top of page

Search Results

305 items found for ""

  • "The Black Book": Nigeria's tech elite fund Nollywood's first Netflix chart topper

    The combination of hard-earned Nollywood craft and Nigeria's fast-paced, well-organised and well-funded fintech ecosystem could prove to be a match made in heaven. Seth Onyango, bird story agency A bet by members of Nigeria's fintech elite on a feature film, "The Black Book" is paying blockbuster dividends, as the film strikes a chord with viewers around the world. The film has trended at number one on Netflix in countries as diverse as Greece, Israel, Jamaica, Kenya, Luxembourg, South Korea, Sweden and Nigeria, since its debut on September 26. This is the first time that leaders in the country's meteoric fintech startup space have "crowded in" to fund a film in Nollywood, Nigeria's famous film sector. The move would appear to be a blowout success. "It’s Nigeria day across the world and I want to introduce my non-Nigerian followers to the Black Book on Netflix. The Black Book or “The Revenge List” in some non-English titles has been Top 10 in 88 countries since release day; September 22nd, 2023," creative entrepreneur Editi Effiòng posted on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. "It has been No. 1 in 20 countries so far, including Nigeria and South Korea. No African movie has done this well on Netflix. Nollywood, our time has come." Film producer and Hot Ticket Productions chief executive Blessing Amidu told bird story agency that the fintech investors' foray into Nollywood marked a watershed moment for the industry. "It is always a welcome development," said Amidu, whose production house midwifed Nigeria's first feature-length anime, 'Lady Buckit and the Motley Mopsters'. Directed by Editi Effiong, the Black Book sheds light on a poignant narrative in which a grief-stricken church deacon, Paul Erima (portrayed by the seasoned Richard Mofe-Damijo) grapples with the complexities of justice, his faith and the desire for revenge. As he takes matters into his own hands to honour his son's name, he is plunged into a confrontation with a rogue police faction. Spotting the bullish surge of the African entertainment scene, fintech leaders leapt in, injecting hefty funding and propelling the Nollywood film to global acclaim. The film boasts high production value and quality, evident in the cinematography, sound design, and editing. It was co-written by Bukunmi Ajakiye and produced by Lala Akindoju and features a stellar cast of Nollywood talent, such as Ego Boyo, Joke Silva, and Segun Arinze. Since its debut, the film has received rave reviews from critics and audiences alike, who praised its gripping plot, strong performances and social commentary. It has also sparked discussions on the issues of corruption, justice and redemption in Nigeria. The fintech leaders who backed the film are some of the most influential and successful entrepreneurs in Nigeria’s booming fintech sector, which has attracted millions of dollars in investment and innovation. They include Gbenga Agboola, founder and CEO of Flutterwave; Kola Aina, founding partner at Ventures Partner; Olumide Soyombo, co-founder of Blue Chip Technologies; Nadayar Enegesi, co-founder of Eden Life; and Prosper Otemuyiwa, co-founder and CTO of Eden Life. Others are Adesunbomi Plumptre, co-founder of Volition Capital; Ezra Olubi, co-founder of Paystack; Odunayo Oweniyi, co-founder and COO of Piggyvest; Somto Ifezue, co-founder of Piggyvest; Joshua Chibueze, co-founder and CEO of Piggyvest. The fintech leaders have decided to venture into film as a way of supporting the creative industry and showcasing the rich and diverse stories of Africa to the world. They have also expressed their satisfaction and excitement with the film’s success and impact. bird story agency

  • How a deaf journalist and her translation team overcame the 2023 African Climate Summit challenge.

    When Edna Kaindi experienced hearing loss at a young age, she struggled to communicate with those around her. Today, she works with a community of sign language journalists and interpreters with a passion for equality. Her latest challenge? The 2023 Africa Climate Summit. Lynn Nyigothi, bird story agency In a world filled with perceived limitations about the deaf community, 26-year-old deaf journalist Edna Kaindi has made it her business to shatter those perceptions and shrug off any limitations. As a well-known TV journalist, her most recent achievement was covering the Africa Climate Summit held in Nairobi, Kenya in September 2023. Kaindi was not born deaf. She suffered an illness at a very young age, which led to hearing loss. As a child, Kaindi often felt isolated and left out, unable to play with other kids due to the communication barrier. Nevertheless, she was determined to live a full life. “The bullying, stigma, and loneliness at an early age did not stop me from dreaming, on the contrary, it propelled my desire to prove a point to the world that even deaf kids can become something big in the society,” Kaindi stated. Despite support and love from her mother and big brother, she still struggled to communicate with them and with many of the people around her. None of them knew sign language. “Joining primary school for the deaf was a relief for me because I finally got to interact with other children who were deaf, no one bullied me like kids at home did and I got to learn the Kenyan sign language,” Kaindi explained. Making friends and going to school contributed to her self-acceptance, even as she endeavoured to succeed and build a future. While Kaindi had always wanted to be an air hostess, life had different plans for her. She took up modelling when she completed high school and competed in the Miss Disability Kenya competition in 2018, surprising herself with a top placing. “I was sceptical at first to take part in the competition but my friend encouraged me to get out of my comfort zone and so I did it and became among the top ten,” she said. By this time, she had started attending make-up and fashion classes at a Nairobi-based college, where she developed an interest in make-up, something she still enjoys. “I enjoy making people look pretty, before my current full-time job, I did make-up to make ends meet, but stopped due to my busy schedule,” Kaindi stated. However, getting a job became difficult after school because of her disability. “Most employers find it hard hiring deaf people because of the communication barrier, so it was hard for me,” she explained. Once again, her determination shone through. Her persistence and high spirit landed her a job at Signs TV, where today she is fast becoming a household name. Initially hired to do adverts, Kaindi soon proved she had a lot more to offer, taking full advantage of on-the-job training at Signs TV as well as specialised training from the Media Council of Kenya. “I started doing advertisements for them in 2019, but that was on and off. They came to hire me on a full-time basis in 2020 and added me to other responsibilities like news anchoring and hosting shows. I have been there ever since,” she said. While Kaindi initially had some doubts about how viewers would receive a deaf journalist, her colleagues at the station provided all she needed to thrive in the position. “It was a great adjustment because I had never done this before, but I love being a journalist because I get to work with sign language interpreters who understand me well,” she stated. Kaindi now hosts the ‘Glamor Show’ in addition to her role as a news anchor, something she relishes and has been able to handle "even when tasks seem daunting,” said co-director at Signs TV, Jared Getanda. That was the case at the recently concluded Africa Climate Summit She was not familiar with some of the words used by delegates at the summit and had to quickly do further research and consult interpreters in order to understand and communicate the meaning of the terms, before delivering the news. “I did not know how to sign some of the difficult words, but the sign language interpreters helped me a lot,” she admitted. According to Kaindi, taking time to discuss some universally accepted signs for complex terms with interpreters made all the difference- both to her and to her audience. “Edna is very open and will always ask,” said Jedida Wafula, an interpreter at Signs TV. “It took us more time to prepare for news briefings as we had to ensure viewers who are deaf also understood climate change and the discussions around it, during the summit. It was hard on the first day, but after that, we managed because of teamwork, I am happy I got to learn things we usually take for granted,” Kaindi added. Kaindi called on stakeholders currently building the Kenyan sign language curriculum to include more technical and climate-related terms, even if they do not always form part of daily conversations, currently. “It is good for the deaf community to take part in discussions that also affect them and the world at large, deaf people need to be involved in climate action,” she explained. The climate event was also an eye-opener for the interpreters working alongside Kaindi. “It was mind-blowing and so unique, something I had not seen before. So, after high school my mum and my late dad persuaded me to explore it as a career option,” said Sharon Wambui, one of over 30 interpreters selected to work at the 2023 Africa Climate Summit. Born and raised in Nairobi, Wambui developed an interest in sign language while in high school after some visitors to the school delivered a presentation in sign language. After completing high school she spent six months learning and improving signing skills, ast a Christian school. “My teacher was deaf, this forced me to learn very fast as I used to interpret for him during devotions,” she said. According to Wambui many of these terms used at the climate event did not have sign names, leaving the interpreters to discuss amongst themselves the best signs to use as well as how to deliver explanations. “The main challenge was the relatively new climate terms. For example, 'carbon credit', 'carbon trading' and other terms in the climate space that would normally not come up in our day-to-day conversations,” she noted. “The fact that we worked in twos, threes and in other cases in fours or fives in one conference room made it easier as we supported each other and took turns,” she noted. “Simultaneous interpretation in such a technically charged environment is not always easy.” Wambui explained why until recently, the deaf community had largely been excluded from climate conversations. "Climate change issues are usually explained in difficult words, climate change issues are not insisted much on our media and our education systems, (and) we do not have climate change champions in disability at large,” she stated. In 2006, the UN General Assembly approved the Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPWD). which anctioned the inclusion of the deaf community through sign language in television broadcasts. Kenya ratified this convention in 2008 and called for the incorporation of sign language interpreters in mainstream media. As a result, sign language in television broadcasts was made a requirement. The mainstream media in the country embraced this move by incorporating interpreters, especially during prime-time news, to cater for the deaf community. Nadine Hellen, who suffers from a hearing disability, said incorporating interpreters in media has enabled the deaf community to keep up with what is happening in the country and around them. “I like the TV stations who have sign language interpreters even on entertainment programs because I get to enjoy without having to read subtitles,” she said. Hellen pointed to issues pertaining to language as one reason that the deaf community has struggled to engage with international events and broadcast content. "A majority of deaf people were born deaf, English is their second language and understanding complex words from interpreters is not easy, hence the message sometimes is ignored or distorted," she said. Further, the small boxes containing the sign interpretation on broadcasts can be too small, especially when interpreters use sign fingerspelling rather than signing. "The speed of interpretation sometimes is too fast, for instance, when fingerspelling words with no signs, TV interpreters don't fingerspell twice they only follow the speech and speed of the news host,” she noted. However, having deaf journalists delivering TV content has allowed her to build a far better connection to events and to TV shows. She also feels that deaf journalists give the deaf a voice in society. “Deaf journalists and sign language interpreters enable me to follow news on the television since they have a connection, (while) interpreters are voices to the deaf and when they interpret the hearing community understands deaf message as well,” Hellen said. Despite the challenges, Wambui believes that it is through difficult assignments that new signing develops. “No language is static, language evolves and changes by the day. This is not any different with sign language," she said. For Kaindi and her colleagues at Sign TV, that means challenging themselves, constantly. Something that Kaindi seems to have been ready for, since birth. bird story agency

  • Mushroom millionaires in the making, thanks to this 62-year-old expert

    With annual demand for mushrooms of 1200 tonnes and local production of only 500, a Kenyan mushroom expert with 35 years of experience is training young growers to become millionaires. Cynthia Rotich, bird story agency In a cosy workshop in Eldoret in western Kenya, Jackton Onyango Otieno, a down-to-earth, 62-year-old mushroom expert is completely engrossed in the delicate art of preparing a proper mushroom substrate. Around him is huddled a group of eager youths, taking in his every word. Judging by the regular smiles, Otieno's energy and passion for sharing his expertise is infectious and he clearly finds joy in sharing his expertise and nurturing the next generation of mushroom enthusiasts. Despite the sense of jollity in the workshop, however, there's a deadly serious reason why Otieno is keen to disseminate his knowledge as widely as possible. “Mushroom growing plays a crucial role in promoting food security because mushrooms are a nutritious source of food that can be grown quickly and efficiently. They require minimal space and can be a very lucrative venture if done well,” Otieno explained. In 1986, Otieno embarked on a journey to build a wider mushroom industry in Kenya by co-founding Eldoret Mushrooms; a pioneering enterprise in the mushroom business. From there he played a role in establishing other active mushroom farms around Kenya, with Eldoret, historically a farming town, now a focal point for mushroom farming, or myciculture, in the country. "Over 35 years ago, I was a farm hand at a mushroom farm in Eldoret and this is how I got introduced to the art of mushroom growing. From there, I have worked with several other farms all over the country and this is how I got to master the skill of mushroom growing," Otieno explained. Otieno now also oversees multiple, profitable mushroom production cycles at the University of Eldoret in a project he helped establish in 2018. According to Otieno, while mushroom farming in Kenya can be profitable, it is essential for farmers to gain the necessary knowledge and skills and apply the proper cultivation techniques to maximize profitability. Mushroom farming can play a crucial role in promoting food security because mushrooms are a nutritious source of food that can be grown quickly and efficiently, he said. They require minimal space and can be lucrative if the venture is well managed. “Mushroom growing is a very delicate process. It is important to seek professional help before starting the venture. The most crucial steps is the preparation of substrate and temperature monitoring in the grow houses. Farmers who invest in learning about best practices, proper cultivation techniques, and market trends are more likely to experience higher profitability," he explained. With agronomic conditions which are ideal for cultivating various types of mushrooms, Kenya is well-positioned to produce enough mushrooms to meet local demand and for export. “Mushrooms are versatile and the good news is that they can grow in any part of the country. The main conditions mushrooms require to grow are; a reliable water supply, shelter and stable temperatures ranging from 15 to 30 degrees. Button mushrooms are the most popular in Kenya because people like consuming them," Otieno shared. According to a survey conducted by the National Farmer Information Service (NAFIS), Kenya produces 500 tonnes of mushrooms yearly against an annual demand of 1200 tonnes. Due to the deficit, Kenya has to import from other countries like Rwanda, which has a significant presence in the sector. Otieno’s mission is to empower young people in Kenya by teaching them how to grow mushrooms, enabling them to become self-employed and successful farmers. His impact goes beyond teaching the skill of mushroom cultivation. He has actively partnered with various youth empowerment organizations, such as the Enable Youth Kenya Program, to reach a wider audience and provide comprehensive training to aspiring farmers. Kipkogei Chemitei, coordinator for the Enable Youth Program and also a mushroom expert, has worked with Otieno and has been able to witness his input in the industry. “In addition to contributing significantly to the University of Eldoret's mushroom production program, he has mentored numerous regional mushroom growers, earning recognition as the foremost authority in mushroom production. Mr. Onyango plays a pivotal role in training young mushroom growers through the ENABLE Youth program, where he serves as a consultant and facilitates the dissemination of mushroom production knowledge," Chemitei said. According to Otieno, mushroom farming is very lucrative and the capital required to start is relatively low. “You do not need a big piece of land to start growing mushrooms. You only require a small indoor space like a spare room to start production. This is why I encourage the youth, especially, to tap into this venture because you can be a (Kenya shilling) millionaire in just two months,” he explained. "With a quarter of an acre, it is possible to harvest over 1000 kilograms of mushrooms in one harvest. A kilogram of mushrooms in Kenya costs up to 600 shillings [about US$40]," he added. Over the years, Otieno has successfully trained and guided more than 200 young individuals, many of whom have gone on to establish their own mushroom-farming businesses. These young entrepreneurs have not only found financial success but have also experienced personal growth and fulfilment through their newfound skills. Janet Chepkoech, a mushroom farmer from Eldoret, is a graduate of Otieno's mushroom school. Otieno taught her the skill of mushroom cultivation, and she's been able to benefit financially from it. "Jackton has really changed my life. Thanks to his teachings, I have started growing and selling fresh button mushrooms from my farm in Kapsoya, Eldoret. I can't thank him enough for the financial benefits I've gained from this skill and the way he has been able to introduce me to this lucrative venture in agriculture," she said. "I am optimistic that I will become a successful mushroom farmer in the future. Jackton's teachings have instilled in me a sense of confidence and a belief in my abilities. I'm excited for the journey ahead and the possibilities that lie in cultivating mushrooms," said one of his students, Douglas Mutwiri. With Otieno's guidance, the would-be entrepreneurs are learning the techniques of cultivating different varieties of mushrooms, ensuring high-quality produce. “There is need to teach more people how to earn money through this venture because the mushroom demand in Kenya is still very high. My goal is to demonstrate how much potential the mushroom industry has,” Otieno concluded. bird story agency Useful links: https://www.kefaas.org/national-farmers-information-service/

  • Once it was only for royalty: traditional carving remains big in Benin

    Emanuel Osifo's forefathers would only carve sculptures to celebrate the Benin kings and affluent families. Today, Osifo is passing on his "inherited" skills to anyone willing to learn the traditional craft of wood carving. Bright Emwanta Igbinomwanhia, bird story agency On the bustling 25\ 27 Igbesanmwan Street in Benin City, Southern Nigeria, a small white shop with rusty corrugated metal roofing stands between similar rundown buildings. Despite its dilapidated appearance, the Emma O Carving Depot, owned by Emanuel Osifo, holds a remarkable collection of historical artefacts. The store showcases various bronze and wood pieces, such as masks, medals, tools, plaques and sculptures of varying sizes and colours. While some are new, other older pieces are evidence of an ancient tradition. A common belief in Benin City is that certain families have a genetic inclination for sculptural art. The case of Osifo is no exception. The reality, however, is that thousands of hours of practice go into mastery of the ancient woodcarving craft. Even though he started working as a professional wood and ivory carver right after secondary school, Osifo started practising the skill in childhood. "I have been carving since my primary school days. My father's family are carvers, and his father's family were carvers, and that is how I learned to carve. Besides, my primary school teacher would normally bring wood and chisel to the classroom for carving lessons," the shop owner explained with a smile. The Benin Empire, also called the Kingdom of Benin, was located in southern Nigeria. It was a highly organised king-oriented state formation renowned for its thriving economy and celebrated art, including wood and ivory sculptures and its bronze works. Benin's rulers, or Obas, created a guild of talented carvers in Benin called the Igbesamwan, who made significant wood and ivory carvings for the king and other wealthy people in the kingdom. When the British forces attacked Edo, razing it and bringing the Benin Kingdom to an end in 1897, they looted the artefacts from the royal palace with the result that today the largest collections of ancient Beninese art are displayed not in Nigeria but in museums in London and Berlin. While the Kingdom - and with it the economy that allowed the carvers to live comfortable lives - collapsed, the culture's wood carving traditions have lived on through craftsmen like Osifo. When hired to carve, the founder of Emma O's Carvings admits that he is not overly concerned with making money. He does, however, determine his fee based on the size of the artwork. "The bigger it is, the more expensive it becomes." To pass his carving knowledge to upcoming generations, Osifo hosts youth apprenticeship programs. "I have taught many people who are now their own bosses and also people who have travelled abroad," he explained, emphasising that what he teaches is the ancient ways of carving, rather than quicker, modern processes. "Machines cannot carve wood for you because it won't give you what you want," Osifo explained. bird story agency

  • African women CEOs in tech startups are narrowing the funding gap

    Tech startups in Africa led by women are attracting an increasing share of funding. Experts believe that with increased mentoring, this gender gap can be narrowed further. Bonface Orucho, bird story agency Funding to female-led tech startups in Africa is surging, defying previous regressive trends. According to Africa: The Big Deal's latest Q3 2023 report, woman-led startups now command 19% of total equity funding—the highest since Q1 2021. This marks the fourth consecutive quarter of growth, according to the Africa startup database and insights provider, and is a substantial increase from a year ago, when the amount was only 4% in Q4 2022, increasing to 7% in Q1 2023, 12% in Q2, and now 19%. The 19% share stands as the second-highest share since 2019, trailing only Q1 2021's, 25%, recorded at a time when startup funding was in full flow in Africa. However, despite this upswing, the funding landscape remains riddled with stark gender disparities. From the outset of 2023 up to the latest Q3, a staggering 73% of equity funding flowed into startups devoid of female founders. Conversely, less than 2% was garnered by those without male founders. Additionally, while female CEOs secured roughly 11% of total equity funding in 2023, translating to US$154 million, that amount was dwarfed by the US$1.2 billion amassed by their male counterparts. However, Max Glacomelli, a researcher at Africa: The Big Deal, points out that the gender gap is narrowing. “Basically, for every dollar raised by a female CEO, this year male CEOs raised nearly 8 dollars... It is nothing compared to what it was last year when for every dollar a female CEO raised, male CEOs raised 29 dollars,” he explained in a recent webinar. A highlight of these major funding rounds in the latest quarter has been the health tech sector. In July, Rwandan women’s health tech startup Kasha secured a US$21 million Series B investment. This injection of capital aims to bolster its footprint across the continent, with expansion plans set for West Africa in 2023. Likewise, MyDawa, a Kenyan e-health startup, raised a substantial US$20 million, with a strategic focus on scaling operations in Kenya and Uganda, where it earlier acquired a pharmacy e-health startup, Guardian Health. Kikelomo Owoyale, a Nigerian startup consultant and financial analyst, shed light on the hurdles hindering female-led tech startups, including gender bias, demand constraints, and self-imposed limitations. “It's vital to not only promote diversity in investment networks and showcase successful women entrepreneurs but also empower women to break free from self-imposed constraints,” she explained. A 2023 report by Disrupt Africa revealed that fewer than 10% of African tech startups are led by female CEOs, and less than 15% have a female co-founder. “More women should be prepared and mentored to show up first as founders or co-founders... and then make their ask with a clear value proposition,” said Imade Bibowei-Osuobeni, president of the board of trustees at Tech Herfrica, a Nigerian fintech. The growth trend among female-led tech startups comes at a time when the broader tech funding ecosystem, both in Africa and globally, is in a slump. According to Big Deal, the funding landscape in Q3 2023 was the most subdued since Q4 2020. In Q3 2023, global venture funding decreased by 15% to US$73 billion compared to the previous year, according to Crunchbase. PitchBook data shows globally, all-women founding teams secured 1.9% of total venture capital, amounting to US $2.4 billion out of US $125 billion allocated through Q3. This figure is lower than the previous year's Q3, where they raised US$4.1 billion of US$205 billion; this represents 2% of the total capital raised. bird story agency

  • Eswatini’s youngest MP ready to empower the youth amid tampered hopes

    The 2023 Eswatini General Elections will remain one of the historical elections in the history of Africa’s last absolute monarchy as it elected its youngest-ever MP. Nonduduzo Kunene, bird story agency A spark of trust, hope and faith has been ignited in the youth of the Kingdom of Eswatini, all thanks to Zombodze Emuva Constituency in the Shiselweni Region, in the southern part of the country, who chose to elect Thando Mkhonta, 28, as their MP. Bible in hand and with a serious look on his face, Mkhonta was among 59 elected as well as 10 appointed MPs who were sworn-in on October 6, 2023 for the 12th Parliament in Eswatini, Africa’s last absolute monarchy. In an interview just after the swearing-in ceremony, which was combined with the election of Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly, Mkhonta heaved a sigh of relief as he stated that; “Finally the youth has a voice in parliament.” Mkhonta highlighted that he hadn’t anticipated that he would ever be a legislator in his life as he doesn’t come from a line of politicians. After his IT graduation from Limkokwing University of Technology in 2016, Mkhonta started working for several non-governmental organisations that were running various projects along his home area among other rural communities in Eswatini. “As I was working with organisations and growing up in my community, people were noticing my life,” he said. Uplifting the youth In addition to his IT qualification, Mkhonta is also in the public transport sector as he operates a fleet of vehicles around the Shiselweni Region. He said his interest in joining politics was sparked by what people said they wanted in their MP and the concerns raised by young people about the perceptions that were drawn about them in parliament. “As we were engaging during several stages that included civic voter education, I discovered that people were looking into re-electing the then MP of Zombodze, yet they were expecting different results,” he said. “It was then that I felt the strong need and urge to join politics and uplift young people, not only those from my constituency but the country at large through legislation that will be passed in the 12th Parliament,” he added. Mkhonta has ambitions not only to uplift the youth but also to advocate for the welfare of elderly people. "My dream is to see change in this constituency and that is what I was preaching during when I was campaigning and seeing everyone being committed to the cause as what can fuel change is everyone's commitment. The change l am talking about is all about development as we have always been lagging behind, the youth in particular and increasing the elderly grant from 500 lilangeni (US$27) monthly through moving motions that will see the review of some of the Acts related to the subject matters.” The MP said he would further ensure that every law that is passed by the 12th Parliament would also work to advantage the youth. He highlighted that sometimes young people end up being clueless about the legislative business because they are not part of the system. Mkhonta pledged to ensure the youth stayed abreast of every law that is lobbied in parliament. “I will work with the Ministry of Sport, Culture and Youth Affairs to capacitate the youth and further ensure that the youth make contributions in all the laws and policies that the parliament would be busy with,” he said. Eswatini does not conduct multiparty elections. The country uses a system of government called Tinkhundla System or Monarchical Democracy. Candidates and the electorate join the elections on individual merits not through their political parties since they do not have recognition under the Tinkhundla System. The general election is divided into three categories which are the nominations stage, Primary Elections and Secondary Elections. In 2023 the nominations were conducted on July 22 2023. During the nominations stage, members of the community nominate people in three categories which are bucopho (councillor), indvuna yenkhundla (constituency headman) and lilunga lephalamende (MP). The maximum number of people that can be nominated in each category shouldn’t be less than three but not more than 20. Eswatini held the secondary elections on September 29, 2023 in 59 constituencies. Mkhonta was part of the entire process when was first nominated under Zombodze Emuva Constituency. During the primary election, he defeated the the 11th Parliament Zombodze Emuva MP, Muzi Kunene. In the secondary election that cemented his seat in the 12th Parliament, Mkhonta obtained 2,246 votes from all four communities under the constituency beating 9th Parliament Zombodze Emuva MP Titus Thwala, who obtained 1,646 votes and 10th Parliament MP Johan Ndlangamandla. Hopeful community Most members of the Zombodze electorate have high hopes for their new MP. One of them is Nozipho Madonsela, a resident of Mampondweni, a community under Zombodze Constituency. Madonsela was at the forefront of canvassing votes for Mkhonta. "I was pleased to learn that the people trusted Ntando. I can't wait to see Ntando standing up for young people and changing the narrative about them in Parliament," she shared. Madonsela mentioned that in 2021 the country had civil unrest and most young people were part of it. “Among other things, the social unrest was fueled by the fact that young people were not heard and they didn’t have a voice in Parliament. We were side-lined in a lot of things and for that reason we were frustrated. Instead of the then legislators to see our frustration and see things from our point of view and meet us at a point of convergence we were bashed and called "those that don’t vote" by some MPs,” she disclosed. “We are hopeful that Ntando will rewrite the history of young people and make the entire country see that their youth has so much to offer but needs an enabling environment and be included in the formation of the peaceful and prosperous nations,” she added. Eswatini’s highest population is the youth which forms 70% of the total. This is according to statistics by the Ministry of Economic Planning. During the 2023 election, 584 710 people registered to vote. According to Chairman of the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) Mhlabuhangene Dlamini, this was above 91.2% of the population that is eligible to vote. The election had over 80 observers, both from the SADC Region as well as the African Union (AU). On October 1, 2023, Head of the SADC Electoral Observation Mission (SEOM) and Former Vice President of Zambia, Enock Kandivele, lauded the peace that surrounded the voting process. Kavindele highlighted the “inclusiveness, impartial, free and fair elections”. He added that in as much as political parties were not incorporated in the Tinkhundla System, the electoral process by virtue of being on individual merit does not prohibit people to join as individuals. Tampered hopes While much is expected to be achieved by Mkhonta for Eswatini youths, a political analyst and lecturer at the University of Eswatini (UNESWA), Dr Petros Magagula felt the need to address the entire system of government and its current limitations. Magagula first highlighted that in the past year, people were calling for dialogue. “The type of dialogue should be according to the recommendations of the SADC, not the 'Peoples Parliament', which occurs after every five years after the general elections,” Magagula stressed. He further stressed that before Eswatini could celebrate the election of young people to parliament, the house should be a neutral and safe ground to debate national issues. "Unless serious national issues are debated in Parliament without the fear of being arrested or made out to be an outcast that attacks the system or authorities, we can celebrate young people and women in Parliament," he said. However, Magagula noted that since MPs have an obligation to also look after their communities besides politics, Mkhonta can make a difference in his constituency by bringing opportunities for young people through the connections he will make. “If these young MPs, including Mkhonta, could capacitate the youth with legislative business, there will be an increase in youth participation in the formation of laws. I'm looking forward to the youth dominating stakeholders' submissions when a new legislation is proposed," Magagula said. Mkhonta urged former legislators as well as those who didn’t make it in the 2023 General Elections not to abandon their goals as they can help him and other newly elected MPs. “To those who were part of the race, I am requesting them to support me as I need their ideas, which they brought up when we were campaigning. We are supposed to work together and also need their experience more especially the former politicians. We can achieve a lot when we are united,” he concluded. bird story agency

  • Nigeria launches huge human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination drive, to fight cervical cancer

    Nigeria has undertaken one of the largest vaccination efforts against HPV ever, in a fight against the virus responsible for nearly all cases of cervical cancer. bird story agency Nigeria has officially introduced a vaccine program against the human papillomavirus virus (HPV) into Nigeria's routine immunisation system, a pivotal moment in the country's fight against cervical cancer-related deaths. “This is a momentous occasion that we are introducing a vaccine to prevent young girls from no longer having to suffer the pain and burden of cervical cancer,” said Muhammad Ali Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, at an event to mark the occasion in Abuja on October 24. The campaign against cervical cancer is being conducted together with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, WHO and UNICEF, Gavi had previously suspended funding for programs in Nigeria because the country lacked a government-sanctioned and structured immunization program for HPV vaccines. Nigeria has had problems with immunisation drives in the past. The country famously saw outbreaks of polio following a successful worldwide eradication campaign, when three northern Nigerian states refused to administer polio vaccines due to suspicions of Western interference following the US-led invasion of Iraq. Nigeria will now have direct access to Gavi funds, giving the country the flexibility to request or demand support for primary healthcare matters, especially concerning vaccines and related services. Under the campaign, Gardasil will be administered to girls between the ages of 9 to 14 years. The vaccine is known for its high effectiveness in preventing HPV types 16 and 18 infections, responsible for a minimum of 70% of cervical cancers. “Every year, we lose about 12000 women from cervical cancer in Nigeria. More than 90% of these cancers are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV)," Pate said. He urged parents of daughters, like himself, to ensure they are vaccinated. Assietou Diouf, Gavi’s Chief Financial Officer, said that with integration into the mainstream immunization programs, the vaccine would also help ease the current health system burden. “In Nigeria itself, cervical cancer is the second most prevalent cancer. And unfortunately, it's also the second most frequent cancer death among women who are between 15 and 44 years of age,” Diouf explained. The Gavi-led initiative is supported by the Ministry of Health (MOH), the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, CHAI, various civil society organizations, SYDANI, and numerous other stakeholders and the vaccines are administered completely free. The campaign was heralded by a five-day mass vaccination campaign in schools and communities. Apart from the vaccine roll-out, Gavi has also pioneered an approach to co-financing vaccination programs. Countries share the costs of the vaccine programmes by directly co-procuring a portion of the vaccines and safe injection devices. “We are here to build a sustainable program. We're not in countries to stay, whether it's Nigeria or the countries in our portfolio. Our success is to exit the country,” Diouf said. Diouf was optimistic that the measures put in Nigeria will ensure a smooth uptake and keep the numbers up. “It's a chain of steps that needs to be all in place. And getting the vaccine it's only the starting point. You have to have your population ready to take the vaccine. You have to engage with the civil society in most of the countries because most of the target population is in remote areas.” Ahead of the rollout, UNICEF worked with experts to study what people thought about the HPV virus and the vaccine, creating radio and TV messages in different local languages to help provide reliable information on the campaign. The UN agency has also provided mobile clinics and equipment to keep the vaccines cold and safe. Gavi is also looking to empower countries to manufacture their own vaccines, a need borne from a global shortage of vaccines. “The demand for vaccines in Africa is about 1 billion doses per year, yet we only produce around 1% of the vaccine that is used on the continent... African leaders have really taken the ambition to produce 60% of the vaccines in the continent... and Gavi is delighted to support this ambition,” Diouf, whose sister was a survivor of cervical cancer, noted. “Many women are suffering and are not able to get cured. It's a disease that talks about the core of what we are, it's about women who are giving lives. So it's a generation of future leaders, doctors and journalists,” she said. bird story agency

  • An AI helped bring this trafficked child home - now its doing the same for hundreds more

    When nine-year-old Phillista went missing in 2021, a local organisation teamed up with her family and police to bring her home. AI was key. Gitonga Njeru, bird story agency Phillista Waithera's mother said she had begun a new life after the return of her daughter thanks to the novel use of technology. The 11-year-old was first reported missing in Nairobi in July 2021 when she was just nine years old. At the time Waithera went missing, there were many other reported cases of missing children in the country. Based on media reports at the time, children aged between 0 to 13 years were the biggest victims. "We have worked closely with the police and several organizations to track down our daughter. It took a lot of patience and perseverance," Waithera's mother, Ann said. Waithera was reunited with her immediate family in July 2023 thanks to Face Age Progression (FAP) technology used by Kenyan non-profit, the Missing Child Kenya Foundation. Ann Waithera provided photographs from when her daughter was 9 years old and these were run through an artificial intelligence (AI) app using FAP technology, which came up with a slightly older version of Phillista and was used to locate her. "The traffickers managed to sneak me out of the country into Turkey. I was trafficked for sex work. But fortunately, the hotel owner allowed me to be with a cashier at the bar. There were many men buying sex from young girls who were held captive together. The hotel had rooms," Phillista Waithera shared. “I experienced four rape attempts but luckily it did not happen. But what is most traumatizing is that many of my fellow young girls ended up being killed and their bodies hidden by the criminals,” the 11-year-old said. Ann Waithera still can't believe how lucky she is to have her daughter safely home. "I am happy to have my eldest child back into the family. She was reported missing in July 2021 and she was found the same month this year. It has been two years of sadness and tears. But my daughter is unharmed and healthy. She has been going through counselling to integrate her back to normal life. She will be going through many more sessions for some time to come," Waithera shared. But Phillista and Ann are only one example of a growing number of family reunions that have AI technology to thank. "In a single calendar year during 2021, we located a record 298 children using AI. We hope we can reach the 2,000 figure some day," said Maryanna Munyendo, CEO and founder of Missing Child Kenya Foundation. According to figures from the United Nations, 19,000 children are trafficked from Kenya each year. Out of that total number, only 8.5% have been found. But of those found, technology plays a huge role. "So far, we have successfully managed to reunite slightly less than 1,000 children since 2016. Faces are as important as fingerprints and hair follicles," Munyendo said. Munyendo works closely with law enforcement authorities to locate missing children. Both local and international police play a big role in tracking down missing children. "We have also successfully utilized surveillance cameras in Nairobi through analysing data of movements of missing children. Through AI, data has been tracked to other countries. Some of these missing children have been missing for many years,” Munyendo added. She noted that while most parents call the police and put a notification on social media or newspapers and alert neighbours, there are other important ways to track down missing loved ones. "While this is good, it is important to seriously involve other people. AI is commonly used to locate missing children in real-time,” added Munyendo, who is also a child safety education consultant. Munyendo said that while at least 25 of the trafficked people her organisation has tracked have been documented as deceased, techniques to prevent trafficking are improving. "What is good is that artificial intelligence is also being used in predictive policing. This has prevented a lot of crimes from happening, including cases of attempted child trafficking. Many such cases have been prevented and led to immediate arrests. We have worked closely with law enforcement on this," Munyendo said. John Onyango, a police officer working with Kenya's Department of Criminal Investigations (DCI), noted that historical data is important in crime prevention. "Use of predictive policing while utilizing historical data is important. As police officers, we compare statistical data in specific geographical areas where we believe there is an increased chance of criminal activity. We use different machine models and algorithms. This action has prevented higher cases of child trafficking," Onyango said. According to Onyango, this form of AI, together with facial recognition has improved dramatically. "These technologies keep improving by being upgraded every time. Also, we have identified the main perpetrators using AI technologies. There are some wanted criminals and some outside our borders," he said. Onyango said that figures of missing children change daily. "Children are reported missing every day, so it is difficult to get the latest figures. Unfortunately, the number of children reported missing, only a small fraction are found. But I am happy to say that in the few found, artificial intelligence has played a big role. We see hope for the future," said Onyango. Missing Child Kenya has a figure of 109 children countrywide who have already been rescued and taken to government-owned children's homes, during 2023. Munyendo noted that the figure could top 400 for 2023, an increase from the record 2021 figure of 298 children. Phillista Waithera, one of the lucky ones, is happy to have her childhood back. "I am in school and I play a lot with my friends. My favourite sport is athletics. I hope one day to compete in the Olympics. I love running the 200 meters. I did not expect to be back with my family. I'm surprised," she said. bird story agency

  • Water startup initiates safe water access for Lake Victoria residents

    A clever water provision solution built by two local entrepreneurs is providing clean drinking water to thousands of residents at two Lake Victoria beach communities. Thuku Kariuki, bird story agency When Odak Onyango and Vallery Adhiambo were growing up along the shores of Lake Victory in western Kenya, clean water was abundant and not something people were concerned about. “We grew up at a time when this water was not a problem in terms of quality. There were not so many agricultural activities and microplastics,” said Onyango, a local entrepreneur who has turned the growing problem of contaminated water into an opportunity - thanks to a unique and locally applicable solution. Onyango has a master's degree in community arts and also studied entrepreneurship at Utrecht University in the Netherlands. He received water purification and filtration training from Aquablu, a Netherlands-based start-up credited with making canal water in Amsterdam canals safe for drinking. "Today what we get, in terms of microplastic per week, is unbelievable," he said of the water in Lake Victoria; a situation that prompted him to partner with Adhiambo, a 28-year-old with a background in environmental science and an undergraduate degree that saw her focus on water sustainability in rural areas. Onyango and Adhiambo are the founders of MSafi, which describes itself as a "smart water ATM". Their system draws dirty water directly from the lake, or from a borehole, using a pump powered by solar. Water is piped into tanks, where the purification process starts. “So, what we do is, first of all, pre-filter this water. We remove the hard metals, like, really, iron. We let them sink in the tank. That will yield some purification. After that, we do pre-filtration, and then we do active carbon, which removes all the smell and colour. We then use reverse osmosis, or we can use ultra-filtration and then we use UV lamps for ultraviolet rays. That means you don't need firewood to heat the water again,” Onyango said. Homabay County, where the project is situated, has 146 beaches and the organisation plans to open clean water points in each one of them, through a partnership with the county government. Already operating in two locations and preparing two more, their vision is to scale 50 in the next year. The tanks located at the beaches offer safe drinking water to communities situated nearby. “When we came here, we saw a problem because most women engage in business, and they have children to take care of. When you looked at the distances that they were walking just to get this clean drinking water, it was very far... For some women, that was a task and they would end up just having this lake water directly to drink, like that,” Adhiambo shared. Adhiambo noted that drinking dirty lake water exposed the community to a lot of waterborne diseases. “We would get a lot of diseases coming up from this area because we'd get like 50 people admitted for cholera, you'd get outbreaks and you'd get all these waterborne diseases affecting them. So, we said this area needs an intervention and we have the intervention," she said. Their 'water ATM' water purification point has an integrated payment system that offers unique personal identification numbers (PINs), enabling customers to register and use the system without having to wait for an attendant. Residents pay 3 shillings (about 2 US cents) per 20 litres of pre-filtered water and 40 shillings (about 27 US cents) for 20 litres of mineral water. The duo's initiative, which operates as a startup, Wable Maji Safi Solutions, is now helping fishing communities around the lake. Both fishermen and fishmongers from the area are getting more time to spend on their jobs instead of long searches for clean water. Oluoch Adero is a fisherman operating from the beach at Lwanda-Nyamasare. After spending many hours trying his luck fishing in the lake, he would be left with no time to look for clean drinking water - resulting in him and his family consuming contaminated water from the lake. “We have a hospital here called Nyia which used to be frequently crowded with people complaining of stomach complications like diarrhoea, and stomach ache but nowadays we don’t have such cases,” Adero said. According to Adhiambo, Wable Maji Safi has its water tested regularly by a relevant water quality laboratory. “Our tests were done by the county government of Homabay in the water quality laboratory in Kisumu. We have in place where the water quality assurance is done by them, we monitor it very closely," Adhiambo said. Lucy Achieng, a fishmonger, is another beneficiary. She lives a few meters from the water point, making it hugely convenient for her to obtain fresh water. Achieng previously operated a small hotel by the beachside but now owns a fish business. “I have shifted to the fish business and the water also helps me at home with my family. My fish customers appreciate clean drinking water. so I want to thank Wable for giving us clean water for the past 2 years,” she said. Achieng wants the organisation to expand their project and benefit other communities the same way they have benefited hers. “They should continue helping other communities get clean water. Now we have access to clean water and there are no diseases. For me, I just want to say thank you very much,” she said. bird story agency

  • A savings and credit cooperative is still helping members decades after its formation

    When over a hundred Kenyan teachers came together to form a financial support group 46 years ago, they did not envision their group would grow into a savings scheme with thousands of members - including career journalist Brenda Naharanga. Nathan Ombuni, bird story agency As Brenda Naharanga weeded her two-acre farm in the Ikonyero area of Kakamega County in western Kenya, she explained that were it not for a local savings and credit cooperative society, she would not own the farmland she stood on. On it, she has put up a two permanent bedroomed house. She has also planted maize for the short rain season and some indigenous vegetables which she sells to local schools. “For a long time, I had yearned to own a property, either a piece of land or a commercial apartment but with meagre salaries and the high cost of living, I always deferred that dream from my "To Do" at the beginning of every year when drafting my goals for that year,” Naharanga said. Naharanga's dream seemed far-fetched as a career journalist with a low income. However, this changed with a chance visit to a friend's home. “I went to see a friend of mine and admired her lifestyle. She seemed not to be struggling in life and when I inquired of the secret behind the success I was seeing, she told me that, she saves with a local Sacco that gives five times in loans of a member’s share capital with a favourable interest rate compared to what commercials banks were offering,” she added In Kenya, a Sacco is a savings and credit cooperative organisation, a type of savings highly popular with unbanked participants in the informal sector and rural communities. After the visit, Naharanga joined Invest and Grow (IG) Sacco Society Limited, a savings and credit cooperative located in the heart of Kakamega. "I used to make monthly savings of at least 5000 shillings (U$33.60 dollars). After saving for a year, I saved about 100, 000 shillings (US$668.67 dollars). I went to the Sacco management and gave them my plan. They gave me a form to get at least five guarantors who were members of the Sacco and when they agreed to guarantee me, the Sacco advanced 500,000 shillings (US$3,343.36 dollars) to my account,” said Naharanga. A long history IG Sacco came into existence 46 years ago and was initially registered as Kakamega Teachers (Kateco) Sacco. It was formed by a group of 115 teachers, employees of the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) who were seeking to access affordable financial services like cheap loans and mortgages on affordable terms. In Kenya, Saccos are registered under the Ministry of Cooperatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Development. A Sacco is authorized to take deposits from and lend to, its members. In practice, a Sacco accumulates individuals' savings, provides loans and invests in financial securities or real estate. Saving with a Sacco is different from a bank because there are no charges attached to the savings but a member’s savings earn dividends annually. Members cannot access their savings unless they terminate their membership or obtain credit. During the initial stages, the IG Sacco underwent financial challenges that threatened its existence, but upon its rebranding - opening doors to locals from other professions to join it - in 2015, it metamorphosed into a giant Sacco. According to the Cooperatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Development Cabinet Secretary, Simon Chelugui, the entity is today ranked the 7th-best deposit Sacco nationally. “They are a good example of how a cooperative society can transform lives. Amidst tough economic times, the Sacco has remained resilient and truthful to its members,” Chelugui said, adding that well-run Saccos in the country "give me hope". According to the country's Sacco Societies Regulatory Authority (SASRA) savings cooperatives have a consolidated asset base of at least 1.5 trillion shillings (over US$10 billion) and a loan portfolio of 900 billion shillings (US$6 billion), with a membership base of some 14 million active savers. “The cooperative movement is an ideal vehicle to ensure success towards financial inclusion to many people who cannot access financial services from banks and other conventional institutions,” Chelugui said. IG Sacco's Chairman, Kennedy Keya, speaking during the launch of the organisation's latest five-year strategic plan, said that changing the Sacco's rules to allow for wider membership had been transformational. "From a membership of 20,763 active in 2017 to 33,724 active members in 2023, the Sacco is setting its sights on new heights in our new strategic plan," he disclosed. The Sacco has an asset base of 13.2 billion shillings (US$89.5 million) and a loan portfolio of 9.8 billion shillings (US$ 66.4 million). “The move to rebrand the Sacco and allow more members from other professions to save with us was a blessing... The Sacco is now a stable and superior brand that has seen us weather many storms but still providing financial solutions to our members,” Keya said. It was a blessing, too, for Naharanga. Combining money from the Sacco with other savings to purchase her two-acre piece of land, she is planning to borrow from the cooperative for other expenses again in the near future. “The repayment period is very flexible; you can opt to take a shorter or a longer repayment period depending on your income. I have since repaid the loan and am planning to take another one next year for (the) tuition of my children who will be joining secondary school," Naharanga explained. bird story agency

  • Africa poised to be a world fashion leader - UN report

    A growing, worldwide interest in African cultural and fashion events supports the findings of a new report showing that Africa holds all the cards to become a global leader in fashion. Bonface Orucho, bird story agency Africa’s young, innovative, and growing population, a rising middle class, rapid urbanization, and increased government support are some of the factors fueling the African fashion sector, according to a new UNESCO report. The report, 'The Fashion Sector in Africa: Trends, Challenges, and Opportunities for Growth,' unveiled on October 26 during the 13th edition of the Lagos Fashion Week, shows that “the continent holds all the cards to become one of the next world fashion leaders.” “The potential is enormous, not only for the economy but also for young people’s inclusion, women’s empowerment, and for African culture to resonate globally,” Audrey Azoulay, UNESCO Director-General explains in the press statement accompanying the report. The bulk of African fashion businesses are micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), targeting a hyper-local market with ready-to-wear and made-to-order clothes. However, there is a growing number of high-fashion brands concentrated in key markets such as Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, and South Africa. These provide luxury products for a small group of local and international clients with high purchasing power. Last year, the overall luxury goods market was estimated to have generated nearly 6 billion dollars in revenues in Africa—a number that has been growing year on year. A fifth of this income was fueled by high fashion, a market that is expected to grow annually by 0.79% from 2023-2028. The sector holds immense potential, according to the report, and can be leveraged to draw extensive economic gains for African designers, stylists, and fashion creators. Africa is a major producer of fashion raw materials, with 37 out of 54 countries producing cotton. Textile exports from the continent average US$15.5 billion a year. Benin, for example, is the largest cotton-producing country in Africa, with fabric contributing between 12 and 13% of GDP. Wool, another textile and fashion raw material, is produced in significant quantities in southern and northern African countries. Silk is also available in Madagascar, Ethiopia, Namibia, and South Africa. Artisanal fibres such as raffia are produced in Cameroon, the Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Liberia, Madagascar, and Nigeria, while tree bark is used in Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Uganda. The continent also produces a wide variety of lesser-known, yet highly sustainable fibres, such as jute, kenaf, coir, flax, sisal, ramie, kapok, and abaca, which are now in demand with emerging designers seeking sustainable and local materials as the global fashion industry seeks to cut 30% of its emissions by 2030, with 2015 as the base year. There is also a growing consumer demand trend for fashion made in Africa, especially among young people, under-25s, who make up more than 35% of the population. This growing demand is exemplified by the rise in fashion exhibitions across major cities as designers, stylists, and sector entrepreneurs seek to show the best of their designs in a bid to tap investments. The UNESCO report estimates that about 32 fashion weeks are held annually in Africa. Between October 25 and 29, fashion designers pitched tent in Nigeria for the Lagos Fashion Week, one of the largest fashion exhibitions on the continent, with this year’s edition featuring close to 50 runway performances and shows. Renowned African designers ranging from Ivorian designer Artistide Lour of Kente Gentleman to Kenya’s Lilabare, among others, joined returning exhibitors such as Elie Kuame and Orange Culture to parade the best of African fashion. Omoyemi Akereke, the founder and CEO of Lagos Fashion Week, explained to the researchers of the UNESCO report the fast-changing trends among African consumers. "It’s really beautiful to see because it hasn’t always been like this. When we launched Lagos Fashion Week, we had to create a campaign around “Buy Nigerian" and “Buy African" to encourage people to start buying Nigerian or African. But fast forward a decade later, and that’s all people want to wear," she explained. However, while the growing demand locally is undoubtedly rising, affordability challenges limit full economic returns. This compels designers and stylists to export raw or semi-processed designs and later import processed and finished wears and designs. Africa's textile imports, including clothing and footwear, are valued at US$23.1 billion annually, almost double the value of exports. However, different country-level initiatives have been launched in key markets and are on course to impact the sector in the future. From setting up textile processing plants such as the Glo-Djigbe Industrial Zone in Benin, projected to process more than 18 million round and polo shirts, to the proposed Funtua integrated textile and garment park (ITGP) in Nigeria, these initiatives could transform the historical cottage industry into a high-end local processing industry that will catalyze fashion uptake. National governments, realizing the immense potential of the sector, have also increased support for its development. Some countries, such as Ghana, Lesotho, Kenya, and Malawi, are encouraging their citizens to wear locally-made creations, while “in Cote d’Ivoire, a ‘Local Wear Day” for civil servants focuses specifically on traditional woven fabrics,” the report explains. Others are organizing trade shows, bringing together sector players, and promoting shared partnerships. The "Africa Sourcing and Fashion Week," an annual event in Addis, is one such example. Others, such as the "Morocco Yarn and Fabric Sourcing Show" and "Togo’s International Fair for African Textiles", complete the long list of similar initiatives. There is also a growing interest among private sector players, with global fashion brands now flocking to the continent, seeking to be part of the fast-growing industry and market. Ethiopia, for instance, boasts of hosting more than 100 garment industries controlled by Chinese, Indian, and Turkish investors. Recently, H&M and Levi's, reputable global labels, have set up manufacturing facilities in the Eastern African country, relocating from China. fashionrevolution.org explains that investors are attracted especially to Ethiopia because of its rare historical expertise in its designs, such as the handwoven Ethiopian textiles cemented by favourable economic conditions in the country. Senegal is also thriving both in its domestic and foreign fashion industries. Domestically, the West African country has produced world-renowned labels such as Tongoro, Selly Raby Kane, Diarrablu, and Adam Paris. Foreign brands such as Levi's, Tommy Hilfiger, and Hugo Boss have also recently trooped to Dakar. The fashion industry globally is expected to double in the next 10 years, generating up to US$5 trillion annually. However, as renowned Nigerian fashion designer Sidahmed Seidnaly underscores, for Africa to ride on this trend, there is a need to build capacity around intra-African supply chains to stabilize the sector. “Africa should have the capacity to industrially produce textiles. It is difficult to make ready-to-wear collections with these constraints. Our fashion remains reserved for a minority because of production costs,” he explains. bird story agency Usefull link: https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000387230

  • A TikToker is dispelling myths about death dealers

    Wakuthi Kamau doesn't fit the mould of a mortician - and that's helping her dispel the typical media portrayals of the grey and melancholy male funeral home owner. Owen Konzolo, bird story agency 26 years old and passionate about changing public perceptions of her profession, Filinda Wakuthi Kamau initially comes across as your regular TikTok influencer. That's until you realise what her account, which has over 500,000 followers, is all about. Kamau has a license from the Kenyan Egerton University Funeral Home as an embalmer and funeral director and is one of a new generation of young morticians taking over TikTok with their informative videos seeking to dispel common myths about morticians. "I think the misconception most people have is that it's dark, scary, and doom all the time, when really it's the opposite. It's to be of service to people. It is to make the grief lighter. It is not to make things heavier,” Kamau shared. The member of the Morticians and Allied Professionals Association of Kenya has been working in the field since she was 19 and has prepared countless bodies for bereaved families. “I can’t recall the actual number, but I have attended to many bodies. There are so many young people out there working as morticians, but I’m the youngest in this facility,” she explained. Kamau’s role involves preparing the deceased for their funeral. Her daily routine consists of sanitising, cleaning, and sometimes reconstructing lifeless bodies in the event of accidents. After this, she speaks to family members about their preferred traditions and rituals for the last rites. To deconstruct myths about her job, Kamau uses her TikTok profile, @frimahkuthi, to share her experiences and routines and help people understand the death process better while challenging gender stereotypes associated with women working in morgues. She showcases how a younger generation is changing Africa's funeral industry, using short-form videos. In most of her TikTok videos, she can be seen wearing white overalls, gloves, and a face mask, inside a room where the deceased are kept in cabins. Kamau finds fulfilment in her job and advises people to respect humanity. “I describe myself as a proud mortician because I love my job and I work with passion. I am strong. I honour people’s last wishes, and I provide the best services to those grieving and the larger community,” she said. Her TikTok account is an interactive channel where she shares her thoughts on death, answers commonly asked questions, and also shares the most challenging moments she faces while on the job. A re-route led her here Kamua did not always intend to be a mortician. Her dream was to become a nurse or doctor. However, due to financial difficulties, she had to put her initial plans on hold. During this time, she was introduced to the profession by a community priest, who suggested that she pursue mortuary science while waiting for her family to raise enough money for her to take a nursing course. Because she loved science and wanted to help people in any way she could, Kamau opted to enrol in a three-month mortuary science course at the University of Nairobi, followed by a six-month internship. After completing her training, she began working at Egerton University Funeral Home. And while it may seem strange for a young woman in her mid-20s to speak passionately about a career that involves daily contact with tragedy and death, Kamau feels honoured to be able to help grieving families find peace. “Funerals are for the living. They are meant to help those left behind remember a life. And me being able to be the go-to person for someone whose world is crashing down, means everything to me," she said. "Being a part of something that's so much bigger than you is so important,” she added. One defining career moment for Kamau was handling the victims' remains from the 2016 Kapenguria Massacre, in which a police officer went on a rampage, killing six of his co-workers in Kapenguria Town, a sizable urban centre, some 400 kilometres from Nairobi, Kenya's capital. “That was a very scary moment, the scariest working part I’ve ever encountered,” she recalled. Other emotional moments include those when she has to handle the corpses of babies. “When I’m handling a baby, the most challenging part is that I am a mother. This makes me sad because I know the kid's journey has been cut short by death,” she shared. Dr. Vincent Musungu, a lecturer at the Kenya Medical Training College's Mortuary Science Program in Kisumu, recalled that during his training in 1989, he and 95% of his classmates were all male. He noted that the graduating class of 2022 at his school was predominantly female. According to the most recent data from the Morticians and Allied Professionals Association of Kenya, however, more than 50% of graduates from mortuary science programs in Kenya are women. "That's a huge flip because traditionally it's been predominantly men and very few women. But now we're seeing an increase in the number of women taking a bigger leap in the profession than ever before,” Musungu said. Kamau’s TikTok content inspired Christine Ledi Liviri, a student at the Kenya Medical Training College, to join the field. "I'm passionate about both life and death. I've been to several morgues, and I saw how dead people were mishandled by quacks. Then I stumbled upon Filinda's TikTok. I was moved and decided to enter this field. I am now a student of Mortuary Science at Kenya Medical Training College in Kisumu, thanks to her content," Liviri said. Women morticians still face challenges Despite all the progress, some women say they still face barriers. Stereotypes about women not being strong enough to lift coffins or worry about exposing pregnant workers to embalming chemicals make some male funeral home owners unwilling to employ women into their practices. "Many women in funeral services have to overcome the tendency of people thinking that they don't belong,'' Vincent disclosed. "We're too young. We're too short. We're too weak. That's not true. That's not true for men or women," Liviri added. History paints a picture of how these beliefs came to be. In Kenya, from the beginning of the 19th century, caring for the deceased was largely a woman's responsibility. However, when families could bring dead soldiers’ homes from distant battlefields thanks to embalming chemicals during World War 1, men started to dominate the field. Embalming required a higher level of study, from which women were systematically excluded. The country industrialised the funeral sector and made pursuing a job in the sector easier. The narrative that women were too sentimental or squeamish to deal with death quickly led to men taking over the new death care profession. However, with more and more women graduates available to an industry that now includes event organizing, grief counselling, and cosmetology, according to the Morticians and Allied Professionals Association of Kenya, there has been an influx of women. "We bring a different sense of nurture to the profession and just a different eye for things,” Kamau stated. As the market grows, Millennials and Gen-Zers are infiltrating the funeral business as youthful morticians become influential on social media. Kamau often tackles stereotypes within the industry with a welcome sense of humour. And she's not alone. The social media platform, best known for dance crazes, recipes, and life hacks, has a niche community of TikTok morticians who have gone viral for their videos promoting what they call "#death positivity”, with over 95 million views globally. "Having social media and those resources and other creators who are on social media promoting death education has definitely sort of been that catalyst for young people to be interested in the profession," Kamau said. Impacting the future While she doesn't see herself as an influencer, Kamau has unwittingly impacted the career paths of others. “Many people have reached out and advised them on how to get started, which they did. Some even came back to intern here with me, where I guided them before they went to venture on their own,” she disclosed. But being on TikTok has also presented a fair share of challenges for Kamau. “Some people report my account, and it gets blocked at times with claims that I give them sleepless nights with my content, and they get abusive about my work. To deal with this, I just block the negative sentiments.” Having access to open conversations about death and funerals has helped normalise the subject among a younger generation, one that appears less likely to be death-phobic than their parents or grandparents. Promoting death positivity has helped Kamau get more clients. Some of her followers are even transferring dead bodies from other distant places, influenced by what they have seen on her social media account. “You don’t just get into the trade for money or because you see someone else enjoying it. Those without the passion... quit as fast as they joined,” Kamau shared. While her life and TikTok account are dedicated to the macabre and sometimes taboo, Kamau continues to shine a light, bringing others with her to join a career field that everyone uses but is still viewed negatively worldwide. "I think the scariest part is what happens before death. Death is final. It's already done. It's not scary. I think with life comes death. It's very natural. So I don't think it's scary at all,” she concluded. bird story agency

bottom of page