Jucy Africa

How familiar you are with Desmond depends on how familiar you are with Nigerian movies. On the continent  at large he is probably most widely known fr the DSTV ad where he talks very enthusiastically about PVR. Nollywood fans would recognize him from the more than 200 movies he has starred in so far.

Following the release of his latest movie, The Place, the handsome actor has boasted of refunding whatever amount of money his fans may spend in the cause of either going to the cinema to see the movie or purchasing a DVD copy of it, if they found the flick wanting in any way. According to him, “The Place” which is already released on DVD. He went ahead to vouch for the high quality of the movie, saying he’s ready to give money back to anyone who isn’t satisfied with it’s content.

According to the actor, “The Place” is his biggest movie project so far. “I know this will come across as chest-thumping to some people but it is not. This movie is my biggest project so far and so different from everything I have done”, he stressed.

A comedy flick , “The place” written by comedian, Mr. Patrick explores the story of a book stolen from ‘The Place’ by an evil man. It needs to be retrieved before the evil man destroys the world. Produced by by Uche Jombo Studios and Denziot Productions. The Place was released directly on DVD last Monday nationwide. It starred actors such as Uche Jombo, Gordons, Mr. Patrick Onyeka, Bishop Ime-Umoh, Jude Orhorha, Ruth Kadiri and Helen Pa among other stars.

Blackbird Jeans is a luxury, authentic and an unconventional menswear fashion label started by two Kenyan born designers Zedekiah Lukoe and Sydney Owino. “A style that expresses new forms of elegance, presenting itself as a modern classicism, based on superior sartorial content and creativity.”

Blackbird was established in 2008 as a denim line widely known as “BLACKBIRD JEANS“. After taking part in Africa Fashion Week New York in 2011 and Fashion Diaspora, they were immediately recognized as a brand that loves to make loud and proud menswear designs.

Their signature Masaai check blazers and drop crotch trousers are now well known and they have ventured into men’s suiting as seen in their Spring Summer 13 collection and also in their most recent collection Retro Reflection.

S/S13 welcomes the arrival of style and colour for Men and we’re loving every bit of it. Blackbird Jeans caters exclusively to men’s clothing and you can count on Blackbird’s for a wide variety of classy tops, trousers, suits, blazers, accessories, denim and outerwear.

More info on http://blackbirdjeans.webs.com/

The Minister of Arts and Culture, Mr Paul Mashatile recently launched the south African Seasons In France 2013 with the announcement that more than 800 South African Artists, academics and sportsmen are set to benefit from the bilateral relations between France and South Africa.This announcement was made at a small gathering in Parktown with various dignitaries like Dr Joseph Phaahla who is the deputy Minister of Arts and Culture, French Ambassador to SA Madame Elisabeth Barbier, Commissioner-General of the France-SA Seasons Bongani Tembe and Laurent Clavel as well the Director General of the Arts and Culture Mr Sibusiso Xaba.

“The South African Seasons will offer the French a glimpse of the cultural scene in South Africa, which is as rich as it is varied” said Mashatile. This will allow our local artists, culture and heritage practitioners a chance to showcase their work to a French audience and allows for collaboration with their counterparts in France.

Between May and December , the French public will be treated to a wide range of over 150 different projects, performances and initiatives across 100 cities in France. Cultural activities will be combined in an array of events in other fields: innovation, science, technology, higher education, business, sports, languages and so much more.

Dr Hugh Masekela and the Ladysmith Black Mambazo are some of the acts expected to be sharing our South African beauty to the French audience. The Eiffel Tower is also to be endowed with the South African flag.

The Season will include 250 dance and theatre performances, 100 musical concerts, 50 movies, 40 residencies, 35 workshops, 30 exhibitions and 150 South African wines will be available for the French to taste.

Having already had a chance to attend the awesome Fiesta launch earlier this year as well as drive the magnificent Blue Candy Ecoboost for a week(envy inducing pics here) I jumped at the chance to get up close and personal with the Fiesta ST. Given Fords racing legacy its really not surprising that the ST has gathered such a loyal following from performance enthusiasts across the globe. The one word that kept coming up over and over during the business presentation was ” fun” I took note of it but perhaps I have been a bit spoilt. Previous Ford launches have included everything from riding ostriches to running through the lobby of a fancy hotel playing laser quest.

But this time around the fun quotient was taken to the max. We were given customized driving gloves that served the dual purpose of getting us in the mood for racing as well as increased the anticipation. After a very informative talk during which we were given a brief overview of the ST legacy it was time to hit the road.

Outside was a shiny row of brand new Fiesta STs and we paired up and got behind the wheel. Our destination was a secret location where we were going to drive the cars under race condition. The drive took about an hour which was a great way to experience the car properly. Overall its definitely a performance car and my only quibble is that its definitely not built to handle anything other than pristine tarred roads. Buts its a small price to pay and there are other benefits such as the awesome growl from the engine transmitted into the car which reminds you every second that this is no ordinary hatchback.

Finally it was time for the main event: we were first taken around the track by racing drivers to give is an overview of the track and indicate where the pitfalls last. Then they did a “hot lap” which took the car around the track as fast as possible. Even though we were all buckled up it still felt like being in a ride at an amusement park. After a safety briefing we were allowed behind the wheel.

Needless to say that was as much fun as I thought! In my mind I was driving like those people in fast and the Furious but the clock showed I was closer to Driving Miss Daisy! After a few laps , which felt like not enough time we finally left the cars for a quick lunch pit stop.

After lunch it was time for even more useful movie life skills: handbrake turns. These were done on a dusty road for maximum impact and I am definitely confident that I performed a lot better in this exercise.

Then it was back to the racetrack to compete against everyone else in a timed lap. The prize for that was a drive around the track in the Fiesta racing car driven by one of Fords racing driver. Sadly my foot wasn’t as fast on the accelerator as I would have liked. Overall it was winning day though and as much fun as was promised!

Blankets & Wine is the premier afro-based picnic styled music festival in East Africa designed to showcase genres of afrocentric music.Every first Sunday of the month, audiences are actively encouraged to drive down to the venue with a Maasai shuka, blanket or kikoys; a picnic chair; some wine; a picnic basket and their preferred company and proceed to share in this music and lifestyle experience.

Started in November 2008, the event has grown steadily to become one of the most highly anticipated music events in Nairobi and beyond. Currently in its fifth year of operation, Blankets & Wine in 2012 ventured into new territories within the wider East Africa region.

Hence, the event incorporates lifestyle brands such as fashion, cuisine and wine to attract its target audience who could understandably resonate with its distinct musical offering. And also afford the seemingly hefty attendance fees charged to keep the organisers in business.Four years down the line, Blankets & Wine has evolved into a must attend event not only for the burgeoning crop of middle class socialites but also the wannabes they attract.

As a result, everyone from corporate executives to young professionals, hustlers, celebrities, partyholics, singletons and what have you wishes to be associated with the event earning it the title of “Nairobi’s most photographed” event. Basically, it’s where anyone who wants to be seen needs to be.

This weekend promises an fantastic line up featuring south African superstar Zahara, Alsara from Sudan with Kenyan musos Dela and Prisca Ojwang also headlining. For the first time ever the festival will also feature a craft fair. If you happen to go have fun and tweet us some pictures!

By now everyone should have heard of (and hopefully watched) the inspirational movie The First Grader. If you have not done so already may I remind you that the movie stars the swoon worthy Tony Kroroge?

But these things don’t only happen in the movies. Ms Mariana Ong’ang’o Ololo is the oldest class one student at the moment in Kenya. She is in school against all odds; despite her old age, she is also weak and just within a week she has already missed two days of school owing to an illness. As if that is not enough, Ms Marianna is also a smoker.

These odds do not stop the old lady who was admitted to Obambo Primary school in Siaya County as the 87th Pupil in the class one class. Her admission has of course stirred a lot of controversy among residents of Yenga Village in Obambo Sub Location but this does not shake Marianna who according to Daily Nation made an unannounced entry into the school clad in a full school uniform, her head shaved clean, with a bag on her back and accompanied by her 56-year-old son George Ololo, who is an alumnus of the school.

Mrs Ololo is a mother of eight and a widow since 2002, she also has a strong interest in Politics which is the major reason as to why she chose to go back to school. On an interview with Nation, Mrs Ololo explained that “I normally feel I have not spoken my heart out whenever I speak to visitors that come with my sons. I wish I could speak to them directly.”

What really inspired her to go for her dream is her fascination with the digital area and the newly ushered Jubilee government .“Uhuru Kenyatta is not an old man, but took over as fourth President because he has got an education. That is a clear indicator that a person cannot rank highly in society without an education,” she said.

This action by Marianna not only shows the significance of an Education but her sacrifice and commitment go a long way to inspire anyone who has a dream to follow it despite all odds.

This story originally appeared on niaje.com

Often when people think of Durban they think beach, Durban July, Big Nuz and now recently, gay traditional wedding. Well, the SA Tourism and the KZN Tourism believe that there’s more to the city than just Durban Kwaito hence them embarking on showing us a few added extra things one can do on holiday down in the land of the Zulu nation.

Last week Friday we descended upon the city on the east side of South Africa with a full itinerary of things to do. Upon landing, we had lunch at The Oyster Box Hotel in Umhlanga before attending the press conference for the MTV Africa All Stars concert. Friday night’s plans initially included the infamous “Fashion by the Sea” which sadly because of the rain didn’t happen, but because the organizers had teamed up with MTV Base for the All Stars pre-party, the night didn’t go to waste, but we did get wasted.

Day 2, with the rain gone and clear sunny skies, we drove down to Ushaka Marine World to really find out if sharks eat burnt meat. Yes, Shark Cage Diving is one of the many things one can do at the marine world besides checking out the aquarium and window shopping. For once, we were at the aquarium as the cage can be seen in the same water as the sharks and lil fishes. What a thrilling experience to be in the same water with hopes that no one bleeds…as for the water, a tad too salty.

Ever wondered where recording stable, Afrotainment shoots most of their videos? Max Lifestyle Lounge known to many as “Kwa Max” is the popular Shisa nyama spot for a lekker braai in the hood. U can only imagine the itis we had after that. The place is not just a braai spot but a butchery as well. It is a well developed spot with a luxurious lounge for those high rollers but the play Durban kwaito through out, well, they did for the 3 hours we were there *giggles*. The meat, on point, the pap, slightly soft for a Pedi boy but tastey. The night ended up in the VIP Marquee at the MTV Africa All stars concert which was one of the many big events hosted by the KZN province.

Day 3 was for the brave hearted. With fatigue from the excessive partying and hangovers trending, only 2 out of a group of 11 adults went down to the Moses Mabhida stadium for “Swinging”. With a cost of only R595 to conquer the worlds largest swing and a climb of about 350 stairs, we took the challenge shivering in every inch of our bodies. With Psalm 91 in my head, I said a prayer, took a leap of faith and jumped.  One of the craziest things I’ve done. First to the shark cage and piercing my ears. Would I do it again? Yes! The amount of adrenaline rush is worth the thrill of finding out you’re alive.

What to do besides dancing to “Umlilo” in KZN you may ask? A lot more than letting your tottie shrink inside salty water by the sea.  A big thank you to SA Tourism for the experience and for being awesome hosts. Now how about a game drive North of Durban in September?

by: Just Denis (@denphat)

The recent MTV Base concert in Durban was not only a chance to see the renamed Lion but a great opportunity to see performances from some great artists from this wonderful continent. In keeping with the African theme our musical star today is Joy Frempong more popularly known by her stage name OY. This genre defying artiste hails from Ghana and has been on a journey thought Africa that has influenced her latest album Kokokyinaka

Kokokyinaka is the Akan (Ghanaian language) name for the bird ‘Great Blue Turaco or Giant Plantain Eater’ whose looks I love – blue with a punky crown. It’s also said to have taught man to drum, and so drummers would not kill or eat it. The reason she chose the title was because of this poem:

Kokokyinaka Asamoa, the clock-bird, how do we greet you?

We greet you with ”anyaado”

We hail you as the drummer’s child,

The drummer’s child sleeps and awakes with the dawn.

I am learning, let me succeed.

You know the sonic journey is going to one of adventure when the first sounds you hear are of a clapped out public transport bus wheezing and grinding its way to a breakdown while OY explains how to pronounce the title of her album. And what an adventure it is. Kokokyinaka, the sophomore album  is an experimental, genre-bending, generously seasoned stew of Africa-inflected Electronica that captures, illuminates and refracts her journey through Mali (4 weeks), Ghana, Burkina Faso and South Africa (5 weeks), with all the “found” sounds recorded as she traveled  and with lyrics inspired either by traditional African stories or proverbs or by conversations held with various people she met during her travels, or simply picked up along the way.

If this sounds interesting then you’re in luck because she is on her way back to tour with her band: the tour dates are listed below.

• 25-05, Maputo (MOC) – Azgo Festival
• 26-05, Harare (ZBW) – Book Café
• 28-05, Cape Town (ZA) – Mahogany Room
• 31-05, Johanesbourg (ZA) – King Kong
• 02-06, Swaziland (SWZ) – Bush Fire Festival

Cape Town fans are in for a special treat as OY will also be hosting a workshop on the 29th of May  at 48 Albert Road, Woodstock.

Follow OY on twitter @Oymusic