Big Speeches and Shock Selections

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 shock-value. John McCain‘s choice of Sarah Palin as his running mate would have all but guaranteed him a place in the Oval Office. Even the most seasoned Washington watchers were shocked by his pick after weeks of Romney / Pawlenty speculation.  What a week it has been!

Taking into account Obama’s African roots, last Thursday evening’s proceedings at the INVESCO Field at Mile High were nothing short of historic. It was essential to stop and take in just how far America has come as a nation.

That said, I take a more sober view of the American presidential race. I question the ability of an Obama presidency to sidestep Washington’s lobbyists and special interest groups in a bid to deliver real reforms. Watching Eugene Jarecki’s film Why We Fight (a long hard look at America’s far reaching military industrial complex), one begins to get a glimpse of the magnitude of what he is up against. With Joe Biden at his side as a hardened Washington insider, I do wonder whether some of Obama’s most formidable backers constitute the very fabric of the system he is out to change.

John McCain on the other hand does not need to say a word to put me off his campaign.  The very fact that he can tolerate George Bush is enough to make me crawl into a cave and hide.  Ironically, I have a minute for Sarah Palin’s conservative views on abortion and same-sex marriages which ring true with my own unpopular Christian values.  I do find myself wondering how she reconciles all that she stands for with representing a party that took America to war in Iraq, among many other indiscretions.  One thing is certain; her inclusion on McCain’s ticket guarantees the rest of us compulsive viewing over the next few months.

This may be an American election, but it may as well be viewed as a global one. With the world shrinking at its edges on a daily basis, American domestic and foreign policies have a way of affecting all of us.  This coming November we will watch Americans make their choice for the good of their nation, and indirectly, the rest of the world at large.  I find myself fastening my seatbelt – I predict a bumpy ride ahead…

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 the works of the great composer, Giacomo Puccini. This promises to be a milestone for the choir at the Linder Auditorium in Johannesburg, ably conducted by Richard Cock, and accompanied by the Johannesburg Festival Orchestra. More than 600 tickets have already been sold – be sure to grab one!

For more details, please click here or enlarge the flyer shown on the right.

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 English football’s new Premier League season.

Fresh-faced teenagers sitting on the Arsenal bench. Fulham’s newfound resurgence, Tottenham’s stuttering start, and Chelsea’s bid to prove that money may buy a title after all. Sunderland showing clear warning signs of ambition. Hull and Stoke appearing capable of making even more history. Manchester United in every newspaper – be it regarding Ronaldo or Berbatov. Liverpool’s Rafa walking with a noose around his neck, and Paul Ince still on honeymoon in Blackburn… for now.

Superlatives. Predictions. Conventional wisdom. Lovers of “the beautiful game” are in for an unfolding drama this season!

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 a continent full of enigmatic heads of state and government, it is not surprising that his is a profile difficult to define. Anti-corruption crusader, darling of the IMF (International Monetary Fund), critic of the Zimbabwean government, father of six, the brunt of jokes (his intelligence was often challenged in the press), high profile lawyer, Chiluba‘s nemesis – the list is as wide as it is endless.

President Mwanawasa’s unassuming persona and soft-spoken nature, were two traits about him that even his foes cannot dispute in retrospect. These characteristics were often mistakenly perceived as signs of weakness. It was with this backdrop that his firm stance against political events in Harare came almost as a surprise to non-Zambians. Many of us had assumed he was yet another African leader unwilling to express a divergent view on Zimbabwe. It is ironic that his death came at a time when his voice was increasingly gaining gravitas beyond Zambia’s borders.

Within Zambia, Levy Mwanawasa was not without his detractors. A sore point was the fallout with the opposition after election irregularities in 2001 – an election which he won. There was also a general perception that he did not do enough to pull his poorest fellow citizens out of poverty during his presidency. On the other hand, he can be credited with a strong fiscal record during his tenure at the helm. It was his commitment to a free market economy, coupled with his drive against corruption, that earned him the favour of Western governments.

Ultimately, my search continues – I am still looking for a box to package Mwanawasa’s place in history. For now, Africa mourns the loss of yet another son. Differences are cast aside as we allow his family to grieve.

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. I noticed what, at first, appeared to be an ordinary sign welcoming all and sundry to the Salford Quays area (pictured). The first line was written in French, the second line in German, and the third line was in… Zulu? Ndebele? Judge for yourself –

“Siyakwamkela e Salford Quays”. I was totally caught off guard.

Given the latest immigrant trends in the United Kingdom, who knows what language will pop up on the next road sign I see. If the sign pictured below is anything to go by, Southern Africans are at least assured a decent welcome in Salford Quays (fingers crossed)…

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 virus.

A growing threat in the fight against HIV lies in the virus’s growing resistance to prescribed treatment designed to fight it. The Financial Times recently featured an analysis of this phenomenon by Andrew Jack, in his article entitled: “When the Drugs Don’t Work“. This is a must-read for anyone remotely concerned about the challenges collectively faced in this arena. It brings the high-stakes war against HIV into focus, and simultaneously paints a picture that is hardly comforting.

Please click here for Andrew Jack’s complete analysis.

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 that carried the day – check it out.

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 Heller. It is an ambitious project bringing together more than 100 performers (dancers, musicians, artists) from 17 African countries. It encompasses theatre, dance, acrobatics and a variety of athletic feats. It has certainly caught the attention of the local press and public. I am not normally a fan of this kind of escapist entertainment, however, it is clear to me this show has been well received. Interestingly, as I was taking a photograph of a poster advertising the show (pictured), two people walking past stopped to ask me if I had seen the show. One had already seen it at the O2 Arena in London, and promptly recommended it to me. The other had tickets to go and see it here in Manchester.

I am curious to know if Afrika! Afrika! will ever make its way to Africa for the benefit of an African audience. Therein lies the paradox of African entertainment largely designed for overseas consumption.

You can click here to view the Afrika! Afrika! homepage.

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 back of the coach, I had to smile when I got to the tagline:

“Make all your relationships long-distance”.

With National Express revenues set to rise as the population increasingly turns to public transport (due to soaring crude oil prices); Britain may yet be in for more long-distance liaisons…

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 obliged.

AA>> YOU’VE GOT AN MBA AND A BACKGROUND IN ELECTRONICS – ARE THESE THE PREREQUISITES FOR A SUCCESSFUL CAREER AS A PILOT THESE DAYS?

KOFI SOM>> The answer is NO NO NO, but then if you can get [an MBA] please do! The reasons are simple. The qualifications that anyone will need to fly an aeroplane are picked up initially in flying school and later on in airline training programes. There are basically two major approaches to training airline pilots. Firstly, the American system, with a strong focus on experience. Secondly, the European approach, which plays less on experience but insists on an intensive academic curriculum. Whichever route you choose, however, flying school is more of a vocational rather than an academic learning experience. Consequently, leading airlines world wide will insist on hiring pilots with other academic qualifications. This way they ensure the quality of their personnel.

Anyone interested in becoming an airline pilot too must recognise that the volatility of the industry necessitates securing alternative sources of income at an alarming rate. Consequently, the pilot who can occupy himself constructively during the industry’s down time is always at an advantage. Finally, most people will appreciate that aviation is a big field with many many opportunities to offer (safety assessment, career planning, administration, IT/IS, etc), even when a person is working full-time in a cockpit. Possessing alternative qualifications allows for one to patronise these. Of course, such patronage makes for a more lucrative, and overall more fulfilling career in the air!

AA>> AFRICAN AIRLINES ARE RARELY CLASSED IN THE SAME LEAGUE AS MORE REPUTABLE CARRIERS LIKE EMIRATES, SINGAPORE AIRLINES etc. WHAT ARE THE MAJOR CHALLENGES CAUSING THIS GAP?

KOFI SOM>> Hmm….I like the fact that you said “rarely”, i.e. there are some that are classed as being up [there] with the top ones. The reasons are many, but primarily lie in the absence of an appropriate business model. A look at those airlines in Africa that are world class (and yes there are some here that are!) openly brings them [to the fore]. Some such factors are:

1. Excessive governmental control. All airlines at the top of their game, nowadays, are more or less privately owned. African examples will include Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, and even Virgin Nigeria, a large stake of which is owned by Singapore Airlines and Virgin Holdings.

2. Lack of the appropriate partnerships. You cannot achieve world class standards by working alone. The fact that even the biggest and richest [airlines] in the industry (e.g. Emirates, Delta, JAL etc) strive to actively achieve these, shows it.

3. Lack of competitive equipment. To be able to work at the top of the business you MUST have the most efficient machinery. Often you will find airlines in Africa will lack this, opting for cheaper and older models of aircraft. These cost more to run in the long term and tie up resources that could otherwise be used to improve customer service.

4. Poor oversight! Now this issue truly cannot be solved without sincere governmental commitment. Africa is not known for a good safety record and this halts the growth of the industry.

The list does continue but the primary reasons are 1. and 2. above. There are world class airlines here [in Africa] and they [prove] that Africa DOES NOT exist devoid of the ability to produce quality.

AA>> FROM A PILOT’S PERSPECTIVE, WHAT ARE THE MAJOR DIFFERENCES BETWEEN FLYING IN AFRICA AND EUROPE IF ANY?

KOFI SOM>> Goodness do you want a book? I suppose they can be summed up in one sentence: “Over here you HAVE to think“! Basically, the support services provided in Europe by and large do not exist here. Weather phenomena are much less predictable, and even the best struggle to provide accurate information. Much of the airspace is uncontrolled, and navigational aides often will be faulty or innacurate (when they do exist in the first place). On top of this, in various places (e.g Democratic Republic of Congo) the political turmoil allows for rouge activity, not only on the ground but in the air too. [Consequently], one must be on top of his[/her] game at all times, because frankly, there are few safety nets here!

AA>> I KNOW YOUR OLDER BROTHER IS A PILOT IN THE GHANAIAN AIR FORCE. IS IT POSSIBLE TO BECOME A COMMERCIAL AIRLINE PILOT AFTER SERVING IN THE AIR FORCE?

KOFI SOM>> Oh yes. Many commercial pilots worldwide started out in the military. Modern trends are tending to frown on the shift, but it is very possible. What one must keep in mind is that the military trains with a different mindset and perspective. [Consequently], anyone interested in such a shift must be willing to change his spots.

AA>> THE GHANAIAN BUSINESS COMMUNITY HAS OFTEN BEEN CREDITED WITH HAVING AN UNUSUALLY HIGH NUMBER OF STAKEHOLDERS WHO ARE WOMEN. DO YOU SUBSCRIBE TO THIS OBSERVATION? IF SO, WHAT DO YOU THINK MAKES GHANA DIFFERENT IN THIS REGARD?

KOFI SOM>> The answer to this question is simply YES! All skeptics be told, simply take a stroll outside one of our busier streets, or walk into any market or social place, and you will be transformed in your view. I shall hesitate to make a comment as to how Ghana is different in this regard, because my interaction with female stakeholders in other economies is somewhat limited.

AA>> FINALLY, OUT OF CURIOSITY, WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE YOUR FAVOURITE AFRICAN AIRPORT AND WHY?

KOFI SOM>> Simple. KIA (Kotoka International Accra)! It’s got a runway long enough for the biggest aircraft, radar services 24/7, and CATII ILS, a great lighting system. To top it all, [it] means for me that after landing, I can go home!

(Photo: Courtesy of Kofi Som Atiemo)