In just a few weeks, the national conventions for the US presidential elections will take place. The Republican convention will be held in Tampa, Florida while the Democratic convention will take place in Charlotte, North Carolina. Both states are key to the November election. Recalling the electoral votes from 4 years ago, here is the 2008 Electoral Map.
As the campaign enters the final months, no doubt the political rhetoric will heat up and the candidates will make all kinds of campaign stops. The presumed nominee for the Republican Party, Mitt Romney is on an international tour. After day one, he was already stumbling. You cannot go to some one's country and criticize them. It just does not work like that, but he did. He criticized the British on their ability to host the 2012 Summer Games just days before the opening ceremony. I guess since he was the chairman of the Salt Lake City winter games, no one was in a better position to say something than he is.
Despite all of the criticism that President Obama receives, many people around the world believe that he is on their side. The other day, I came across a picture from Niger, a country in West Africa and one of the poorest in the world. There in a fishing village, a man was wearing a shirt that should bring any American to tears. Here is the picture taken by Anthony Pappone, Festival on the Niger. This man may never meet President Obama, but he knows of him and seems to believe in him. President Obama's decisions go far beyond the shores of the United States. If people in the US want the world to respect them then they need to start respecting their own president. It seems the rest of the world does, for Barack Obama is a president for all.
Showing posts with label Africa. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Africa. Show all posts
27 July 2012
14 February 2012
One Moment in Time- David slays Goliath
On 11 February 2012 Whitney Houston was found dead in her hotel room in California. Listening to some of her old songs, "One Moment in Time" comes to mind as Zambia and Ivory Coast took to the field for the 2012 Cup of African Nations final in Liberville, Gabon on 12 February 2012. Against all of the odds, Team Zambia wanted only one moment in time to meet their destiny by capturing the trophy.
In April 1993 Team Zambia was on its way to Senegal for a qualifying match for the 1994 World Final. The military aircraft carrying the national football team, and coaches refuelled in Gabon. Shortly after take-off the military aircraft crashed off the coast of Gabon. There were no survivors. Nearly all of the Zambian football team perished. Kalusha Bwalya, the 1988 African Football Player of the year was traveling from Europe to meet his teammates in Senegal and was not on the ill-fated plane. Now 19 years later, he and Zambia are finally able to hold the African Cup of Nations trophy. Zambia defeated Ivory Coast, a heavy favorite in the 2012 final. After a scoreless tie at the end of regulation and extended time, Zambia won 8-7 on penalty kicks.
Team Zambia returned home to a hero's welcome. Many people took a day off in order to meet the team at the airport. Some may wonder why all the fuss over a football game; for Zambia it is about building an economy. The country's main product is copper, but Zambia wants to move beyond that. With the help of football, it hopes to develop other businesses, such as agriculture and tourism.
After the lost of a generation of football players, let's hope that Team Zambia and the Zambian economy are now moving in the right direction.
In April 1993 Team Zambia was on its way to Senegal for a qualifying match for the 1994 World Final. The military aircraft carrying the national football team, and coaches refuelled in Gabon. Shortly after take-off the military aircraft crashed off the coast of Gabon. There were no survivors. Nearly all of the Zambian football team perished. Kalusha Bwalya, the 1988 African Football Player of the year was traveling from Europe to meet his teammates in Senegal and was not on the ill-fated plane. Now 19 years later, he and Zambia are finally able to hold the African Cup of Nations trophy. Zambia defeated Ivory Coast, a heavy favorite in the 2012 final. After a scoreless tie at the end of regulation and extended time, Zambia won 8-7 on penalty kicks.
Team Zambia returned home to a hero's welcome. Many people took a day off in order to meet the team at the airport. Some may wonder why all the fuss over a football game; for Zambia it is about building an economy. The country's main product is copper, but Zambia wants to move beyond that. With the help of football, it hopes to develop other businesses, such as agriculture and tourism.
After the lost of a generation of football players, let's hope that Team Zambia and the Zambian economy are now moving in the right direction.
"For American fans it was a shame that the game, and the tournament, was not available on television. But nothing can take away a shred of delight from Zambia on the night they gave their fallen forefathers the ultimate tribute." - Yahoo Sports
09 February 2012
The Wide World of Sports-The African Cup of Nations
"Spanning the globe to bring you the constant variety of sport... the thrill of victory... and the agony of defeat... the human drama of athletic competition... This is ABC's Wide World of Sports!"
This was the opening statement of ABC's sports program which ran on American tv for 37 years from 1961-1998. The show began as a fill-in show for a summer season. The goal of the show was to showcase sports from around the globe. With the success and popularity of cable television, the show was canceled. This is quite unfortunate, because on the eve of the 2012 African Cup of Nations Final from Libreville, Gabon, there is little coverage of this event.
Every two years African national football (soccer) teams meet to decide the African champion. This event is equivalent to the European Championships and the Copa America which are held every four years. The Africa Cup of Nations was first held in 1957. At that time there were only 3 participating nations; Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia. Today there are 16 teams who participate, meaning that there are qualifying rounds which take place between the championship years.
The 2012 event is being hosted in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon. One of the initial surprises this year is that Nigeria, Cameroon, and Egypt did not qualify. Egypt holds the most titles with 7, while Cameroon and Nigeria have 4 and 2, respectively. With these three teams absent, expectations were high for Ivory Coast, and Ghana. The majority of the Ivory Coast team play in France and England for major clubs. The Ghana national football team also has many of its players playing in Europe. Both of these teams made it to the semi-finals, but only Ivory Coast will be in the final. Ghana lost to Zambia and will play Mali for third place.
Perhaps few people thought Zambia would make it to the final match. In 1993 all but one member of the Zambian national football team was killed in a tragic plane crash in Gabon on their way to a World Cup qualifying match in Senegal. Essentially, an entire generation of football was wiped out. The current team has gone to Gabon on a mission to bring home the trophy in memory of their former teammates. From the current squad representing Zambia in this tournament, there is only one player who is on a European team.
The final takes place on Sunday 12 February 2012. It will be a David and Goliath event. With the hopes of two nations riding on the shoulders of their teams. Ivory Coast recently hampered by a civil war after a presidential election and Zambia trying to restore the pride of their nation in the memory of their lost teammates will take to the field. It is too bad that the Wide World of Sports no longer exist to broadcast this event.
This was the opening statement of ABC's sports program which ran on American tv for 37 years from 1961-1998. The show began as a fill-in show for a summer season. The goal of the show was to showcase sports from around the globe. With the success and popularity of cable television, the show was canceled. This is quite unfortunate, because on the eve of the 2012 African Cup of Nations Final from Libreville, Gabon, there is little coverage of this event.
Every two years African national football (soccer) teams meet to decide the African champion. This event is equivalent to the European Championships and the Copa America which are held every four years. The Africa Cup of Nations was first held in 1957. At that time there were only 3 participating nations; Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia. Today there are 16 teams who participate, meaning that there are qualifying rounds which take place between the championship years.
The 2012 event is being hosted in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon. One of the initial surprises this year is that Nigeria, Cameroon, and Egypt did not qualify. Egypt holds the most titles with 7, while Cameroon and Nigeria have 4 and 2, respectively. With these three teams absent, expectations were high for Ivory Coast, and Ghana. The majority of the Ivory Coast team play in France and England for major clubs. The Ghana national football team also has many of its players playing in Europe. Both of these teams made it to the semi-finals, but only Ivory Coast will be in the final. Ghana lost to Zambia and will play Mali for third place.
Perhaps few people thought Zambia would make it to the final match. In 1993 all but one member of the Zambian national football team was killed in a tragic plane crash in Gabon on their way to a World Cup qualifying match in Senegal. Essentially, an entire generation of football was wiped out. The current team has gone to Gabon on a mission to bring home the trophy in memory of their former teammates. From the current squad representing Zambia in this tournament, there is only one player who is on a European team.
The final takes place on Sunday 12 February 2012. It will be a David and Goliath event. With the hopes of two nations riding on the shoulders of their teams. Ivory Coast recently hampered by a civil war after a presidential election and Zambia trying to restore the pride of their nation in the memory of their lost teammates will take to the field. It is too bad that the Wide World of Sports no longer exist to broadcast this event.
08 December 2011
Waka Waka
Last year "Waka Waka" (This time for Africa) was the official song for the 2010 World Cup held in South Africa. The song was sung by Shakira and Freshly Ground.
Indeed it is time for Africa. While most of the western world is mired in debt, economies across Africa are expanding. They might not have the rapid growth of China, but the average gross domestic product (GDP) rate for Africa is around 6%. Compare that to the economies in the US and Europe. In fact about a dozen countries in Africa have seen their economies grow by 6% per year for more than six years. Yet, most western newspapers only print stories about famine, aids, civil wars, etc. Very few articles are written about the successful developments across the continent. Finally, "The Economist" has dedicated an issue on Africa. "The Economist" of December 3, 2011 has several informative articles on "Rising Africa".
Last month when Greece and Italy were rattling equity markets because of their financial situations, the Portuguese Prime Minister Pedro Passos Coelho met with Angolan President Eduardo Dos Santos. Why was the prime minister meeting with the president of a former colony? Portugal is the next country on the list of European countries going bankrupt. Forecast indicate that the Portuguese economy could contract by 2.8% in 2012, while Angola's economy is expected to grow by 12%. Angola, a country devastated by a long civil war, from 1975 to 2002, now stands ready to assist Portugal though its financial crisis. The IMF has agreed to give Portugal a $107 billion bailout on the condition that it introduces a range of economic reforms, including privatizations. Thus, Angola could buy stakes in some of the companies set for privatization. In 2009 Angolan investments in Portugal stood at $156 million compared to $2.1 million in 2002. Angolan companies owned the equivalent of 3.8% of companies listed on Portugal's stock exchange.
Not many people know the name Aliko Dangote. According to the latest Forbes Magazine table, he is ranked as the 51st richest person in the world with an estimated net worth of $13.8 billion, well surpassing Oprah Winfrey as the richest person of African descent. He is from Nigeria and the owner of the Dangote Group, an industrial conglomerate in West Africa . The company has activities in cement, sugar, flour,salt, pasta, beverages and real estate. It is also developing new businesses in natural gas, telecommunications fertilizer and steel. The company has a current market capitalization of $14 billion and is listed on the Nigeria Stock Exchange. For more information about the group see their website: http://www.dangote-group.com/.
Africa is home to 54 countries and more than 1 billion people, nearly 14% of the planet's population. Its population is also set to double over the next 40 years. The median age of the population is now 20, compared to 30 in Asia and 40 in Europe. Yes, it has many diverse cultures and people, but within that lies many opportunities. It is perhaps too early to say whether or not the lion economies of Africa will challenge the tiger economies of Asia, but it is time to give Africa her chance. Take time to learn more about the success stories and opportunities that are developing across Africa.
Indeed it is time for Africa. While most of the western world is mired in debt, economies across Africa are expanding. They might not have the rapid growth of China, but the average gross domestic product (GDP) rate for Africa is around 6%. Compare that to the economies in the US and Europe. In fact about a dozen countries in Africa have seen their economies grow by 6% per year for more than six years. Yet, most western newspapers only print stories about famine, aids, civil wars, etc. Very few articles are written about the successful developments across the continent. Finally, "The Economist" has dedicated an issue on Africa. "The Economist" of December 3, 2011 has several informative articles on "Rising Africa".
Last month when Greece and Italy were rattling equity markets because of their financial situations, the Portuguese Prime Minister Pedro Passos Coelho met with Angolan President Eduardo Dos Santos. Why was the prime minister meeting with the president of a former colony? Portugal is the next country on the list of European countries going bankrupt. Forecast indicate that the Portuguese economy could contract by 2.8% in 2012, while Angola's economy is expected to grow by 12%. Angola, a country devastated by a long civil war, from 1975 to 2002, now stands ready to assist Portugal though its financial crisis. The IMF has agreed to give Portugal a $107 billion bailout on the condition that it introduces a range of economic reforms, including privatizations. Thus, Angola could buy stakes in some of the companies set for privatization. In 2009 Angolan investments in Portugal stood at $156 million compared to $2.1 million in 2002. Angolan companies owned the equivalent of 3.8% of companies listed on Portugal's stock exchange.
Not many people know the name Aliko Dangote. According to the latest Forbes Magazine table, he is ranked as the 51st richest person in the world with an estimated net worth of $13.8 billion, well surpassing Oprah Winfrey as the richest person of African descent. He is from Nigeria and the owner of the Dangote Group, an industrial conglomerate in West Africa . The company has activities in cement, sugar, flour,salt, pasta, beverages and real estate. It is also developing new businesses in natural gas, telecommunications fertilizer and steel. The company has a current market capitalization of $14 billion and is listed on the Nigeria Stock Exchange. For more information about the group see their website: http://www.dangote-group.com/.
Africa is home to 54 countries and more than 1 billion people, nearly 14% of the planet's population. Its population is also set to double over the next 40 years. The median age of the population is now 20, compared to 30 in Asia and 40 in Europe. Yes, it has many diverse cultures and people, but within that lies many opportunities. It is perhaps too early to say whether or not the lion economies of Africa will challenge the tiger economies of Asia, but it is time to give Africa her chance. Take time to learn more about the success stories and opportunities that are developing across Africa.
28 November 2011
The Big 5 in the Okavango Delta
When going on safari, everyone wants to see the "Big 5". What are the "Big 5" and why are they called that? The "Big 5" is a term coined by big- game hunters in the late 1800's. The "Big 5" were chosen based on the difficulty and danger involved to hunt them. They are: the lion, leopard, elephant, cape buffalo and rhinoceros.
There is no guarantee that you will see the "Big 5" when you go on safari. But, if you are lucky to see the "Big 5" in their natural habitat like in the Okavango Delta, it is amazing. While you are not allowed to walk near the animals, vehicles can approach them without disturbing them. Thus, you might find yourself parked next to a pride of lions, which was our case. There were ten lions, two females and 8 cubs, relaxing and playing.
Elephants and cape buffalo were rather numerous, so we often saw them, but rhinos and leopards are more difficult to find. We were lucky as we were able to see two of each. One morning we saw a beautiful leopard in a tree. She was scouting the area for food. She had two young cubs to feed. Nearby were two groups of impalas. She was trying to decide which one to ambush. Leopards do not pursue long chases of their prey. They rather quietly sneak up on them and then pounce on the unsuspecting animal. We tried to watch the ambush, but unfortunately some birds alerting the nearby impalas and they fled.
Later that same morning we spotted a rhinoceros. We quietly approached him and tried to take many photos of him. He was not interested and ran off in the bush, alluding our 4X4. Fortunately, our afternoon drive provided us with another chance, but this was a different rhino and he was eager to have some fun with us. His name was Sargent. He is known by his broken horn. Several times he tried to charge or 4X4, but out driver was quick and nimble, so we were never in danger. Can you imagine staring at a 3500 kg (77,000 lb) rhino and he wants to have some fun with you?
There is no guarantee that you will see the "Big 5" when you go on safari. But, if you are lucky to see the "Big 5" in their natural habitat like in the Okavango Delta, it is amazing. While you are not allowed to walk near the animals, vehicles can approach them without disturbing them. Thus, you might find yourself parked next to a pride of lions, which was our case. There were ten lions, two females and 8 cubs, relaxing and playing.
Elephants and cape buffalo were rather numerous, so we often saw them, but rhinos and leopards are more difficult to find. We were lucky as we were able to see two of each. One morning we saw a beautiful leopard in a tree. She was scouting the area for food. She had two young cubs to feed. Nearby were two groups of impalas. She was trying to decide which one to ambush. Leopards do not pursue long chases of their prey. They rather quietly sneak up on them and then pounce on the unsuspecting animal. We tried to watch the ambush, but unfortunately some birds alerting the nearby impalas and they fled.
Later that same morning we spotted a rhinoceros. We quietly approached him and tried to take many photos of him. He was not interested and ran off in the bush, alluding our 4X4. Fortunately, our afternoon drive provided us with another chance, but this was a different rhino and he was eager to have some fun with us. His name was Sargent. He is known by his broken horn. Several times he tried to charge or 4X4, but out driver was quick and nimble, so we were never in danger. Can you imagine staring at a 3500 kg (77,000 lb) rhino and he wants to have some fun with you?
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