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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

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

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 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

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

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

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

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

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

Ethiopian-born scientist Gebisa Ejeta recently received the highest state honour attainable by scientists in the United States. He is one of a growing number of African scientists creating impactful solutions to global challenges. bird story agency When Gebisa Ejeta was awarded the National Medal of Science in October by US President Joe Biden - the highest state honour attainable by scientists in the United States - he was being recognised not only for his contribution to science but also to a subject that is of increasing importance to Africa: the study of Africa's ancient grains. "There's nothing more noble to serving humanity, nothing more important than helping people feed themselves,” Ejeta stated in a televised interview distributed by Purdue University. Ejeta, who holds the position of Distinguished Professor of Plant Breeding and Genetics and International Agriculture at Purdue University, also serves as the Executive Director of the Purdue Center for Global Food Security and Purdue University Presidential Fellow for Food Security and Sustainable Global Development. Awarded for his "outstanding contributions to the science of plant genetics," Ejeta said he considers what he does for a living a blessing, as he is able to significantly impact humanity while receiving recognition as a "global citizen." Ejeta's groundbreaking work focuses on sorghum, an ancient grain with wide-ranging significance as a food source for both humans and livestock. In 2009, he received the World Food Prize - considered the Nobel Prize of food and agriculture - for developing a sorghum hybrid that is resistant to both drought and striga, a common parasitic weed in Africa. Sorghum ranks as the fifth most important cereal crop globally, after maize, wheat, rice, and barley. In Africa, it is the second-most important cereal after maize and is often critical in countries vulnerable to drought. In Ethiopia, sorghum is used in the preparation of traditional Ethiopian foods and beverages like tella, areki, and injera. Ejeta, who has also been awarded Ethiopia's National Hero Award - the highest national honour bestowed on Ethiopian citizens - has regularly said he is committed to using science to alleviate global challenges such as hunger. According to Humphrey Agevi, a lecturer and climate change specialist at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) in Kenya, the US award is a reminder of the increasing role that Africa is playing in addressing global problems. “It also shows we are capable of contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the African Union Agenda 2063,” he said. Ejeta joins a number of prominent scientists recently recognised for their work. South Africa's Shabir Madhi was recently awarded the Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE) by King Charles III for his work as a vaccinologist, while Charles Rotimi, a Beninese scholar, was in September awarded the New York Academy of Medicine honours medal for his distinguished contributions to genetic epidemiology and human genetics. Ugandan Martin Origa was recently unveiled as the awardee of the prestigious Lee-Jong-Wook fellowship run by South Korea-based Yonsei University, for his research on cancer of the female reproductive system. bird story agency

A clutch of exciting new entries into the CAF Champions League, Africa's premier women's club competition, demonstrates the huge potential of women's football on the continent and highlights a sudden increase in investment into women's football. Bonface Orucho, bird story agency The upcoming CAF Women’s Champions League will feature an impressive five debutant clubs out of the eight competing, underscoring its growing nature and the dynamic opportunity it is availing to women footballers on the continent. The tournament, which is Africa’s premier women’s club competition, will be held in Ivory Coast between November 5 and 19, in the cities of Korhogo and San Pedro, and will feature five first-time participating teams and only three returning teams. It is a critical moment for women’s football with this competition being held in sub-Saharan Africa for the first time, the past two editions having been hosted in Egypt and Morocco, respectively. The tournament, which is also being touted as a test of Ivory Coast's capacity and ability to host the 2024 men's AFCON, is expected to be full of football action, this time from female football stars, with the best club footballers in Africa promising to put on a spectacular show, fighting for the crown of the best women's club football team in the continent. Each of the six sub-confederations of CAF—COSAFA (Southern Africa), CECAFA (East Africa), UNAF (North Africa), UNIFFAC (Central Africa), WAFU Zone A (West Africa), and WAFU Zone B (West Africa)—contributes to the tournament with a member association each. The hosting country and defending champions also get automatic spots. Therefore, eight clubs will participate in this year’s edition, including two previous winners: AS FAR from Morocco, who are the reigning champions and will be making their third participation, while South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns, the winners of the inaugural edition, will be seeking to reclaim the coveted title. Notably, however, this year’s edition is filled with debutant teams, a testament to the many underlying efforts being put into building capacity around amateur teams and tapping raw female talent. Huracanes FC from Equatorial Guinea, for instance, are keen to clinch the coveted trophy. With two wins, six points, and eight goals from their qualifying league, they have defied all odds to be crowned the queens of the Union of Football Federations of Central Africa Zone. Apart from posing significant winning potential in this league, key names from the team, such as Elena Obono, are expected to display great performances. Obono is currently the 'Best Player' of the Union of Football Federation of Central Africa in the qualifying tournament, where she was also the top scorer. They, however, find themselves in a tough Group A alongside AS Mandel, Ampem Darkoa, and the ASFAR Club. JKT Queens from Tanzania, another new entrant in this competition, put on a spirited fight against Ethiopia Commercial Bank, winning in the penalty shootouts during the CECAFA regional qualifiers after a goalless full-time match including extra time. This makes them stand out as a resilient team able to withstand pressure and secure a win regardless of the opponent. The Ghanaian side, Ampem Darkoa, will also be seeking this title in its maiden attempt at the tournament. This is especially pressing considering that in the inaugural 2021 edition, Hasaacas, a Ghanaian club, made it to the finals despite losing 2-0 to Mamelodi Sundowns. However, apart from debutants, established teams such as Morocco’s ASFAR Club will be in the mix, bringing on their dreaded skills and experience in the competition alongside two-time contenders AS Mande of Mali and South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns. Perhaps the greatest pressure is mounting on the home team, Athletic Abidjan, who will be keen to leverage their home advantage to win. This is the Ivorians' first participation in the CAF Women's Champions League, but their unbeaten domestic league record of 17 victories and a draw makes them a threat in the competition. The Women’s Champions League, launched in June 2020 by CAF, was part of the confederation’s strategic plan to grow women's football on the continent, especially by increasing more women-focused competitions. The past two successful competitions and an upcoming third edition build a robust portfolio for the Confederation of African Football, illuminating its commitment to growing the sport that was once male-focused. The results of this growth are already being witnessed, bringing bountiful opportunities for women footballers. Today, some female professional football players from the continent are pushing their way into the multi-million-dollar football transfer market. The September 2023 FIFA's International Transfer Snapshot report, a provisional report on transfers made in the July–September transfer window, shows 66 transfers involving female players were made into the continent, while 89 players from Africa left to play professional football outside the continent. This translates to 50% and 31% growth, respectively. Nigerian forward Ngozi Sonia Okobi-Okeoghene for instance, completed her switch to Spanish Liga F club Levante Las Planas for the remainder of the season this year, while Malawian Tabitha Chawinga secured a spot at Paris Saint-Germain. The 27-year-old made history in May when she became the first African female player to be a top scorer in the Italian Serie A league while playing for Nerazzurri. Off the pitch, the whole women's football ecosystem is in growth gear. A 2023 report by CAF on 'Women's Football Landscape' shows there are more than 150,000 registered players, more than 4000 female coaches, and close to 5000 female referees registered under CAF. “The data show that these players are young, with more than 70% of them being under 20 years old. There is also a great improvement in our member associations in terms of the commitment of women’s U-20 and U-17 teams,” CAF Head of Women’s Football, Meskerem Tadesse Goshime, stated during the report launch that happened in April. The CAF report shows that 47 out of 54 countries on the continent are fielding women’s national teams. bird story agency

Zimbabwe's renowned stone sculpture tradition dates back to Great Zimbabwe, a mediaeval city known for its iconic stone walls, and from which Zimbabwe derives its name. Dominic Benhura has made a livelihood from his translations of this tradition, since the age of ten. Mike Saburi, bird story agency Armed with a small hammer and chisel, Dominic Benhura – a renowned Zimbabwean stone sculptor – meticulously carves a towering figure of a life-size animal from a piece of serpentine stone. As he chisels delicately, bits and pieces of sharp greyish stone fragments fall off to the ground, and a figure of a bison slowly takes shape. For him, sculpture is the ultimate reflection of physical reality, and one does not need to be a connoisseur to appreciate his dynamic art. "I started sculpting when I was four or five years [old] whilst moulding clay while herding cattle. But with stone I started sculpting when I was ten years old when I came to Harare in 1980,” Benhura shared. What strikes him the most about stone sculpture is that the art involves the systematic elimination of material in order to create artwork. "With stone it's quite interesting because with clay you are adding on, or when you make mistakes you can always put it back, but with stone it's quite different because you will be creating by taking away all the time, which is really fascinating,” he shared. The most defining moment of his career came when he sold his first art piece to a foreign diplomat at the age of ten. He managed to pay for his education from his art. Now, over four decades later, the renowned artist is among the most decorated sculptors to ever emerge out of Zimbabwe. Benhura’s day typically begins early in the morning. Creating a sculpture usually involves a quick sketch of the idea followed by the choice of a suitable stone, which he then meticulously carves into an idea at his studio in the eastern Harare suburb of Greendale. "In my sculpting, I am inspired by my natural environment – the animals of Zimbabwe, and the figurative work which I do is basically inspired by humanity in general," the artist said. His captivating human sculptors, which are devoid of facial expressions, portray the joys of motherhood and vividly capture the perpetual motion of children. Benhura emphasises on form rather than facial features for these sculptors to make them universal. "My pieces evolve around happiness, balance and playfulness. They are whimsical, they don't need any facial features to express themselves. I just use movement to portray expressions in those sculptures," Benhura said. One of his iconic pieces depicting child victims of conflict has become a marvel at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe in Harare, where it is on display. Raphael Chikukwa, Executive Director of the National Gallery Zimbabwe, said Benhura's art has propelled Zimbabwe's art on the international scene. "Dominic has played a very important role in the Zimbabwean stone sculpture by exhibiting both here locally at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe and many other spaces within Zimbabwe and internationally where he has been able to showcase his works as an artist," Chikukwa said. In addition, he said, stone sculpture is a treasure for Zimbabwe, as it contributes to the country’s income, and keeps the country's centuries-old heritage of telling stories through stone alive. "By bringing art buyers across Europe, America, China and many other places to Zimbabwe, that is value addition that the stones have been able to give," Chikukwa shared. David Chidhumo, an avid enthusiast of Benhura's work, said the artist's daring designs are in a league of their own. "It is extra-ordinary to see the happiness of his vision – how he can portray the features that are not there, but when you look at it, you can feel the features are there," Chidhumo said. What makes his work exceptional is that his fans cut across all generations. "I realized that children relate very well to my work as well as elderly people. They see their little nieces or their sisters within my sculptures, so everybody loves them," Benhura said. Due to its international appeal, Benhura's art is considered by collectors to be a priced treasure. "Generally my work sells from about 500 US dollars, I would say, and depending on size and the quality of it, sometimes they can go between maybe 10,000 and 20,000 US dollars around the world," said Benhura. Throughout his illustrious career, Benhura's work has been displayed in various exhibitions around the world. He has also bagged many accolades locally and internationally. Countless books have also been written about his art. The artist is now imparting his skill to other upcoming artists. "I have inspired a lot of young artists here in Zimbabwe as well as maybe other established artists, they want to emulate what I do, the way I do my business, soberness, teaching other artists," he said. Forty-two-year-old Brighton Layson, a resident artist at Benhura's studio, is among artists who have been nurtured by Benhura throughout his career. "I was much into human figures, but with the help of ideas and techniques which I got from Dominic, I am no longer limited – I can do different sculptures, I can do abstracts, I can do birds, I can do animals," Layson said. Another sculptor, Panashe Wadawareva, has worked with Benhura for over 20 years. "I have learned a lot through his ideas – teaching us that when you approach a stone you don't have to be afraid. You must bring new ideas every time and have your own trademark. That helped me to be internationally recognized," Wadawareva said. Benhura said his dream is to build an arts center so that he can ensure that Zimbabwe's stone sculpture legacy remains alive. bird story agency