit after the Home Office heard his appeal against deportation, BBC reported. Mr. Morgan said: "It does make you think if that's okay for a footballer to have this treatment, shouldn't that apply to this person in need of dialysis, from Ghana? And perhaps the Home Office will want to look at the comparison itself and perhaps draw a different conclusion." Wales Euro-MP Glenys Kinnock has asked for an explanation from the Home Office why Ms Sumani did not qualify under the Border and Immigration Agency's "exceptional circumstances" provision. Mrs Kinnock said the "life and death" case should be treated with "humanity and compassion". She has also written to the UK high commissioner in Ghana asking for his "frank assessment of the treatment that Ama can expect - and afford - in Ghana". In a letter to Home Office Minister Liam Byrne she said: "I don't think that I am over-dramatising the situation if I say that the continuation of the status quo would constitute a death sentence for Ama". The Bishops in Wales have also appealed to the government to be compassionate and allow Ms. Sumani back into the country to resume life-prolonging dialysis treatment. They said the decision to take Ms. Sumani from hospital in Cardiff was "a breach of her basic human rights", The Press Association reported. Archbishop of Wales, Dr. Barry Morgan, said: "You cannot follow the letter of the law when it comes to immigration because we are dealing with individual human beings, not commodities. "There has to be room for flexibility of rules, a consideration of a person's dignity, self-respect and basic human rights. We need to exercise compassion and understanding and act appropriately for each case. It is never appropriate for a civilised, wealthy society to turn, literally, a sick woman out of her bed and put her on a plane to a very worrying future. What sort of moral example does that send to the rest of the world?" AFRICANS IN EUROPE February 2008 17 Miss East Africa UK tours East African orphanages Africans must take care of needy African children Miss East Africa UKMaureen Nyakaira has been hard at work in her new role as the voice of underprivileged children of East Africa. The Ugandan beauty queen spent Christmas and New Year with orphans in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania from 18th December to 14th January. She has given the children a gesture of hope for a bright future by campaigning for their rights through the media in the East African countries. Ms. Nyakaira's trip was aimed at raising awareness of the plight of children orphaned through HIV/AIDS. While in Kenya she visited Nyumbani children's home where she spent time with the orphans sharing in their experiences before awarding them with Christmas shopping. "Throughout my time at Nyumbani children's home, I had a great time with the children. We did a bit of catwalk and some of them were very interested in my title asking questions on how I managed to scoop this prestigious title," Miss Nyakaira said. She observed that "The children are so happy but with very little. They basically depend on help from well wishers." Miss Nyakaira said it was a very emotional moment bid- that all the 100 children in Nyumbani are not only orphans but they live with HIV/AIDS. They are aged between three and 17 years," she said. At Rafiki Care home of Kenya, Miss Nyakaira was a breath of fresh air to the children who like those of Nyumbani are hoping for a bright future. She delivered Christmas shopping to the children in time for the much anticipated celebration before finally heading to Tanzania to spend Christmas day with orphans at Forever Angels baby home. Most babies here are AIDS orphans and living with HIV/AIDS. Miss Nyakaira delivered much needed nappies and baby wipes to the home and is appealing to the general public to do the same. During her stay at Forever Angels baby home, she was involved in the daily activities of the home from bathing the babies, feeding them, playing with them to putting them to sleep. One particular infant born prematurely caught her attention. "On my fifth day at this "My advice to fellow Africans is, it's about time we sorted out our African children without waiting for David Beckham and the rest of these so called celebrities to fly thousands of miles away to do campaigns in Africa" Ms. Pauline Long The Miss East Africa UK founder ding the children bye at the end of her visit. "After leaving I later found out with shock home, as I was preparing to leave for my last league of the tour to Uganda, this infant fell very ill. She was born prematurely and on top of that she is living with HIV/AIDS. The hospital brought her to Forever Angels home due to lack of care facilities at the hospital. There was a sudden rush that morning to get this infant to the nearest hospital to receive urgent treatment. I wish I could have stayed longer to see the baby through treatment and give much care," Miss Nyakaira said. Miss Nyakaira, a medical physics student at the University of Queen Mary, London noted that Forever Angels home needs not only material stuff to help in caring for the children but also volunteer nurses and carers. She is appealing to wellwishers who travel to Tanzania to volunteer their time and skills if not money even just for a day. In Uganda, Miss East Africa UK visited children's hospital in Mulago on behalf of anti-malaria organisation CORE (Uganda). She visited the children's ward and delivered mosquito nets. Miss Nyakaira said she desires to do more for the East African children by reaching out to well-wishers, governments and individuals who have a heart to give. The Miss East Africa UK founder, Kenyan born Pauline Long said the society mustn't turn a blind eye to underprivileged children. She condemned the fact that celebrities from the Western world are being used to campaign for Africa's underprivileged children. She cited the exam- Miss East Africa UK- Maureen Nyakaira serving a drink to children at Rafiki Care home in Kenya ple of Mr. David Beckham into children's welfare states. who was recently in Sierra "These children that Miss East Leone campaigning for chil- Africa UK support are only a dren on behalf of UNICEF. small number of children "My advice to fellow Africans living in poverty as a result of is, it's about time we sorted out being orphaned and I think our African children without they are very lucky that waiting for David Beckham someone is looking out for and the rest of these so called them, but what about the ones celebrities to fly thousands of that haven't found a voice to miles away to do campaigns in represent them?" she asked. Africa," said Pauline. She urged all Africans including the ones FOR MORE INFORMATION ON living in the Diaspora to HOW TO HELP THESE play an active role in CHARITIES PLEASE VISIT giving the African child a bright future. Pauline also urged www.foreverangels.org the African gover- www.myspace.com/rafikischildren nments to work towards www.pearlchildren.org turning their countries www.misseastafrica.co.uk/maureen SWEDEN Immigrants in Älvsbyn praise 'Cafe' Mötesplats' Immigrants in Älvsbyn, a town near Luleå, in Sweden's Norrbotten Region, have expressed their gratitude for the weekly Coffee Meetings organised by the churches for them. Immigrants are invited to coffee meeting places three times a week in Älvsbyn. Svenska Kyrkan (the Church of Sweden) organises it on Mondays; the EFS Church organises it on Wednesdays and the Korskyrkan (the Cross Church) does it on Thursdays. During the meetings tea and coffee, sandwiches and beverages are freely served. All kinds of indoor games are placed at the disposal of the immigrants where they enjoy lively competitions among themselves. In a recent meeting, a Deaconess of the EFS Church, Margot Lundström encouraged immigrants to brighten every place they find themselves. Margot was speaking after she and Maria Karam (also a leading member of the EFS Church) joined immigrant children to sing to entertain guest at the 'Cafe' Mötesplats'. Aguwa Olok Chame from Ethiopia and Hagop Atamian and Bashar Jamil, both from Iraq who were all present at the occasion expressed their gratefulness to the sponsors of Cafe' Meetings. They agreed that the beauty of God is seen when different cultures, races and colours harmoniously come together. Cafe' meetings was an idea hatched in the early 1990s when the collapse of communism and the Golf War led to a massive influx of immigrants (to Sweden and) to Älvsbyn. According to Mona Hedman Deaconess of Svenska Kyrkan and Sture Lundström of EFS, the idea was a compassionate response by the churches in Älvsbyn to a people who perhaps needed a hug more than a place to sleep and a clothe to wear. EFS före- ning, Lutherska mission, Church of Sweden and the Red Cross are the sponsors of the Cafe' meetings. SEND US YOUR ST ORIES Do you have a story to share with our readers? Are you planning for a community function (wedding, naming ceremony, graduation, cultural festival, independence celebration, seminar, demo, etc)? Please send us reports and announcements of these activities and we will publish them in Africa News. Address your reports to: The Editor, Africa News, Via Maroso, 50, CAP 00142 Rome, Italy. E-mail: [email protected] Tel +39-06-87410531. Fax +39-06-87410528. 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If you are using a non BT line to make calls, please check with your service provider as to how much you will be charged for dialling any of our access numbers. For the cost of calling from your mobile please check with your network operator. Service provided by Interdirect Tel Limited, which can be contacted in the UK at IDT House, 44 Featherstone Street, London EC1Y 8RN. Customer Service: Tel 08454084663 COMMENTARY/OP-ED February 2008 19 South Africa ANC -Winnie Mandela to the Rescue? Ms Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, ex-wife of former President Nelson Mandela, has vowed to repair the split that has haunted the ANC in the period leading to their 52nd National Conference in Polokwane from 16-20 December 2007. She made a sensational political comeback after an absence of five years. The delegates placed her to occupy position number 1 in the 80-member National Executive Committee. "In am going to return the ANC to its former glory by 2009. Watch me" she promised in an interview. Our correspondent Eric Singh was in Polokwane and sent this report the delegates began gathering in the City of Polokwane, Province of Limpopo, in the north of the country on 15th December when registration got under way. It was obvious that there were two distinct camps. The one camp showing three fingers, meaning third term. The other showed the sign of the change used in football matches. The situation was not helped by the heavy deluge that greeted delegates at the registration office. Except for the opening day of conference, it rained the whole time making for very heavy underfoot conditions on the lovely lawn of the University of Limpopo. The mood of the conference was clearly going Zuma's way. In fact on the second day Mbeki's advisers plea- The 52nd National Conference of the African National Congress (ANC) is now history. The 4000 voting delegates placed the running of the organisation into the hands of Mr. Jacob Zuma, the new president, and his National Executive Committee (NEC), which was enlarged from 66 to 86, and has been charged with the task of renewing the ANC and to successfully lead it into the parliamentary general elections of 2009. Speculation is rife. Media and other political analysts are having a field day following the humiliating defeat suffered by President Thabo Mbeki and his supporters. Mr. Zuma made a clean sweep of the top six positions. Never in the history of the ANC have the delegates been confronted with such a situation. Normally presidents have stepped down voluntarily and the new one elected almost by acclaim. Mr. Mbeki, whose term as President of South Africa ends in 2009, decided to retain his place in the ANC where no such rules apply. This split the organisation from top to bottom. Canvassing began months before the conference started. This is a new phenomena in the ANC. The situation was rather tense when ded with him to drop out with grace. He refused. He was very stubborn. He failed to read the writing on the wall and put the organisation in a very embarrassing position. Why did the delegates refuse to endorse Mbeki for a third term? There are many theories floating around. It might be interesting to quote from a reader's letter to the local press a few days before the conference kicked off. This reader, probably a Boer, judging from his name, takes the press to task for their vilification of Zuma. He said: By Eric Singh "Although Mbeki was lambasted by the media despite his successes, no sooner it was clear that Zuma was making ground at the grassroots, this very same media has suddenly found a champion in Mbeki and are tripping over each other in their praise of the man. "Africans are not stupid. And are aware of the Eurocentric agenda. The truth is that the rank and file who make up the strength of the ANC electoral blocs, will support a presidential candidate who they feel will champion their aspirations to go forward, and not a stooge of the advantaged elite". The results of the elections in Limpopo confirmed that this reader understood the situation more than the media who received a well earned slap in the face. The position of the ANC President is a very powerful one. That person can pull the strings, with the help of the NEC, as to who will occupy which position in government. Including the national president. This is precisely what the delegates at Polokwane saw through and voted against Mbeki. They did not want a president for life. A fellow scribe sees it like this "In the end, I suppose, it was Thabo Mbeki's obduracy that sunk him; he was the architect of his own downfall". Dr Pallo Jordan, Minister of Arts and Culture in the second Mbeki cabinet (he was kept out of the first cabinet from 1999-2004. He also held cabinet position under Nelson Mandela) is a very outspoken person. He does not belong to Mbeki's inner circle. Jordan was of the opinion: "It would have been preferable if Mbeki had responded to the demand for change in a different way: if he had not put himself forward for the ANC leadership and, instead, left office gracefully like LETTERS TO THE EDITOR We welcome letters on topical issues, your experiences, and or comments on any article you have read in the Africa News. We will only consider letters sent to us for publication if they carry the writer's name and address, not necessarily for publication, but as a sign of good faith. Address your letters to: The Editor, Africa News, Via Maroso, 50, CAP 00142 Rome, Italy, or e-mail: [email protected] or fax +39-06-87410528. Nelson Mandela. Thabo has effectively been head of government since 1994. The government's successes have been his successes and it is sad that it should end on this note". Jacob Zuma, in a very passionate, and wide-ranging speech to the delegates, made an appeal to work together. He told them: "Irrespective of whom you voted for, there is no place for a Zuma camp or an Mbeki camp. There is only one ANC," and promised to work closely with the grassroots in order to implement some of the resolutions which need urgent attention. These include expanding the no fee schools; HIV/AIDS programmes, and support for victims and families; 30% land redistribution by 2014; fighting poverty and crime; to fight the patriarchal oppression of women thereby making the gender question a high priority; economy and foreign investments; consolidating the Tripartite Alliance (ANC, COSATU- trade unions, & South African Communist Party) which has been dented under the Mbeki leadership. This is where Ms MadikizelaMandela's experience, talent and persuasive powers will be a great help to Zuma. He would be well advised to heed the lady's offer. He will need it. The Polokwane gathering demonstrated to South Africa that the people will make their presence felt. One cannot ignore them in the belief that they will follow blindly. It is also hoped that the lessons of Limpopo will be felt throughout the continent of Africa. This was democracy in action. At the time of writing, it has been reported that Jacob Zuma has been indicted on corruption charges and will appear in court in August 2008. Further details are not yet available. Ghanaians, make Ghana a developed nation By Mercy Bolus Adede Ghana was already a nation even in the times of the Gold Coast. We had graduates. There was also a man called Kwame Nkrumah and the Big team of six bringing freedom to the rest of Africa while black Americans were denied a vote in their own country. These selfless people from Ghana saw the future of Africa from the keyhole. A new nation was created to be a symbol of Africa and the rest of the world. Let's us keep that torch shining wherever we are! Nationality of people does not really matter, as we love unity to rule our nation. Who is calling the shots here? Is it not Ghanaians? This is what makes Ghana so unique as compared to the rest of Africa and America. We should try to emulate best practices that improve lives and bring stability, growth and technological development to our nation. We certainly have what it takes to make a difference for our nation. However, we need to value and respect each other's capability no matter how small those contributions could be. Each and every one of us has something to share to make that difference in Ghana. Those of us living in the current developed world must not rest until our nation matches the developments we see and enjoy in these developed nations. The slums we see in our country were here in Europe in 1800's until 1970. Why then do we as a nation go for loans and aid? Let us maximise our own resources with new initiatives. As a middle age country and still rising from the Phoenix of colonialism we should be at the height of our developments and even achieving greater things by now. Why are we still struggling as a nation not performing to make that difference like our brothers in Malaysia? What is stopping us from reaching the top level of our development since we started over five decades ago? Ghana is an open-door country and as such has Embassies throughout the world. However, do we capitalise on the advantages these opportunities give us? Does it stretch us to strategically network Ghana with key stakeholders in areas that would be of interest to our country? For example, the Ghana railways system could work in partnership with the German, British or the Spanish railway system in order to provide an effective and efficient system. Are our Ambassadors grasping the knowledge of economic growth and developmental know-how from their host countries? Such intelligence is badly needed for our own development. Do we lack the ability to ask vital questions necessary for our developments? Why are we still struggling when we are over 50 years old and still cannot stand on our own two feet? Surely, 50 years is quite enough for Ghanaian citizens to be seeing concrete outcomes, better educational system, health system, improvement of our cultural heritage, significant increase in our literacy rate and growth and development with adequate welfare system at least. Why don't we then eradicate all the slums springing up around strategic spots in Ghana? These are not acceptable if we are aiming to be a tourist destination in the near future. Let's improve our sanitation around all our towns, villages and cities. Wouldn’t it be a good idea for Assembly men and women to push for basic amenities in all their communities to promote our tourism? One would welcome the new initiative to train local chiefs on management. Marketing skills perhaps would encou- rage all chiefs to promote their areas and maximise the profits they would get from natural resources. How about inviting celebrities from Europe to spend a week to eat local just foof at the Kakum grounds hence giving Kakum Parks etc the PR it needs to boost our tourism. Why are our community leaders not doing their bit in transforming all local beaches into a pleasant surrounding to attract tourists? Let's us keep this momentum going and to get that Ghanaian feeling to achieve against the odds. Let us value each other as one body. Once we get this right we would achieve greater results in all angles. No one is an Island, we need each other like a building project. Let's try and contribute towards community developments in our little way. Ghanaians in Diaspora, let's continue to promote Ghana. Let's help the children we bring up in Diaspora to think of Ghana and invest in business ventures to promote our country. Everyone should walk tall and be proud of being part of Ghana and help in whatever ways they can. Let's shame those who ridicule Ghana by and kicking off this year with key strategic objectives to make that difference. We have a job to do! 20 February 2008 ENTERTAINMENT Kenyan DJ's rise to popularity entertaining Africans in the UK DJ Dubwise: “Politics is a game that can either build or destroy a nation” By Pauline Long Africans in the UK are embracing one of the most talented Disc Jockeys who has gradually became very popular over the years in the music and entertainment scene from hosting gigs, playing at exclusive clubs and parties to fronting The Look East Show on Voice of Africa Radio. His love for music has been there since he was a little boy, growing up in the eighties, listening to the hit songs played at home by his elder sibling. These would either be soul classics from the likes of Bee Gees, Kool & the Gang or Michael Jackson's music, Lingala music or simply some Reggae by Jimmy Cliff, Alpha Blondy, UB40, Lucky Dube and Bob Marley. In an exclusive interview, Pauline Long caught up with the man in question, DJ Dubwise who revealed how it all started and his passion for entertaining the African community in the UK. The chance came when I met a good friend; DJ Collo at a party in London, he allowed me to try out the decks, of course with a few errors but eventually I got to learn the game. I started collecting compilation CD's and going to Clubs hoping to get a try out and it eventually paid off. I had to practice a lot in order to keep up with the demands and as they say the rest is history! So, is this what you planned as a career or what is just a hobby that developed into a career? This was just a hobby that went on to become bigger than main pointers and told me the truth about being a DJ, I took it on board and I'm still trying to learn through what he does! You have in the past been nominated for the best Kenyan DJ Award in the UK by the Kenyan Society UK, how did it feel to be recognised even though you were still relatively new in the industry? Yes, I was nominated alongside other big Kenyan DJ's in the UK in 2004, when I was just getting better in the game. Amongst them was DJ Edu, who was the eventual winner. It was a great honour to be named alongside them and to Everyone knows you as DJ Dubwise, what are your real names? Haha! It's true everyone knows the name Dubwise, a name I was given by a friend of mine years back due to my knowledge of Reggae music. I guess people liked the sound of it and suddenly they started calling me Dubwise and it stuck. However, those who've known me from before would always call me by my real name Frankie! When did it all start for you and how did you get into spinning? Well, I'd say music has been a part of me from way back, when I was growing up, listening to the likes of Lucky Dube, Bob Marley,UB40, Them Mushrooms, Michael Jackson etc. Hence it developed into a hobby of collecting music and exchanging with friends for what I didn't have and just enjoying the music. But the first time I went to a club, I was amazed at how the DJ's juggled the songs and moved the crowds and I'd always think to myself if I could do the same just for fun. NEW RELEASES Kenyan. Being a resident DJ at Club Afrique in Canning Town, where different communities from around the world come and chill out, I've met people who would be looking for a DJ to entertain them during wedding parties, birthday parties or even office parties. I've played at a Nigerian party, a Zambian party, I've played at a wedding with a majority of Polish nationals. This has enabled me to learn more about the different cultures out there! You also own DJ Dubwise promotions, tell me more about it? Dubwise Promotions is simply a name I came up with to use when I plan my own gigs. I felt that I needed something to identify myself with, together with the team that I work with when planning events. These events could be talent shows to promote upcoming musicians or planning events that promote the rich African culture, as well as simply promoting the music I love! What are you currently listening to on your ipod? Oh! Am listeKenyan DJ Dubwise doing what he loves most: to make people ning to a track happy 'Know Yourself' expected, because I've been able to learn quite a lot and made some good friends along the way and I suppose it is now turning into a career. Who do you look up to and consider as your role model in the industry? Wow! The list could be long but someone that encouraged me when I was just beginning to learn the game and the tricks of the trade, and subsequently went on to do bigger things himself is DJ Edu of BBC 1Xtra. He gave me the be a possible winner to walk away with the coveted title. I took it as an encouragement and that people were actually recognizing my input in the DJ scene and this made me work harder at it. Being a DJ from Kenya in the UK one would think that you only spin for the Kenyan community but I know that this is an assumption that doesn't apply to you, is that right? Yes, you are absolutely right; I play for a wider audience even though I am by Levysill a very talented young Kenyan artist here in the UK, also listening to 'Kwaheri' by Jua Cali, actually it's quit a long list! Currently, you are the main man behind the only radio programme for East Africans in the UK - The Look East Show on Voice Of Africa Radio, tell me more about this show? Yes, I front The Look East show on Voice of Africa Radio and it's an interactive show that mainly focuses on East African music, covering Kenya, Uganda , Tanzania and newcomers to East African Community Rwanda and Burundi . The show strives to promote East African culture through music and also updated news concerning the day to day lives of East Africans, both here in the UK and back in Africa. It goes live every Wednesday night from 10PM till 12 Midnight on 94.3FM or online on www.voiceofafricaradio.com. I listen to your show religiously every Wednesday night and most of the time you preach about peace in Africa . What message do you have for your fellow Kenyans who are now experiencing postelection violence and tension? As we all know the media is a powerful tool in relaying information, hence at Voice of Africa Radio, we all try to put across a message of peace and love especially at this moment when Kenya is going through trying times. My message to all Kenyans is to exercise restraint in showing hatred towards fellow Kenyans. Politics is a game that can either build or destroy a nation as we've seen from many examples out there, hence we really need to learn from that and maintain the peace and togetherness that we've lived by for so long. Any gigs we should put on our 2008 Calendar? There's quite a number coming up, I will be featuring at a show by London based group Kasai Masai in early February, as well as the annual Valentine's party on 15th February at Club Afrique, which this time round is focusing on bringing together all Kenyans and friends of Kenya and promote peace and love. For more details on these events and more one can always log onto my website, www.djdubwise.com or www.myspace.com/djdubwise. What does the future hold for DJ Dubwise? With God's grace, the sky and beyond is the limit for me, as I will strive to be the best I can be, rip all the benefits and hopefully use my skills to make a difference in society. ENTERTAINMENT February 2008 21 Suzanna Lubrano releases irresistibly danceable LP "Saida" is a delicate, successful fusion of Zouk, R&B and traditional Cape Verdean music styles By Stephen Ogongo The famous Cape Verdean songstress Suzanna Lubrano is celebrating the release of her new album "Saida". This passionate song writer and beauty queen has done what she terms a "crossover LP" by venturing into a new musical territory, bringing together the Sexy Cape Verdean Zouk Love, the more traditional Cape Verdean Batuku and the delicate R&B ballads in English. Suzanna is right to term this LP a "crossover" because it is an intelligent, successful fusion of Zouk, R&B and more traditional Cape Verdean music styles. The product is an excellent, sweet and irresistibly danceable LP with powerful and relevant messages. For instance in the first track that gives the album its name "Saida" which means exit, Suzanna sings about the courage to begin a new life after a past terrible experience. Here she shows the importance of being available and ready to help the suffering. "I was locked up in my pain without feelings, You gave me your hand and you saved me, I was locked up in my sorrow without consolation, You gave me your hand and saved me, I never thought I'd love again after all I've been through in the past, I never thought I'd trust someone to accompany me in my life," Suzanna says. In the track "Sumara", Suzanna cautions against letting friends and rumours interfere with your relationship. She warns against making decisions based on rumours and ill advice from friends. Such friends, Suzanna says, only have the aim of breaking your love and after succeeding, they start to laugh behind your back. Before talking in a bad way or hurting the person you love, Suzanna advises that you give the partner a chance to tell his/her side of the story. "Don't let rumours break you apart, your love is stronger than bad intent, let love and trust be the foundation of your relationship, from there you can continue to build," Suzanna sings. In this diverse pop album containing 19 tracks released by Mass A p p e a l Entertainment, Suzanna is backed by a wide array of producers, composers, musicians, and rappers. Suzanna is a musician who has continuously re-invented herself throu- ghout her career. She won two prestigious awards (the Best Female African Artist and Best Female Artist - West Africa) at the Kora All African Music Awards in 2003 in South Africa. Asked how she feels about her success, she says "I'm someone who is always with both feet on the ground. I'm just a mutual person. I don't see myself as an artiste, I just see myself like any other person." The Cape Verdean pop diva who is deeply saddened by the suffering of many desperate children all over the world, has a dream of building an orphanage. She feels happy when she receives a letter saying that her songs made someone feel good. "That's what excites me," she says. Suzanna officially launched the new LP on 31st January at the Cabo Verde meets Brasil Party at Holland Casino, Rotterdam, Netherlands. She plans to stage many other shows in different parts of the world to launch the LP. You can order a copy of "Saida" and obtain more information about Suzanna's tour schedule from: René Romer and Mical Ghebreab, TransCity, The Netherlands, Tel + 31 10 414 04 64, Tel + 31 65 368-06-75: Email: [email protected], or [email protected] Snippets of the album tracks can be heard on http://www.myspace.com/suzannalubrano and on http://www.suzannaonline.nl Interview with Suzanna Lubrano “Saida” is inspired by my personal experience By Stephen Ogongo Please share with us something about your new album. The first track that gives the album its name is "Saida". Why have you named it "Saida" and what does this mean? "Saida" is a good one. It is not really something that happened to me, but might one day. The song "Saida" is about a girl who had a difficult relationship. Because of all the pains, the sorrows, she got stuck, got locked up in her emotions. She couldn't see a way out. Then someone come along and showed her the exit, because "Saida" means exit. So it is not something that really happened to me. "Saida" can mean a lot of things also. It can mean, for example, living somewhere then choosing to move to live somewhere else. TOP CHARTS It's like changing of moments or things you are going through so it's wider than what I'm talking about in the song. What inspired you to compose this LP? I think this one, except for "Saida" is a more personal album. You know a lot of things are inspired from things I went through, or things I knew someone who went through them, so it is a more personal album. Mass Appeal Entertainment, so we had a chance to work with some people who are professionals in doing some R&B songs. We decided to make it a crossover, that's why there is a lot of R&B songs and English songs on it. What's the secret of being a successful musician? I think just being yourself. And always trying to do better than what you did before, and trying to go with the time. Is there a difference in sound between your new album and the previous ones? What's your advice to young Africans aspiring to become musicians? We've worked with different kinds of people this time. This CD is like a crossover. I always wanted to do a crossover CD but I had to wait for the right time and this was the right time to do it because we have this label in America, the I must say they have to continue building up. I would gladly do something for them to help them record because they need someone serious to record with and to invest in them. I would say keep the faith and keep on doing what you are doing. One day I'm sure something will happen. Apart from music, what else do you do? I do a lot of things. I'm a mother so I do my best to be a good mother, and that's very important next to the music business because it could be very busy sometimes. I ensure that I have plenty of time for my little ones. That's very important. I think being a good mother is even more important than being a musician. And next to that, I love children and one day I would love to do something for the children all over the world. This year I hope we will do something on that line to help children in need. What's your advice to African women forced to make a choice between a family and a career? I would love to say that nothing is impossible. I believe you can do both, that is what I'm doing, of course you need someone to help, but it's not impossible. You should never leave your family just to go for a professional career, I've never done that, I know it is possible to do both because I'm doing it. 22 SPORTS February 2008 Blatter: Timing of Africa Cup of Nations must be changed Caf: There are no plans to change timing of Africa Cup of Nations © AP PHOTO for us and easier for the clubs as well. Fifa president Sepp Blatter wants the timing of the Africa Cup of Nations changed. He told the BBC that by 2016, the biennial tournament must be held in June and July like other major tournaments. "This is a tradition, but one should have now the courage to go into the international calendar and see if it's not possible to deal with it," said Blatter. "We put a target for 2016 that by that time the international calendar must be definitely in accordance with the interests of everybody." Many African players and European clubs who lose key players to the tournament have made frequent calls to change its timing. El Hadji Diouf, Senegal's former African player of the year has in the past suggested that Cup of Nations should not be held in January and February, at the height of the European season. "We are not playing the African Nations Cup at the right time. We need to look at it again," Diouf said. "Why can't we play when the Premiership is finished? We can play the African Nations Cup in a month at the end of the season. This would make it easier tion will continue to kick off in January. FRICA UP OF ATIONS It said there are no immediate FIXTURES to change "This is a tradition, but plans timing of the one should have now the the Sunday, 03 February tournament. courage to go into the "It is impossi- 2008 international calendar ble to move the Winner Group A v Runnerand see if it's not possible competition to up Gp B, Quarter Final, because it is to deal with it. We put a June the rainy season Winner Group B v Runnertarget for 2016 that by in most African up Gp A, Quarter Final, that time the internatio- countries and it will also be too Monday, 04 February nal calendar must be Caf general definitely in accordance hot," secretary Mustafa 2008 with the interests of eve- Fahmy said. Winner Gp C v Runner-up rybody." "We know our Gp D, Quarter Final, continent better, Winner Gp D v Runner-up can Europe orga- Gp C, Quarter Final, Fifa president Sepp nize the European Blatter Championship in Russia in Thursday, 07 February 2008 "It's normal that the clubs January?" Winner Q/F 1 v Winner Q/F 4, Semi-Final, Fahmy also said Winner Q/F 2 v Winner Q/F 3, Semi-Final, don't want us to leave and go and play in the African that despite suggeNations Cup, because they stions from some European officials, Saturday, 09 February 2008 pay us every week. "You can't leave the club and your Caf will not reduce Loser SF1 v Loser SF2, 3rd and 4th Place team-mates like that, because the the frequency of the Play-Offs, Premiership is very difficult. A team tournament, BBC like Bolton may lose three or four pla- reported. "I can confirm Sunday, 10 February 2008 yers.” Around 40 African players in the that the Nations Cup Winner SF1 v Winner SF2, Final English Premier League are in Ghana will continue to be held every two years for the Nations Cup. we need to fulfil and marketing conBut the Confederation of African at least till 2014," he said. tracts that we must respect. Football (Caf) insists that the competi"We already have commitments that "I am surprised that they say we are the only confederation that organizes their Nations Cup every two years" "It is impossible to move "The fact is, Europe and Asia the competition to June are exceptions, other confederabecause it is the rainy tions like Oceania and North and Central America apply the season in most African same duration system we have countries and it will also in our competition." be too hot. We know our Meanwhile Caf has confircontinent better, can med that the 2010 Africa Cup of Europe organize the Nations will start 10 days earlier than this year's edition in Ghana European Championship as a concession to Europeanin Russia in January?" based clubs. Caf said the tournament in Confederation of Angola would be held from January 10-31, unlike this year's African Football which started on Sunday 20th General secretary January and run until 10th Mustafa Fahmy February. A C N Ghana is a bridge to South Africa as it does everything possible to host a fantastic African Cup of Nations. "For us it is an African World Cup of Nations in reference to 2010. People are coming to Ghana not only to see how Ghana is organised, but how Africa is organised. And we are inviting all South Africans to come to Ghana and we will do our best to host them to the best of our ability. God bless Ghana, God bless South Africa and God bless Africa," said the former Ghana international Anthony Baffoe, who is the Ghana 2008 Director for International Relations. Baffoe played for Ghana's Black Stars national team 16 times and made his name in the German Bundesliga with clubs such as FC Koln, Stuttgart Kickers and Fortuna Dusseldorf. "We all are looking forward to a © AP PHOTO Ghana 2008 a bridge to SA 2010 “(African Cup of Nations) is a trophy and a tournament that needs to be entrenched in the hearts and minds of all African people" 2010 LOC's Chief Executive Officer Dr Danny Jordaan wonderful experience in Ghana. The expectation that this will be the best ever African Nations Cup is huge. Certainly from a playing point of view, featuring players like Kolo Toure, Samuel Eto'o, Didier Drogba, Michael Essien and John Obi Mikel we're expecting that it will deliver high-qua- lity football. We have African players who are now not only in the starting line-ups, but who are stars at some of the biggest clubs in the world". The 2010 OC's Chief Executive Officer Dr Danny Jordaan said "The Ghana 2008 African Nations Cup will further strengthen the character of the game on the continent and we want to wish you as the organisers of the tournament the very best. You will help us. Because if you do a good job - and we know you will - people will see that not only are Africans good on the playing field, they're good organisers as well." Dr. Jordaan praised the Ghana 2008 LOC for their decision to take the AFCON trophy to all the competing countries in the Nations Cup. "The trophy tour gives a connection to the tournament to those people in the competing countries. It gives those countries the chance to experience the symbols of the tournament and also helps to market the African Nations Cup. It is a trophy and a tournament that needs to be entrenched in the hearts and minds of all African people," said Dr. Jordaan. SPORTS February 2008 23 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa By LOC South Africa 2010 FIFA World Cup™ Ambassador Abedi "Pele" Ayew is one of the greatest and most celebrated African footballers of all time. One of the first African players to make a major impact on European club football, he was the African Player of the Year a record three-times in 1991, 1992 and 1993. For all his outstanding personal achievements, however, one honor eluded him in his illustrious career - winning the African Nations Cup on home soil in his native Ghana. He's 43 now and long retired, but he is an omnipresent star in his own right as Ghana hosts the 2008 MTN African Nations Cup from January 20-February 10. And while he won't physically take part in the action on the pitch, he will be well represented on the playing front by his 17-year-old son Andre Ayew. Like his famous father, Andre is a prolific striker who banged in the goals at junior level and has only just embarked on what promises to be an exciting international career with Ghana's Black Stars. And also like his father, Andre is making his mark at France's Olympique Marseille, a club where Abedi won four Ligue 1 French titles and made two European Champions League final appearances, including Marseille's famous Champions League win in 1993. With Ghana excelling at the Black Stars' first FIFA World Cup appearance at Germany 2006 and containing stars such as Michael Essien and Sulley Muntari, as well as exciting youngsters like Andre, he is confident his countrymen will emerge victorious on home soil in African football's showpiece. "The Nations Cup in Ghana will be contested by great players, great teams Preliminary Draw in and it will be a great occasion. It is the Durban late last year furperfect platform for Ghana to show its ther showcased the contipersonality and its football. We've got a nent's many abilities. great chance to win the trophy at home, but the pressure is going to be huge after Ghana's good "We are hosting the performance in Germany," said World Cup on the Pele in an interview with FIFA.com. African continent and we With players like Essien, have to keep the African Cameroon's Samuel Eto'o, Ivory vibe and prove to the Coast's Didier Drogba, Kolo world that vibe is going Toure and Salomon Kalou setting world football alight in to be great. Everything recent years at some of the wor- we do will be inclusive of ld's biggest clubs, African foot- Africa and will be distinball is at an all-time high and ctive, like nothing the buoyant as the continent readies world has seen before” itself to host the first FIFA World Cup on African soil in 2010. And Abedi has been one of a South Africa 2010 FIFA resurgent Africa's most respected World Cup™ and important ambassadors, even Ambassador Abedi appearing at the G8 summit to further the continent's case. "Pele" Ayew He was a member of the South African delegation in Zurich on "I think it's unbelieva14 May 2004 which presented a powerful and successful bid to FIFA to host ble that today all those the 2010 FIFA World Cup, with Abedi who didn't have the confimaking an emotive speech to the FIFA dence in us are all very executive that day which strengthened happy. That's why the say this is the power of footSouth Africa's case. "Africa has come a long way in a ball, football brings people together. short time. Africa 20 years ago was There were a lot of people who didn't populated by people who did not own believe in us, but today we have the their own destiny, people didn't have a FIFA World Cup on our continent. We means to make money, to own their have proved to the world that not only own small companies. So democracy in can we play the game, but we can host Africa is young but we are working it as well. As an African, you always very, very fast to really achieve a long- have to prove things. But the strides term sustainable democracy within our we've made in recent times shows that continent," Pele said with great convic- we're on the right track," said Pele. And he is confident his Ghanaian tion. And with Africa's first FIFA World countrymen will continue to send the Cup now hurtling quickly towards the right signals to the footballing world by continent in less than 900 days, Abedi hosting one of the best African Nations was delighted that the extremely suc- Cups ever during the 2008 edition. "Africa is blessed from 2008 cessful 2010 FIFA World Cup © AP PHOTO Abedi: Africa’s doing it in style (African Cup of Nations in Ghana) to 2010 Angola (African Cup of Nations) and 2010 (World Cup) South Africa. We can't ask for more than this. We have proved to the world that we are not going to do things the same way as Germany 2006, we are not doing the same as Korea Japan, and we will not be the same as France or America." "We are hosting the World Cup on the African continent and we have to keep the African vibe and prove to the world that vibe is going to be great. Everything we do will be inclusive of Africa and will be distinctive, like nothing the world has seen before," said Pele. China opposed to politicizing Olympic Games China strongly opposes using the Olympic Games to hype political issues - such as Darfur - which only serve to disturb preparation works. "It is of apparent political intention and purpose to link the Darfur issue with the Olympics," Xinhua news agency quoted Foreign Ministry spokesperson Jiang Yu to have said. "Such practice violates the Olympic spirit and principle, and will never succeed." China is firmly opposed to those persons or organizations that hype particular issues in the name of the Olympics, said Ms Jiang in response to a question asking whether China would put more pressure on Sudan. Some foreign media believe China's continued support for the regime in Sudan could tarnish the Olympics. "I don't know whether those organizations know China's role on the issue and the current situation in the Darfur region," she said. Liu Guijin, Chinese special envoy for African affairs, rejected Western media accusations as groundless, saying it was ridiculous to politicize the Olympic Games. "It is just some portion of Western media and organizations that stick to observing China through coloured glasses," Mr Liu said. "The 2008 Games is not only China's but also the whole world's. The international community has already achieved a consensus that the Games should not be linked to politics," Liu told China Daily. "It is of apparent political intention and purpose to link the Darfur issue with the Olympics. Such practice violates the Olympic spirit and principle, and will never succeed." Foreign Ministry spokesperson Jiang Yu China has been the first country to promise and then to dispatch soldiers to take part in peacekeeping missions in Darfur, Ms Jiang said. A 140-strong advance troop of a Chinese engineering unit has arrived in Darfur, and the unit is gradually being deployed. The political process and peacekeeping deployment in Darfur has achieved progress under joint efforts of all concerned parties, Ms Jiang said. China says six nations have reached consensus on the major elements of a draft UN resolution on the Iran nuclear issue, which says all sides will continue diplomatic efforts and resolve the issue through negotiations. Puma renews sponsorship deal with GFA Sports goods manufacturer Puma has extended its sponsorship agreement with the Ghana Football Association (GFA) until 2012. According to BBC reports, the deal is estimated to be worth as much as $25 million (£12.7 million). Puma will give the GFA an annual retainer, sales royalties and performance bonuses, as well as sports footwear and clothing. The German company will also supply all national team kits and construct a new training pitch for the GFA in Accra. GFA and Puma had a deal which was due to expire in January 2009. Puma opted to extend the contract because of the Black Stars' impressive showing at the 2006 World Cup finals. "This commitment is convincing proof of the recent progress we have made and this will enhance football in Ghana," said GFA boss Kwasi Nyantakyi. Puma has deals with nine of the 16 teams at the Nations Cup. Egypt, Angola, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Senegal, Tunisia and Namibia all wear Puma kit. THE WESTERN UNION ® SPEED Always demand * Subject to hours of operation and differences in time zones. © 2007 WESTERN UNION HOLDINGS, INC. All rights reserved. With the Western Union Money Transfer® service, it only takes a few minutes* to make the money you send available for collection by your loved ones in Africa or around the world.