Africa in 140 characters

Africans are talking! Yes in 140 characters. Many have noticed the rise of Africans bloggers and interesting tweets about Africa recently. I love it! Why this is happening, asked Top Bloggers from the Twitter community… Well African has stories to tell I replied. For decades Africa story has interested millions of individuals. The real stories have not been told or 30% of them were reported inaccurately. For the African people, the oral tradition they are used to is linked to their way of life. Most African societies place great worth in oral tradition because it is a primary means of conveying culture. It is also a mode of transmitting feelings, and attitudes. For centuries, African people depended upon oral tradition to teach the listener’s important traditional values and morals pertaining to how to live. Oral tradition delivers explanations to the mysteries of the universe and the meaning of life on earth. In African religion, it is the guiding principle in which to make sense of the world. Oral tradition is non-written history, its spoken word only. Historically, most African societies did not have an invented alphabet. Before the invention of written language, and before the advent of widespread literacy, oral tradition was much more of a daily presence in people’s lives than it is in our world today. Nowadays, popular forms of storytelling in Western culture include movies, television and Social Media (Twitter, Facebook etc…)

West African storytelling, the Griots are the keepers of the culture, as their amazing memories and storytelling abilities allow them to keep alive the culture, history, and genealogies of their people.

We know that in Africa a voice was the vehicle in which knowledge was passed on from one generation to another. A single Voice unified a family, clan, or community. Enforcement of customs depended on voice. When a person died…his or her voice was no longer to be heard, it was as if a whole library had been destroyed. Voice is important in Africa. …Most African people did not invent an alphabet for the art of reading and writing. Therefore they could not keep written records of their history. Instead they passed on information form one generation to another, by word of mouth.

Not only Social media is encouraging African people to write, tell and share more stories that can be archived for the next generation it is also one of the vehicles of the Rebranding of Africa™.

I have seen the rise of excellent news site like AllFrica and Africa news.

Some of the African bloggers I have noticed in recent days are: @tmsruge @Ethnicsupplies, @directassist, @ajmunn @KengeGunya @HillsofAfrica @planyoursafari @thebestofzambia @schoelink @AcaciaAfrica @PinkSafaris @ontdeksafaris @InkosiAfrica @Mnashy, @mjamme

Keep blogging… @mjamme

Africa Decoded…

How well do we know this complex continent? Really little, I think.

I personally am so optimistic for Africa and something is telling me that Africans are finally ready to take control of their destiny, the African Human Capital. Yes they have got it.

From the West, East, Centre, North and South of Africa people from all work of life are hungry to make a difference in them and in the lives of others. People wants to do good, they are seeking excellence at all level, they are fed up to be left out. Businessmen and women are investing in their countries in all industries. They want to make a positive change, and get involve. They want to be one of the vehicles of Change. They want to be the Change they want to see in Africa in the next decades to come.

Progress is being made on industries like New Technologies, Agriculture, Real State, Heath, Wealth and hospitality. The Diaspora’s interest in Africa has risen in recent years; they know that only them can make the changes that we are talking about. They are using social media platforms to make their voices heard. Global events, gatherings, networking, and meetings are taking place from London to Paris, New York to Ghana, Every body is talking about Africa. It is just exciting.

One thing is sure though despite all theses excellent initiatives and passions about the continent, if we want to combat poverty in Africa we should invest more in Agriculture. We should do more to impact development in Africa. We the human Capital of Africa will be the Architect of the reconstruction and re-branding of Africa.

The Bill and Melinda Gates in the last three years have investing in some Agricultural programs in Africa and will be investing more in the years to come. Africa Rural Connect has just been launch to help and bring ideas for Rural African communities.

Food and water are primary basic needs for the rural people in Africa, without Food and water there are hungry and dehydrated, they cannot think straight and be productive. I think we need to look into our sustainable development strategy for Africa and the premier emphasis needs to be on Agriculture. We need to transfer our skills to Africa, give the right tools to people. Education and Training are the right tools that will help Africa and its sustainable development plans.

Marieme

What are you doing?… with your life?

Is twitter the answer?

With hundreds of thousands being laid off, across the world people in all walks of life are struggling to figure out what to do next in their Businesses, their Relationships and in their Lives. We are all asking questions. After almost a year of witnessing a complete meltdown of systems failures, time has come for a complete new invention. Someone out there must come up with brand new energetic, innovative, responsible, sustainable ideas

Reinventing all the systems will bring back trust, accountability and respect. The Buttons needs to be reset. I think so!

On the 2nd of July 2009, I will be hosting a workshop in Guildford Surrey, and will be supporting businesses and individuals with their Reinvention program.
It is a Premiere Workshop that is Fun, dynamic, energised and interactive. We will be repeating it trough the country.

The workshop is all about YOU, and where you are now, in this current climate.

When you join us on the 2nd of July at the Guildford Cathedral Regus Office in a cool and lovely atmosphere you will be asked questions you have been asking yourself for a very long time and never got the answer, for example:

How can I be the person I want to be?
How can reinvent myself in these difficult economic times?
Do I have a plan?
What do I do next?
What in it for me?
Am I taking action?
What Am I passionate about?
Am I ready to relaunch my life because of a challenge recently?
How am I creating the me I want to be?
Am I acquiring wisdom?
How Am I different to others?
Is twitter the answer?
How about my skills, how can I transfer them?
Am I thinking outside the box?
Is UK the answer?
What is my dream?

Then…

Imagine yourself walking away from this unique workshop totally reinvented with a very simple rule.

Because by the time you finish for the day, Mariéme will be sharing with you

How to Create your Unique Brand
You will learn more about your own story
You will understand your Product
You will know your audience
She will give you direction on how to Market and Position yourself in this very competitive world
You will feel totally confident and determined
You will feel motivated and inspired
You will be equipped with tools
She will help you set out of your comfort zone
And you will execute

Please book your seat at Marieme Jamme Workshops http://reinventyourself.eventbrite.com/

I am looking forward in seeing you!

Marieme