Books
AFRICA ADORNED
by Angela Fisher
Everyone loves to dress up, and the people of Africa show the world how in this photographic extravaganza by world-famous photographer Angela Fisher.
Different kinds of indigenous tribal jewelry, their making techniques, and manners of adornment are depicted in this bright coffee-table book that takes an insightful look into African ritual ornaments. In a world where the custom of wearing traditional artifacts is fast-disappearing, it’s a breath of fresh relief to see that a sense of fashion still exists even in the remote areas of the globe. Available at Amazon.com
 Africa is in Style
by Berenice Geoffroy-Schneiter
Exalting the fashion trends in francophone Africa, the mainly West African designers highlighted in this book show how their designs explore socio-cultural trends in the continent. Glossy photographs of ebony models wearing garments that proclaim the richness of the region, especially in texture and trends, makes browsing this book easy on the eye. Available at Amazon.com
MUSIC
 Geoffrey Oryema
You probably first heard Geoffrey Oryema on Peter Gabriels’s Real World album. With a smooth, mellifluous voice that covers a range of emotions, Oryema mixes melody with melancholy, poignancy with power. For a man whose life has been marked by tragedy, Oryema’s Afro-pop songs have an unmistakable calm and emotional depth, supported by superb music, especially notes from the thumb piano and the guitar. His upbeat songs sound even more uplifting to the senses. Available at Amazon.com
Samite of Uganda
In a dry tenor voice, Samite, who incidentally resides in the U.S., sings of his mother’s cooking, bicycling in his homeland, and why it “takes more than hair on the chest to be a man.” While Samite plays the wood flute, he resorts to an ensemble of African and American instruments. Behind the calm, the rhythms and patterns of his instruments is unmistakably his own – complex and hypnotic in the same beat.
Important People/Events in African History
 Chief Albert Luthuli - (1898-1967)
Africa’s first winner of the Nobel Peace Prize for Peace and president of the African National Congress until his death.
Albert Luthuli was born in Southern Rhodesia, the son of a Seventh Day Adventist missionary. He was a college-educated, deeply religious man who himself became a lay preacher. His Christian beliefs were a foundation for his approach to the political turmoil in South Africa. His role in the fight against apartheid and freedom struggle of the country, led to him being imprisoned. On release, he was confined to his home. In 1960, he received the Nobel Peace Prize. His autobiography is Let My People Go. In 1967, he was hit by a train while crossing a rail track, which his followers believe was no accident.
(Text: www.about.com) / (Photo credit: SA History Online)
 Mary Henrietta Kingsley - (1862-1900)
Explorer and writer
A Victorian spinster in her thirties, traveling alone, with not much money, and no knowledge of any African language, or even French was an unlikely sight in Africa. But not if she was the British explorer and writer Mary Henrietta Kingsley, the vociferous champion of indigenous customs, outspoken critic of European colonialism, campaigner for British traders and merchants in Africa, not just missionaries. She traveled extensively over Africa, encountered gorillas, climbed Mt Cameroon, and finally wrote a book on her travels. While nursing prisoners of the Boer War, she contracted typhoid and died. As her wish, she was buried at sea.
(Text: www.about.com) / Photo credit: http://www.nbb.cornell.edu)
Working In Africa:
This online employment search engine founded in 1999 is in line with one of the principle of New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) of finding an African solution to an African problem. It was founded to provide a platform that facilitates interaction between recruitment agencies, employers and jobseekers irrespective of geographical location. It does this by providing an interactive portal through which global job seekers post their CV's onto the database and recruiters can instantly view them. Employers, too, regardless of size, post their jobs on the website and have access to an interactive forum that attracts high caliber potential employees with work experience ranging from 0-25+ years. The website has CV index systems, Interview organizer and an alert system.
Job of the Month: Regional manager, Kenya, The African Management Services Company
The African Management Services Company (AMSCO) was established in 1989 as part of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) to provide professional management and capacity building services to African businesses to make them more profitable, globally competitive and sustainable. The organization is funded by a number of financial institutions including the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the African Development Bank (ADB). AMSCO is currently seeking two highly competent and dynamic individuals with proven business skills, strategic insight and a passion to see SME’s grow, to join the team as Regional Managers for the East and West Africa Offices. These are Senior Management positions reporting directly to the CEO. The selected candidates will work on a host of exciting projects across the agriculture, manufacturing and financial sectors, among others, in sub Saharan Africa.
Responsibilities
- Formulate Regional business and marketing strategies consistent with the overall ATMS Project strategy and manage the implementation thereof;
- Establish, in consultation with Regional staff, annual targets consistent with each Project’s overall corporate strategy, taking into consideration the available funds and resources;
- Act as AMSCO’s representative with all stakeholders in the Region, including government agencies, international institutions and diplomatic missions. The Regional Manager is expected to develop and maintain mutually beneficial relationships with all the relevant external parties;
- Appraise the Regional Office staff and make recommendations to the HQ for appropriate staff development.
- Identify potential clients, appraise projects and develop proposals for Management and Training Services in line with the agreed strategy and make recommendations for approval by HQ;
- Monitor the ongoing performance of client companies and AMSCO Managers through field visits and provide advice, counsel and assistance as needed;
- Assist clients in identifying and securing funding for projects where necessary;
- Compile and summarize periodic progress reports of projects for submission to the HQ; and generally manage all activities of the Regional Office.
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidates will be proven leaders with strong conceptual and operational skills, experienced in identifying new business opportunities in developing countries together with the ability to ensure the quality of portfolio performance management. Candidates will also have proven senior management experience, the ability to manage budgets and project co-ordination skills. Possessing excellent communication skills, both written and oral, they will demonstrate personal drive and initiative and champion participation in AMSCO programs among clients and beneficiaries. Previous African experience is mandatory for this role.
Doing Business In Africa
Investment Profile of the Month: Angola
Angola is among countries with the highest growth potential in Africa. It produces 800,000 barrels of oil daily and has estimated reserves of 10 billion barrels. It also has diamonds, 3 million hectares of arable land, many valuable minerals, and one of Africa's largest water reserves, which gives it massive potential for producing electric energy and fishing. Now, following the advent of peace, the government wants to resume development in order to rebuild and restore Angola to former its position in the business world. Inflation has been kept in check in recent years, and there is a confirmed downturn. The government is carrying out a program to privatize state-owned companies and opening up the oil business to international firms.
Oil
The major product and source of foreign currency earnings. A modern industry, using up-to-date technology, offering a high degree of profitability.
 Diamonds
Angola is a source of top quality gemstones, and the Lundas region is one of the most important diamond-producing areas in the world.
Minerals
It is estimated that the subsoil contains 35 of the 45 most important minerals in the world trade.
 Fishing
With an extensive coastline, rich in shellfish and a variety of highly-prized fish species, Angola's fishing industry is in the process of being re-established and offers great potential.
Agriculture
Thanks to its extensive river system and varied environment, Angola has enormous potential for the production of tropical and subtropical crops.
Energy
Angola has great hydro electrical potential thanks to its network of large fast-flowing rivers.
Coffee
Certain regions of Angola have ideal climatic conditions for the production of high quality coffee.
Timber
As yet unexploited forests covers 43% of Angolan territory, with particular valuable species in Cabinda. The extensive river system facilitates transport.
Hotel and Tourist Industry
Hundreds of hotels to be restored or constructed. Beach, River and mountain Tourism offering all types of fishing: hunting reserves and natural parks.
Construction and Public Works
A whole country to be rebuilt.
(Source: www.angola.org.uk/facts_invest.htm)
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