JAN/FEB 2010 Issue

THE MAGAZINE THAT PROMOTES UNION AND COOPERATION OF AFRICANS AROUND THE GLOBE, ENCOURAGING AN INFORMED, THINKING AND QUESTIONING AFRICAN SOCIETY.

JAN/ FEB 2010

TANZANIAFOREIGN WORKERSIN MINING SECTORS

SPOTLIGHTSINTERVIEW EXCLUSIVEHAKEEM KAE-KAZIM

YELANEW ALBUM RELEASE“MA KALOU”

AFRICA:HARNESSING AFRICA’S POTENTIALSFOR THE GREATNESS OF ITS PEOPLE

ON THE COVER:Nigerian Born Actor and Producer

Hakeem Kae Kazim

featuresYELA’s New Album Release: “MA KALOU”YELA belongs to a generation of modern, innovative Reunion island artists firmly, devoted to the radiance of their country’s memories and Creole culture universal values. By Theo Malela

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4 A D U N A G O W M A G A Z I N E T O S U B S C R I B E V I S I TJAN/ FEB 2010 WWW.ADUNAGOW.NET

C O N T E N T S A D U N A G O W. N E T

Harnessing Africa’s Potentials for the Greatness of its PeopleThe questions of our abundant human and natural resources are no longer in doubt. What is in doubt is How to harness these potentials for the greatness of Africans.By Yona Fares Maro

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Education of Girls in Sub-Saharan Africa Education should be a basic and fundamental right for all children and adults. Yet statistics tell much of the story: Out of the estimated 115 million children in the world without schooling, 62 million are girls, according to a 2002 UNICEF report.

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Foreign Workers In Tanzania Mining SectorIt appears that Foreign companies not only manage/control certain mining interests in Tanzania, but Foreign citizens are also working in these mines.By Yona Fares Maro

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10 Benefits of Travel RN Nursing JobsTravel RN nursing jobs are the launching pad to new adventures and new challenges. Here are the top 10 reasons that thousands of others have pursued travel RN nursing jobs.By Molly Harris

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Best Christmas Gifts Ideas for CouplesThe introduction of Christmas gifts is a practice that has been continuing for years. People like to offer gifts to their beloved ones in order to make them feel exceptional and cherished.By D. Halet

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Nzongo’ SoulNZONGO SOUL grew keen on singing very early and had come to be his school choirs’ lead singer.By Theo Malela

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SpotlightsInterview with HAKEEM KAE KAZIMNigerian Born Actor and Producer.38

Editorial[ Editor’s Letter ]6[ Featured Contributors ]8[Africa 101 - Equatorial Guinea ]46

Products That Didn’t Survive In the Last DecadeSeveral of the best-funded and most-publicized tech launches of the last ten years have neded in failure.By Yona Fares Maro

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Homeless In America: Facts and FiguresWho are the homeless? Are their numbers significantly increasing because of the recession? Read som eye opening and sobering facts about homlessness in America.By Anonymous Contributor

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ADUNAGOW MAGAZINE“Reaching Africans Around The Globe”

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E D I T O R ’ S C O L U M N w o r d s f r o m E r i c A d u n a g o w |

ADUNAGOW MAGAZINE“Reaching Africans Around The Globe”

PUBLISHER:Eric ADUNAGOW

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF:Eric Adunagow

[email protected]

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS:Paul UsunguStaff writers

Yona Fares MarroTheo MalelaMolly Harris

D. Halet

MARKETING DIRECTOR:Colombe Adunagow

[email protected]

CONTACT US:[email protected]

(714) 612-2057 voice

URL:http://www.adunagow.net

ADUNAGOW Magazine [ISSN 1941-7179] is published bimonthly by Eric ADUNAGOW, PO BOX 691728, Tulsa, OK 74169-1728. Telephone: 714.612.2057. Postage is paid at Tulsa, Oklahoma. U..S.. subscription rates are free to qualified subscribers. ADUNAGOW.NET and ADUNAGOW are trademarks of Eric ADUNAGOW. All contents are copyright © 2008 by ADUNAGOW Magazine. All rights are reserved. Right of reprint is granted only to non-commercial educational institutions such as high schools, colleges and universities. No other grants are given.

Send address changes to ADUNAGOW Magazine, PO Box 691728, Tulsa OK 74169-1728. The opinions of our writers do not always reflect those of the publisher and while we make every effort to be as accurate as possible, we cannot and do not assume responsibility for damages due to errors or omissions.

LEGAL STATEMENT: All information in this magazine is offered without guarantee as to its accuracy and applicability in all circumstances. Please consult an attorney, business advisor, accountant or other professional to discuss your individual circumstances. Use of the information in this magazine is not intended to replace professional counsel. Use of this information is at your own risk and we assume no liability for its use.

ERIC ADUNAGOWChief Editor

WHEN ADUNAGOW MAGAZINE WAS FIRST LAUNCHED back in 2005, I had no idea that it will actually grow to where it is now. It all started with an idea built around the fact that the perception of

Africa and Africans were only limited to what was being displayed on the news, documentaries and infomercials.

In fact, ADUNAGOW Magazine was a personal blog and my own way of responding to the many questions that I was getting from my friends and classmates about Africans and Africa. It took a long time for me to realize that their clueless views of Africa were not a joke, but a sad truth about the reflection of the portrayal of Africa in the American media. I remember thinking to myself: “What kind of idiots questions are these?,” when my friends would ask me if I was sleeping on a tree back home. What was even irritating was the fact that they did not believe me when I shared with them my family pictures from Africa, showing our house, cars, and the city skylines - and yes, including real infrastructures. In 2001, as I was getting ready to graduate from college with my degree in Aerospace Engineering, I started the blog with the idea that there are many other Africans out there that are probably experiencing the same things as I was. The blog was mainly geared towards showcasing the African Arts and beauty, by combining photos from back home and some of my personal family pictures.As the number of visitors started to increase, I realized that this could be a portal to a much bigger and better cause than just venting off. In 2005, the personal blog gave birth to the creation of the current magazine layout and a new vision: “Reaching Africans All Around The Globe.”As we speak, ADUNAGOW Magazine is being read and downloaded from many cities in the United States, and also in other countries such as Nigeria, France, Spain, Canada, and many more. Our audience is bigger and stronger, yet our goal and mission remains the same: showcase the African talents while providing articles geared towards cultivating our readers about Africa and Africans.

As we get ready for the New Year, we promise more exciting interviews with our celebrities and more enticing articles. Thank you for the love and participation. Best wishes to all our readers for the year to come.

Yours,

5 Years In The Making

“Our audience is bigger and stronger, yet our goal and mission remains the same”

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C o n t r i b u t o r s t h e p e o p l e w h o h e l p m a k e A D U N A G O W M a g a z i n e e v e r y t h i n g i t i s

Pau l UsunguEr ic Adunagow

A graduate student of College of Aeronautic in Queens, NY, with an Aircraft Maintenance major and currently pursuing an Accounting degree at Valencia Community College in Florida, Paul Usungu has a deep passion for Africa’s rich culture and history. Paul created Karibu Crosswords, a fun learning tool, which is published in the magazine and soon in a book format. He currenlty lives in Florida, along with his wife Virginie and his two daughters Dalhia and Destiny.

Eric Adunagow is the Chief Editor and founder/Publisher of ADUNAGOW Magazine. He holds an A.A.S. in Electronic Engineering Technology from Community College of Philadelphia and a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.He was born in Kinshasa, Congo and now lives in Oklahoma, United States, along with his wife Colombe and two sons Nicholas and Ethan.

Yona Fares Maro is a freelance writer and an online researcher based in Tanzania and frequently contributes to Tips and Topics related to Internet and Technology. He has published numerous articles in local and regional publications on a wide range of topics, including Business,ICT , Education, Arts, and Local events.

Yona Fares Maro [Your Name Here ]

BECOME A CONTRIBUTOR TODAY: You like the magazine? Wish you could see your articles published in here? Why not become a contributor and share your experience with thousands of readers?To join the team, just send us an e-mail at [email protected] and a sample of what you’re planning on publishing.We are seeking writers from all aspects of life. You are always welcomed to join our team or even just to send one article only. Express yourself.

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AFRO MUSIC Submitted by Théo Malela | e-mai l us your feedback at editor ia [email protected]

11A D U N A G O W M A G A Z I N ET O S U B S C R I B E V I S I T JAN / FEB 2010WWW.ADUNAGOW.NET

In the image of her country Reunion island, a tremendous mosaic of populations from all origins: Europe, Africa, China, India, Madagascar, interbreeding is the distinctive feature of the music offered by Reunionian poet, song-writer and singer YELA.

She draws from her island’s cultural legacies like Sega, Maloya, (percussions-based traditional music inherited from slavery times), and from the different backgrounds she grew up with : African, Carribean, Malagasy music, Jazz, Soul, Gospel…;to set to music her Creole and French poems inspired by her elders’ lifestories, her counterparts’ modern life, joys, pains, hopes and dreams. Through her artistic path, YELA joins the path of her island s’elders like: Alain PETERS, Luc Donnat, René LACAILLE, Danyel WARO, ZISKAKAN, BASTER…who all share Creole culture reappropriation and radiance as a motto.

YELA has a vocal style laden with deep sensitivity, swing and warmth taking after the great voices her ears and soul were reared with: from anonymous “Kabar” voices, that is Reunionian family gatherings where MALOYA is played till the break of dawn; to church choir voices. YELA’s singing initiation was started around 8 years old in the southern ‘Ravine des Cabris church where her great-grandmother was a choir leader long ago; and from the legendary voices of her international models: Billie HOLIDAY, Myriam MAKEBA, Edith PIAF, Abéti MASIKINI, FELA, Nina SIMONE, SADE, KASSAV, Oumou SANGARE, Bob MARLEY, BARBARA, Célia CRUZ, Mahalia JACKSON, Gilberto GIL, Jimi HENDRIX, Salif KEITA, Aicha KONE…

That emotional strength is one of her trademarks showing through in all ‘live’ or studio experiences she has been engaged on either for her own projects or for other artists: TI FOCK, les TAMBOURS de BRAZZA, DAAT for the Creole, African, Magalasy scene, KINGDOM SINGERS, NTEMO GOSPEL, Marcel BOUNGOU (EM BEE, former les PALATAS leader) for the Gospel and Jazz scenes.

With her Creole and Indian ocean flavour contribution, YELA emerged as one of Paris’ International Gospel Festival revelation back in the 90’s and had her performance released on a Fremeaux & associés Gospel compilation. Her debut album “SWING LOW SANGOLO” under the aegis of the same label had YELA going deeper into her cultures fusion approach. She granted herself the right to rearrange Gospel classics in a Reunionian way besides her own compositions of which were songs in African languages (Lingala, Kikongo).

Widening her expression beyond the Gospel scene, YELA’s sophomore self-produced project, YELA “MA KALOU”, is an anthology of rhythms and colours intermixing Reunionian music and Afro-beat, Rumba, latin and caribean flavours, Jazz, Soul around her poems surfing over tributes to mothers and women (Ma Kalou), popular legends reassertion (Do do sya), celebration of elders’ legacies (Lo don, Gramoun until, Oyala…), conscious lyrics –oriented tracks in African language to wink at the continent (wéna makoutou, Sala nguélé. The MA KALOU project features the appearance of prestigious elders enthousiastic about YELA’s artistic orientation: Caribbean Jazz Piano icon Mario CANONGE, Bass mogul Etienne MBAPPE, and co-producers JF COREA and Francky “MOULET”Mwélé.

Live music fanatic, YELA graces her audience with incessantly renewed trips in the heart of her repertoire and through the works of elders and contemporary artists. YELA keeps symbolism laden memories of a concert she gave with Manu DIBANGO in her native city of Saint-Pierre within the context of December 20th Slavery abolition commemoration. The latter’s encouragements to hang on to her Creole style strongly echoes on any project she’s engaged in.

A cultural legacy transmission activist, YELA is also involved in educational projects which enable her to appropriate totally different worlds and langages like the central African children’s songs album “L’Afrique de la Fôret, a collaboration with TAMBOURS DE BRAZZA leader Emile BIAYENDA”. Apart from her own music, YELA is involved in the promotion of her island and Indian ocean cultures through the production of live shows for other artists: Malagasy music with JB, DIN ROTSAKA, Ninie DONIA…, Reunion island, Mauritius, Seychelles music with René LACAILLE, MENWAR…); Creole comedy shows through her ‘Humour Kreyol Reunionnais’ with Thierry JARDINOT, Teat LAKOUR, TINAMAN,with the promotion of artisanal productions.

YELA belongs to a generation of modern, innovative Reunion island artists firmly, devoted to the radiance of their country’s memories and Creole culture universal values.

Contact :

[email protected],

www.myspace.com/yela974,

www.facebook.com/mcyela

Tel: 06 33 60 61 57.

YELAIntroducing...

NEW ALBUM RELEASE: “MA KALOU”


Education should be a basic and fundamental right for all children and adults. Yet statistics tell much of the story: Out of the estimated 115 million children in the world without schooling, 62 million are girls, according to a 2002 UNICEF report.

In Sub-Saharan Africa, the situation is even more bleak. It is estimated that as much as 70% of unschooled children are girls.

So why is this a problem? In his address to the Millennium Assembly, the United Nations former Secretary General Kofi Annan reminded us: “…because their can be no significant or sustainable transformation of society, nor a lasting reduction in global poverty, until women receive basic education and are allowed as equal partners in a country’s development.”

And all the evidence certainly supports it. Studies have shown attracting and keeping girls in school reduces child mortality from malnutrition, improves general familial health, improves their function in the labor force and enhances women’s political participation in society. This may strengthen a family’s alternatives for remaining intact. And, an increase in the education of the workforce has shown to promote and broaden economic growth.

The reasons to educate women are myriad, and affect the development of successive generations. An educated mother is better equipped to protect her child from avoidable illness and disease. She understands

the basic causes of cholera, malaria, bacterial and parasitic infections, and she knows that her child can be safe from preventable infirmities such as polio, mumps, small pox, hepatitis and yellow fever through immunization. Without a doubt, how a child is nurtured and cared for through life has a profound impact on that child’s ability to learn and develop throughout life.

Improving the quality of education must be high on the agenda of any government or NGO, if they expect girls to attend and hold their interest through graduation. Sending children to school often results in a loss of temporary income or, at least, help at home. The school may charge fees, or require a uniform, which a family may not be able to afford. When a choice is to be made between sending a girl or a boy to school, the family will most often put its limited resources into the boy, believing he is to be a better long-term investment and a more culturally acceptable choice.

Quality education is a key to overcoming poverty in a single generation. Education is essential for altering long-held beliefs concerning gender equality. In many African countries, girls singularly face the challenging circumstances that keep children out of school. Education is fundamental to the creation of a community and for national progress. Education may be an enormous challenge, but its accomplishment is measured by its immense opportunity for perpetual reward.

We agree with Lawrence Summers, former Chairman of the World Bank: “Educating girls yields a higher rate of return than any investment in the developing world.”

Contact Georges Malaika Foundation:244 Fifth AveSuite N225New York, NY 10001

tel. +1 212 726 1089 | fax. +1 212 726 3109

www.gmalaikaf.org | [email protected]

EDUCATION OF GIRLS IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

EDUC ATION From the Georges Malaika Foundat ion Website | e-mai l us your feedback at editor ia [email protected]


BUSINESS & DE VELOPMENT written by Yona Fares Maro | e-mai l your feedback at editor ia [email protected]

The questions of our abundant human and natural resources are no longer in doubt. What is in doubt is How to harness these potentials for the greatness of our people, and the development of the country and the continent at large.

I have mentioned the larger African continent because, the development or under development of our country will have a spill over effect on the rest of the continent. Tanzania is huge with massive potentials. There are more the Tanzanian people can do to harness these resources without necessarily depending on the government. The civil society groups have got more work to do in this aspect. Also there is need to disseminate proper information, so that people can become aware of what they can start doing both individually and as group.

Tanzania has massive solar energy, courtesy of the abundant sun. Just recently, Time international magazine of September 28th 2009, reported that Europe aims to cover a considerable proportion of their electricity needs over the next decades using solar power from Africa. This is not another colonization or neo-colonization, its simply that we do not value what we have or that we do not know how to

explore our God given resources for own good.

Tanzania is also blessed with abundant strong winds. Strong winds can be used to generate energy. India, Germany, United Kingdom etc are already using wind turbines to generate electricity. Tanga , Lindi including other coastal regions in Tanzania will be well suited for wind turbine plants. This is because of presence of strong winds emanating from the ocean. Having observed this, let the Tanzanian private sector go into researches and partnership to explore these untapped resources. Am sure a lot of energy can be generated from these sources.

Power is very crucial to the development of any country. That was why many Tanzanians became disappointed, when the National Assembly revealed the amount of money wasted on power without any mega watt added to the national grid. Solar and wind energy can be a better alternative source of energy. More so, its equally environmentally friendly since the world is going green. There is need for wider private sector lead researches into this area. There are more to gain from these sources of energy. There is no point folding our hands while the Europeans come over to use the African solar to supplement their energy needs. Solar and wind energy can produce power cheaper. The question of distribution like laying electric cables, electric poles etc will not be an issue. Thus homes, individual, groups and communities too remote to be reached by power cables, can generate on their own without depending on the national grid. In the United Kingdom, there over 100,000 installed solar micro generation. This figure is set to rise, especially with the increased campaign to save the planet. With this method in

HARNESSING AFRICA’S POTENTIALS FOR THE GREATNESS OF ITS PEOPLE


written by Yona Fares Maro | e-mai l your feedback at editor ia [email protected]

place, we might begin to have steady power for both home and industrial needs.

Lets not forget our pleasant whether conditions (tropical climate), which I consider to be one of the best in the world. Our whether supports the cultivation of most cash crops and farm products. Tanzania can become the food basket of Africa if we want. You will begin to appreciate our whether more, when you live in countries with adverse whether conditions. Most western and other foreign countries (United Kingdom, Canada, America, Germany, China, etc) can record between -1 to -20 degrees. Our whether is also quite suitable for tourism, as most western tourist(s) prefer warm climates.

There is also need for us to start recycling our waste products. This is an area that requires more researches and more investments. The private sector/business leaders should look more into this process of converting waste to wealth. Tanzania has more waste to be converted to wealth. In 2008, the city of Leicester in United Kingdom recycled 33% of its waste.

The level of recycling waste in Tanzania is low. There is more wealth to be created by our waste. A lot of employment opportunities can be created through this venture. The

following waste can be recycled, paper, cardboard, newspapers, catalogues, magazines, glass bottles, plastic bottles, jars, aluminum, car batteries, cans, CDs, metal, electrical equipment, fluorescent tubes, ink jet cartridges, used engine oil, video tapes, unused paints, asbestos materials, used cooking oil etc. We can export our waste products like scrape metals etc.

At present, some researchers from Hokkaido University Japan in partnership with a business firm have produced the worlds first biodiesel from used cooking oil. The product is called, Vegetable Diesel Fuel. This product (Vegetable Diesel Fuel) has been used to generate electricity in some events in Japan. We can borrow this technology and domesticate it in Tanzania. The major raw material (used cooking oil) can never be in short supply in Tanzania. Since it can generate electricity, it will be highly needed to substitute for the normal diesel and fuel, which is currently being used to generate power.

From the above paragraphs, Tanzanians can begin to discover or add to what they know already that we have far more resources to exploit. There is no point to wait for all these resources to continue wasting. What we need are domestic

investors to explore these areas. We also need further feasibility studies, researches and dissemination of information to empower people towards recycling abundant waste products in Tanzania. There are many individuals, families, friends, groups, churches, NGOs etc that could carry out researches on the above or fund people to do same. Interestingly the cost(s) of doing feasibility studies and researches on recycling our waste might be cheaper than we think.

Added to the above are our abundant human resources. Our population is one of our biggest assets as a nation. Our big population has created large market, which is indirectly the investors paradise. Zain Tanzania (mobile phone Communication Company) is a good example of a company that has benefited from the large Tanzanian market. Our market/our large size accounts for why there are so many Chinese, Lebanese, and Indians in our country. They are doing business as well benefiting from our large population. Our economic planners, business leaders, entrepreneurs etc should explore our size to its fullest. If not for economic problems, energy instabilities (regular power failures), insecurity etc, am sure many more foreign investors would have come to Tanzania.

We also need to add skills acquisition to our academic pursuits in order to boost our human resources. We need to copy the Japanese who do not have any natural resources beneath the earth but up in their brain. We can earn more money with our skills overseas if we choose to work abroad. An example is a plumber, electrician, and a motor mechanic earns more than 30 pounds per hour in most cities in United Kingdom. May God bless Tanzania.

DE VELOPMENT E-mai l your feedback at editor ia [email protected] |

http://www.wenze.com/africanadvocates.htm

Contact: Carine Siltz | 919.771.0601

Tanzania’s mining industry is a sector on the verge of a boom. The current administration has been propositioned by various countries and mining companies seeking to take advantage of the nation’s ample natural resources such as gold, precious and semi-precious gemstones, metals and ores. Like in many other African countries, China has made many inroads in Tanzania’s mining industry.

It appears that Foreign companies not only manage/control certain mining interests in Tanzania, but Foreign citizens are also working in these mines. A recent news report indicated that two Foreign workers got into a fight resulting in the death of one of them.

First off, let there be no confusion. This piece is not anti-Foreign by any measure. Some Countries policies of exporting citizens to live and work in many of the countries where These countries have invested is a sound policy for their future and growing population. However, what is good for These Countries is not necessarily good for Tanzania, hence, it is imperative for Tanzania to enter into agreements with Such Countries very carefully.

FOREIGN WORKERS IN TANZANIA MINING SECTOR

There is little reason to have Foreign workers in Tanzanian mines. Tanzanians themselves are not only quite capable of working in their national mines, they are also in need of steady employment, something that the mining sector can provide. Furthermore, the presence of Foreign workers in other parts of the African continent has led to serious conflicts because this imported labor deprives citizens of work opportunities. Such tensions should not be encouraged by agreements that favor These Counties and its citizens but disadvantage local labor.

There is also the issue of reciprocity. It must also be remembered that it is hard for Tanzanians to go to Many of those Counties , work and live there. Considering this reality, any future agreements between Tanzania and Foreign Countries should make it easier for Tanzanian businessmen and women to not only get to These Countries , but open their own businesses.

These Countries Growing economy means that it is almost impossible for any country to not interact with them . One can only hope that a nation Tanzania will make sure that its dealings with Foreign businesses benefit not just a few, but many Tanzanians.







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EMPLOYMENT written by Mol ly Harr is | e-mai l feedback at editor ia [email protected]

People choose travel RN nursing jobs for a variety of reasons. Some like building a career as a travel nurse, as it lets them build unique and valuable skills. Others like the often lucrative pay opportunities. And of course there’s the wealth of destinations that those with travel RN nursing jobs can choose from.

Travel RN nursing jobs are the launching pad to new adventures and new challenges. Here are the top 10 reasons that thousands of others have pursued travel RN nursing jobs.

1. The chance to travel across the country - Want to see the United States? Whether you’ve dreamed of spending autumn in New England or winter in Southern California, travel RN nursing jobs can help make it happen. Love the outdoors? Then you can take assignments near Colorado’s Rocky Mountains or by Washington’s scenic Puget Sound. Have you ever dreamed of hiking across the mesas of New Mexico? Want to relax along the shores of the Gulf Coast? You can do it all with a travel nursing career.

2. Great payment opportunities - Travel RN nursing jobs are in demand. And that demand is only expected to grow. That means that travel nurses are often handsomely compensated. Typical pay rates range from $22 to $40 an hour, while experienced nurses can

10 BENEFITS OF TRAVEL RN NURSING JOBS


sometimes get specialized travel RN nursing jobs that pay even more.

3. Build your resume - Travel RN nursing jobs often place nurses alongside a range of experts in some of the world’s leading health care facilities, which gives travel nurses the opportunity to learn new techniques and develop unique skills.

4. Choose your workplace - Some people prefer travel RN nursing jobs and assignments at large, fast-paced health facilities. Some would rather prefer to work in a smaller community hospital. The great news is that travel nurses can experience them all while on assignment. There are always many choices available, and you can choose the travel RN nursing jobs that are right for you.

5. Greater control over your career - Ever feel like taking a month off? Everyone does from time to time. And for travel nurses, it?s much easier to take time off. Want a couple of weeks or a month off? You can do it between travel RN nursing jobs. That also provides great opportunities for continuing education. With travel RN nursing jobs, it?s easy to schedule time off to take a class, or get an assignment near the country?s best nursing colleges.

6. Get bonuses - It’s not uncommon for travel RN nursing jobs to come with generous sign-on bonuses. Travel nurses can earn anywhere from $500 to $6,000 for simply signing on for a temporary assignment. And that’s in addition to pay rates that are often higher than the hourly rate for permanent nurse positions.

7. The opportunity to travel with family or friends - It’s often easy to find great travel nurse assignments that you can sign on to with a friend. Traveling with friends makes exploring the United States even more exciting. And if you’d like to share accommodations with a friend, that’s often possible.

8. Get great housing at no cost - Most travel RN nursing jobs come with high quality and free housing that’s near your workplace. Some bonuses can include gyms, swimming pools and spas. Getting adequate furniture and other utilities will also be arranged by the travel RN nursing jobs staffing agency. In other words, everything will be ready for you when you arrive to your assignment.

9. Meet new people and make new friends - Travel RN nursing jobs are

the perfect opportunities to meet new people. It’s common for travel nurses to establish great relationships with people across the country. Thanks to online social networks and professional networks like Facebook and LinkedIn, it’s now easier than ever to connect with new people in new cities.

10. Have the ability to try out new locations before you move there - Thinking about relocating but not yet 100 percent sure it’s a good idea? Taking travel RN nursing jobs in a city you’re thinking of moving to is an ideal way to test out the area and decide if it’s right for you.

In other words, travel RN nursing jobs offer nurses freedom. You can choose where you want to work, when you want to work and what you’d like to do. With travel RN nursing jobs, you can take jobs that offer you the pay that you’re worth. It’s all in your hands. Maximize your earning potential. Gain valuable experience. And most importantly, have fun.

In many travel RN nursing job positions, you will have the opportunity to re-sign on to the job if you enjoyed the experience and want to stay. But the best thing about travel RN nursing jobs is that you’ll also get to say goodbye to the office politics and other hassles associated with permanent nursing positions.

Molly Harris is the President and CEO at Advantage Medical Staffing, Inc., where she actively seeks candidates to fill travel RN nursing jobs throughout the U.S. Advantage Medical specializes in career placement for travel nurses, per diem staff and allied professionals, and permanent placement nurses.


REL ATIONSHIP

The introduction of Christmas gifts is a practice that has been continuing for years. People like to offer gifts to their beloved ones in order to make them feel exceptional and cherished.

On condition that you’re component of a couple then you’re going to wish to make an extra effort to ensure that your loved one feels extra special even beyond the Christmas season. Whenever you’re desiring to get a fantastic gift for your sweet heart then keep reading this guide to Christmas gifts for couples.

When you’re looking to get a sensational gift idea for couples you want to make sure that have in mind an object that is inventive. As an example you could select to get a matching set of jewelry. This can be a lovely watch set or a set of matching rings or a necklace for you and a pair of cufflinks for your mate. Jewelry is a exquisite together with an always appreciated gift for Christmas time and assuming decently cared for will last for years to come. Supposing you’re a a crafty person you can even opt for making your own one and only piece for your significant one. Who wouldn’t wish a beautiful piece of jewelry that was produced especially for them.

Whenever you are a couple that likes to travel then how about projecting a travel with you and your partner in mind. You could choose something particular like a weeks holiday in a Southern area. If you only want to get away for the weekend then you should think of preparing a weekend outside at a local hotel. Whenever you’re only looking for a day trip then why not project a day visiting whatever unknown tourist attraction near your home state. No matter if you choose to be gone for seven days or an afternoon with a bit thinking you are certain to come up with a travel that will be a exquisite shared memory with your beloved one for a long time. A great tip to keep in mind when you’re preparing a travel is to see a travel agent. This will allow you to obtain a lot of good travel advice.

If you are looking for a gift to get a couple in your life then you could want to put together a gift basket. It could be a basket that carries a topic to something that the shares. For Instance you could get a cooking gift basket or a gourmet basket to appreciate while watching their favorite television. You might want also decide to give a personalized gift that has the couples initials engraved on it. There truly is no end to the special ideas that you can utilize for Christmas gifts for couples.

Whether you are part of a couple or you’re searching for a gift for a couple with a bit creative thinking you are sure to be capable to find a gift that will bring lasting memories all over the year.

BEST CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS FOR COUPLES

written by D. Halet | e-mai l feedback at editor ia [email protected]

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FEATURED ARTICLE written by Yona Marro | e-mai l your feedback at editor ia [email protected]

Several of the best-funded and most-publicized tech launches of the last ten years have ended in failure. Many large technology companies which had significant market share and product advantages in large industries lost those advantages.I looked at both start-ups and products introduced by companies that did not survive to create a list of the most colossal tech failures of the last decade. To make the list, a product had to be widely recognized and widely available to customers. It had to be aimed at a large global market. It had to be technologically equal to or superior to its competition. It had to be a product or new company that had the possibility of bringing in billions of dollars in revenue based on the sales of similar or competing products. Finally, it had to clearly miss the mark of living up to the potential that its creators expected, and that the public and press were lead to believe was possible.

1) Microsoft (MSFT) Vista was released worldwide on January 30, 2007. It was the most recent generation of the flagship product of the world’s largest software company. Vista was created to improve the security of the most widely used PC

operating system in the world. The securities features were not much better than the previous versions of Windows based on most reviews of the software. Vista was also not compatible with a number of older PCs which limited the number of users who were likely to upgrade from the earlier version of Windows, known as XP. Many analysts claim that Vista also

PRODUCTS THAT DIDN’T SURVIVE IN THE LAST DECADE


written by Yona Marro | e-mai l your feedback at editor ia [email protected]

ran more slowly on PCs than XP. All of these factors prevented Vista from being viewed as clearly better than its predecessors. According to research site Net Applications, as of last month Vista’s global share of PC operating systems was less than 24%. Windows XP had 62% of the market and Apple’s (AAPL) OS X product had over 9%. When Vista was launched, PC Magazine said, “Call it a nice-to-have product rather than a must-have.” Microsoft recently announced its first quarterly revenue drop in 23 years. The day of the earnings release CNNMoney observed, “Microsoft’s Vista operating system, which was released in early 2007, never took off like the company had hoped. Sales in the division that produces Vista fell 16% in the previous quarter. User satisfaction has been underwhelming, and IT departments have largely opted to stick with Vista’s predecessor, Windows XP.” The company is rushing Vista’s replacement, Windows 7, to market and hopes to have it out by the end of the year.

2) Gateway was founded in 1985 and was one of the most successful PC companies in the US. Its sales quadrupled in 1990. By 2004, it was No. 3 in US market share behind Hewlett-Packard (HPQ) and Dell (DELL) and had 25% of the retail PC business. But, by 2007

Gateway was in such poor shape that Acer was able to buy it for $710 million. Gateway’s failure has been blamed on several things, primarily its reluctance to enter the laptop business. Its share of the desktop business was strong through the

early part of the decade, but it did not shift to portable computers as fast as its major competitors did. Gateway was also slow in entering the business of selling PCs to enterprises, a formula which drove most of the growth at Dell for many years. Gateway tried to diversify by moving into consumer electronics, but the profits were poor and this decision only hurt the firm’s margins. GigaOm wrote when Gateway was sold, “The $710 million price tag is quite a comedown from the mid-1990s, when Gateway and Dell (DELL) were spoken of in the same breath and commanded mega-billion dollars in market capitalization.”

3) HD DVD was one of two formats for high definition DVDs. The other format was Blu-ray. HD DVD specifications were put in place in 2002. Negotiations among consumer electronics companies to have only one product for playing high

definition discs ended when there was no consensus about royalties. HD DVD was primarily funded and marketed by Toshiba and NEC and was first released as a consumer product in 2006. When HD DVD was first launched, it had a sales lead over Blu-ray. Industry analysts say that Toshiba lost almost $1 billion supporting the format before abandoning it in 2008. There are a number of reasons that the HD-DVD format lost out to Blu-ray, which was championed by Sony (SNE). The most commonly cited explanation is that Sony did a better job convincing major film studios to release high definition editions of movies for Blu-ray. Sony may have had an advantage because it owns one of

the largest studios. Analysts believe that when Sony got Warner Brothers to adopt Blu-ray exclusively, it won the battle against HD DVD. Toshiba had several explanations for the failure of its product. One of those that it mentioned most often was that the digital video download business hurt sales of physical DVD players. That argument does not carry much weight because downloads should have hurt Blu-ray just as much. The final blow to HD DVD was probably when Wal-Mart (WMT) decided to stop offering the format in favor of Blu-ray. There has been no compelling analysis as to why Blu-ray survived and HD DVD did not. One thing is certain. Sony was willing to continue to spend money even though the future of high definition disks was not assured, and that risk is not over. Blu-ray is still not a staple in most consumer entertainment systems.

4) Vonage (VG) was the grandfather of voice-over-IP (VoIP). It is now hardly a footnote in the growth of the industry which is currently dominated by products from cable companies and free services, primarily from Skype, which had 405 million registered users at the end of 2008 and produced $551 million in revenue. eBay (EBAY), Skype’s

parent, plans to take the VoIP

company public next year. In the first quarter of this year, Vonage did little better than breakeven on revenue of $224 million, which was flat compared with the same period a year earlier. The predecessor company to Vonage began operating in 2000. The company faced early legal challenges, but cleared a hurdle when a federal judge ruled that it could not be regulated as


a traditional telecom company. Using venture capital, Vonage aggressively marketed its services as an inexpensive alternative to standard dial up phones. The firm was successful enough that it raised $531 million through an IPO in May 2006. The offering price was $17. By December, it was trading at $1 a share due to pressure from cable competitors and poor earnings. Vonage also faced lawsuits over some of its intellectual property. Settlements cost the company tens of millions of dollars. Vonage is no longer growing. In contrast, cable giant Comcast (CMCSA) now has 6.8 million VoIP customers and added almost 300,000 in the last quarter.

5) YouTube is the largest video sharing site in the world. According to comScore, 99.7 million viewers watched 5.9 billion videos on YouTube.com in the US during March 2009. In November 2006,

Google (GOOG) bought YouTube for $1.65 billion. There is a fairly good chance that the search company will never get a return on that investment. YouTube has not come up with a model to make money by either selling advertising or charging for premium content, even though it has an a enormous audience and library of content. Most of the video content placed on YouTube is of such low quality that marketers are reluctant to marry it with their messages. Google has said, in regulatory filings, that YouTube revenue is “not material.” Forbes estimated that the site’s 2008 sales were $200 million. Bear Stearns put YouTube’s 2008 domestic revenue at $90 million. Recently, Credit Suisse estimated that YouTube will lose $470 million

this year primarily due to the costs of the storage and bandwidth required to run the website. The same analyst said that YouTube will bring in $240 million this year, but that is only up 20% from 2008. If this analysis is even close to correct, YouTube would have to triple its revenue to breakeven. The New York Times recently wrote that “while YouTube, along with other new media properties like MySpace, Facebook and Twitter, is seen as leading the challenge against traditional media companies, the company itself is struggling to profit from its digital popularity.” YouTube is big, but that has not made it a success.

6) Sirius XM (SIRI) satellite radio was supposed to be one of the most successful consumer electronics devices of all time. A

subscriber would be able to listen to more than 100 stations coast-to-coast in either a moving vehicle, or using a portable version of the device. Initially, the service planned to run no commercials. One of the two companies that would eventually be the merged Sirius XM was XM Satellite Radio which launched its service in September 2001. At the end of the year, the company had almost 28,000 subscribers, a figure that jumped to about 350,000 by the end of the 2002 and 5.9 million by the end of 2005. Over this period, the company accumulated hundreds of millions of dollars of debt in order to cover capital expenses, operating deficits, and sales and marketing costs. Analysts expected the company to be extremely profitable once it reached subscriber levels of more than 10 million. The business was growing so quickly that this goal seemed a foregone conclusion. Rival Sirius launched its service in July 2002. Over the next five years, it would have fewer subscribers than XM but would grow nearly as

fast. Sirius also took on tremendous amounts of debt to support its operations. As both companies ran low on money, they announced a merger on February 17, 2007. The FCC reviewed the request for thirteen months while the companies were bleeding cash. Subscriber growth had slowed, most likely because of new and more popular consumer electronics devices like the Apple iPod and multimedia cellular handsets. Shares in Sirius, which had traded at $63 in 2000, dropped to $.05 earlier this year. In the first quarter of 2009, the number of subscribers for the combined service declined by 400,000 from the previous quarter to 18.6 million. Neither Sirius nor XM ever made a dime.

7) Microsoft’s (MSFT) Zune was launched in November 2006. The world’s largest software company believed that it could compete with the Apple (AAPL) iPod, which had been in the market since 2001 and dominated the multimedia player and music download business around the world. Apple had sold

well over 100 million iPods, when the Zune was launched. Microsoft was able to get the four largest music labels to sign licensing agreements with the company. Sales were dreadful during the first several months after the launch. Bloomberg Television said that between the launch date and mid-2007 only 1.2 million Zune players were sold. In May 2008, Microsoft said that it had sold two million players since its launch. The Wall Street Journal reported that revenue from the Zune player was $85 million during the 2008 holiday season compared to $185 million in the same period in


2007. Apple’s iPod revenue during the last quarter of 2008 was $3.37 billion. Microsoft, which had access to as much hardware development expertise as any company in the world and the capital to support a massive marketing budget for new products failed completely in its attempt to get a large part of the iPod market.

8) Palm (PALM) produced both a portable wireless device and an operating system for portable hardware devices and desktops. Palm launched its Palm

Pilot hardware device in 1996 as a personal organizer. In 1999, it released its Palm V. The Palm Treo smartphone was developed by Handspring which Palm acquired. In the quarter that ended in September 2005, Palm sold 470,000 Treo units, up 160% from the same quarter the year before. At that point, three companies dominated the smartphone market: Palm, Research-In-Motion, maker of the Blackberry, and cell phone giant Nokia (NOK). By the September 2007 quarter, Treo sales had only moved up to 689,000, but sales of the Blackberry hit almost 3.2 million and the newly launched Apple (AAPL) iPhone sold more than a million units during the same period after it debuted on June 29 of that year. Palm, one of the earliest makers of smartphones, was unable to follow up its success in the personal organizer business. Analysts pointed to the fact that the company was slow to realize that consumers wanted wireless voice and data from the same device. According to ZDNet, “Palm

just couldn’t find the formula for over-the-air synchronization with Microsoft Outlook, which business users demand and RIM nailed with its BlackBerry device.” Palm also suffered from multiple product delays. The company will launch the next versions of its hardware, the Pre, later this year. Palm’s stock traded for $669 late in 2000. Today, the shares trade for $11. Shares in Apple and RIMM are up between 200% and 300% over the same period. Palm could not translate its lead in one form of consumer electronics device to another.

9) Iridium, the global satellite phone company backed by Motorola (MOT), filed for bankruptcy in 1999, after the company had spent $5 billion to build and launch its infrastructure of satellites to provide worldwide wireless phone service. At the time, it was one of

the 20 largest bankruptcies in US history. To work properly, the system needed 66 satellites. The creation of this enormous system forced the company to default on $1.5 billion of debt. The service had been such a failure that it only had 10,000 subscribers. This was, in part, due to technical difficulties with Iridium’s first handsets. According to a Dartmouth Tuck Business School case study on the history of Iridium in 1998, the company forecast that it would have 500,000 subscribers by the following year. But, the service was expensive for customers, and the cellular phone business had started to take hold as its infrastructure was built out in most of the large developed countries. An Iridium handset cost $3,000 and talk time was as much as $5 a

minute. Cellular service was not as broadly available, but it was far less expensive.Technology difficulties also made the service unpopular. Because Iridium’s technology depended on line-of-sight between the phone antenna and the orbiting satellite, subscribers were unable to use the phone inside moving cars, inside buildings, and in many urban areas.

10) The Segway two-wheel personal transportation vehicle was launched in 2002. When the product was launched, the head of Segway said it “will be to the car what the car was to the horse and buggy”. Famous venture capitalist John Doerr said that Segway sales might hit $1 billion as fast as any company in history. The company spent about $100 million developing the product. Segway did not understand that its price point, well above $3,000 for most models and $7,000 for some, was too high to draw a mass consumer base. The other major unforeseen problem is that the Segway was classified as a road vehicle in some countries requiring licensing, while it was illegal to use on roads in other nations. From 2001 to the end of 2007, the company only sold 30,000 units of its two-wheeled scooter.







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SOCIE T Y | e-mai l your quest ions at editor ia [email protected]


Homeless In America:Facts and Figures

Who are the homeless? Are their numbers significantly increasing because of the recession? Read some eye opening and sobering facts about homelessness in America and find out what you can do to help.

What is the definition of homelessness?Different definitions of homelessness are used in different contexts. Generally, homelessness is defined as a person who “lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate night-time residence.”

How is the recession affecting homelessness?The recession will force 1.5 million more people into homelessness over the next two years, according to estimates by The National Alliance to End Homelessness. In a 2008 report, the U.S. Conference of Mayors cited a major increase in the number of homeless in 19 out of the 25 cities surveyed. On average, cities reported a 12 percent increase of homelessness since 2007.

Although homelessness is a difficult number to measure definitively, it appears that more people—especially families—are sleeping in shelters, living in their cars, and taking up residence in tent communities.

How many people are homeless?The number of homeless is difficult to ascertain because estimates vary depending on the methodology used. Numbers also vary

substantially depending on whether a measurement is taken on a single night or is extrapolated to a given year.

One approximation of the annual number of homeless in America is from a study by the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty, which estimates between 2.3 and 3.5 million people experience homelessness. According to a 2008 U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development report an estimated 671,888 people experienced homelessness in one night in January 2007. Some 58 percent of them were living in shelters and transitional housing and, 42 percent were unsheltered.

Which states have the highest rates of homelessness?Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington State, and Washington, D.C. have the highest rates of homelessness, according to a study released in 2007 by The National Alliance to End Homelessness.

How many of the homeless are children?One out of 50—or about 1.5 million—American children are homeless each year, according to a 2009 study by the National Center on Family Homelessness.

What is chronic homelessness?According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, 23 percent

of homeless people are reported as chronically homeless. According to HUD’s definition, a person who is “chronically homeless” is an unaccompanied homeless individual with a disabling condition (e.g., substance abuse, serious mental illness, developmental disability, or chronic physical illness) who has either been continuously homeless for a year or more, or has had at least four episodes of homelessness in the past three years. In order to be considered chronically homeless, a person must have been sleeping in a place not meant for human habitation and/or in an emergency homeless shelter.

What are the greatest causes of homelessness?For persons in families, the three most commonly cited causes, according to a 2008 U.S. Conference of Mayors study (pdf) are:

* Lack of affordable housing * Poverty * Unemployment

For singles, the three most commonly cited causes of homelessness are:

* Substance abuse * Lack of affordable housing * Mental illness

Are veterans more likely than other populations to be homeless?Yes. About 40% of homeless men are veterans, although veterans


comprise only 34 percent of the general adult male population, according to research on veterans by the National Coalition for Homeless. On any given night, 200,000 veterans are homeless.

What are some other demographics of homeless people?Racial and ethnic minorities, particularly African-Americans, are overrepresented.

* 39% are non-Hispanic whites (compared to 76% of the general population) * 42% are African-Americans (compared to 11% of the general population) * 13% are Hispanic (compared to 9% of the general population) * 4% are Native-American (compared to 1% of the general population) * 2% were Asian

Note: The above figures are based on a 2006 study (pdf) by the US Conference of Mayors.

Homelessness continues to be a largely urban phenomenon.

* 71% are in central cities * 21% are in suburbs * 9% are in rural areas

Note: The above figures are based on 1996 data from Samhsha’s National Mental Health Information Center.

People who are homeless frequently report health problems.

* 38% report alcohol use problems * 26% report other drug use problems * 39% report some form of mental health problems (20-25% meet criteria for serious mental illness) * 66% report either substance use and/or mental health problems * 3% report having HIV/AIDS * 26% report acute health problems other than HIV/AIDS such as tuberculosis, pneumonia, or sexually transmitted diseases * 46% report chronic health conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or cancer

Note: The above figures are based on 1996 data from Samhsha’s National Mental Health Information Center.

What legislation exists that addresses homelessness?The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act was the first—and remains the only—major federal legislative response to homelessness. President Ronald Reagan signed the act into law in 1987.

The Act, which has undergone many changes since its inception, has resulted in several programs that have helped hundreds of thousands of Americans regain stability through emergency shelter, transitional housing, job training, primary health care, education, and some permanent housing. However, critics claim the greatest weakness of the Act is that it responds to the symptoms of homelessness more than its causes.

How do you measure homelessness?Measuring homelessness is difficult because of the fluidity of the homeless population. Part of the difficulty stems from varying methodologies used to measure homelessness. Some researchers attempt to count all the people who are literally homeless on a given day or during a given week, called a “point-in-time” count. Critics say this method is likely to overestimate the number of chronically homeless and underestimate the number of people who experience temporary homelessness.

A second method of counting homeless people examines the number of people who are homeless over a given period of time, also called a “period prevalence” count. Critics of this method point to the difficulty of standardizing measurements. Other affecting factors in measuring homeless rates include the duration of counting and time of year of counting.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has recently instituted standardized reporting requirements to include both those inside the system (in shelters), and those outside (unsheltered) using a point-in-time count.


How to Watch Satellite TV on Computer over Internet- 10 AdvantagesIt is now possible to watch satellite TV on a pc online without having to pay the monthly fees. In what has become the next big thing since sliced bread, internet television is gaining a lot of popularity especially among the young people. There are three ways to watch satellite TV; one is to watch the monthly paid satellite service. The other option is to get the satellite dish and all the equipment and try to Do- it-yourself installing everything. Lastly, you can also decide to watch satellite TV on computer over internet where the only requirement is simple softwareavailable online.

Advantages of Watching Satellite TV on Pc Online

There are many advantages of watching satellite TV on a computer when compared to other monthly paid services. Here are some of benefits if you decide to watch satellite TV on computer on the internet:

1. Watching pc satellite TV over the internet is cheaper since it does not have monthly fees to pay. With the satellite and cable TV services, you would have to pay $50-$90 a month as subscription fees. When you decide to watch satellite TV on pc, you may be able to save over $700 a

year since all you pay for is the start up cost which gets to nearly $50. Many of the softwares only charge you a onetime start up.

2. Watching satellite TV on a pc is also very mobile as compared to other forms of watching TV from a fixed system. Once you download the software on your laptop, you will be able to watch internet television from anywhere in the world with a stable internet connection. Simply put, you will not miss your local TV channels like FOX, ABC, and CBS, NBC, ESPN, HBO and others.

3. You do not need expensive equipment to watch satellite TV from the internet. Forget trying to fix a satellite TV system by yourself at home and definitely not the cable.

4. You do not need to wait for a long time to get your satellite TV system fixed like you would with a satellite dish or even cable. When you want to watch satellite TV on a computer or a TV set, it takes you only 3 minutes to download the package from the company website. You will be watching internet TV on a pc on the fifth minute, and that’s over 3500 TV channels from 70 countries.

5. Internet TV on a computer is also not as censored and restricted like

normal TV channels and you can get some very rare TV programming there.

6.Watching TV online is also a very convenient way of enjoying TV without having to fight for the remote control with the other family members. It is convenient in that you can watch your TV channels from anywhere you want at anytime you want.

7.Internet TV software also comes with more than 50 languages and you will be able to watch news from many places in the world.

8.The software for pc satellite TV is also compatible with most of the windows operating softwares including WIN 95, 2000, 2003, 2007, XP, NT, ME and Vista. You can also watch the TV channels if you are using a Mac computer.9. The software will work well with most of the broadband internet connections including T1, DSL, Wireless and Cable based.

10. Once you have downloaded the pc TV software, you will also get a lifetime membership with free yearly updates on the package. The company I use also has a very good support service online.

Millions of people are taking interest in watching live satellite TV on pc online. Find out more on the software I have used in the last 2 years to watch pc satellite TV channels and how you can use it to watch satellite TV on pc online at home or even when travelling from the links below

Do you want to Watch Free Live Satellite TV Online on a PC? Or find out more on best PC Satellite TV for your computer? If soFree Reprint Articles, click here to find out how you can Watch Satellite TV on a Computer PC over the Internet Absolutely Free

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FREEÊCONSULTATION• No Obligation • Confidential

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� Stop wage garnishments

� Remove bank levies, tax levies, property seizures

� Settle state and business payroll tax problems

� Eliminate penalties, interest charges and tax liens

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SETTLE IRS TAXESFor a fraction of what you owe

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Classically trained in the UK, Hakeem soon came

to prominence sharing the stage with acclaimed

actors like Brian Cox in ‘King Lear’ and Sir Ian

McKellan in “Richard III” for the Royal National

Theatre. He made a successful transition to

British television with leading roles in “Trial and

Retribution”, “The Bill”, “Grange Hill”, “Ellington”

and distinguished himself in the title role of ‘”Julius

Caesar” for the BBC. Hakeem then settled in South

Africa where his work in film and television gave

him a huge following and made him a household

name. It was while in South Africa that Hakeem

gained international attention for his role in the

Oscar nominated, critically acclaimed “Hotel

Rwanda” with Don Cheadle.

Since moving to Los Angeles with his wife and 2

children, Hakeem has shared his talent with millions

of viewers on “Lost”, “Pirates of the Caribbean 3″,

“Cane” with Jimmy Smits, “Law & Order: SVU” with

Mariska Hargitay, “The Triangle” with Sam Neill and

“The Librarian” with Gabrielle Anwar. Hakeem is

often recognized for his recurring role as Dubaku

on “24’s” Season 7, and in the pre-quel movie

“Redemption”.

In the Blockbuster “Pirates of the Caribbean III”

Hakeem played a pirate lord alongside such greats

as Johnny Depp, Keira Knightley and Geoffrey

Rush. Recently Hakeem filmed the motion picture

“The 4th Kind” with Milla Jovovich, “Wolverine” with

Hugh Jackman and DARFUR “Janjaweed” with

Billy Zane.

INTERVIE W SPOTLIGHT Inter viewing Hakeem Kae-Kazim | e-mai l your quest ions at editor ia [email protected]

H A K E E M K A E - K A Z I M

Thank you HAKEEM for taking the time to respond to our interview questions.

AM: Please tell us about yourselfHakeem: I was born in Lagos, Nigeria. I spent my early years there. Then my parents took me to England, in London, where I grew up. I went to school in London. After my education, I stayed in London for a few years then moved to South Africa. I was there for ten years. After that, I moved to the United States; it’s been nearly four years now.

AM: When you’re not working, what are your favorite things to do?Hakeem: I love to go to the cinema and hang out with my family, especially my children.

AM: how many Children do you have?Hakeem: I have two girls: Aisha (10), and Shada (6).

AM: Can you tell us something about you that people would never guess?Hakeem: I delivered my youngest daughter at home on my own on the couch of our living room.

interviewing...

S h o r tB i o g r a p h y .

ADUNAGOW Magazine Exclusive InterviewShort Bio from Hakeem Kae-Kazim Official Website

Photo courtesy of Hakeem Kae-KazimPhotographer: Michael R. Moore

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AM: What is your favorite sport/hobby? Why?Hakeem: I’ve got a lot of favorite sports actually. My favorite hobby I guess would be going to the gym and doing Yoga. I really enjoy that.

AM: Tell us, how did you get started in acting?Hakeem: I started acting in school plays. I progressed from there to do Youth Theatre. That’s where I discovered that I really had a love for theatre, for acting. Then after that, I went to study Drama in College. From there, I went straight into doing a lot of theatres in London. I went to the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) and the Royal National Theatre.

AM: Who has been your inspiration as far as acting is concerned?Hakeem: As a young actor, I had no one really in particular. But later on, I started to follow actors that blazed the trail such as Sydney Poitier.

AM: What was the first acting role that you landed that made you feel like “Hey, I made it!”?Hakeem: I guess when I did my first professional theatre gig, when I left school, coming out of Drama school. That’s when it hit me: this is real. I’m a professional and getting paid for it.

AM: Being an actor always has its ups and downs. Can you tell us about yours?Hakeem: Yes, I think you’re right as far as the experience of being an actor having its ups and down. Some of the negative things of being an actor is that you never know sometimes when your next job is coming. So, financially it could be a little be of a strain. You have to make sure that you have enough money saved so that when you’re in between jobs you don’t run out of money and that sort of thing. Thi is where a lot of actors make a mistake, and then have to do a lot of things to sustain themselves, such as working in restaurant, hotels, etc... That’s

when it gets difficult. Luckily, so far I have not yet to do something like that. But I still have to make sure that we save. There has been many times that we have been close to that, but something would just come in the neck of a time. That’s the negative side of acting.

I think the positive side of acting is that it’s such a fantastic career, you know. You’re doing something that people would critique and admire. It does not feel like work for me. I feel very lucky to do something that I really enjoy with a passion.

AM: Have you ever had to turn down a role in your career? If so, tell us why?Hakeem: It’s been times where people had put a script to me that I have felt that it didn’t quite match with how I am and where I’m coming from. I had to turn them down.

AM: Which is harder: working on a movie or working on a TV series?You know what? They both have different types of challenges. I don’t think one is more harder or easier than the other.

AM: How do you manage working on three different continents? Hakeem: I have worked in U.K. for many years. Yes, I still work in South Africa. I‘ve got to go to Nigeria to shoot a film. I enjoy the fact that I get to spread my wings.

AM: Will you contemplate directing in the future?Hakeem: Definitely. I’m not directing yet. But I produced a couple of things. But I would like to direct in the future.

AM: How do you balance work and family?Hakeem: You mainly balance them by being there when you’re there. I mean, when you’re not working, when you have time off. I try to spend time with the family as much as I can, especially during the down time.

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“Work hard, and believe in what you do. Most of all: constantly try getting better at your craft.”

— Hakeem Kae-Kazim.

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INTERVIE W SPOTLIGHT Inter viewing Hakeem Kae-Kazim | e-mai l your quest ions at editor ia [email protected]

AM: What comments do you get from your children about your acting? When they actually see you on movies?Hakeem: Well, they’re still quite young, you know. But they love seeing me, like “ohh.. Daddy!,” you know. A lot of the movies that I’m in, they can’t really see because they’re intense. And sometimes their friends make also comments, especially on movies like X-Men Wolverine, or The Pirates of the Caribbean. They love that.There was actually one time I took my daughters to see me on stage. And as I came out, they were so excited to see me. It’s fun.

AM: How do you and your family handle your celebrity lifestyle? Being paparazzi, journalists, etc…Hakeem: It’s great. It’s humbling being in the spotlights. It’s all good and manageable as long as people have respect of your space and privacy, especially when you’re with your family, your children. Then, I don’t see a problem with it.

AM: Do you get critiques from your family about your work?Hakeem: They’ve always been honest about their opinions. Luckily so far, their critiques have been nice. They’re enjoying what I’ve done so far, moving to the States and playing in a bigger market, and moving up internationally.

AM: How was the transition from South Africa to the US for the family?Hakeem: You know, it’s been very good. There are a lot of similarities with Los Angeles, where we’re currently located. We’ve settled in very nicely and the girls have been doing very well at school, and the wife has been really enjoying it. You know, it’s always been hard moving from one continent to another, but luckily we’ve managed to cope with it.

AM: In your opinion, how can African movies improve?Hakeem: One of the main thing is to win against piracy, especially in Nigeria with Nollywood. When the investors of these movies start to actually see a real return in their investments, that’s when they will start investing more into Nollywood movies. Then you should see Nigerian movies and

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Inter viewing Hakeem Kae-Kazim | e-mai l your quest ions at editor ia [email protected]

African films start to really take on a different audience, level, and quality. So, the ending of piracy will help tremendously to the increase the quality of these African films, just in terms of the technical aspect of it.

AM: About Africa: what will you keep? What will you change?Hakeem: I would change the Leadership. I think we need leaders that really care about us. We really want to invest in our continent, instead of taking all the money and invest it outside of Africa, like in the west and Europe. We really need leaders that understand this and care about who we are. We have the most beautiful continent on this planet. Such a beautiful place; everything you need is in that place (Africa), but it’s being ravaged by our own leaders. Now, that’s what I would change: mentality and leadership.

AM: What will you keep?Hakeem: I would keep the spirit of Ubuntu; the African in us. I would keep who we are as people, our beautiful African warm spirit which is again obviously best second to none.

AM: What’s the best food you crave for always when you visit Africa?Hakeem: I like plantain and pounded yam.

AM: The World Cup 2010 is by far most a stepping stone for Africa. What should Africans do in order to make this event successful?Hakeem: I think it’s a question of showing to the world the beauty of the African spirit. I think if we do that, then we would have the most successful world cup that this planet has ever seen. That’s the main thing.

AM: What team will you be cheering for during the world cup?Hakeem: Nigeria of course. I’m not sure if they’re going to make it or not. If Nigeria does not make it, I will cheer for Ghana.

AM: Tell us, what is the craziest thing you’ve ever done?Hakeem: I bungee jumped from the top of table mountain in Cape Town, South Africa. It was quite intense.

AM: What projects are you involved in at the present?Hakeem: I have a film that just came out called the Fourth Kind, with Milla Jovovich. I’m also about to go to Nigeria to do a movie later on with a Nigerian Filmmaker. It’s a lovely film called Black Gold.

AM: What’s your favorite winter destination?Hakeem: You know, when it’s winter in America, it’s summer in South Africa. So, we like going back to South Africa.

AM: Any words of wisdom for all our aspiring actors out there?Hakeem: Work hard, and believe in what you do. Most of all: constantly try getting better at your craft.

Thank you Hakeem Kae Kazim for taking the time to chat with us. We wish you plenty of success and wisdom in your career.Hakeem: Thank you.


ALBUM RELEASE written by Theo Malela | e-mai l your feedback at editor ia [email protected]

A symbolic and untypical figure in the musical landscape of Congo-Brazzaville whose Rumba and Soukouss are the most dominant styles, former teacher, song-writer, poet and performer NZONGO SOUL has become famous for his musical style summorized by a single word:”WALLA” which symbolises purification for the Koongo people and etymologically means “listening to the path”.

NZONGO SOUL grew keen on singing very early and had come to be his school choirs’ lead singer. At 14 years old, he set up his first group DJILAMULEY. Much later, his debut single track “bolingo somo” propelled him speedily up the ladder to regional star. An amazing performer, he set up the WALLA PLAYERS, a professional band with which he made his AFRO ‘WALLA’ BEAT music known. A style adopted by urban youth for whom NZONGO SOUL is a cultural marker, a key furthering the reappropriation and comprehension of BANTOUs’ thought. NZONGO SOUL rapidly grows into a Star in Africa, particularly in his country Congo. Carrying on with hits like “Walla c’est ma musique”, the album “Mvanéno lélé” and the one published on his own label “wa sémo” (ancestors’ messengers).

In 1984, he won RFI DECOUVERTES prize. The year after, he met French star BERNARD LAVILLLIERS in Brazzaville, the later enthusing straight away over NZONGO SOUL’s AFRO”WALLA” GROOVE, invited him on his “VOLEUR DE FEU” album where NZONGO SOUL sang in lingala on the track “NOIR ET BLACK “ which earned him overexposure back in the 80’s. NZONGO SOUL recorded a completely lingala

Nzongo’ Soul


written by Theo Malela | e-mai l your feedback at editor ia [email protected]

version of that song featuring Bernard LAVILLIERS and late Rumba icon ABETI MASIKINI as back up vocalists. That version was released on his “Mamé” album produced by BERNARD LAVILLIERS. Other projects followed like the 1990 album “walla music” dedicated to the NGO “mémoires du temps” and the tales album “mémoires du monde” featuring French comedians Pierre ARDITI, Carole BOUQUET, Catherine DENEUVE, Annie DUPEREY before making the choice of concentrating on his ‘musicosophie’.concept which mingles music and philosophy.

NZONGO SOUL has been through various experimentations with both the older and younger generations: MANU DIBANGO, les TAMBOURS DE BRAZZA, SALIF KEITA, ALPHA BLONDY, KEZIAH JONES, late novelist and playwright SONY LABOU TANSI who personally taught him about his vision of Koongo symbolism.

After a long break away from the show business spotlights yet very intense in terms of artistic maturation, of passing on the universal values of WALLA music and BANTOU philosophy… NZONGO SOUL comes back to fill his public‘s expectations with his brand new album entitled “musicosophie”and whose concern is music in the heart of the BANTOU’s thought:

“In Ancestral Africa, the act of making music is not perceived as a simple esthetical gesture. It is rather an healthy sacred gesture which keeps alive the vitality of speech by permanently letting it travel within it’s 3 stages: speaking, singing and dancing each corresponding to three states: existence, immanescence and transcendence.” NZONGO SOUL

“In Ancestral Africa, the act of making music is not perceived as a simple esthetical gesture. It is rather an healthy sacred gesture which keeps alive the vitality of speech by permanently letting it travel within

it’s 3 stages: speaking, singing and dancing each corresponding to three states: existence, immanescence and transcendence.” NZONGO SOUL.

Resolutely rooted in traditional Koongo culture, the “Musicosophie ‘ album is a mosaic of rhythms which are the reflections of NZONGO SOUL’s eclectism. From the raw AFRO WALLA BEAT tracks like ‘iméni’, ‘E walla’, ‘Yaya nzola’,’ Fuki’ ‘Walla drive’, the commanding ‘Kuunga Koongo’ track penned by late playwright and novelist SONY LABOU TANSI to celebrate a standing Congo, the ‘brazzaville’ track painting the realities of that city with guest appearances by BERNARD LAVILLIERS, MANU DIBANGO and les TAMBOURS DE BRAZZA; then AFRO FOLK ballads in kiKoongo like “ku sandi bo’, ‘Mu kutu mbala’, ‘Nza yi’ and ‘TCHIMPA VITA’ which is a tribute in English to that legendary 19th century anti-

colonialism female fighter. NZONGO SOUL also lets his poetic creativity flow through chanson Française- flavoured tracks like ‘la parole rend libre’, ’géométrie’ and the slam ‘soit fidèle à toi’., ‘ ‘the upbeat ‘Time of change’ track with it’s Kwaito, House, disco and congo grooves recipe , the WALLA- Funky ‘Chikama’ track are all an illustration of NZONGO SOUL’s openness.

Mosocosophie Digital distribution : Believe music France. concerts & infos : www.myspace.com/nzongosoul

www.nzongo-soul.com

Contact presse :

[email protected] Tel : 06 87 45 98 45 /

[email protected]

Tel : 06.61.86.53.36

EQUATORIAL GUINEA

AFRICA 101

46 A D U N A G O W M A G A Z I N E WWW.ADUNAGOW.NETT O S U B S C R I B E V I S I TJAN / FEB 2010

GeographyLocation: Western Africa, bordering the Bay of Biafra. Bordering nations--Cameroon, Gabon.

Area: 28,050 sq. km; slightly smaller than Maryland.

Cities: Capital--Malabo. Other cities--Bata (also capital of Littoral province on the mainland).

Terrain: Varies. Bioko Island is volcanic, with three major peaks of 9,876 feet, 7,416 feet, and 6,885 feet. Behind the coastal plain, the mainland provinces are hilly at a level of approximately 2,000 feet, with some 4,000-foot peaks. Annobon Island is volcanic.

Climate: Tropical; always warm, humid. The weather alternates between wet and dry seasons over the course of a year.

PeopleNationality: Noun--Equatorial Guinean(s), Equatoguinean(s) Adjective--Equatorial Guinean,

Equatoguinean.

Population (July 2009 est.): 633,441.

Annual growth rate (2009 est.): 2.703%; (1975-2002): 2.8%.

Ethnic groups: The Fang ethnic group of the mainland constitutes the great majority of the population and dominates political life and business. The Bubi group comprises about 50,000 people living mainly in Bioko Island. The Annobonese on the island of Annobon are estimated at about 3,000 in number. The other three ethnic groups are found on the coast of Rio Muni and include the Ndowe and Kombe (about 3,000 each) and the Bujebas (about 2,000). The pygmy populations have long been integrated into the dominant Bantu-speaking cultures. Europeans number around 2,000, primarily Spanish and French. There is a thriving Lebanese community, other Arabs (primarily Egyptians), a large number of Filipinos, and a rapidly expanding Chinese presence.

Languages: Official--Spanish,

French; other--pidgin English, Fang, Bubi, Ibo.

Religion: Nominally Christian and predominantly Roman Catholic; pagan practices.

Education: Primary school compulsory for ages 6-14. Attendance (2007 est.)--90%. Adult literacy (2008 est.)--87%.

Health (2009 est.): Life expectancy--61.61 years. Infant mortality rate--81.58/1,000.

GovernmentType: Nominally multi-party Republic with strong domination by the executive branch.

Independence: October 12, 1968 (from Spain).

Constitution: Approved by national referendum November 17, 1991; amended January 1995.

Branches: Executive--President (Chief of State), Prime Minister, and a Council of Ministers appointed by the president. Legislative--100-

47A D U N A G O W M A G A Z I N EWWW.ADUNAGOW.NETT O S U B S C R I B E V I S I T JAN / FEB 2010

Research Sources:U.S. Department of State

World Fact Book Records.

member Chamber of People’s Representatives (members directly elected by universal suffrage to serve five-year terms). Judicial--Supreme Tribunal.

Administrative subdivisions: Seven provinces--Annobon, Bioko Norte, Bioko Sur, Centro Sur, Kie-Ntem, Littoral, Wele-Nzas.

Political parties: The ruling party is the Partido Democratico de Guinea Ecuatorial (PDGE), formed July 30, 1987. There are 12 other recognized parties that formed in the early 1990s.

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal adult.

EconomyGDP (2008 est.): $19.37 billion.

Real GDP growth rate (2008 est.) 7.4%.

Inflation rate (2008 est. average): 7.5%.

Unemployment rate: (2007 est.) 8%.

Natural resources: Petroleum, natural gas, timber, small, unexploited deposits of gold, manganese, and uranium.

Agriculture (2008 est.): 2.7% of GDP. Products--coffee, cocoa, rice, yams, cassava (tapioca), bananas, palm oil nuts, manioc, livestock, and timber.

Industry (2008 est.): 92.6% of GDP. Types--petroleum, natural gas, fishing, lumber.

Services (2008): 4.6% of GDP.

Trade (2008 est.): Exports--$15.82 billion: hydrocarbons (97%), timber (2%), others (1%). Imports--$3.211 billion. Major trading partners--United States, Spain, China, Canada, France, United Kingdom, Cameroon, and Norway.

Currency: Communaute Financiere Africaine (CFA) franc.

GEOGRAPHYThe Republic of Equatorial Guinea is located in west central Africa. Bioko Island lies about 40 kilometers (25 mi.) from Cameroon. Annobon Island lies about 595 kilometers (370 mi.) southwest of Bioko Island. The larger

continental region of Rio Muni lies between Cameroon and Gabon on the mainland; Equatorial Guinea includes the islands of Corisco, Elobey Grande, Elobey Chico, and adjacent islets.

Bioko Island, called Fernando Po until the 1970s, is the largest island in the Gulf of Guinea--2,017 square kilometers (780 sq. mi.). It is shaped like a boot, with two large volcanic formations separated by a valley that bisects the island at its narrowest point. The 195-kilometer (120-mi.) coastline is steep and rugged in the south but lower and more accessible in the north, with excellent harbors at Malabo and Luba, and several scenic beaches between those towns.

On the continent, Rio Muni covers 26,003 square kilometers (10,040 sq. mi.). The coastal plain gives way to a succession of valleys separated by low hills and spurs of the Crystal Mountains. The Rio Benito (Mbini), which divides Rio Muni in half, is not navigable except for a 20-kilometer stretch at its estuary. Temperatures and humidity in Rio Muni are slightly lower than on Bioko Island.

Annobon Island, named for its discovery on New Year’s Day 1472, is a small volcanic island covering 18 square kilometers (7 sq. mi.). The coastline is abrupt except in the north; the principal volcanic cone contains a small lake. Most of the estimated 1,900 inhabitants are fisherman specializing in traditional, small-scale tuna fishing and whaling. The climate is tropical--heavy rainfall, high humidity, and frequent seasonal changes with violent windstorms.

PEOPLEThe majority of the Equatoguinean people are of Bantu origin. The largest tribe, the Fang, is indigenous to the mainland, but substantial migration to Bioko Island has resulted in Fang dominance over the earlier Bantu inhabitants. The Fang constitute 80% of the population and are themselves divided into 67 clans. Those in the northern part of Rio Muni speak Fang-Ntumu, while those in the south speak

Fang-Okah; the two dialects are mutually unintelligible. The Bubi, who constitute 15% of the population, are indigenous to Bioko Island. In addition, there are coastal tribes, sometimes referred to as “Playeros,” consisting of Ndowes, Bujebas, Balengues, and Bengas on the mainland and small islands, and “Fernandinos,” a Creole community, on Bioko. Together, these groups comprise 5% of the population. There are also foreigners from neighboring Cameroon, Nigeria, and Gabon.

Spanish and French are both official languages, though use of Spanish predominates. The Roman Catholic Church has greatly influenced both religion and education.

Equatoguineans tend to have both a Spanish first name and an African first and last name. When written, the Spanish and African first names are followed by the father’s first name (which becomes the principal surname) and the mother’s first name. Thus people may have up to four names, with a different surname for each generation.

w w w . N o r t h S u g a r . c o m

THE MAGAZINE THAT PROMOTES UNION AND COOPERATION OF AFRICANS AROUND THE GLOBE, ENCOURAGING AN INFORMED, THINKING AND QUESTIONING AFRICAN SOCIETY.

JAN/FEB 2010 Issue

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Transcript of JAN/FEB 2010 Issue