Democrats in the United States must have wished the presidential election could be decided on the basis of speeches alone. Barack Obama’s Thursday night acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention was a masterclass in oratory skill. In the same token, Republicans may have hoped presidential elections could be won by candidates providing the most [...]
Entries from August 2008
August 26, 2008
Symphony Choir of Johannesburg in Concert
“Blood is thicker than water,” the saying goes. As a consequence, I find myself shamelessly plugging an upcoming performance by the Symphony Choir of Johannesburg (see flyer). Not least because my youngest brother will be making his debut performance as a choir member. Talk about nepotism.
On the 12th of October 2008, the choir will perform [...]
August 25, 2008
A Premier Drama
I found myself in the UK’s West Midlands this past weekend. My wife and I attended an African wedding in Birmingham, and visited friends in Wolverhampton. At the wedding; the bride and groom ogled each other, guests danced, and celebratory beverages were sipped. Meanwhile, my chitchat with mates in attendance inevitably drifted to [...]
August 19, 2008
Remembering Mwanawasa
President Levy Patrick Mwanawasa, of Zambia, passed away this morning in a French military hospital. My sincere condolences go out to his family and all Africans who may be mourning this tragic loss.
Since hearing news of his death, I have struggled to allocate an appropriate box in my mind to store Levy Mwanawasa’s legacy. In [...]
August 18, 2008
No Ordinary Sign
Salford Quays is an area in the Salford region of Greater Manchester, England. It is situated near the end of the Manchester Ship Canal. It was once the site of the Salford Docks prior to undergoing massive regeneration over the past decade.
Almost four years back, I made a discovery in Salford Quays. [...]
August 14, 2008
Resistance
For almost a week, Mexico City hosted the XVII International AIDS Conference last week. I can only hope this convention went beyond the familiar rhetoric often surrounding HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). What we need is a solution, and soon. I have lost more relatives and friends than I can count to this ruthless [...]
August 13, 2008
South African Business Sense
A few years ago, an advert for the Ford Bantam vehicle was aired on South African television networks. It was a humorous take on the socio-cultural dynamics of doing business in South Africa. Opinions may vary with respect to the accuracy of the advert’s racial undertones. Either way, it was the humour [...]
August 8, 2008
Afrika! Afrika!
Two weekends ago, a London-based cousin of mine made the three-hour drive to Manchester with her four year-old daughter. They had come to watch the show Afrika! Afrika! for the second time in weeks (after attending an earlier performance in London).
Afrika! Afrika! is billed as a “circus adventure” conceived by the Austrian entrepreneur, Andre [...]
August 6, 2008
Long-Distance Relationships
National Express is one of Britain’s largest public transport operators. Its brand is most popularly associated with its inter-city coach network, but it also operates trains, airport transfers, and local bus services.
Last week, I found myself “parked” in a traffic jam positioned behind a National Express coach (pictured). Upon reading the bold lettering on the [...]
August 5, 2008
Q&A – Kofi Som Atiemo
Kofi Som Atiemo (pictured) is a Ghanaian airline pilot currently flying for Virgin Nigeria. Kofi Som is a graduate of the Oxford Air Training School, the University of Eastern Africa Baraton, and the University of Ghana (having obtained his MBA from the latter). I threw a few questions his way and he kindly [...]
