A Nairobian's Perspective !

World Cup South Africa 2010 Qualified Teams

noreply@blogger.com (collins Mbalo) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 09:12:00 +0000

Call it football ,call it soccer...the drum beats of Africa are now rolling inviting their neighbors to come witness the peak of African hospitality, the diversity and richness of African culture and the resilience of the African continent in next years football World Cup matches to be held in South Africa in 2010 !

In its eighty years history , this will be the first time Africa is hosting the event since its inception since 1930 making it of much significance to the content. African bloggers,vloggers ,podcasters... etc will take the opportunity to present a different picture of the continent to the World especially since western media always capitalize on the wars, poverty ,diseases conflicts,negative politics that encumber part of the continent.The perception of Africa will be changed to a great extent by the event that will feature 32 world national soccer teams.This blog takes the lead in this venture.Intense preparations are ongoing in South Africa to handle the volume of fans,security risks,accommodation, logistics etc that accompany hosting the event.

The teams that have qualified for next years football world cup include (Source FIFA website) by region are:

Africa

South Africa (RSA) HOSTS

Asia

Europe

North,Central America and Caribbean

Oceania

New Zealand (NZL)

South America

Match tickets for for the 64 matches that will be plaid can be purchased online from the FIFA website.It is important to note that the match tickets for the South Africa football World cup are being sold in phases with he first two phases already finished.The third phase will begin on Saturday December 5 , 2009.The price ranges for the tickets range from US Dollars $ 20(for persons on wheelchair ) to Dollars 2,100 to watch the finals.

All eyes are now turned to the Final draw that will take place on 4th December, 2009 at the Cape Town International Conference Centre(CTICC) 7 P.M South African time which will see the 32 qualifying teams lumped into 8 groups.The event will be beamed live to millions of anticipating viewers worldwide.From then forth fixtures will be known, opponents identified and intense preparations at team levels will begin.

The World Cup trophy which is the ultimate prize for the event is already within the continent but it's a shame sometimes to see how humans glorify and idolize the object(i know im hurting many feelings here).Its just a cup although it may elicit intense emotions but it remains just a cup, a lifeless object with no definite power to help those who overly adore or worship it .However without doubt this is one tournament that keeps its exhilarated fans on their feet constantly.The games affect work attendance, families, friendships etc to a near fatal extent sometimes.Notwithstanding the World will be watching South Africa World Cup 2010.The countdown begins.

Website Templates at ContentMixi

noreply@blogger.com (collins Mbalo) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 07:37:00 +0000

Contentmixi website has crafted 'the ultimate online digital market' where users can purchase the following products:

SEO Optimized Website Templates
CSS Templates
Customized full websites
Joomla Templates
Wordpress Themes
Newsletter Templates
PSD Templates
Logos
Digital E- Books
Animations

The site also features free website templates for freebie lovers . The site proprietors were really ingenuous in coming up with the idea o selling diverse digital items online in a one stop shop.I find the idea pretty captivating and the site is worth a visit.The banners at the site are also intriguing.Samples are as here below:

IZEA Launches InpostlInks Website

noreply@blogger.com (collins Mbalo) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:45:00 +0000

The Leading Social Media Marketing Network company with a global presence and boasting over 250,000 bloggers membership IZEA inc will launch Inpostlinks website on Friday 20 November, 2009. The move will come with bold new changes in their Payperpost website by merging version 3 of Payperpost and version 4 of the same.

The new Inpostlinks website will not require bloggers to write sponsored reviews or to endorse a product but to simply insert/integrate links on their website or on web post and earn on a Pay Per Click(PPC) basis.The bold new changes in IZEA 's Payperpost and Inpostlinks websites is aimed at optimizing the value and online experiences for both advertisers(Advertise On Blogs ) and bloggers.Inpostlinks will feature link only opportunities.

Why all the changes? according to the press release:

Thousands of bloggers worldwide have had the opportunity to make money online through IZEA inc's websites by simply writing blog posts from home.It is hoped that the new changes will continue to positively contribute to the development of e-commerce and the realization of a truly global economy online. To sign up:

<br>Your Browser does not support IFrames: This form can not be rendered. Please visit <a href="http://payperpost.com/signup" target="_parent">PayPerPost</a> to sign up.<br>

Transparency International Corruption Perception Index 2009

noreply@blogger.com (collins Mbalo) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 07:19:00 +0000

Amidst a surging global economy, rising environmental challenges,poverty and food crisis ,corruption continues to pervade most human societies.This is revealed in the annual global corruption and country indices report prepared by Transparency international. The 2009 Transparency international Corruption Index released on Tuesday in Berlin,Germany indicates " that no region of the world is immune to the perils of corruption".

As usual this blog has always taken an interest in the corruption index and makes it a point to discuss the report on annual basis. In this years Corruption Index Kenya has improved with a point from 2008 where its corruption perception index was placed at 2.1 to 2.2 in 2009.Indicating that there has been some relative improvement. The Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) is used in measuring the perceived level of public-sector corruption in 180 countries and territories around the world. The CPI is a "survey of surveys", based on 13 different expert and business surveys.The survey involved a random sampling of 3500 households between April and May 2009.

It is good to note that among public institutions that have drastically improved include the Kenya Ports Authorities and Private Universities. New entrants include the Ministry of Public Works, the National Hospital Insurance Fund(NHIF),the National Social Security Fund(NSSF) and the Teachers Service Commission. This revelation leaves many Kenyans worried as such institutions directly relate to their preset and future well being.The top 20 most corrupt institutions in East Africa(i.e Kenya Uganda and Tanzania) according to the report by rank were:

1.Kenya Police
2.Tanzania Police
3.Ministry of Defence-Kenya
4.Judiciary/Courts-Tanzania
5.Uganda Police
6.Immigration-Tanzania
7.Uganda Revenue Authority
8.Judiciary-Kenya
9.Uganda Public Service
10.Ministry of Defence-Uganda
11.Ministry of Public Works-Kenya
12.Northern Uganda Social Action Fund-Uganda
13.Ministry of Lands-Kenya
14.Judiciary-Uganda
15.Nairobi City Council-Kenya
16.Ministry of Labour-Kenya
17.TANAPA-Tanzania Mombasa City Council-Kenya
19.Mulago Hospital-Uganda
20.Umeme-Uganda

Interestingly 90% of those surveyed in Kenya ranked Kenya as being between corrupt and extremely corrupt indicating why the fight against corruption should receive serious concerns for all of us.Since in essence corruption is carried out by individuals.As a lot Kenyans were seen as pessimistic as to whether corruption would decline in the next coming year.

In Africa Botswana is placed a the least corrupt Country at 5.6 points followed by South Africa at 4.7 and and Namibia 4.5. In East Africa Ethiopia is perceived as the Least corrupt in the Transparency internationals report followed by Tanzania. Sudan and Somalia are almost placed in the same margin which is quite an indictment.You can download the East Africa Bribery Index report(PDF)at the following link EABI LINK

Harmonized Draft Constitution(Kenya) 2009 Download

noreply@blogger.com (collins Mbalo) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:43:00 +0000

You can now be able to read the Harmonized Draft Constitution 2009 submitted by the Committee of Experts.The draft was released to the public and the media at launch held at the Kenya International Conference Center, plenary hall this morning.Unfortunately the download link for the Kenyan Draft Constitution website at www.coekenya.go.ke is not functioning at the moment probably due to the massive number of visits from interested persons.Kenyans are invited to read the draft,debate on it and make their submissions to the Committee of Experts.

However an alternate down load site is the CapitalFm News site if you want to download the draft constitution faster.Advertise On Blogs

Mars Group Kenya Website Upgrade

noreply@blogger.com (collins Mbalo) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 11:53:00 +0000

The public and anti corruption watchdog Mars Group Kenya has relaunched/upgraded its website to an all new template that is pleasant to look at and quite user friendly. The new Mars Group website has an appealing interface that will feature among other things a column dubbed "MarsTv" which will have multi media clips of news and pertinent information of concern to the watchdog's objectives.This blog takes the opportunity to unveil the all new look Mars Group Kenya website screenshot as shown hereunder and invites you to visit the domain.

The anti corruption watchdog is run by among other people the former Transparency International Executive Director Mwalimu Mati now turned activist. Kudos to the developer and webmaster. The site has featured as a worthy resource in the fight against corruption, accountability and governance and has been previously dubbed by this blog as "Kenya's online ombudsman".

Abbott Medical Optics"You Gotta See This Video Contest"

noreply@blogger.com (collins Mbalo) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 06:13:00 +0000

Abbott Medical Optics Inc (AMO) a leading provider of the widest range of proven refractive optical technologies is inviting you to relate how better vision could improve or has improved peoples lives in a video contest dubbed" You Gotta See this" .The contest that is aimed to attract thousands of video submissions and in the process educate persons on the need to consult qualified and experienced professionals when opting for Laser assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) refractive surgery treatment.So far the contest is receiving favorable response from the public.

The winners in the iLASIK Video Contest may win:

A Grand Prize of US $ 5,000
First prize in each Video Category a HDTV package worth $2,500
Second prize in each Video Category a Flip UltraHD™ camcorder worth $199.99

Users can submit their videos in the following three categories:

My contacts are getting in the way of my good time
My favorite sport or activity would be so much cooler with better vision
You should see life after the iLASIK® Procedure

Once participants have submitted their videos ,they can then request friends,colleagues and family to vote for their videos as votes are important in arriving at the winners in this AMO contest.Thousands of videos are being submitted each day perhaps its time you submitted yours for a chance at winning the prize!

I have just found out how little i know about the optical solutions and technologies available for persons with vision impairment. Abbott medicals campaigns such as the one in the "You Gotta See This Video Contest" are helping millions worldwide get useful information on eye care treatment.For more details please visit the "You Gotta See This Website"

Football Update Kenya vs Nigeria

noreply@blogger.com (collins Mbalo) — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 14:26:00 +0000

Kenya is leading 1-0 against Nigeria in a match poised to qualify Nigeria's football team for the 2010 world cup in South Africa. Dennis Oliech scored the goal.keep it locked 4 more updates.The match ended at 3-2 score in a lacklustre perfomance by Nigeria which as the superior team strugled hard from keeping the Kenyans from scoring.Kenya's second goal was scored by David Wanga!if there's one thing the match proved is that coach Antoinne Hey was a waste of time and money!Kudos Twahir Murheedin and the boyz.

Lou Dobbs Resignation From CNN !

noreply@blogger.com (collins Mbalo) — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 08:36:00 +0000

Long time TV Anchor Lou Dobbs abrupt departure and resignation from CNN last week left many in shock but on a satirical note CAP News Blog propounds a new career for the man: A reality tv show dubbed" Lou Dobbs Brown Alert" which wold feature mexican immigrants trying to make a run for the border.Succesful immigrants wold be awarded with a green card.

Lou Dobbs according to wikipedia is famously known for his opposition of free trade and support for immigration enforcement.This topics have prominently featured in his shows thereby prompting the publishers of CapNews to engineer the idea of hosting such a show.Without doubt i love the pun intended in the article.On the other hand his extreme views has landed him the title of "white supremacist" in a Huffington post opinion article written by Gary Shapiro President and CEO of the American Consumer Electronics Association who believes that Lou did not merit the weekly one hour Lou Dobbs Tonight show on CNN due to his exaggerating facts and airing non factual populist opinions.

Baby Websites

noreply@blogger.com (collins Mbalo) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 06:35:00 +0000

Having a new born baby in the house creates tremendous joy to the parent(s). The trend when i was growing up was for parents to take the baby to the Studio or call in an experienced photographer to come in and take photos of the baby. But much has changed nowadays with the advent of the video and digital cameras we are now all experts in photography and take many photos with pride and admiration at our new borns.

However technology is making things go up a notch higher. A new parent cannot afford to miss on setting up a baby website for the newborn and share the link with friends.To do with much ease without necessarily having to be an I.T expert i recommend the site:Baby Home Pages.Net .Thesite gives you the most safe, private, and easy way to create a customized website of your favorite child (or children) AND AT NO COST ,ABSOLUTELY FREE to you.What i perhaps love about it is the privacy issue since the internet has funny characters whom you would not want to mess arround with your family.

Baby Homes.Net website makes it very easy for its users to create personalized websites for their new born.The pictures serve as an online secure and timeless archive that can be referred to by specific users. Well, most modern day Parents never had a website but that does not mean that your kids have to miss out on that. You can still use Picasa or Flickr but a personalized baby site just adds the extra touch.Click on the banner or the link provided herein to visit the site.

Google Adsense Now Paying in Kenyan Shillings

noreply@blogger.com (collins Mbalo) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 08:44:00 +0000

Kenyan bloggers and website owners are now pleased to note that they can receive their Google Adsense earnings in Kenyan Shillings. This was not the case previously and many website owners had dificulty banking the foreign currency(Dollar or Euros) cheques with their local banks, Further ,payment would be delayed for upto 21 working days from the date of receipt with Banks charging commisions on the cheques.

So are you a web publisher, sign up to Google Adsense and customize your earnings to Kenyan Shillings or any other local currency that would be most appropriate to your situation.Yes it is very much possible to earn money online if you have good content and commitment(the two C's) .

ICC Prosecutor Louis Moreno Ocampo's Visit to Kenya

noreply@blogger.com (collins Mbalo) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:53:00 +0000

The International Criminal Courts Chief Prosecutor Louis Moreno Ocampo has arrived n Kenya apparently to address the prosecution of the perpetrators of Kenya's 2007/2008 post election violence that left more than a thousand Kenyans dead.

(Photo Courtesy of AP)
Mr. Moreno Ocampo arrived at the Jomo Kenyatta International airport at 7:30 A.M and thereafter proceeded for a meeting with the two principals of the coalition Government His Excellency the President Hon.Mwai Kibaki and the Right Honorable Prime Minister Raila Odinga. Mr Louis Moreno Ocampo will be in the Country on a 3 day visit.His visit and agenda thereto may put to rest various rumours as to what Ocampo may or will do in the course of his tour.

This blog will keep you updated......

Friends With Benefits/Hooking Up Defined

noreply@blogger.com (collins Mbalo) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 06:54:00 +0000

If you are a parent leaving in this day and age with teenagers in the house or pre- teens, there are certain terms that you cannot avoid knowing the definitions, lest you are viewed redundant and your child ends up in a mess and yu are left wondering where were you?
Must know words for present day parents include:

Friends With Benefit(FWB):

1.The site Urban Dictionary has a variety of definitions as to the present use of the term friends with benefit, among them include:

A relationship where a man and a woman enjoy having sex with one another, but do not see each other as potential relationship material. Friends with benefits usually never works successfully with ex-boyfriends/girlfriends or anyone else you might have feelings for. The benefits are not exclusive, buyer beware!(most voted upon use)
Friends with benefits can do things couples can do except without being labeled as a BOYFRIEND and a GIRLFRIEND, when you ask if they want to be friends with benefits with you, you both have to agree on what those BENEFITS are, and it doesn't have to contain sex. If you both agree on sex, then it's also considered as friends with benefits.

Example:Guy: Want to be friends with benefits?Girl: Sure, but what are the benefits?Guy: Hugging, kissing, holding hands.Girl: No sex?Guy: NopeGirl: Okay sure then.

2. ABOUT.COM defines it this way:

An agreement between two people who are both friends and physically attracted to one another to have a sexual relationship. Neither party is considered committed to the other, and both can start dating someone else at any time with prior warning. A friends with benefits arrangement is not considered dating, a relationship or even casual dating by most people who use the term.

How popular is this new phenomena: Psychology Today Blog discusses a survey done by researchers at Wayne State University in Detroit and Michigan State in East Lansing.The report which involved interviewing 125 undergraduates (65 women, 60 men) found out that Sixty percent of those interviewed i.e.40 men &35 women said they'd been involved in an FWB relationship, and about one-third were in one when surveyed.

Suffice to say with the digital divide having been narrowed by the internet and local Tv and Radio stations featuring talk on Friends With Benefits , i wouldn't be surprised if teenagers and young adults in local schools ,colleges and universities in Kenya engaging in the vice; In fact the trend has been described as "a cultural signature of today's college and post college experience"

However certain Dangers accompany the trend ,including:

1. Inherent danger of Sexually Transmitted Disesaes(STD)associated with casual sex ,Unwanted Pregnancies, Abortion...etc.
2.Fatal Attractions /Murder etc
3.Emotional Instability, Guilty Consciences
4.The Vice encourages ,dishonesty,selfishness and me first attitudes.

Without doubt the above list is not exhaustive the Physical, Psychological ,Spiritual and moral dangers associated with this practice far outweigh any temporary pleasures that such un inhibited sexual relationship may bring.It is therefore important that parents take the lead in safeguarding their youths from engaging in practices that will hinder the development of the youth into successful and respectable members of society.

(For more information see this NewYork Times Article:Friends With Benefits ,and Stress Too )

American Meb Keflezighi Defeats Kenyans in the New York Marathon 2009

noreply@blogger.com (collins Mbalo) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 07:36:00 +0000

American Athlete Meb Keflezighi yesterday stunned the world by winning the 2009 New York Marathon at a time of 2 hours 9 minutes and15 seconds.Meb Keflezighi beat seasoned Kenyan marathoner Robert Cheruiyot by 41 seconds.Interestingly this is a first American win of the Marathon since 1982 and just indicates why this is great news for the American continent. The Eritrean born Meb Keflezighi was last year number two in the NY marathon and it seems he has definately upped his game.

On the other hand Kenyans back home are little pleased as this is their niche of play and the lack of a win was somehow disappointing. The women race however went to competitive African athlete Derartu Tulu of Ethiopia .

It seems Kenyan athletes will now have to brace themselves for stiff competition from Americans and not just Ethiopians and Eritreans since a number of the Americans finished in the top 10 bracket.But Kudos to Robert Cheruiyot there's always a next time as illustrated in Meb's story

Kelele African Bloggers Conference 2009 Postponed

noreply@blogger.com (collins Mbalo) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 07:14:00 +0000

When i first heard of Kelele: An annual African Bloggers conference i was very excited, optimistic and pessimistic in the same vein.Why? For one ,i was pleased that such a noble initiative that would result in the promotion of African Content by African Bloggers and lead to better communication,co-operation and networking of African Bloggers was being launched. On the other hand, i was certain that the initiative would hardly be a success if local corporates i.e. African Companies,NGO' s and Governments did not step in to fund the initiative.True to it, there was not sufficient local donors and the organizers were depending on international sponsors who due to the Global Economic crunch are cash strained to support ' non- fundamental/essential ' projects at the moment. So for the second time the KELELE AFRICAN BLOGGERS CONFERENCE had to be postponed.

The regret at the site partly reads:

"The inaugural African Bloggers Conference dubbed ‘Kelele’ (Swahili for Noise) has been postponed to mid 2010....we would like to apologize for this the 2nd postponement of the African Bloggers Conference—KELELE—which was due to take place from 29th October to 1st November 2009 in Nairobi, Kenya. There are two main reasons that have made this postponement necessary.

Firstly, the African Bloggers Conference is an initiative of several African bloggers and as the organizers, we required significant financial support to underwrite the event. Although many sponsors had initially expressed interest in being a part of this great undertaking, due to the prevailing global economic climate they did not come through as we had anticipated.
Secondly, it has been challenging to secure a truly pan African programme for the conference in the time we had available. .. If we had held the conference in the next two weeks it would have been an East African bloggers conference which we felt would betray our key aims.

To this end we took the difficult decision over the weekend to postpone Kelele again to the new year to give us sufficient time to secure all the necessary partnerships and resources while at the same time increasing the level of participation from across the continent".

That news definately has disheartened many bloggers in the continent but in the same vein encouraged them to more actively engage the community around them to see the importance of supporting such initiatives that can result in much good for the African Blogosphere.

PeopleStrings Social Website Review

noreply@blogger.com (collins Mbalo) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 10:10:00 +0000

With each passing day new websites are being created and new websites are being discovered.A fellow blogger referred me to this new Social-media website that is set to rival Myspace.Com and Facebook.Com: Peoplestring.com .What perhaps will make this site marketable and like-able is that the owners are willing to share revenue from advertisements on a 70:30 ratio basis.Furthermore users earn when they check their email,refer new users, chat with others, and surf the net.

You can just imagine what would happen if sites such as Myspace or Facebook shared their revenue with subscribers...many people would be immensely rich.I believe the concept is worth a try.Without doubt PeopleString.com website is set to revolutionize the online social network industry.

The free membership subscription package has the following benefits:
* Email with 2 GB storage
* Self-destructing email (you can delete emails even after you've already sent them)
* Send video emails
* Web IM: AOL, Yahoo, GoogleTalk & MSN
* Cash back shopping
* Share in all revenue
* Get paid once a month

Whereas the paid subscription Entrepreneur package consists of the following benefits:
* Email with unlimited storage
* Business domain with 20 email accounts
* Unlimited video email
* Universal email tracking
* Web hosting for 5 URLS
* SEO
*Payment fortnightly.
* Bonus commissions, revenue shares, and leads.

For more details on the service you can visit the PeopleString Website.

Nairobi Marathon (Standard Chartered) 2009 -Running Tips

noreply@blogger.com (collins Mbalo) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 06:20:00 +0000

The stage is all set for one of the greatest annual races on Earth: the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon 2009 set to take place on 25 October, 2009 .Today happens to be the last day to register to participate.The Nairobi Marathon race now in its seventh year began in 2003 and has proved to be the launching pad for an international career for many local athletes .The race has quickly taken its place as one of the Worlds favorite marathon race due to Kenya's reputation as a leading athletic sports nation especially in the long distance races. The race attracts many international sports personalities and is particularly grueling at an altitude of 5,000 feet above sea level .

What perhaps makes this race great is that the money raised from the marathon is always used or philanthropic and charitable purposes including aiding the under privileged in society in need of eye care that is in-affordable or inaccessible to them. For more information on the Nairobi marathon please visit the website at www.nairobimarathon.com.

Marathon Running Tips:
For effective marathon tips on how to run effectively i recommend the following websites:

Runners world: This is for newbie tips especially if this is your first marathon to run.
Foothealthcare.com: The site contains top 10 tips for running your best marathon.
Running. about.com: Another leading resource on running featuring tips on half marathon, first marathon, training schedules, distance running etc

Of course the tips recommended by the above sites must also be coupled with expert advice from your physician or personal trainer to prevent fatalities or complications that accrue due to strenuous exercise.If you are a participant all the best .

For supplements ,bariatric bars, diet shakes , kay naturals meal replacement bars please visit: Kays Natural Protein Chips site.

Webhosting Geeks Website Review

noreply@blogger.com (collins Mbalo) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 11:21:00 +0000

Web hosting Geeks.Com is another useful web hosting review portal that assists internet entrepreneurs and marketers determine which web hosting solutions or sites to utilize when hosting their sites online!The site ranks the best web site hosting providers out there and ensures that the list is constantly updated.

One can browse the different web hosting sites according to their charges and reputation. If you are thinking of a new web host.it would be prudent to do a background check on the service providers credentials and reviews at webhostinggeeks.com .This will enable you make an informed decision to your own advantage.The site also contains a blog section that deals with various other issues with respect to website hosting and service providers with readers providing comments and opinions on the various issues. It is a site worth a visit!

"Sexting" Gaining Popularity Among Kenyan Youths !

noreply@blogger.com (collins Mbalo) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 12:19:00 +0000

It is now readily in the public domain that young boys and girls/teenagers are engaging in sex at an early age than traditionally was. Worse is that most are engaging in unprotected casual sex with multiple partners .This has been the subject of media commentaries this week with talks of supplying Kids with condoms in Kenyan schools being fronted by so called"experts" as a necessary precaution. That issue in itself is a moral minefield with divergent views. However unknown to many parents a new culture is slowly driving the youths to this 'uncanny' behavior and inordinate interest in sex;" sexting !".

Sexting has been defined as "the act of sending sexually explicit messages[content] or photos electronically, primarily between cell/mobile phones" according to Wikipedia..Sexting or Sex texting involves sending or receiving text messages with sexual content often in the form of nude photos, stripping of clothes,sex videos etc.Sexting has become increasingly popular in the West where it is believed that atleast one in every five youths has engaged in the habit.The age group particularly affected being from age 11 to 24 years. It is viewed as normal albeit cool to send nude photos to ones girlfriend or boyfriend as a sign of affection.The results can be extremely disastrous as was exhibited in the case of 18 year old American High School student Jessica Logan who committed suicide after her "sextexts" were posted on the internet(see the News item) probably by a jilted lover or jealous friend. Unfortunately most parents are unaware of this development and insist on buying the latest phone models with immense capabilities only to discover that technology wrongly used is corroding societal values with disastrous effects.In any case it is death dealing. Certain States in the USA, Canada and Australia have enacted legislation to curb the practice.

In Kenya sexting is rife , a casual talk with one youth indeed revealed that primary school students as low as in standard four(nine year old's) were frequenting pornographic sites and exchanging sexually explicit photos over their mobile phones. It is not doubt that the intimacy behind sex has been reduced to casual physical affair. Sexting is habit that needs drastic action to be curbed. As for parents make sure you know what your child is up to and discuss this issues openly lest yours becomes the next fatal victim of sexual predators.

MTV Mama Awards 2009 Winners !

noreply@blogger.com (collins Mbalo) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 09:22:00 +0000

This blog has received a number of hits from people desiring to know the outcome of the African MTV 2009 Music Awards and seeing that my earlier post has received good rankings on Google i do not want to disappoint my fans .The MTV 2009 MAMA Awards winners and nominees as announced on Saturday 10 October 2009 at the Moi International Sports Center by category are:

Best Male

2 Face (Nigeria)

Nameless(Kenya)        Winner
HHP (South Africa)
D'Banj(Nigeria)
Da L.E.S (South Africa)

Best New Act

M.I (Nigeria)   Winner

A.Y (Tanzania)
STL (Kenya)
Bigiano (Nigeria)
Rhythmic Elements (South Africa)

Best Hip Hop

M.I (Nigeria)      Winner

A.Y (Tanzania)
Zulu Boy (South Africa)
Jay-Z (USA)
Kanye West (USA)

Best Female

Kel (Nigeria)
Amani (Kenya) :    Winner
Lira (South Africa)
Zamajobe (South Africa)
Lizha James (Mozambique)

Best Performer

P-Square (Nigeria)
D'Banj (Nigeria)
Samini (Ghana)     Winner

Nameless (Kenya)
Blu*3(Uganda)

Best RnB

2 Face (Nigeria)    Winner

Darey Art Alade (Nigeria)
Loyiso (South Africa)
Beyonce (USA)
Akon (USA)

Best Group

P-Square (Nigeria) Winner

Blu*3(Uganda)
Gang of Instrumentals (South Africa)
Mo Hits Allstars (Nigeria)
Gal Level (Namibia)

Artist of the year

2 Face (Nigeria)
Dbanj (Nigeria)    Winner

Lira (South Africa)
HHP (South Africa)
Nameless(Kenya)

Best Alternative

Green Day(USA)
Coldplay(UK)
Cassette(South Africa)
Zebra&Giraffe(South Africa)    Winner

Aking(South Africa)

Best Video

2Face-Enter The Place (Nigeria)
XOD-I Want You Back (Uganda)
HHP-Mpitse (South Africa)      Winner

Da L.E.S-We on Fire (South Africa)
Wahu Feat Bobi Wine-Little Things You Do (Kenya)

Legend Award

Lucky Dube(South Africa) Winner

My Video Award

Patricke-Stevie Moungondo (Congo Brazzaville) Winner

Listeners Choice Award

Nameless (Kenya) Winner

Heres a Flickr slideshow stream for MAMA Awards Photos(Courtesy of MTV)

TO VIEW PHOTOS PLEASE VISIT THE GALLERY AT THE OFFICIAL MAMA WEBSITE

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Notehall.Com

noreply@blogger.com (collins Mbalo) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 08:46:00 +0000

The internet continues to morph each day as it comes; NOTEHALL.COM is an internet site where college student classmates can exchange and or trade lecture notes.The site aims to be the ultimate student resource information retrieval portal while at the same time enabling college students to get paid for lecture notes that they have uploaded online. While the idea is ingenuous ,the likelihood that the site will encourage laziness, class abstention, cheating etc is quite high.

The site has currently been in use at the University of Arizona, Arizona State, and University of Kansas since August 2009 and has over 13,000 active users and over 5,500 documents available for sale. Many students have been able to make money on the site selling their lecture notes and study guides indicating its popularity amongst the youth.

The site also intends to encourage student interaction thereby making the internet an academic friendly portal.However such interaction if not effectively monitored may just yield the opposite results especially seeing the frailty and inexperience of the young students who are the target market.Without doubt NOTEHALL.COM will revolutionize the way students make use of the internet. I know for a fact that many of my colleagues during campus often surfed the internet in order to get free class notes on various subjects often with little relevant results.Hence the idea may just work.The question however that remains .is the venture academically ethical? This being a matter of personal principle may just receive varied reactions.

The site was founded by Sean Conway & Justin Miller .The two were recently featured in ABC budding entrepreneurs show SHARK TANK on 6th October, 2009.(For the clip click on the LINK)

Green Card Lottery Application Period 2009

noreply@blogger.com (collins Mbalo) — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 07:37:00 +0000

The USA immigrant Visa Green Card Lottery(DV-2011) Application Period for year 2009 officially begins today noon 2 October, 2009 at 12.00 p.m, Eastern Daylight Time(EDT) Greenwich Meridian Time(GMT-4) and will run until 30 November, 2009. The online Green card application form ,digital photo a specifications nd application process instructions are available at the following website: http://www.travel.state.gov/pdf/DV-2011instructions.pdf ,Please note that ,this is the link for the official USA government website .The application process is free ,costs totally nothing so dont spend a dime applying with all those third party websites claiming to be official Government Agencies.This is if you know how to read and follow instructions ,otherwise the agencies can do that for you at a cost and that wont guarantee you that you will win the Green Card Diversity Visa Lottery .

The Green Card Lottery Application website is : http://www.dvlottery.state.gov/ the website will be live from the fore-mentioned time, today noon.

This information is shared free of charge at no cost.
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Devastating Earthquake /Tsunami Hits American Samoa

noreply@blogger.com (collins Mbalo) — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 08:48:00 +0000

A devasatating Earthquake estimated at 7.9/8.0 Ritcher scale hit the American Samoa & Samoa island region leaving in its wake massive destruction and a Tsunami on its tail early today morning 30 September, 2009(about 9 hours ago). I wish to hereby share some of the photos of the aftermath on the American Samoa islands -Pago Pago that i have gathered on twitpic.The death toll at the moment according to Associated press is at 63 with the figure steadily rising as rescue efforts are underway.

We certainly live in perilous times with forces of nature exhibiting their full potential with destructive consequencies .This being all the more reason to stay awake to the sign of the times!

Youth For Human Rights International Global Campaign

noreply@blogger.com (collins Mbalo) — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 09:56:00 +0000

Youth For Human Rights International(YHRI) is a global youth organization seeking to educate young people everywhere on their human human rights as enshrined in the United Nations 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights through grassroots campaigns.The organization operates several chapters and youth clubs worldwide. The Term 'human rights' is pretty vague for many youths , and actually only a few who probably have had some legal training ,do know the range and depth of rights that the term encompasses. Hence it is especially essential that youths in Africa acquaint themselves with the activities of the Youth for Human Rights International in order to guard and protect their most basic human rights from abuse from any quarters.

The YHRI campaign "What Human Rights Are" has received quite an impressive global response.Another particularly successful campaign orchestrated by YHRI was the audio visual tool UNITED which featured a five minute music video which according to their website

won a number of awards for its portrayal of how human rights and cooperative action can curb violent confrontation and intolerance. UNITED,inspired the production of a series of 30 public service announcements (PSAs), each depicting one of the articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Harnessing modern audio-visual technology to articulate every right the .UDHR grants brought praise from educators, media industry executives and human rights advocates. The first three PSAs have already aired to more than 130 million people in over 60 countries.

After viewing the ad on CNN recently i decided to visit the YHRI website @ http://www.youthforhumanrights.org/ and was pleasantly surprised at their activities seeing that the group is little known in Kenya .For more information ,you can actually sign up and volunteer and or initiate a local chapter down at their site.I however believe their $40 Dollar Registration fee actually cuts of the vast majority of poor youths from developing Countries especially in Asia and Africa from being truly part of such a global phenomena

TPF 2009 : Alpha Rwirangira Brings Down The House

noreply@blogger.com (collins Mbalo) — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 06:33:00 +0000

Last nights show in the much famed East African Reality Tv Show Tusker Project Fame 2009 was real exhilarating ;the contestants in the musical academy were each performing their own original composition and perhaps for the first time the show uncovered a real African Reggae superstar who is destined for success while still in the house!

Alpha Rwirangira of Rwanda sang a swahili/rwandese song that encouraged africans never again to have a repeat of the 1994 Rwanda Genocide! The song entitled "tusikubali " left the attendants at the show and by extension all listeners completely entertained and received a standing ovation from the judges, teachers and audience.It was a masterpiece , a marvelous song that should have the UN and other international organizations poaching for it to be used in campaigning against social apathy, hatred,ethnicity, gender violence, wars, genocide and other social atrocities that continue to encumber the African continent.

Alpha Rwirangira is star of his won right , deserves this post and positive recommendation! On the other hand Kenyan songstress Patricia Wangechi Kihoro threw wood by choosing a genre of songs.i.e neosoul that has too many western greats that it requires exceptional talent to cut a niche for oneself. Her song had too much of Erykah Badu and India Arie influences and was lacklustre in performance leaving the Judges marginally impressed. On the otherhand the Ugandan Ladies Maureen and Leah definately had songs with international appeal and strong African tones that can readily cut for them a niche in the international music market in a similar manner as has Angelique KidjoSuzzana Owiyo... etc

(UPDATE)ALPHA EMERGES WINNER OF TUSKER PROJECT FAME 2009 KUDOS ! CONGRATS

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