General

The First Poor People’s World Cup on African Soil

adam — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 11:21:41 +0200

At the shadow side of the mountain, 36 teams from 40 different communities came together yesterday to play the one thing they like the most: SOCCER!

On the 13th of June 2010, the Poor People’s World Cup successfully kicked-off their first day of matches at the Avendale soccer fields, next to Athlone stadium in Cape Town. Early in the morning, the first minibuses with soccer teams arrived from all over Cape Town to play their first games in this Poor People’s tournament. Everybody was excited and the atmosphere was amazing, considering the bad weather forecasts.

At the meeting where the programme of the day was discussed, the coordinators explained that this tournament is not only for the soccer teams, but also for the whole community and for the people who struggle everyday against water and electricity cut-offs and against evictions from their homes and working places. The message during the meeting was clear: while the poor people in Cape Town and in South Africa as a whole are suffering, the rich are enjoying themselves in the expensive stadiums at the expense of the poor.

After we stood still at these facts, we moved on with inspiring speeches from Martin Legassick (housing activist/ UWC Emeritus Professor), Michael Premo (Housing is a Human Right) and Ashraf Cassiem (Chairperson/Coordinator of the Anti-Eviction Campaign). Besides all the 36 teams and their supporters from their communities, this event also attracted local and international journalists, researchers and international radio and television broadcasters.

All the traders and communities – that were negatively affected by FIFA-related urban renewal projects and by the implemented by-laws – were invited to this tournament: a tournament that is FREE and open to everybody. Because this tournament is by and for the local communities, international branches are the only ones that are excluded from these areas as they robbed our informal traders from their livelihoods! All the money that tourist spend there, won’t benefit the local economy but will flow back overseas.
Therefore, in contrast to the FIFA World Cup, we have created our own contra-World Cup for the poor communities by the poor communities that is not exploiting people or marginalising people, but involving people and creating new spaces of exposure and participation.

To read more of this article published on Ngo Pulse click here

Fred M'Membe Conviction

Daniel — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 16:44:32 +0200

After reading the June 2, 2010, Saturday Post editorial on the conviction and imprisonment of Mr. M’Membe for contempt of court I cried. I cried because with this conviction the dedication of The Post in the last twenty years to the betterment of Zambia can be instantaneously destroyed. Regardless of how faltering the Post Newspaper has been in some of its reporting, its work has been exceedingly important to Zambia’s democratization process. But as Mr. M’Membe stated in his editorial, the Post can now be crushed.

I am in deep grief that someone who has done so much to help sustain our fragile democracy by being the voice of the silent majority while exposing corruption and mismanagement in public affairs could end up in prison for a misdemeanour. What has happened to M’Membe reminds us that in Zambia leaders who ennoble other people’s spirits are rarely encouraged or honoured. M’Membe’s imprisonment is a powerful statement that heroic acts by ordinary leaders are not encouraged in Zambia.

Yes, The Post can be crushed because as much as it is dedicated to the cause of good governance and skilled leadership lacks one thing: the power to change the world. This is not to minimize the contribution of The Post and other organizations in performing acts of compassion and justice in the pain of HIV and AIDS, orphans, unemployment and women abuse. Lest we forget, M’Membe is in prison today because his newspaper dared to speak out on behalf of an ordinary Zambian woman who gave birth on the pavement at a hospital because of a nurses’ strike. Still the Post does not possess the power of Jesus Christ our Lord who assures us that the church will triumph when it is doing things right.

The church that will be sustained is the one that goes beyond meeting the physical and material needs to “addressing with courage and sensitivity the deep concerns of the soul,” says Bill Hybels of Willow Creek Community Church. This church will visit the M’Membes who are in prison and cry with them, pray with them, give them a listening ear, hug them and share hope with them. But to do these things, the church needs to recapture its unique mission of offering healing to deeply wounded souls.

The incarceration of M’Membe is an invitation to the church to reflect on its mission to bring light to kingdoms, rulers and authorities. As Christians we are aware that God is not only the creator of the world, but he is also its sustainer. In Christ, everything is held together, protected, and prevented from disintegrating into chaos. Our hope for sustained peace in our nation therefore depends, largely, on whether the church leaders understand that mission and mobilize their members accordingly. Hopefully, no Zambian will ever be incarcerated for making a positive contribution to the welfare of his or her fellow people. Yet as a young democracy with systems that still appear to favour the rulers, our people will suffer injustices and other acts of violence that grieve the heart of God. The question is: will the church of Jesus Christ be a light bright enough to shine in such darkness?

African Agenda 2010 - Survey

adam — Thu, 06 May 2010 11:56:44 +0200

2010 is a critical year in Africa’s development, and as we head towards the United Nations Summit on the MDGs in September 2010 in New York, it is important that African stakeholders develop a set of priorities for engagement and advocacy in Africa, and towards building a redefined relationship between African countries and the international community.

African Monitor and a number of partners, including ONE and the Southern Africa Trust, are facilitating citizen consultations around the continent to develop a citizen-driven agenda for Africa in the second decade of the 21st century. The aims of these consultations are to:

1. Develop an African agenda wholly owned and promoted by governments, civil society, business and academia;
2. Identify high impact priorities for implementation between 2010 and 2015;
3. Identify key evidence that demonstrates the effectiveness of partnerships (among Africans and between them and the international community) in programme implementation;
4. Galvanise shared expectations and excitement about prospects for Africa;
5. Generate commitment and renewed energy to drive local and international support for democracy and development in Africa.

Recognising that there are ongoing continental processes to review progress towards the MDGs, as well as identify priorities for international community engagement, these consultations will also review the existing continental processes and submit recommendations to them. Realising how limited physical consultations are, it is critical that an e-consultation is undertaken to poll a broad cross section of African citizens, particularly young people, on these issues.

The #AfricanAgenda2010 e-consultation is coordinated by the Southern African NGO Network (SANGONeT).

We thank you for taking part in this consultative process by responding to this survey.
Take the survey here http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/W835YB5

All Against Homophobia: Gauteng Celebrates Diversity

phumim — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 11:08:22 +0200

For over half a century lesbians and gays internationally have been publicly taking into the streets. In 1990 in South Africa black and white people gathered in Johannesburg to protest against racism and homophobia, highlighting the double oppression suffered by black people under the apartheid regime. Since then pride events served as one platform to visibly make social and political demands of yet another group of people suffering exclusion: lesbians, gays, transgender, intersexed and bisexuals (LGBTIs).

The gains that are in our laws today did not happen by accident. Just like apartheid was defeated, LGBTIs people struggled openly as non-heterosexuals for the ideals found in the Freedom Charter “South Africa belongs to all who live in it…[O]ur country will never be prosperous or free until all our people… enjoying equal rights and opportunities… Peace and friendship amongst all our people shall be secured by upholding the equal rights, opportunities and status of all.” Mostly are included in the country’s Constitution.

We defeated apartheid and legislated against racial oppression, and racism continues. We legislated against inequality yet so many live the realities of not having basic needs. We celebrated the right to freedom and human dignity yet people like LGBTIs continue to be humiliated, ridiculed and murdered for who they are. To make the laws real we must all struggle side by side for full equality, freedom and human dignity.

As we begin heritage celebrations of LGBTI in Ekurhuleni this Saturday, let us ask ourselves what lessons struggling against racial oppression has taught us as Peoples. What are the fruits of “an injury to one is an injury to all”? What nation are we building if we encourage bigotry, violence and inhumanity against our fellows?

Let’s ALL march against hate speech and crimes targeting all people, including LGBTIs.

Ekurhuleni: 19 Sep at 9am at the Eudy Memorial Park, Tornado; Kwa-Thema
Soweto: 26 Sep at 10am at Vincent and Saunders Strs. in Meadowlands at 10am
Jo’burg: 3 October at 10h00 at Zoo Lake in Rosebank

Call Joint Working Group for details: 011 403 5566

General

Citizen Journalism in Africa programme update

Noma — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 14:29:01 +0200

The Citizen Journalism in Africa programme aims to contribute to media capacity and media diversity in the participating countries

Overall objective

To increase outreach in local media of balanced, objective and informative reporting on the situation of targeted marginalized groups including women, which contributes to an increased involvement and participation of these groups in democratic processes on the national level.

Anticipated results

Improved capacity of selected CSOs including community media organisations to use media tools effectively and in a journalistically sound manner.
Increased collaborative networking, learning and knowledge sharing between participants and training partners on the regional and the country level facilitating improved access to and higher quality of media contributions.
Increased presence of and access to diverse and journalistically sound content on the situation of women and other marginalized groups in the media of the target countries.

In order to achieve the first anticipated result, a number of activities have been planned. These include the following:

Training of trainers: Country Focal Points (CFPs) will participate in this training
In country training: This training will take place in each participating country. Fifteen CSOs participate.
On the job training: This support will be given to individual CSOs in-house.

Training of trainers

The CFPs will be groomed to be able to fulfil their roles as in-country focal points. The training will create awareness and ability for the CFPs to use a variety of digital, traditional and edge-of-the-net media tools, media access and media skills. It is also aimed at improving journalistic skills and standards. They will be trained in facilitation, training and knowledge sharing skills. This session will also develop the outline and substance of the in-country training.

Other modules will be developed on issues like dealing with repressive media environments, data security, infrastructure and access and sector specific media skills. These will be posted on the online platform.

The first Training of trainers commenced on 26 November and will run until 30 November 2007. The participating CFOs are:

Behind the Mask – South Africa

Fahamu – South Africa

MISA – Zimbabwe

Kubatana – Zimbabwe

House Rules

Fri, 24 Aug 2007 13:00:04 +0200

Although this is an online group, there is still a need to facilitate and apply common group process skills that we would use in face-to face settings. Through this post you are thus encouraged to participate in compiling a set of rules aimed at achieving our shared goals.

These rules should serve to encourage behavior that will ensure the success of the portal in achieving its objectives/outcomes(should you feel the word "rules" is perhaps too regulative or carries a too heavy handed approach which might be at odds with the informal and collaborative spirit of the portal then let's replace this with "guidelines". Feel free to post your comments.).

But what is our objective you may ask? And you would be well within your right to demand clarity on this now as an agreed common understanding of the objectives from the beginning is key to ensuring a sustained and meaningful endeavour in achieving the desired outcomes. It will allow you to see how your individual contributions tie into the broader success of the group.

So I will open up this discussion by sharing with you the overall objectives of the Citizen Journalism Project as laid out in the concept document and request that you post your comments, should you have any, to share with the group.

We should then decide on our own ‘localised/specific ' objective in relation to the portal ( which would be embodied within the overall objective anyway.)

Below I have pasted the objectives as they appear in the concept document. Peruse and let's start discussing and formulating the objective for us as users of the portal.

Overall Objective:

Specific Objective :

To improve capacity of selected African CSOs in the field of gender, children and youth, HIV/AIDS and rural communities to use (a mixture of) traditional and digital media strategically and with journalistic professionalism to support democratic processes and a diverse and independent media environment.

Expected Result 1:

Improved capacity of selected African CSOs including community media organisations to use media tools (edge of the net applications, traditional and digital media tools) effectively and in a journalistically sound manner.

Expected Result 2:

Increased collaborative networking, learning and knowledge sharing between participants and training partners on the regional and the country level facilitating improved access to and higher quality of media contributions.

Expected Result 3:

Increased presence of and access to diverse and journalistically sound content on the situation of women and other marginalized groups (as defined in the proposal document) in the media of the target countries.

An example of the specific objective of the knowledge sharing portal could be as follows: It must provide a platform whereby its community of users is able to learn the use of media tools in a journalistically sound manner through sharing and collaborating with the ultimate aim of producing media content which will amplify the marginalised voices of the target countries.

Again though it is essential that this be a shared objective so I urge you to contribute to developing this shared objective which we can all adopt.

Assuming that we are all in agreement with this our next step would be to develop a set of rules/guidelines that we will all agree to abide to. These guidelines/rules should include online and offline etiquette also known as ‘netiquette' i.e. the online manners or rules of conduct that is expected of the participants in engaging with others on the portal.

One aspect of the rules of conduct relates to the way we address each other on the portal or handle comments or suggestions. For instance, it is important to politely address a person by name and ensure that one completely understands what the person is trying to say before jumping to conclusions and criticising the person's comments. In an environment where nonverbal cues are not visible it is easy to misunderstand the intent of the person posting a comment, for example using capital letters online is very often construed as shouting; or perhaps an innocuous remark could be misinterpreted as a sarcasm as often one person's clever joke is another person's offensive insult. This approach of politely verifying the contributing person's intent encourages empathy and shared understanding.

The guidelines should also address operating norms necessary to sustain continued participation of the group i.e. it could set out the minimum number of times a participant is required to log in and the minimum no. of questions, responses or comments required per participant per week.

We could also look at setting up a buddy system i.e. a system in which pairs or groups of learners are responsible for joint participation and contribution. The groups could decide on alternating postings between themselves in the discussion area(so as to ensure that everyone contributes) and can also serve to motivate silent partners in addition to the prompts by the moderator. Feel free to comment on this or suggest other strategies to employ.

I will start by suggesting a few values and rules that I think should be included in our House Rules. Please feel free to add to or edit this list through posting your comments.

House Rules

Openness: Anyone can participate in any section the portal. The editor reserves the right however to edit or to delete posts or comments that violate the conduct guidelines.
Professional Behaviour: We will endeavour to uphold professional behaviour, etiquette and good manners at all times.

Dissent and Opposing Opinions: All points of view are welcome provided they are not racist and exhibit hate.

update 12-12-07 All points of view are welcome provided they are not racist , sexist, or other wise prejudicial or exhibit hate.

Respect opinions of other users: Respect people's right to disagree with you and give everyone the benefit of the doubt. You can politely correct people on points of fact without having to resort to maligning them or insulting them. The reverse is also important - try not to take criticisms personally and assume good faith i.e.
Be Civil to others users at all times
Maintain contact with the group through logging in at least three times a week and making at least on post per week.

Remember, ensuring that we promote self governing etiquette standards will enable us to develop a successful community with trademarks such as constructive discussion, information exchanges and empathic support- indicators of a well functioning portal. Let's ensure that ours is one to be proud of!!

General

When a child with dreadlocks is sent home from school, the question arises: what exactly is a religion?

admin — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 12:57:45 +0200

Namibian Rastafarians are celebrating after a child with dreadlocked hair, who was once suspended from school for his unconventional hair style, returned to school. The incident, which took place in the Namibian coastal town of Walvis Bay during February 2009, ignited questions that asked,: what exactly is a religion? And what exactly is a religious right?

According to a group called the Walvis Bay Rastafari Association, the learner was sent home and his parents were instructed that in order for the boy to be returned to school, he should follow school rules which state that boys should have short, neat and tidy hair.

Mr. Ras Hanse from the Walvis Bay Rastafari Association said that it is in their religion to have dreadlocks and smoke marijuana, and a rule that a Rastafarian child or dreadlocked child is allowed at school is unfair and defies the Namibian Constitution.

“According to Article 19 of the Namibian Constitution, every person shall be entitled to enjoy, practice, profess, maintain and promote any culture, language, tradition or religion. And Article 20 (section 1) states that every child has a right to education,” Mr. Hanse stated.

Mr. Hanse worried that denial to allow this child an education, simply because of his hair style, forced young people who are of the Rastafairian faith to suppress their identity and express who they are.

After Mr. Hanse brought his argument to the country’s human rights watchdog, the Legal Assistance Centre (LAC), an investigation was launched.

Ilda Dos Santos, the legal secretary of LAC, made an inquiry to a director at the Ministry of Education.

“According to the Ministry of Education, no policy on hair was in place,” Dos Santos stated. “However, this specific issue can fall under a part of the Education Act that has guidelines that clearly stipulate that every school can set up its own rules and code of conduct which must be adhered to by both parents and children. And these rules must be respected.”

A court case was avoided after the learner was allowed to return to school, as the principal had a change of heart and allowed the Grade 3 learner to return, dreadlocked hair and all, to school.

Palesa Nthutang is an intern at Legal Assistance Centre in Namibia

Mothers Deserve Better: m-Health And e-Health Must Feature In This AU Summit.

maureen — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 13:50:16 +0200

Prior to the summit, an African Youth forum with the theme “Maternal Infant and Child health: African Youth call for Action” will be held at the Imperial botanical beach hotel in Entebbe from 17th to 19th July 2010. This is a very good initiative by the African governments to involve young people in matters that will affect their future.

Uganda, like many African nations has limited resources in terms of man power and health facilities to enable her provide quality health services for mothers, infants and children. According to the report by Population Action International which based its figures from the Uganda National Health Policy, “supplies and medicines may either be unavailable where they are affordable or unaffordable where they are available”. This prevents low-income women from accessing basic medicines due to the high cost of purchasing drugs from private pharmacies. Worldwide over 350,000 women die due to preventable causes during pregnancy and childbirth.

The main causes are bleeding, infections, abortions and obstructed labour among others. The majority of women who die during or as a result of child birth are low-income earners from marginalized groups. Despite advancement and availability of technology interventions to save mothers and babies, maternal deaths have continued with 99% of deaths in developing countries of Africa and Asia.

As the African heads of state and leaders meet in this 15th AU summit, it is important for them to focus on issues of violence, human rights, education and poverty which are some of the key underlying causes of maternal and infant mortality. They must also not forget to intensively discuss the role Information and communication technologies (ICTs) play in preventing mortality and come up with feasible solutions on how different governments can tap into this potential of ICTs. With an increasing range of devices for communicating and disseminating information, Mobile and electronic health applications are very powerful tools in solving a number of health related problems. These include; sharing information on health related issues, monitoring treatment of patients as well as monitoring health workers. Given the fact that mobile phones cut across literacy levels and have been adopted by many women in rural areas all over Africa, it is important for the African governments to invest in mobile technology and e-health Applications.

The Ugandan ministry of health should partner with Organisations/ institutions like Text-to-change, Mobile Monday Kampala, Faculty of CIT at MUK, SMS media, UNICEF and Women of Uganda Network(WOUGNET) through her SMS campaigns to tap into the potential of mobile and electronic application as a starting point in solving the problem of high maternal deaths.

If the Millenium development Goal of reducing deaths for newborns and children is to be achieved within the remaining five years, our leaders have to “WALK THE TALK” in the upcoming government leaders meetings like the African Union (AU)- July in Kampala and the G8 summit-September in Canada.

The writer is a trained Citizen journalist and an Information Officer with Women of Uganda Network (WOUGNET)

World Cup Reporters, Welcome To South Africa Pt. 1

admin — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 12:23:20 +0200

n/a

Bafana Bafana Last Stand

admin — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 12:15:26 +0200

n/a

World Film Collective - World Cup 2010

admin — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 09:42:38 +0200

World Film Collective is a charity working internationally that trains young people in
filmmaking and journalism using mobile phones. We use accessible and affordable technology to enable young people to participate in the digital revolution

WFC is offering a unique perspective on the world’s most important sporting event – exclusive, insider, user-generated content unlike anything mainstream media has to offer. Our team of 48 Citizen Journalists, young people who have been trained in Sports and News journalism, will be covering World Cup events from inside their communities. Experience the World Cup from four townships, simultaneously through:

Match Reports! Want to hear about the goal that determined the game? Our journalists report on these pivotal moments with opinions from local personalities.

Lifestyle Pieces! Football has inspired millions around the world. From the kids who strive to go
pro, to the teens that turned their lives around for the game, we will be documenting the power of football.

NewsWhat’s it like to have one of the largest sporting events in the world in your back yard? We’ll show you what is happening outside of the stadium walls.

Reality TV"!The masses of fans who don’t have tickets will be watching the matches at home or at their local pub. This weekly series will feature a local family and the communal experience of
watching the World Cup at home.

Video Diaries! Turning the camera on themselves, these young people will chart the impact of the World Cup on their own lives in daily video diary inserts.

Pre-Match Reports! Including vox-pops and interviews with local personalities, these reports will capture the atmosphere as the community gears up to watching their favourite teams play.

From short, real-time updates to a thorough look back at the week’s best events, our reporters have something to satisfy any audience.
10 secs! Ideal as short inserts in News Features
30 secs! Perfect for highlighting how the World Cup is affecting ordinary South Africans!
2 mins! In depth stories that see through the headlines
4 mins / 2 parts! A story with legs, these two-part features will keep audiences engaged.
15 mins! A round-up of the week’s highlights, this packaged show will include a selection of the
best reports from around the townships.!!!

Social Media + World Cup = New Journalistic Landscape

For the first time social media is present at the World Cup, presenting an unprecedented shift in
the journalistic landscape. News will spread as it happens with people turning to Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube to find out about the latest events. WFC is sharing our unique and
exciting World Cup content online, and is offering our partners a chance to be ahead of the game.

Recent events in Malawi and Zimbabwe

brett — Sun, 23 May 2010 10:35:43 +0200

I am distressed by recent events in Malawi and Zimbabwe. Last week two people were sentenced to 14 years in jail in Malawi, for being in a homosexual relationship. This is a travesty of justice. A sentence that might be given to the worst of criminals, handed down just for loving the wrong person. I join the calls for this sentence to be overturned. It is even against Malawi's own Constitution.

Then comes the news that the offices of GALZ in Zimbabwe were raided and two employees of the organisation arrested. People, these are our CJA colleagues, and GALZ was a participant in the CJA project. We cannot stand by and do nothing!

Ugandan Citizen Journalists Among The Top Ten In The E-Learning Phote Competition

maureen — Fri, 21 May 2010 13:34:16 +0200

The recently concluded e-Learning Africa 2010 Photo Competition saw two Ugandan citizen Journalist featuring among the top ten finalist taking up the 4th and 6th position. The photo competition aimed at finding out "How ICTs Are Changing the Way We Live". To know what this has meant for the African continent and to learn more about how digital media (mobile phones, the Internet, computers, radio and the audio-visual) have changed the lives of the people in Africa who use them in their day-today work.(Digital citizens).

More than 100 images were submitted during the competition that lasted for months and only the top ten were chosen and presented.

Ugandan took five of the ten top positions, with two of the TOP ten coming from WOUGNET Staff Members (Ssozi Javie and Maureen Agena in the 4th and 6th positions respectively).
The TOP 10 photos :
•   Will be featured in an exhibition from May 26th – 28th at eLearning Africa 2010 in Lusaka, Zambia
•   Have been announced on the eLearning Africa website: http://www.elearning-africa.com/picturevoting_home.php
•   will also be part of the next eLearning Africa Newsletter, which is distributed to thousands of people in Africa and all over the world (mail out: Thursday, May 20).
•   will be part of the eLA photo book and handed out to high-level conference participants.

HOW CITIZEN JOURNALISM INFLUENCED OUR POSTIONS

Being one of the country focal for the Citizen Journalism in Africa (CJA) project, Women of Uganda Netwok (WOUGNET) was privileged to participate in the two year recently concluded project which targeted Citizen Journalists in six African countries of Uganda, SouthAfrica, Tanzania, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe. With support from SANGONeT and Hivos, several trainings were conducted in the mentioned countries and Uganda was not an exception.

Among the trained citizen Journalists in Uganda, Maureen Agena and Javie Ssozi from Women of Uganda Network (WOUGNET) were among those specifically trained as trainers. Photography was a major subject matter in all the CJA trainings and this improved on our photography skills. We also learnt about writing skills and how to describe scenes, situations and pictures. BROSDI is the second Country Focal point in Uganda for the CJA project. The key trainers were Brett Davidson, Mathew De Gale and Noma Rangana all from SouthAfrica. With these skills there was no doubt that we would fail to participate and either win or be among the winners. For details about CJA please visit: http://www.citizenjournalismafrica.org

HOW WE FEEL ABOUT THE FINAL RESULTS

Javie Ssozi: I am thrilled that I made it in the Top 10. The participants submitted very powerful photos and this made it even more competitive and interesting. This is a very good initiative that promotes citizen journalism in Africa and most of all shows how ICTs have improved livelihoods around the continent.

Maureen Agena: I feel that the Citizen Journalism trainings I received from the Hivos and SANGONeT team were not in vain, because out of Over 100 photos submitted, mine was the 6th best/relevant photo. Thanks to SANGONeT and Hivos for trusting the power and ability of Citizen Journalists like me. Thanks to the e-learning team that thought of such an innovative competition and for giving us the opportunity to participate. And to all those who voted, thanks for believing in me and seeing the relevance of the photo I submitted.

CONCLUSION

It was a competition worth participating in, because it was the first of its kind especially by the e-learning team. It was interesting and yet challenging but as the saying goes, everything has to eventually come to an end. To all the top ten participants, well done and well won and to the rest of the participants, keep the fire burning with the use and application of technology in all your undertakings. To my fellow Ugandans who participated, thanks for scooping five of the top ten positions. Good luck and enjoy the conference on e-learning.

Speculation Mounts as Nigeria Mourns Yar'Adua's Death

nthateng — Tue, 11 May 2010 16:04:49 +0200

NIGERIA: As Nigeria grieves the death of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, speculations are mounting about the fate of the pending Same Gender Marriage Prohibition Bill which seeks to outlaw same sex marriages, introduced under the leadership of former President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2006.

While Yar’Adua would be remembered for setting standards that distinguished him as a good man and a servant-leader, who meant well for his people and his country, under his leadership the Same Gender Prohibition Bill was passed by the House of representatives in 2009 and he never publicly condemned this law which also prohibits the mere witnessing of same sex marriages.

The Bill would still need to be approved by the Senate before it could become law but Yar’Adua’s government kept mum about it while gay rights activists were optimistic that pressure from both local and international institutions could stop the Bill from being passed into law.

The Bill was first approved by the Federal Executive Council in January 2007 and was temporarily halted because of the 2007 elections that saw Yar’Adua coming to power.

It was later revisited in January 2009, and speculation is that the bill is most likely to be revisited soon, because of pressure from religious leaders who have been vocal in support of the bill.

Reverend Peter Akinola, a vocal supporter of the bill, in 2009 stated in a position paper that, “the introduction of this bill at this stage of national development is one of the best things that have happened to us as a nation.”

Meanwhile Davis Mac – Iyalla of Changing Attitudes Nigeria is certain that the Bill will never get international support due to its “harsh” nature.

He however warned, “Because the new president (Goodluck Jonathan) is an Anglican, those who have been supporters of the bill, like Bishop Akinola may take advantage of the situation and start to lobby for the Same Gender Marriage Prohibition Bill to be passed into law.”

But Oliver Anene of Male Attitude Network Nigeria thinks that the change in government won’t have any impact on the Bill. “Unless someone within the government brings it [the Bill] up for review, for now things will probably stay the same”, he said.

President Goodluck Jonathan assumed duties as acting president in February and was sworn in as president last week Thursday, 06 May this year following Yar’Aduar’s death.

He is a devoted Anglican, a communion which has for years been embroiled in schism regarding homosexuality.

Article by: Mongezi Mhlongo (Behind The Mask Senior Reporter)