Naibu waziri wa kilimo na maliasili Bi Mtumwa Kheir Mbarak amesema serikali itaanzisha mpango wa ruzuku kwa pembejeo za kilimo kwa kuchukua asilimia 75 ya gharama za pembejeo ili kuwapa wakulima nafuu.
Viongozi wa Vyama vya Michezo Zanzibar wamependekeza uteuzi wa mjumbe mwanamke, aliyehitimu katika masuala ya michezo, atakayewakilisha wanawake ndani ya Baraza la Michezo la Taifa Zanzibar.
The Western classical music scene is expanding in Kenya. Where in the previous years it was confined to the enjoyment of a few Western immigrants - and some upper and middle class local Kenyans -- now Kenyans from the lower income settlement area are tinkling and chiming to Western Classical musical traditions.
Soon it may not be a surprise for one visiting the slum areas of Nairobi, such as Kawangware, to hear a Bach Violin Concerto on repetizione being enthusiastically rehearsed by young novices. This is due to a new wave of young classically trained musicians in Nairobi sharing their skills with those who cannot afford the highly priced Western Classical Music training.
The training is expensive. A 30 minute lesson at an instruments costs about $5.00. A luxury for many Kenyans in the capital city who are said to be living below the poverty line.. or in the usual development industry dictum ‘less than a dollar a day’. And even if they were to afford a lesson, the instruments do not come cheap. On top of that, some of the oldest music instrument shops such as the Assanands in Nairobi mostly stock band instruments. Buying a cello in Nairobi is virtually impossible. One is limited in choice, and many musicians rely on the Kenya Conservatoire of Music in Nairobi.
Most of the locally trained musicians trained at the The Kenya Conservatoire of Music. The school has for years provided classical music training to local musicians who have gone on to become distinguished musicians in various western classical instruments. Most of the notable pianists, oboists, flautists, violinists, and virtually every other instrument required for a Chamber orchestra are products of the Kenya Conservatoire of Music.
For a long time, the only performing orchestra was the Nairobi Orchestra; which teams up with the Nairobi Music Society to perform mostly popular Western Classical Repertoire. Since the 1960s the orchestra has been performing to audiences at annually. The orchestra’s members, until the 2000s, was mostly British immigrants. It now seems more inclusive and diverse, and one can spot quite a number of young local musicians during their performances.
These younger musicians,as well as performing for weddings and other events, also teach in different schools in the Kenya. Their ambitions are huge. Some of these musicians have trained, performed and attended workshops abroad and would like to see the Western Classical Music scene in Kenya grow and become reputable and vibrant. Hence, the inception of altruistic projects of taking the music to the slums, such as Ghetto Classics in Korogocho and El Sistema Kenya in Kawangware. Where they share their musical skills through volunteerism.
El Sistema Kenya
El Sistema Kenya an ambitious project. Based on the Venezuelan model of El Sistema - founded by Jose Antonio Abreu and whose most notable success story is Gustavo Dudamel who conducts the Los Angeles Philharmonic - it aims to provide training in strings to children aged between 10-12 living in Kawangware slums in Nairobi, five days a week for 2hrs.
The project is run by four young women - Karis Crawford, Papa Viola, Bernadette Muthoni, and Mumbi Mbugua. All string players. The aim of the projects is “to change the lives of underprivileged young students in East Africa”, explained Ms Crawford. She added that they believe they can “create future leaders of Kenya through the skills that they learn through music” such as leadership, creativity and increased memory improvement.”
They are currently working with 60 children in Kawangware slums, partnering with Kawangware Primary School with the support of the head teacher, teachers and parents. As it is such an an ambitious project, Ms Crawford is also training some young women who will eventually to take on teaching roles with ESK by September.
One of the most pressing challenges for their project is instruments. They have been able to address this by appealing to donors and so far they have had donations from organizations in the States (Fieldston School in NYC, People to People Project in Pennsylvania, Meyer Music in Michigan, Marshall Public Schools in Michigan), as well as the Martyn Donaldson Music Trust in the UK and several individual donors.
With regard to teaching material, the project has adopted the Suzuki Method for teaching, Ms Crawford explained because the method “works much like an infant learning its mother-tongue” - where the student learns how to play the instrument, and then they learn how to read the music later - they have been able to eliminate costs of buying books and music stands at the initial stages of the project. This has been beneficial as they are working in low income areas.
Since September 2014, they have performed three concerts so far to audiences of about 1500 in Kawangware; and are slated to perform performance at the Venezuelan embassy for their National Day in the next few months. They have also recently partnered with the Youth Orchestra of the Americas and MusAid who will both be sending teacher trainees to assist in training.
Eventually, they hope they will be able to implement the project in other low income settlement areas in Kenya, and even cross the borders to other East African countries. At least, to help “other East African countries start their own El Sistema projects” Ms Crawford added.
Perhaps with the implementation of such projects - that aim to develop and nurturing young untapped talent - Kawangware will in the near future be listening to the sounds of a beautiful Symphony, performed by the new kids on the block.
Posted Wednesday, August 10, 2011 | By DEBULA KEMOLI, NATION MEDIA
The vandalism, looting and arson that has gripped London and spread to other cities has taken the British public by surprise.
However, those attuned to the economic situation in the UK and the Tory government spending cuts will tell you this was a time bomb. It was only a matter of time.
While the riots are quite scary and have even escalated to mugging, they’re some who say there’s a sense of excitement about what’s going on in England.
England is beginning to resemble Greece, Tunisia, and other countries that have witnessed recent uprisings due to the state of the economy.
The uprising in Tunisia was sparked off by the self immolation of Mohammed Bouazizi who was protesting being arrested for selling vegetables by the roadside; his alternate means for employment as he couldn’t find work.
Although the riots in London were set off by an apparent gunfire exchange between the police and a young man, it was just a trigger that the rioting youth needed to vent out their frustrations that stem from the economic conditions here and the lack of jobs.
Many of the politicians who have spoken on television and radio have condemned the riots and termed it as opportunistic criminal behaviour.
The MP for Tottenham (where the riots first broke out) David Lammy described the looters as mindless youth.
It seems pretentious, as a government, on the one hand to support youth protests in other countries calling them uprisings while terming riots in its country as gang crime.
Is it that this government fails to see a similarity to Tunisia or Egypt in terms of a ruling class that is making the prospects of the lower class much dimmer?
The youth here have lower job prospects, government spending cuts to the public sector have seen many lose their jobs, and the recent university fee increase now leaves these young people with no hope of getting higher education.
Former London mayor Ken Livingston said that this is the first time since World War II where young people in this country are in a situation where they have no hope of finding work, buying a house and even getting an education.
Some would argue that there are youth, who also have no jobs but have not taken to the streets.
However, this is a percentage of the youth who have no hope at all and perhaps feel like they have nothing to lose.
Ms Kemoli is an intern at the BBC World Service Trust, London.
NB: Article was first published on Nation Kenya in Aug 2011.
Rwanda: Has it succeeded in building national unity?
The steps taken by the Rwandan Government to build a national identity and diffuse ethnic tension after the 1994 genocide are remarkable.
However the question is, have they been effective?
Dr Omar Shahabudin McDoom, from the London School of Economics, has produced a World Development Report that analyses the social, political and economic steps the Rwanda Government has taken in the aftermath of the genocide and their failings.
The gacaca as a transitional justice system for the victims of the genocide - where survivors and perpetrators are brought face to face in a local space - is a commendable effort.
While McDoom applauds the gacaca “as the best form of transitional justice for Rwanda in
the absence of a better alternative”, he however points out that the gacaca has neither brought “retributive nor restorative justice” to the victims of the genocide.
Whilst Rwanda’s constitution is one of the best in Africa - in terms of recognizing principles of ethnic equality, equitable power sharing and gender sensitivity - on the other hand it also provides for control of political parties by the judiciary thus diminishing the political space in Rwanda according to McDoom.
Rwanda has experienced an impressive economic growth of 6% GDP since the genocide.
An impeccable achievement for a country that was once ranked as one of the poorest in the world; 149th out of 173 in the UNDP Human Development Index in 1993.
Dr McDoom argues that despite these great strides in economy - through Kagame's steps of liberalizing sectors such as telecoms and banking, lowering taxes to attract foreign investment and entering the common market for Eastern and Southern Africa COMESA - the political freedom is minimal which is a harbinger for future conflict.
The argument is that economies fluctuate; and if the nation’s unity is depending on the economic growth of Rwanda, what happens when there's a decline?
McDoom says “post conflict stability premised on economic growth and strong leadership - but without political liberalization in the longer term - may have a finite duration and a possible dramatic ending.”
Ultimately, he has outlined all the various steps taken and believes that they have worked in the short term.
What of the long term?
By Debula Kabwagira,originally published May 2011 in Africa Top Business
London Marathon 2015: Paula Radcliff, three time winner of the London Marathon was the darling of the crowd. Try spot her beyond the British flags if you can
Panicians in Haringey, London: Stumbled upon a talented group of Panicians in Haringey on my way into town. Playing September by Earth, Wind & Fire.. one of my favourite 70s band. Gotta love them! Thumbs up!
Spoti: Mashindano ya Kombe la Muungano katika mpira wa vikapu yameendelea uwanja wa Gymkhana ambapo timu ya wanawake Nyuki waliibuka washindi kwa vikapu 42, dhidi ya Africa Magic vikapu 39.
Awali, timu ya wanaume ya Africa Magic walilazwa na vijana wa Stone Town waliojizolea vikapu 92 kwa 64.
Katika michezo ya mapema asubuhi, timu ya wanawake Polisi waliwalaza Rangers na vikapu 74 kwa 66. Nao Nyuki walipata kipigo kutoka kwa Don Bosco walioshinda na vikapu 77 kwa 36.
Shoot & Edit: Debula Kabwagira, Michezo ZBC TV 24 Jun 2014
Viongozi wa Vyama vya Michezo Zanzibar wamependekeza uteuzi wa mjumbe mwanamke, aliyehitimu katika masuala ya michezo, atakayewakilisha wanawake ndani ya Baraza la Michezo la Taifa Zanzibar.
Pendekezo la uteuzi huo umewasilishwa kwenye mkutano kati ya viongozi hao na uongozi wa Baraza la Michezo la Taifa (BMTZ) uliofanyika katika ukumbi wa Wizara ya Habari Utamaduni na Michezo (WHUUM) walipokuwa wakijadili sheria namba 5 ya BMTZ ya mwaka 2010.
Viongozi wa Vyama vya Michezo Zanzibar pia wamependekeza kuundwa kwa nafasi tatu za wawakilishi wa walemavu walipokuwa wakijadili sheria hiyo pamoja na muundo wa BMTZ.
Makamu Mwenyekiti wa BMTZ Khamis Abdallah Saleh amesema pamoja na kurekebisha sheria hiyo, pia kunahitajika juhudi za kuimarisha vyama kwa njia tofauti kama vile kutoa ratiba maalum ya mashindano ya nchi.
Mkutano huo ulifunguliwa na Mwenyekiti wa BMTZ Bi Sharifa Khamis na uliongozwa na Mrajis wa vyama vya Michezo Said Malik Juma akisaidiwa na wakili Ally Saleh.
Naibu waziri wa kilimo na maliasili Bi Mtumwa Kheir Mbarak amesema serikali itaanzisha mpango wa ruzuku kwa pembejeo za kilimo kwa kuchukua asilimia 75 ya gharama za pembejeo ili kuwapa wakulima nafuu.
Akilijibu suala la mwakilishi wa Jimbo la Muyuni Mh Jaku Hashim Ayoub, aliyeuliza ni lini wizara ya kilimo itatoa mbolea bure kwa wananchi wanaopanda Mpunga, Bi Mtumwa amesema serikali itaendelea kutoa ruzuku katika pembejeo za kilimo ikiwemo mbolea, mbegu na dawa za kuulia magugu, pamoja na huduma za matrekta kwa bei nafuu.
Bi Mtumwa amefafanua kuwa lengo la serikali la kuanzisha mpango wa ruzuku kwa pembejeo za kilimo ni kuhakikisha kila mkulima ananufaika na bei nafuu kwani wakulima watachangia asilimia 25 ya gharama za pembejeo hizo.
Akilijibu suala la nyongeza kutoka Mh Asha Abu Haji, aliyetaka kujua ni kwa nini kuna malalamiko mengi kuhusu mbolea kuchelewa, Bi Mtumwa amesema hali hiyo imesababishwa na kuchelewa kwa fedha ya kuingiza mbolea.
Aidha, amesema serikali itaendelea kuwapatia wakulima pembejeo za kilimo kwa njia ya ruzuku hadi itakapoona wakulima wanapata tija na mapato yatakayowawezesha kununua pembejeo za kilimo kwa mujibu wa bei za soko.
Debula Kabwagira ZBC, Baraza la WAwakilishi 16/05/14
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