Ommy Dallah
CNN’s Connecting Africa Explores Africa’s Telecommunications Industry
In the latest episode of Connecting Africa, CNN International’s Eleni Giokos explores how Africa’s telecommunications industry is transforming business and gearing up for a more interconnected continent.
Giokos interviews the CEOs of several major telecommunications companies and sees how their products are helping traders across Africa.
First, Giokos meets Ralph Mupita, President and CEO of the MTN Group, Africa’s largest mobile network.
Mupita says that investment in the telecommunications industry is only going to increase in the years ahead, “We’re going to spend approximately $10 billion over the next five years to ensure that Africa has the infrastructure to power its growth.”
The African Continental Free Trade Area agreement has opened up trade across the continent and across many areas of industry.
The telecommunications sector is a key part of this and Mupita discusses why “I would argue that it’s not possible that we get the kind of the growth that is anticipated under the agreement without the telecommunications sector.”
Looking to the future, MTN is hoping to harness 5G technology across Africa.
Mupita speaks about his goals, “5G is coming to Africa. We’re not going to get left behind. And as you start thinking about future technologies and how they can drive African growth, we will be right there as MTN for sure, and looking at how these technologies can be harnessed to drive socio-economic progress in the various countries that we operate in.”
Next, Giokos visits Vodacom, the second most valuable brand in Africa. Vodacom executives are thinking big after a 40% jump in mobile traffic during the pandemic.
Shameel Joosub, Group CEO of Vodacom, talks about their new financial services ‘super-app VodaPay,
“It’s creating the opportunity for you to trade way beyond your geographical area. Before, if you had a physical store, you were limited to a certain geography. What this does is it opens it up, firstly within their broader country, but also there’s no reason why someone sitting in Nigeria cannot supply someone in Kenya. And moving into this free trade environment just allows companies to trade across multiples geographies.”
East Africa is home to one of the world’s leading mobile money platforms M-Pesa. It was pioneered by East Africa’s largest telco Safaricom and is now co-owned by Vodacom.
Peter Ndegwa, Safaricom CEO says that he believes M-Pesa has the potential to become Africa’s leading mobile money platform.
He tells Giokos about how the platform is facilitating cross-border trade, “We have started to sign contracts with companies such as Visa to create interoperability and also to enable trade. We also need to make sure that we reduce the cost, the cross-border costs, of interacting.”
Undersea cables connect Africa to the internet. The Main One cable stretches from Portugal to West Africa with landings along the route in Dakar, Abidjan, Accra and Lagos. Main One is a broadband infrastructure company providing telecoms services and network solutions across West Africa.
Founder Funke Opeke describes the importance of their infrastructure work, “When you look at internet penetration in our region, it was hovering in the 10% range when we started. Today, it’s 40% and growing, so clearly a lot more eyeballs on the internet. The big players are all here. The global tech giants want to be in Nigeria.”
Giokos also meets Sokowatch Group CEO Daniel Yu to explore how Africa’s informal retail sector is becoming digitized.
The tech startup is helping retailers connect to large pan-African manufacturers to make them more agile and competitive.
Yu tells Giokos, “I see our aim as being able to come in and provide small retail stores with the tools, with the technology, with the services to unlock their potential.”
Around 18,000 small businesses use Sokowatch. Angela Nzioki, Sokowatch Kenya CEO, explains the company’s success, “Typically, most retailers in Africa really struggle when it comes to access to goods and services, so where Sokowatch becomes really integral in that process is because we’ve taken the power of e-commerce and technology and really put this in the hands of the retailers.”
From billions of dollars pumped into infrastructure to mobile payment platforms, Africa's digital transformation has the potential to spur economic growth and give rise to new tech and telecommunications companies across the continent.
Angry Harmonize Now To sue Ex-colleague Rayvanny Over Trending Nudes
Following an explosive sex scandal involving him and his recent ex’s daughter, now enraged Bongo Flava singer Harmonize is set to sue his former colleague Rayvanny and at least 6 others for allegedly sharing nudes and private conversations attributed to him.
Through a statement released Wednesday 14, 2021, Harmonize’ lawyer Jerome Msemwa accused WCB Wasafi’s trio; Rayvanny, Baba Levo and Juma Lokole of a smearing campaign against his client.
Controversial Tanzanian Media personality Diva Loveness professionally known as Divathebawse was also named among the accused.
Others named include a blogger running an online entertainment news page Bongotrending_habari and users behind the accounts Binti Kigoma and Baby_Udaku.
“We are preparing to file a suit against those involved in sharing photos, voices and videos of our client,” said lawyer Msemwa in a statement,
He added: “We will ask billions of shillings” as damages from the accused.
Msemwa also warned those continuing to share the photos asking them to stop immediately.
In addition to his lawyer’s statement, Harmonize hinted at reporting the named personalities’ accounts to be permanently banned from using Instagram.
“What you see here is a short list of people who you could never see again here on Instagram. They will pay me a huge sum of money accompanied with jail term which will serve as a lesson to others,” he said.
The founder of the Tanzanian-based record label Konde Music Worldwide alias “Kondegang” claimed the videos in circulation have been manipulated.
“Videos made and shared online showing my face conjoined with someone else’s nude then edited with my voice to tarnish my multi-billion brand,” wrote Harmonize on Instagram.
Harmonize, however, acknowledged one of the videos that captured the singer shirtless in a bathroom allegedly having a video call with Paula Kajala, the daughter of a woman who Harmonize was dating.
“In the video that I am seen talking from the bathroom, I was speaking with someone I was in a relationship with and it is normal to speak with them from anywhere,” wrote Harmonize.
Recently, Rayvanny accused Harmonize of wanting to hook up with Paula while in a relationship with her mother Frida Kajala popularly known as Kajala Masanja.
This is speculated to be the reason why Frida Kajala broke up with Harmonize. Kajala is currently on vacation in Dubai accompanied by her daughter Paula.
Frida Kajala and her daughter Paula are yet to comment on the matter.
Unverified reports claim that Rayvanny sponsored Kajala and her daughter’s vacation at the posh Armani Dubai Hotel in exchange for Harmonize dirty messages with Paula.
Rayvanny’s camp has, however, denied the reports.
The “Kiuno” hit-maker poured damning screenshots on his Instagram page showing his former colleague Harmonize trying to convince Paula to have sex with him and keep their relationship a secret.
In a long post, Rayvanny shamed Harmonize for sharing nude photos and videos of himself to Paula.
“I have never seen someone astonishing like you my brother Harmonize. What kind of a human being wants to sleep with both mother and daughter?” wrote Rayvanny.
He added: “You even send your nudes without caring about your position in the society.”
His post was seen as a way of getting back to Harmonize after the Kondegang founder exposed Rayvanny, a month ago, for dating a school-going Paula.
Rayvanny claimed that Harmonize contacted high ranking government officials to ensure that he was charged and jailed.
“You telephoned leaders to alert them of my issue which makes me wonder how you will show your face to them?” he asked.
Rayvanny’s explosive post led to an online spat between supporters of Diamond Platinumz’ record label WCB Wasafi and Harmonize’s Kondegang that was kindled after Harmonize quit Wasafi at the end of 2019.
The spat escalated further as artists; Ibraah from Kondegang and Rayvanny, Baba Levo from Wasafi released diss-tracks throwing shades at one another.
However, it was WCB Wasafi’s Baba Levo’s nasty track that earned him a date with BASATA, Tanzania’s National Board for Arts that regulates artistic items in the country.
The board has today afternoon released a statement condemning the online drama.
“We are saddened by the happenings and the behaviour of Tanzania artists for using uncouth language towards each other and sharing demeaning footages of one another against the board’s rules and regulations.” reads the statent from BASATA.
Adding "It is high time that our artists start getting creative and come up with ways of improving the industry instead of seeking for cheap publicity"
Kida Kudz Returns With Smooth, Lyrically Potent New Single 'Animalistic'
Nigerian rapper, singer and songwriter Kida Kudz returns with his powerful first solo release of 2021, “Animalistic”.
The single, available for streaming on all platforms here, is a masterful blend of melodic Afrobeat and ‘AFRO JIGGY’ sensibilities with personal and pertinent subject matter.
Speaking on the release, Kida says, “Writing Animalistic was a spiritual process for me. I woke up early one morning, grabbed my pen and paper, started jotting down to the instrumental and tapped into the forces I needed; the lyrics just flowed from me."
Adding "I was painting a perfect picture of an African boy speaking to his people, trying to preach to them in a kind of way.”
Written on the day one of his family members was taken away, “Animalistic” explores the topic of incarceration and the discomfort and cultural issues around it.
Kida adds on how personal it goes, “You can vibe to the song but at the same time it is sending a message across to young people to stay up and stay woke! ‘Gangsterism got us locked in prison’ was a real life story of a family member that had been taken away that same morning when I wrote the verse."
"These are real things that I put in my song, things that are happening around me and that other people are experiencing in the world.”
No stranger to the limelight, Kida Kudz’ authentic, intelligent and vibrant output has had incredible co-signs from Playboi Carti and A$AP Rocky as well as gaining fans in the likes of HYPEBEAST, RedBull, TRENCH, GRM Daily, Complex, Hunger, CLASH and more.
He has graced festival stages from Oh My to Afronation and his distinguished personal style and keen eye for fashion has led to collaboration with Daily Paper, Tommy Hilfiger, Clarks and more.
Kenyan Singer Loses Dad To Covid-19
Gospel singer Mash Mwana is mourning the sudden demise of his father.
According to the 'Hatachelewa' hitmaker, his father succumbed to Covid-19.
'The first time I heard about the coronavirus, I thought it was just normal but right now my father is no more," said Mwana on his instagram page.
The singer is appealing for financial support to offset his father's hospital bill.
"Today I lost my dad who was ill and admitted to the hospital. I have a pending bill of 500k to sort out within 48 hours. I need all my real ones to come through with me on this one." he said.
Mr Eazi Drops ''The Don"
Afropop superstar Mr Eazi has released the music video of “The Don” - lead single off his 2021 ‘Something Else’ EP.
The video of the dramatic, opera-inspired slice of afro trap single is shot and directed movie-style by director Babs Direction.
Mr Eazi executively produced the video shot in Ghana, in which he takes on a character of The Don - a revered former convict who escapes from capture and goes on to continue living freely among his people, with ideals like ‘loyalty’ and ‘family’ - which he states in the film’s monologue as paramount in his life.
Watch “The Don” on YouTube:
Mr Eazi weighs into his state of mind at the point of making “The Don”.
“I spent the entire 2020 working on building emPawa Africa and morphing into ‘Don Eazi’, the mogul. I almost had no time to record.” However, he credits his producers on the record: Kel P and Killertunes for the inspiration, adding, “They kept coming to meet me in Accra until I finally recorded “The Don”. That opened the door for me getting back in the studio.” he says.
For Eazi, ‘Something Else’ represents a “calm before the storm” as he continues his journey from the artist on breakthrough projects: Life Is Eazi, Vol. 1 - Accra To Lagos (2017) and Life Is Eazi, Vol. 2 - Lagos to London (2018); to a globe-spanning entrepreneur and thought leader.
He is currently in Ghana, where he has just begun work on his upcoming third album, tentatively titled Life is Eazi, Vol. 3.
‘Something Else’ EP is available on all DSPs via Eazi’s own Banku Music label and emPawa Africa.
Kuiyu’s “Butter” Gets ‘Black Boy Joy’ Themed Visuals
After dropping a sneak peak for his long-awaited sophomore album, Chemsha Changanya, Kuiyu follows up with the music video for Butter, shot and directed by PKG INC.
In his signature style, Kuiyu is sharing his story about being free and owning his intimacy, sometimes hard other times soft.
The video finds the Kiambu bred singer in a feel-good chill mood with happy people around him.
The project itself is a dedication to close friendship, individual beauty, freedoms and expressions, motivated by the themes ‘black boy joy’ and ‘black girl magic’.
The tracks’ architecture is an interesting, ear arousing assortment of sounds traditionally referred to as ‘indigenous’ sandwiched in a careful arrangement of Urban elements.
The music is lost in between RnB/Trap sequences and Afro-Soul dynamics making ‘Butter’ a unique contribution to East African Music Making.
‘Butter’ offers a reintroduction into the portrayal of the masculine and the feminine, the African and the foreign, the pop and the folk.
As audiences evolve in the cosmopolitan environments, the music evolves too. What started out as an alternative experiment is set to become a model and template for future folk, RnB and bilingual creative expression.
About
Kuiyu’s art draws from multiple influences without leaning on one in particular. A wandering spirit, he exemplifies authentic expression coloring outside the lines in his audio and visual art creations. His work resonates with a vulnerable essence, bold styling and edifying spirit. He hopes to delve deeper Exploring romanticism, identity and orientations, spirituality and the emancipation of the African mind in his upcoming sophomore album and virtual concert.
The Singing Physiotherapist Jescar Karimi Releases New Song- Mungu Mkuu
Worship singer Jescar Karimi is here with her latest musical offering titled “Mungu Mkuu”.
Watch The Video Here: https://youtu.be/FCc1Pf__HrA
ABOUT THE SONG
“I wrote the song 4years ago, from a point of acknowledging that God is great and greater than all other names. In my ups and downs, I choose to exalt His Name. The recording and release of the song couldn't have come at a better time than this. Days preceding the Mungu Mkuu video shoot were interesting. I had worked straight for 12 days and it was during this period while at work in the hospital that I got to launch the song with a patient in the isolation ward. That one particular patient that I ministered to also ministered to me with a word from Psalms 29; which happens to be one of my favorite chapters. “– Jescar Karimi
ABOUT JESCAR
Jescar Karimi is a born-again gospel singer born and raised in Embu. Her genre is Worship music and she fellowships at Deliverance Church - Kimende, where she also serves as a Praise and Worship leader.
Jescar’s passion in music began while in high school, that is Moi Girls' High School, Eldoret and she got to nurture it all the way to Moi University where she sang in the University Choir. She recorded her first single while back in 2014 through the guidance of music producer Wycliffe who first saw that musical light in her and helped her light it.
Jescar Karimi’s first music video titled Ni Maombi was released in 2016. This was followed by the second one, Mali Bila Daftari, which was released in 2017. The song got considerable airplay both on radio and TV and won her an award in that year’s edition of KEGMA Awards. The win opened for her a lot of doors like enabling her to start interacting with top gospel musicians in Kenya who gave her more insights on how to improve on her music ministry. She later released "Kwaria Nawe" and “Tena Na Tena” in 2018, “Ni Jehovah” in 2019 and finally “Umenipenda” in 2020.
Jescar feels blessed and privileged to be able to serve humanity both as a musician and as a physiotherapist because she gets to do more than what her medica career entails; she gets to share God's Word and her musical gift with her clients whenever possible. She is also an inspirational writer and columnist; she regularly writes for her employer - the referral hospital she works for, in their magazine which highlights the various activities being undertaken to provide better healthcare to Kenyans.
Jescar Karimi has in the past worked with Biblica Kenya in issuing out Bibles to children with terminal illnesses and also with the same organization, at the start of Covid -19 pandemic, she got to share a devotional that was aimed at encouraging people in these tough times.
Quote about her music ministry – “My Music life story will be one of God qualifying the "unqualified" and I am excited about what lies ahead, as the Lord enables me to see the unfolding of the next chapters of my life.”
Nameless Falls Prey To Hackers
Nameless is the latest Kenyan celebrity to lose his Instagram account to hackers.
The verified account enjoys more than 1.2 million following, was on Monday taken over by hackers who are suspected to be from Iraq. The hackers have since been posting their own posts.
Taking to his facebook page Nameless updated his followers about the incident.
Hey fam… Just to let you know, my IG account was hacked Jan… We are working with a dedicated team to sort it out, and pray that we will be back in control ASAP . Will keep you updated. For now I will be communicating though here and Twitter, na pia Tiktok , hapo naweza release stress na madance stingo,” he posted on Facebook.
The news was first communicated by Nameless’s wife Wahu who posted a short message on her instagram account asking fans to disregard any posts coming from the account and reassured their fans that they are working to resolve the issue.
“Hey, fam. Nameless Instagram Account has been hacked. We are working to resolve the issue but for now please disregard any posts coming from Nameless Kenya account.” She posted on her official Instagram account.
Nameless becomes the latest celebrity from Kenya to fall prey to hackers. Just recently singer Sanaipei Tande also lost her account which had garnered over 230,000 followers. She was forced to open a new account.
Six Candidates Shortlisted For KPA MD Job
Former Kenya Ports Authority [KPA] General Manager Corporate Services Justus Nyarandi is among six candidates shortlisted in the race for the position of KPA Managing Director to take over from Daniel Manduku who resigned on March last year (2020).
Nyarandi is the currently Executive Secretary of the Northern Corridor Transit and Transport Coordination Authority (NCTTCA) based in Mombasa.
According to a source KPA General Manager operation and Harbour master Sudi Mwasinago is also among the shortlisted candidates. He will be making his third attempt at the post.
Others are former Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia-Transport Corridor chief executive officer Silvester Kasuku, former Principal Secretary at the Gender Ministry Mwanamaka Mabruki who previously worked at the port.
Alex Odero Kazongo and little known Jim Paul Siro are also among those shortlisted for the fresh interviews for the KPA top post.
Unconfirmed reports claim KPA General Manager in charge of Lamu port Eng Abdullah Samatar has been elevated to Deputy Managing Director’s position awaiting the KPA board’s approval next week.
The KPA board was forced to go back to the drawing board after Treasury Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yatani declared a repeat of the recruitment of a successor to Manduku when the applicants could not beat the required threshold of over 70 percent marks as a qualification to occupy the MD’s seat.
https://ommydalla.co.ke/people/item/2047-kpa-to-re-advertise-md-job
Mzee Kuldip Was My Mentor, Says CS Balala As He mourns The Late Hotelier
Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala has mourned the demise of veteran Coast hotelier Kuldip Sondhi.
In his condolence message, Balala described the late Sondhi as a passionate hotelier and very outspoken about sustainable growth of beach tourism in the Coast region.
"Mzee Kuldip was my mentor in the tourism industry. It is a gift to have had a mentor, a friend and a father figure like Mzee Kuldip." said Balala.
On his part Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho described him as charming, always energetic and full of life.
"His passion for literature and poetry was unmatched, testimony to the numerous accolades, awards and adulation he received world over." said Joho.
Adding "He also served with zeal and dedication as a councillor in the defunct Mombasa Municipal Council and stood out as revered pillar of tourism development in Mombasa and the region as whole."
Businessman Suleiman Shahbal said Kuldip's death is a big blow the tourism industry.
Shahbal noted "The Tourism Industry has suffered a major blow following the death of Kuldip Raj Sondhi, a guru in the sector. Mzee Kuldip immensely contributed to the growth of the tourism industry in the Coast region."
Kuldip passed away on Monday morning. According to the family, he died at his Reef hotel facing the gardens he so loved with the Indian ocean breezes over his body.
