70 top African women agricultural scientists from 11 countries chosen

AWARD announces winners of 2011 fellowships

 70 top African women agricultural scientists from 11 countries chosen

 

NAIROBI, KENYA (AUGUST 18, 2011)—As discussions of drought and famine in the Horn of Africa continue to dominate global headlines, it is clear that ensuring the continent's food security will require mobilizing the best minds from every discipline, including women agricultural researchers.

 

African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) is committed to building the capacity of African women scientists who are conducting pro-poor agricultural research.   

Today AWARD announced the 70 winners of its 2011 AWARD Fellowships. These outstanding researchers were selected from among an impressive cadre of 785 applicants from 11 African countries, bringing the total number of women in the program to 250.

 

"These talented women are conducting critical agricultural research that is desperately needed to feed Africa's people and help mitigate crises like we are seeing in East Africa right now," said Vicki Wilde, AWARD Director. "We are recognizing and supporting these women today with an AWARD Fellowship."

 

The fellowship will help these top scientists strengthen their research and leadership skills, and enhance their contributions to poverty alleviation and food security across the continent. While the women come from diverse agricultural disciplines, they share a common passion to help smallholder farmers.

 

"My parents paid for my primary education by selling a cow or a goat, so I know from experience that livestock is the cornerstone of people's livelihoods in rural Africa," said Dr. Lillian Wambua, a molecular geneticist at the University of Nairobi's School of Biological Sciences and one of this year's AWARD winners. "Diseases are the greatest challenges to livestock farmers. As an AWARD Fellow and upcoming researcher, my goal is to use my scientific skills to engage with like-minded researchers in finding lasting solutions to secure healthy herds."

 

Wambua is one of 2,200 female scientists from 450 institutions to have applied for one of the 250 available fellowships since AWARD began in 2008. AWARD Fellows benefit from a two-year career-development program focused on mentoring partnerships, science skills, and leadership development. The fellowships are awarded on the basis of intellectual merit, leadership capacity, and the potential of the scientist's research to improve the daily lives of smallholder farmers, especially women.

 

"USAID is pleased to support African women scientists via AWARD, as an integral component of the U.S. government's commitment to reducing gender inequality and recognizing the contribution of women to achieving food security," said Kurt Low, Office Director for the Regional Economic Growth and Integration Program at USAID/East Africa. "By drawing on some of the best minds in agricultural research, AWARD provides a shining example of the contributions that women can make to poverty alleviation and food security in sub-Saharan Africa."

 

AWARD addresses many of the barriers, including a lack of role models and mentors, which prevent African women from playing a more active role in agricultural research and from considering a career in agricultural science.

 

Recent research conducted in 15 African countries by AWARD and Agricultural Science and Technology Indicators (ASTI) shows that between 2000 and 2008, the number of African women professionals employed in the agricultural sciences grew by 8 percent per year, while the number of African male professionals grew by 2 percent per year. However, women still represent less than one quarter of Africa's scientists holding positions in institutions of agricultural research, and less than one in seven (14 percent) leadership positions is held by a woman. 

 

Isibhakhomen Shirley Ejoh is one of 23 Nigerians to win this prestigious fellowship. Ejoh, a lecturer at the Department of Human Nutrition at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, expects that the skills she gains through AWARD will help advance her research on underused traditional vegetables. "The food basket in Nigeria is shrinking because of an over‐dependence on a few promoted crops," says Ejoh. "I want to assess how indigenous plant foods can contribute to the protein and micronutrient intake of children and women of reproductive age."

My lunch. Real Nsima-Mugaiwa, Goat-Mpongo, Vlg Chicken-Nkuku, Cabuntele

After a hard day's work in a village near Chikuni, such a meal re-energises any man.

Matrix with Maiko

Look out for the article on Zambia's fast food music.

Drunk in broad daylight opposite znbc Lstone

What a shame.

SKY.fm Roots Reggae - Free Roots Reggae Internet Radio

SKY.fm Roots Reggae - Free Roots Reggae Internet Radio

Shud such structures be kept in the name of heritage

Soil Fertility, the forgotten trend

For a farmer to be more successful on a small piece of land, s/he needs to have soil that is fertile enough to avoid the use of chemicals that will make her/him dependent on such.

It is a sad situation in out country where a number of organisations, GOVERNMENT inclusive, are promoting the use of chemical fertilisers year in and year out. Government introduced the fertiliser support programme which is now the Farmer Inputs Support Programme. There is an already pre-determined amount of that input you can get and you cannot get what you need as a farmer. The idea is good, but wrongly placed.

Most of the peasant farmers cannot afford the use, and let alone, the purchase of such fertilisers. Interestingly, they have decided to put aside the farming methods of their fore-fathers that needed no such chemical interferences. Our forefathers were organic farmers. Utilising all kinds of crops and animal residues to make the soil fertile. They were aware that such practices will give them very good yields and the soils will remain fertile and rich in the coming years.

It is very simple indeed. A small scale farmer will get more from his yield by practicing 'conservation' farming and being more organic than when more chemicals are used. There are few things i can point out.

• They have to learn how to harvest rain water
• They must know that BUSH fires destroy soils
• They must remember that CHEMICALS are not only expensive to buy, but COST more when they damage your land, and the dependence that is born from there
• Intercropping is very important. Most farmers do not like crop-rotation, so they would need to know which crops to inter-crop to get the best of results. EG, Velvet beans (cover crop) is good for soil fertility, so are legumes.
• Keep records of all expenses incurred including use of family friends to teal the land or help in anyway, as that is a cost as well.
• Use other crops to fight weeds and pests, and NEVER use weed killers
• Form marketing groups so that they sell their produce in BULK and not as individuals. This also enhances bargain power for the price of the produce.
• Government should graduate from giving the subsidized inputs to more lasting solutions so that the farmers can ultimately be independent in their farming.

In my little experience as a broadcast journalist, I have realised that people still lack a lot of information on best farming methods. What they get are the conventional farming methods from marketers and big companies as government is not really promoting the use of conservation agriculture. it is a known fact that conservation farming produces twice as much as conventional means. When organic farming is used, a farmer literary spends less and the soils get richer. With chemical farming, a farmer spends more with soils getting poorer requiring the use of more chemicals in the next farming season.

Where are out farmers going wrong?

Dreads Bring A Natural Smile

Having long hair has always been a hobby of mine. What better way to keep hair long than to lock it? Yes, locking the hair into great DREADlocks!!

School days were fun. Always wanting to be at loggerheads with the authorities. Unfortunately this never happened the way I wanted it to – to be punished for having extra long hair just like those that hard extra bald head.

I was known as Matrix from the time I was 8years as I was a genius in mathematics. At that time I never understood what matrix meant; only my teacher knew. Thanks to continued education, I got to know about it at senior secondary school.

By the time I was in senior school, I had a massive AFRO hair style – about 31cm long. Matrix had an afro. He came to be known as Afro, but soon he became both – AFROMATRIX. I must admit that I inspired a lot of mates to go the African way. Afros were becoming a tradition in the school.

After school, I got tired and trimmed the hair to the minimum, and trying to maintain a bald head. This didn’t work at all. It’s difficulty waking up every morning and having to comb the hair, style it and all sorts of things. After a few years – in May 2003 – I had my last hair cut.

Within a year my hair was back to it’s normal Afro status. Being inspired by Real Africans Standing Tall Actively, I just found my hair locking. Combing was no longer on the agenda, nature had to take its course. It’s pretty simple to have natural dreads. Have long hair, stop combing it, and keep washing it. And I did just that. Always wash the hair.

Our hairs are natural locks. You don’t need to use chemicals, what for? I pity you who go an extra unnecessary step of applying herbs, chemicals and who knows what to make dreads. Be natural, unless you aint a natural African.

Being a successful broadcaster, I was and am already a public figure. Having beautiful Afro Dreads made me more visible. I enjoyed it while it lasted.

There is a sensational connection with the people when you have dreads. A dreadman is a peace-loving person, and when people met me, all they could naturally do was to smile and greet me – stranger or friend alike.

I remember receiving special treatment almost everywhere I went. I was proud of being African. Being able to share smiles, and some laughter. In my area I was a sole DREADman. And you know what this means!!!

“Are you a rasta?” No am not.

“But you have dreadlocks.” Yes I have dreadlocks. I could ask if they were monks since they had absolutely no hair on them. And after this they understood that am African and proud.

It is a great misconception that having the hair locked is Rastafarianism. It is greatly influenced by it, but I believe it takes a lot to be a Rasta than locking the hair. Just like Morgan Heritage said, “you don’t haffi dread to be rasta. It’s not a dreadlock thing but a conception of your heart.” And many people hide in the name of dreadlocks.

People are bringing a lot of shame to the rasta world simply because they think having dreads is a passport to Rastafarianism. Rastas are peace loving people. They advocate for social change, social justice, unity and love.

People saw this in me, and that is what I meant to do, though not a rasta in that sense.

The only sad thing about having good DREADS and being a broadcaster is that you are no longer a private person. No more privacy. You are in the public lime light. You cannot hide. And since you are always in the open, you have to be the best a human being can be. It’s very easy to be and do good. It uses less energy, and it motivates a number of people that would otherwise have no hope for a good thing on this earth.

Time came when I wanted to have some privacy to myself. Privacy to do what I wanted to do without anyone noticing that am around. I needed to have time to myself.

No matter how much people love you, you must always have time to yourself.

That’s the only way you can know who you are and what you are here for.

A lot of people get swallowed in the name of doing good for the people, and yet they do bad to themselves and the immediate people around them. This is misplaced pride.

People came to know me as Matongo, the dreadlocked, and not Matongo, son of Maumbi. Now this is dangerous, people no longer know you. What they know is your hair. The hair was definitely not me, but a part of me.

This became a food for thought. As much as it is good to have an ID people associate you with, people have to know the real you. I was losing my real identity – and had to something.

It was not easy after five years to cut very beautiful Gold locks, but it had to happen. 6 Jan 08 was the date that brought back the Matongo Maumbi in me. I cut and archived my locks in my house.

I felt liberated. This is when I came to know who knew me as me, and those who knew me just for the locks.

It’s interesting how suddenly people do not notice am around unless I mention so. My mind is free, but I don’t know for how long I can live without my long hair, and maybe dreads.

One thing am happy about is that I have isolated those that only associated with me ‘cos of the dreads. What I have are people that know me, with or without dreads. Even my girlfriend is at peace with me now. I no longer cause that public attention to the people.

It’s been a few years since I cut, and I have been cutting every month or so till last year. It seems I just can’t move away from having long hair. I feel the locks are coming back soon. I don’t know what to do and I know what to do. What do I do?

I enjoy whipping people with dem locks. We shall see what happens. Don’t advantage of things and people just because you are dreadlocked, let things and people appreciate what comes from a Real African Standing Tall Alone.

The next time you see me with dreads, don’t ask me why I have them back – I love them…………

Zuu and meat

DSCF0590
Originally uploaded by Matongo Maumbi.

How To Go The Banana Way

SANE

SANE

HERE IS A STORY ABOUT FOUR PEOPLE NAMED SOMEBODY, ANYBODY, NOBODY AND EVERYBODY

THERE WAS AN IMPORTANT JOB TO BE DONE AND EVERYBODY WAS SURE THAT SOMEBODY WOULD DO IT

ANYBODY COULD HAVE DONE IT, BUT NOBODY DID IT

SOMEBODY GOT ANGRY ABOUT THAT IT WAS EVERYBODY'S JOB

EVERYBODY THOUGHT ANYBODY COULD HAVE DONE IT, BUT NOBODY REALISED THAT EVERYBODY WOULDN'T DO IT

IT ENDED UP THAT EVERYBODY BLAMED SOMEBODY WHEN NOBODY DID WHAT ANYBODY COULD HAVE DONE.

So, where do you stand?

Parting Is An Art

This Poem was reproduced by Arthur Garande SJ for the 

1998 Canisius Secondary School Grade 12 Volleyballers

PARTING

It is the art for those who part

Never to start with the last part

I was with you for years so few

yet in my heart you have a big part

yes we are parting

but not in our loving

we are in fact getting more intact

we met to part

so says my heart

but we part to meet

after the great feat

don't let me down

and I won't let you frown

when we finally part

don't break my heart

Leave me with hope

that you will cope

with whatever comes

from your exams

Then we will meet to part again,

for none of us will forever remain

(Heyz I - Third Term 1990)

Love and Time

Love and Time
Once upon a time,
there was an island where all the feelings lived:
Happiness,
Sadness,
Knowledge,
and all of the others, including Love.
One day it was announced to the feelings that the island would sink,
so all constructed boats and left.
Except for Love.
Love was the only one who stayed.
Love wanted to hold out until the last possible moment.
When the island had almost sunk,
Love decided to ask for help.
Richness was passing by Love in a grand boat.
Love said,
"Richness, can you take me with you?"
Richness answered,
"No, I can't.
There is a lot of gold and silver in my boat.
There is no place here for you."
Love decided to ask Vanity who was also passing by in a beautiful vessel.
"Vanity, please help me!"
"I can't help you, Love.
You are all wet and might damage my boat,
" Vanity answered.
Sadness was close by so Love asked,
"Sadness, let me go with you."
"Oh . . . Love,
I am so sad that I need to be by myself!"
Happiness passed by Love, too,
but she was so happy that she did not even hear when Love called her.
Suddenly,there was a voice,
"Come, Love, I will take you."
It was an elder.
So blessed and overjoyed,
Love even forgot to ask the elder where they were going.
When they arrived at dry land, the elder went her own way.
Realizing how much was owed the elder,
Love asked Knowledge,
another elder,
"Who Helped me?"
"It was Time,"
Knowledge answered.
"Time?" asked Love.
"But why did Time help me?"
Knowledge smiled with deep wisdom and answered,
"Because only Time is capable of understanding how valuable Love is."

(Author Unknown)

Love and Time

Love and Time
Once upon a time,
there was an island where all the feelings lived:
Happiness,
Sadness,
Knowledge,
and all of the others, including Love.
One day it was announced to the feelings that the island would sink,
so all constructed boats and left.
Except for Love.
Love was the only one who stayed.
Love wanted to hold out until the last possible moment.
When the island had almost sunk,
Love decided to ask for help.
Richness was passing by Love in a grand boat.
Love said,
"Richness, can you take me with you?"
Richness answered,
"No, I can't.
There is a lot of gold and silver in my boat.
There is no place here for you."
Love decided to ask Vanity who was also passing by in a beautiful vessel.
"Vanity, please help me!"
"I can't help you, Love.
You are all wet and might damage my boat,
" Vanity answered.
Sadness was close by so Love asked,
"Sadness, let me go with you."
"Oh . . . Love,
I am so sad that I need to be by myself!"
Happiness passed by Love, too,
but she was so happy that she did not even hear when Love called her.
Suddenly,there was a voice,
"Come, Love, I will take you."
It was an elder.
So blessed and overjoyed,
Love even forgot to ask the elder where they were going.
When they arrived at dry land, the elder went her own way.
Realizing how much was owed the elder,
Love asked Knowledge,
another elder,
"Who Helped me?"
"It was Time,"
Knowledge answered.
"Time?" asked Love.
"But why did Time help me?"
Knowledge smiled with deep wisdom and answered,
"Because only Time is capable of understanding how valuable Love is."

(Author Unknown)

My Birthday Bash

 

Nov bash - Chikuni Zambia

 
 
 
 

Do you know me?

 

YOU DON’T HAFFI DREAD TO BE A RASTA

Having long hair has always been a hobby of mine. What better way to keep hair long than to lock it? Yes, locking the hair into great DREADlocks!!

School days were fun. Always wanting to be at loggerheads with the authorities. Unfortunately this never happened the way I wanted it to – to be punished for having extra long hair just like those that hard extra bald head.

I was known as Matrix from the time I was 8years as I was a genius in mathematics. At that time I never understood what matrix meant; only my teacher knew. Thanks to continued education, I got to know about it at senior secondary school.

By the time I was in senior school, I had a massive AFRO hair style – about 31cm long. Matrix had an afro. He came to be known as Afro, but soon he became both – AFROMATRIX. I must admit that I inspired a lot of mates to go the African way. Afros were becoming a tradition in the school.

After school, I got tired and trimmed the hair to the minimum, and trying to maintain a bald head. This didn’t work at all. It’s difficulty waking up every morning and having to comb the hair, style it and all sorts of things. After a few years – in May 2003 – I had my last hair cut.

Within a year my hair was back to it’s normal Afro status. Being inspired by Real Africans Standing Tall Actively, I just found my hair locking. Combing was no longer on the agenda, nature had to take its course. It’s pretty simple to have natural dreads. Have long hair, stop combing it, and keep washing it. And I did just that. Always wash the hair.

Our hairs are natural locks. You don’t need to use chemicals, what for? I pity you who go an extra unnecessary step of applying herbs, chemicals and who knows what to make dreads. Be natural, unless you aint a natural African.

Being a successful broadcaster, I was and am already a public figure. Having beautiful Afro Dreads made me more visible. I enjoyed it while it lasted.

There is a sensational connection with the people when you have dreads. A dreadman is a peace-loving person, and when people met me, all they could naturally do was to smile and greet me – stranger or friend alike.

I remember receiving special treatment almost everywhere I went. I was proud of being African. Being able to share smiles, and some laughter. In my area I was a sole DREADman. And you know what this means!!!

“Are you a rasta?” No am not.

“But you have dreadlocks.” Yes I have dreadlocks. I could ask if they were monks since they had absolutely no hair on them. And after this they understood that am African and proud.

It is a great misconception that having the hair locked is Rastafarianism. It is greatly influenced by it, but I believe it takes a lot to be a Rasta than locking the hair. Just like Morgan Heritage said, “you don’t haffi dread to be rasta. It’s not a dreadlock thing but a conception of your heart.” And many people hide in the name of dreadlocks.

People are bringing a lot of shame to the rasta world simply because they think having dreads is a passport to Rastafarianism. Rastas are peace loving people. They advocate for social change, social justice, unity and love.

People saw this in me, and that is what I meant to do, though not a rasta in that sense.

The only sad thing about having good DREADS and being a broadcaster is that you are no longer a private person. No more privacy. You are in the public lime light. You cannot hide. And since you are always in the open, you have to be the best a human being can be. It’s very easy to be and do good. It uses less energy, and it motivates a number of people that would otherwise have no hope for a good thing on this earth.

Time came when I wanted to have some privacy to myself. Privacy to do what I wanted to do without anyone noticing that am around. I needed to have time to myself. No matter how much people love you, you must always have time to yourself. That’s the only way you can know who you are and what you are here for.

A lot of people get swallowed in the name of doing good for the people, and yet they do bad to themselves and the immediate people around them. This is misplaced pride.

People came to know me as Matongo, the dreadlocked, and not Matongo, son of Maumbi. Now this is dangerous, people no longer know you. What they know is your hair. The hair was definitely not me, but a part of me.

This became a food for thought. As much as it is good to have an ID people associate you with, people have to know the real you. I was losing my real identity – and had to something.

It was not easy after five years to cut very beautiful Gold locks, but it had to happen. 6 Jan 08 was the date that brought back the Matongo Maumbi in me. I cut and archived my locks in my house.

I felt liberated. This is when I came to know who knew me as me, and those who knew me just for the locks.

It’s interesting how suddenly people do not notice am around unless I mention so. My mind is free, but I don’t know for how long I can live without my long hair, and maybe dreads.

One thing am happy about is that I have isolated those that only associated with me ‘cos of the dreads. What I have are people that know me, with or without dreads. Even my girlfriend is at peace with me now. I no longer cause that public attention to the people.

It’s been a number of months since I cut, and I have been cutting every month or so. It seems I just can’t move away from having long hair. I feel the locks are coming back soon. I don’t know what to do and I know what to do. What do I do?

I enjoy whipping people with dem locks. We shall see what happens. Don’t advantage of things and people just because you are dreadlocked, let things and people appreciate what comes from a Real African Standing Tall Actively.

The next time you see me with dreads, don’t ask me why I have them back – I love them…………

Chikuni hosts Tonga music festival

By Katwishi Bwalya in Monze
Friday September 26, 2008 [02:00] (from www.postzambia.com)

AN All Tonga Music Festival last weekend attracted 105 bands drawn from across Southern Province.

Hosted by Chikuni Radio Station of Monze, the ninth edition of the annual event started on Friday with entertainment performances ending late on Saturday.

The evergreen Amayenge Ensemble pitched up as special guests for the event.
There were 12 categories set out during the show.

With the overwhelming rich traditional number of performing bands, there was every reason for music lovers to be part of the show.

Thousands of people from across the country thronged Chikuni Village in Monze, the hub of the weekend activity, graced by District Commissioner Joyce Nondo.

Despite the fact that the event was a competition involving Southern Province bands, participants ensured the best Tonga traditional performances were on display.

Apart from being a musical show, organisers also added a fashion parade in showcasing the rich culture of the Tonga people.

Richard Chiimbwe took part in the event taking a claim in the Kuyabila category.

Yet it was young Manyepa Junior who stole the limelight when he was called to perform the kuyabila.

The-15-year-old social commentator captured the attention of people in the audience when he delivered a tribute song to late president Levy Mwanawasa.

Manyepa’s special display was captivating, thought-provoking and left members of the audience yearning for more.

Other bands that took part in the competition included the Katete Assemblage while Enoch Mbongwe scooped the Kalumbu category.
Emerging Cultural Artists Support Programme (ECASP) expressed delight to be associated with the festival.

ECASP executive director Melody Couvaras said the festival would boost tourism and highlight important aspects of the Tonga culture.
Couvaras said her organisation will soon be going round the nine provinces in the country to promote traditional local music.

“By next year, we are exploring cultural music in other eight provinces of Zambia and we have great plans to market and develop it at local and international level because we want the youth in this sector to be empowered,” Couvaras said.

SOURCE: The Post

Tonga festival attracts 100 bands

Monday, 11 August 2008
THE Radio Chikuni-organised Tonga Music Festival set for next month in Chikuni, Monze has attracted over 100 acts with the promotions manager saying preparations are on course for the annual festival, now in its ninth year.

Matongo Maumbi told Times Entertainment in Lusaka during the week that the response from musicians has been overwhelming resulting in them registering 104 bands instead of the 95 that they had initially planned for.

“We hope all will turn up for the event. What has been interesting from the registration point of view is that people are now more willing to play the traditional kind of music. We have registered musicians beyond the normal categories that we always have. This is what we term the special category.

“We realised a number of people had music that was otherwise not in the 11 categories that we had earlier recognised. This year people have come forward with interesting kinds of instruments that thousands shall have a chance to see during the concert,” Maumbi said from Radio Chikuni.

For entertainment, the concert will have groups that have established themselves on the local market such as Gonde Culture and Nsabata, Katebe, X Bass, Chibweze and possibly one from a popular radio serial drama team - Gama Cuulu.

”Like in all the events we have organised, sponsorship has been a challenge and this will make it more difficulty and challenging for us to organise the event in the near future. {But} we have received confirmation that the Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services will be our Guest of Honour. We are honoured as a station to have the minister grace the occasion which has proved to be the biggest traditional music event in the country, if not the southern African region,” he said.

The theme for this year’s event is Muwezyi Kozwa Kobula, whose simple translation is that as an experienced hunter goes out hunting, he at times comes back without a kill. “This should be the same with the musicians. We are continuing on the idea of self-sustainability. When a child learns to stand on its own, it should always remember that not all is smooth.

“Despite the roughness of society or things, the child should always get up and move forward. Sustainability calls for perseverance and hard work. We hope the message has really got to the people. Initially we used to feed the musicians, then started giving them some money for food and this year we have completely cut on all the support,” Maumbi says.

The station was over-burdened with funds being spent on the event and as such would like the musicians and the general public to take full charge of the event with it just being a coordinating body.

More information click CHIKUNI RADIO