Connecting The Unconnected With Shelter And Dignified Housing

Namibia, our southwestern Africa neighbor, and firm friends (yes, the whole country) of this blog because they too do cool things for their citizens. Huawei, through its strategic partner Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTC), donated a sum of N$10 million to the Namibia Shack Dwellers Federations to construct 250 low cost houses countrywide. This in a country of 2.3 million people.

The decision was announced at a gala dinner held on 26 November 2018, in Windhoek to celebrate 10 years of partnership between MTC and Huawei, highlighting providing a decent and affordable shelter to every citizen is pivotal in ascertaining that the dignity of the people is restored. (Shameless plug)

Kian Chen, MD of Huawei Namibia said that Huawei has been proactively fulfilling its corporate social responsibility for a long-term and sustainable value creation with our partners.

“Ten years back, we have embarked on a mutually beneficial partnership with Huawei to serve the telecommunications needs of the Namibian people. And to date we are proud of the tremendous milestones which we have achieved. MTC and Huawei will continue to work together to bring innovative telecommunications solutions and the latest technology to enrich customers experience,” said Tim Ekandjo, Chief Human Capital and Corporate Affairs Officer at MTC.

Left: Tim Ekandjo's shakes hands with HE President Hage Geingob

He also expressed sadness over the harsh reality of housing that many Namibians are enduring. “It is earnestly disheartening that after so many years of independence, we are still denying our people access to basic fundamental human right by inflating and charging unreasonable exorbitant prices for houses. A house is not a privilege but a societal necessity amongst others, for ensuring safety and security of the people, and its provision thereof does not have to continue being a challenge. 

It is estimated that there are currently close to 300 000 Namibians living in shack dwellings in the informal settlements throughout the country. This has become a growing challenge as the drive for rural-urban migration increases on a daily basis resulting in the mushrooming of many more illegal shacks.

Centre: Kian Chen, MD of Hauwei Namibia

Housing problem in Namibia is not just for the government to wrestle against but needs full backing from the corporate world. We need to collectively find a solution to this national challenge; and through the Shack Dwellers Association of Namibia, we want to prove that efficient and effective provision of decent low-cost housing is doable. A call is thus out on all of us to come on board and collectively find a solution to housing challenge in the country. As corporate citizen with the nation’s social welfare, we strive to complement the government’s effort to achieving socio-economic objectives and are delighted to be supporting this noble and worthy cause” concludes Ekandjo.

LR: HE President of Namibia Hage Geingob and Tim Ekandjo

#TheUltimate40th

The invite image of Nnana, Mechelle & Claire

The invite image exudes lavishness, the dress code (black tie, black all) demands class and the venue provides stunning views to make one feel like one owns the world - the was set for 40th birthday do of Nnana, Mechelle and Claire.

The #tags

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Mzansi's most loved chicken wings was a nice touch to the decadence.

Firstly I was honored to be on the guest list. The 'power rangers' combining their October birthday's into one celebration meant the guests were so well catered for due their vastly different tastes and outlook on life. We all came together for each birthday girl, or a combination of them and in some instances all three of them - you can imagine the love that was in that room.

Me with Thula Sindi

Fentselite & Claire

'Why cake with you can doughnut?' Claire

The stage was set for minds to be lost - 'Swiss' Libe Mohale

 Then, Thebe performed.

The end.

Our Very Special Mary

Mary Sibande is to me the most mind blowing artist of our time, in South Africa and the world.

Her creations, usually magnificent installations, effortlessly transform me to another world. No analysis necessary, I'm willing participant of the reality she chooses to share with us.

Back to Claire

By all accounts October is proving to be a magnificent birthday month for Claire Mawisa. She recently sat down with Anele Mdoda and she gave us a glimpse into her life and the new phase of her career. Anele is a first rate talk show host whose insights into what the guest is saying give her interviews such depth. Enjoy the show. Update: Season 1 of Real Talk with Anele Mdoda is no longer available on You Tube.

Then of course there’s the November issue of Essays of Africa that hit the stands this week with yours truly on the cover!

 

Behind the scene: Hair by Smangele Sibisi of Indalo Nubian Naturals

Behind the scene: Make up by Vuyo Varoy

This October day marks the beginning of the International Association of Women in Radio and Television (IAWRT) South African Chapter regional conference. The conference theme is African Women and the Media: Escaping the Prison of Portrayal.  

Claire’s participation was as a panelist explored the topic of ‘Including Women: Gender binary in South Africa.’ 

According to the Regional Coordinator, Mantedieng Mamabolo: “The conference brings together women journalist and documentary filmmakers from 12 member countries to initiate dialogue and share experiences in pursuance of IAWRT’s ongoing work to strengthen women’s voices in and through the media. Close to 50 women are attending the gathering, which constitutes different events.  The first is a Regional meeting on 26 and 27 October, the second on 27 and 28 October is a Gender Mainstreaming workshop and the third is HER Africa Film Festival, from 28 to 29 October, which will be hosted at the Bioscope Cinema and showcase films from African Women Filmmakers on the continent and diaspora.

Celebz in The Streets: Fulu Mugovhani

Hails from Venda, spotted in Venda. Graceful and gorgeous. Our award winning thespian was seen getting Randelas at the ATM, purchasing goods from the woman vendor selling traditional items, taking selfies with excited fans before briefly me telling me she’s in Venda visiting her family. Fulu then got into her car to buy fruit at the famous 24-hour Tshakhuma Fruit Market around the corner. A wonderful encounter with a star devoted to her craft.

Unearthing The Dynamic Woman

Thirty thousand. This is the number of young women Planet Productions, through their Girlology program, seeks to transform and empower in 2016 at various tertiary institutions in South Africa.

The protagonists at the start of the workshop: tense.

This powerful program helps young women break down defensive walls they’ve built around themselves, open up about the challenges they’ve endured, be vulnerable to share their experiences and get help in order to reclaim greater learning and success in their lives going forward.

 

The walls start to come down.

The facilitators feel it is imperative for these young women to know they are not alone, nor do the current circumstances define what they are capable of.

Karen Burt and Claire Mawisa have worked to together for well over 20 years to design a number of programs to empower men and women of all ages. Girlology is the most in demand of Planet Production programs; no topic is off limit, the facilitators and featured guests answer all questions posed to them honestly drawing from their personal experiences.

  

Karen Burt offering guidance when the walls are completely down

Sponsorship of Girlology has meant a growth of reaching two hundred women in 2011 to a target of thirty thousand women in 2016.  Whilst this is fantastic progress, there are still hundreds of thousands more women who crave participation in the Girlology workshops. As the project manager, I’m in regular contact with Student Support counselors/representatives who constantly request Girlology for their campuses as they can gauge the positive behavioral changes with their students. In fact many of the support staff want a similar program for themselves - they feel could better cope with life’s demands if they’d had such guidance earlier in the lives. Then there are the young men who are frustrated that no one is taking to time to engage with them on the same level as the women.

The programs are most effective conducted in large group of participants, and at an accessible, safe and comfortable environment – this makes them a meaningful brand activation opportunity. The programs address a myriad of social ills that plague out beautiful country – why wouldn't any one  want to be a part of resolving some of the issues?

Dynamic team: Claire Mawisa & Karen Burt

Here’s the thing: Planet Productions has the programs, it has the experience and it has the will. What we don't have are the resources to really make an enormous difference. We know some people who do and we are talking to them. Only time will tell if they are listening.

Access Africa

In 2011 Yelang Prue Jinka - Africa’s emerging female powerhouse said, 'Identifying Africa as a sustainable emerging market is one thing. Harnessing her human capital and collaborating with the challenges that exist on the Continent is another.  Our global economic and geopolitical playing field is evolving therefore Africa’s Continental mutual interdependence now requires collaborative business conversations.'

As an accomplished Researcher / Content Producer Yelang Prue Jinka provides multimedia content on a variety of platforms, but, for me, her most vital content offering is Access Africa which explores business options on the Continent with a progressive look on Lifestyle, Business and Leisure sectors. Access Africa with Yelang Prue Jinka is a powerful show that unearths ideas and engages with captains of industry who are actively enhancing Africa’s standing against the global economy and making huge investments to meet the gaping market needs.  The show explores the unique business practices required in our Continent's regions and guide any would be investor to recognize that a one-size-fits-all approached is a doomed strategy when operating on the Continent.

This is the brainchild of one Yelang Prue Jinka who is the show's originator, Executive Producer, Host and Diversity & Intercultural Communication Specialist.

The reason for this post is that since Season 1 of the Tiger Brands Africa Expansion story aired in April 2015, Yelang has been working tirelessly to weave together another epic African business showcase.

In case you missed season 1:

Episode 1: South Africa 

Episode 2: Kenya 

Episode 3: Cameroon

Episode 4: Ethiopia

Episode 5: Nigeria 

Episode 6: South Africa

Access Africa Season 2 takes viewers through Finland, South Africa and Kenya as Yelang delves into the Afro-Nordic business collaboration. The show airs on CNBC Africa Dstv Channel 410 on Tuesday at 21h30 but also streams live online.

I'll share the Season 2 video links once the broadcaster lifts the embargo.