PSCU

African leaders push for more vaccine supplies, as Biden pledges to send more doses

Saturday September 25 2021

US President Joe Biden, with Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield (left) in a virtual Covid-19 Summit. PHOTO | FILE

Summary

On Wednesday, President Biden pledged to make the US an “arsenal” against the pandemic, promising to send doses of Pfizer vaccine to developing countries.
But organisations fighting for vaccine equity say more needs to be done, especially when it comes to the pace of vaccine production.
Africa’s grouse is that while more than 5.7 billion vaccine doses have been administered globally, seven in 10 doses have been given to people in the 10 richest countries in the world, UN figures show.

By AGGREY MUTAMBO

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US President Joe Biden’s pledge to send 500 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine to developing countries has been welcomed but also declared insufficient to fill the need, amid calls to open up vaccine production rights.

On Wednesday, President Biden pledged to make the US an “arsenal” against the pandemic, promising to send doses of Pfizer vaccine to developing countries and pumping more than $1.1 billion towards the Covax facility and other distribution logistics.

But organisations fighting for vaccine equity say more needs to be done, especially when it comes to the pace of vaccine production.

“While we commend President Biden for rallying world leaders to commit to vaccinate 70 per cent of the world by this time next year, we have yet to see an effective plan to meet this goal,” said Abby Maxman, president and CEO of Oxfam International.

“While every additional life-saving vaccine dose is welcome, the 500 million additional doses President Biden just committed are still a drop in the ocean compared with the urgent need across the world,’’ added Mr Maxman. President Biden convened a virtual summit on Covid-19, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly’s 76th Session in New York this past week. The session, although on climate change, every leader who addressed it said Covid-19 was the immediate challenge.

“America will become the arsenal of vaccines, as we were the arsenal for democracy during World War II,” he said referring to the US’s role in helping rebuilding countries, especially in Europe, after the World War II.

“For every one shot we've administered in America; we have committed three shots to the rest of the world,” he said to a virtual audience that includes government policy makers, leaders and corporate chiefs in the pharmaceutical world,’’ said Biden. But African leaders at the Summit led by South African President Cyril called for a waiver of intellectual property rights on vaccine production. South Africa has been vocal on having rights to vaccine production, insisting that the world had already missed the WHO targets on vaccination.

“The gulf is widening between better-resourced nations who are buying up and even hoarding vaccines and developing countries who are struggling to have access to vaccines. Whilst we welcome the donations and sharing of vaccines to developing countries. We however reiterate our proposal that developing countries should be enabled to manufacture their own vaccine as well as to procure them directly,” he told the summit.

South Africa and India have pushed for special allowance under the World Trade Organisation Trade-related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), a treaty that manages copyright, trademarks and patents for manufacturers. They proposed that developing countries be given a special permission under emergency circumstances to produce vaccines. The motion was defeated twice.

Africa’s grouse is that while more than 5.7 billion vaccine doses have been administered globally, seven in 10 doses have been given to people in the 10 richest countries in the world, UN figures show.

Of that, only 3 percent of Africans have been vaccinated. The US, alongside other Group of 7 (G20) had pledged at least one billion doses to be distributed by end of this year. Leaders say that is insufficient.

“We must put equitable vaccine access at the core of building back better from this Covid-19. We need to provide tangible financial support to developing countries and ensure that a significant portion of green manufacturing is located in developing countries,” President Uhuru Kenyatta said in his recorded address to the UN General Assembly on Wednesday.

The G7 promise to distribute vaccines has also been met with incessant delays caused by hoarding.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres suggested the Big Pharma was profiting from public funds without ensuring the public actually gets the vaccines, making their production a lucrative $100 billion industry.

“This is not only disappointing. It is baffling,” he told the virtual meeting. “Global vaccination is not philanthropy; it is self-interest. The larger the pool of unvaccinated people, the more the virus will keep circulating and evolving into new variants, and the greater the economic and social disruption.”

The world had promised to distribute at least 2.3 billion doses through the COVAX facility before December, enough to vaccinate at least 40 percent of the 7 billion people across the globe, as planned by the World Health Organisation.

The US, like most developed nations, has come under sharp criticism for opting to give booster shots, hence preventing other countries from accessing the jabs even when they had the money to buy them.

Addressing the General Assembly on Tuesday, Biden had said his country had pumped more than $15 billion towards global Covid-19 response and will continue to do so in future.

He said US was also working with partners across the world to improved local vaccine manufacturing and that India and South Africa will be crucial next year.

In the headlines

IMF raises red flag over Tanzania’s bleak economic outlook

The economy is expected to remain subdued in 2021 after contracting to 4.8 percent last year.

Attempted coup in Sudan mirrors building tension

Humanitarian crisis in Ethiopia threaten to suck in all countries in the region as leaders struggle to bring peace in Tigray.

Kigali answers critics on ‘Hotel Rwanda’ hero’s conviction

Samia woos investors to Tanzania

Rwanda hits target in Covid vaccination drive

Somaliland objects election of reps to Somalia Senate

Ethiopia’s minister calls for peace amid fears of Tigray reinvasion

EDITORIAL: Without equity, the UN system sounds hollow

Saturday September 25 2021

The 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at UN headquarters in New York City on September 23, 2021. This year's event, which has been shortened due to Covid-19 restrictions, will highlight the global issues of defeating the Covid-19 pandemic and of re-invigorating the post-pandemic global economy. PHOTO | SPENCER PLATT | GETTY IMAGES | AFP

Summary

In surveys that involved some 1.5 million people across its diverse global membership, the UN wanted the world community to contribute ideas to what they saw as the priority actions for the future.

More than anybody else outside that group, African leaders appear to understand their place in the global pecking order.

By The EastAfrican

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As it celebrated its 75th anniversary last year, the United Nations was at a crossroads. Hemmed in by legacy interests and the clamour for a more inclusive order, the world body, which for decades has been the closest thing to a global government, launched what it described as a global conversation on building a better future for all.

It was a timely initiative but it somehow managed to eskew some issues. In surveys that involved some 1.5 million people across its diverse global membership, the UN wanted the world community to contribute ideas to what they saw as the priority actions for the future. The results were predictable, coalescing around a 12-point agenda that it said could only be only be “addressed through reinvigorated multilateralism.”

“To achieve this, we must think big. We need to reset the foundations and reaffirm the core values that underpin collective action.”

Those values came into sharp focus this week as the UN General Assembly convened for its 76th sitting. Listening to leaders from the developing speak, it was palpable that little had changed in power relations at the world body. The “reinvigorated multilateralism,” that Secretary General Antonio Guterres was touting, appears to have been a euphemism for more convergence among the quintet of the UN’s permanent security members — the United States, the United Kingdom, Russia, France and China, on how to contain the rest of the world community.

More than anybody else outside that group, African leaders appear to understand their place in the global pecking order. Speaking in polite and largely conformist terms, none of them dared raise the need for a more equitable distribution of power at the UN Security Council; where outside the five permanent members, the rest of the world plays on the peripherals of a rotational presidency.

It is difficult to imagine how the UN can become more inclusive when the power to make major decisions remains in the hands of a select few. With the exception of China, the four other permanent members of the UN Security Council, account for less than 10 percent of the world population. India and Africa, which between them account for a fifth of global population are yet to find a seat at the high table.

Why is this important? Because the UN has often been used as a veil to sanction unilateral positions. Military intervention aside, the global West has over the years written the rules, hobbling the rise of emerging economies. The World Trade Organisation is one body that has been an instrument of Western hegemony. After practicing centuries of protectionist policies that helped their own economic consolidation, Western powers now want an open trading regime.

In the sustainability debate, t is indisputable that the global West has a monopoly over sustainable energy technologies and the new industrial revolution. Efforts by emerging world players such as China, have run into a barrage of obstacles,

The result is that emerging economies are perpetually trapped into a subordinate role, where they matter only when the feedstock to Western product innovation, is threatened. Until the UN gives emerging economies a say in world affairs, its touted drive for a more inclusive world, will not only sound self-serving but hollow.

In the headlines

IMF raises red flag over Tanzania’s bleak economic outlook

The economy is expected to remain subdued in 2021 after contracting to 4.8 percent last year.

Attempted coup in Sudan mirrors building tension

Humanitarian crisis in Ethiopia threaten to suck in all countries in the region as leaders struggle to bring peace in Tigray.

Kigali answers critics on ‘Hotel Rwanda’ hero’s conviction

Samia woos investors to Tanzania

Rwanda hits target in Covid vaccination drive

Somaliland objects election of reps to Somalia Senate

Ethiopia’s minister calls for peace amid fears of Tigray reinvasion

IMF raises red flag over Tanzania’s bleak economic outlook

Saturday September 25 2021

A vendor sells green pepper on Mabibo Street, Dar es salaam. The country faces an urgent balance of payment support. PHOTO | AFP

Summary

According to the IMF, the Covid-19 outbreak has led to the collapse of the tourism sector and amplified the need for significant financing to tackle the health and economic effects of the pandemic.
Tanzania has committed to increase health spending and implement vaccination plans to contain the outbreak and save lives.
According to the IMF, Tanzania’s previous government downplayed the impact of the coronavirus and as a result, it did not provide sufficient resources to address the health crisis and support affected economic sectors and households.

By JAMES ANYANZWA

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Tanzania requires urgent financial support of $1.1 billion (1.5 percent of GDP) in the next 12 months to avert a potential economic fallout arising from the Covid-19 pandemic and the rising import bill linked to rising crude oil prices.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) says in its Country Report No 21/213, dated September 2021, that the country faces an urgent balance of payment (BOP) support as the government implements a comprehensive plan to tackle the Covid-19 shock in the wake of declining export receipts and rising import bill.

“Emergency imports of medicines, testing materials, and protective equipment are urgently needed to respond to the third wave of the pandemic. Acquiring and distributing vaccines are top priority which also require an expansion of vaccine deployment infrastructure,” says the report prepared by the IMF staff.

Pre-Covid levels

The additional funding need comes after the IMF Board on September 7, 2021, approved a disbursement of $567.25 million to Tanzania to help the country finance its urgent balance of payments needs arising from Covid-19.

The financing package comprised $189.08 million under the Rapid Credit Facility (RCF) and a purchase equivalent to $378.17 million under the Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI).

“The RCF disbursement and RFI purchase will contribute to closing the BOP gap and help catalyse further financial support from development partners. The urgent BOP need is expected to be resolved in 12 months,” the IMF said.

Foreign exchange reserves have declined by over $400 million to $5.2 billion in June from about $5.6 billion in 2019 while tourism receipts are expected to remain well below pre-crisis levels and the projected increase in oil and other commodity prices will increase the import bill and partly offset earnings from gold exports.

“The current account is expected to deteriorate by about 2.5 percent of GDP to 4.5 percent this fiscal year. Staff estimates an immediate balance of payments financing of $1.1 billion (1.5 percent of GDP), that if not addressed would result in severe economic disruption,” says report.

According to the IMF, the Covid-19 outbreak has led to the collapse of the tourism sector and amplified the need for significant financing to tackle the health and economic effects of the pandemic.

According to the IMF, Tanzania’s previous government downplayed the impact of the coronavirus and as a result, it did not provide sufficient resources to address the health crisis and support affected economic sectors and households.

The pandemic and resultant slowdown in economic activity have increased poverty and negatively affected employment, with the World Bank estimating that poverty increased by about a million people in 2020 to about 27.1 percent, of which 600,000 was due to the pandemic-induced growth deceleration.

The economy is expected to remain subdued in 2021 after contracting to 4.8 percent last year.

Tanzania has committed to increase health spending and implement vaccination plans to contain the outbreak and save lives. It has also committed to prioritise social spending to protect the most vulnerable, support tourism sector and SME recovery and expedite clearance of domestic verified arrears.

In the headlines

Attempted coup in Sudan mirrors building tension

Humanitarian crisis in Ethiopia threaten to suck in all countries in the region as leaders struggle to bring peace in Tigray.

Kigali answers critics on ‘Hotel Rwanda’ hero’s conviction

Samia woos investors to Tanzania

Rwanda hits target in Covid vaccination drive

Somaliland objects election of reps to Somalia Senate

Ethiopia’s minister calls for peace amid fears of Tigray reinvasion

Shoprite nets $10 million from sale of Uganda, Madagascar and Nigeria units

Saturday September 25 2021

One of the Shoprite chain stores in Kampala. Shoprite has folded up its branches after 20 years of operation in Uganda. PHOTO | FILE

Summary

South Africa’s Shoprite Holdings Ltd closed its Mauritius business in 2019 due to continued non-profitability.
According to the retailer Kenya had three stores, Madagascar 10, Nigeria 25 and Uganda had five.
Shoprite exited Tanzania in 2014 by selling two of its branches in Dar es Salaam and one in Arusha to the then regional retailing giant Nakumatt Holdings.

By JAMES ANYANZWA

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South Africa’s Shoprite Holdings Ltd posted $10.27 million gain from the sale of its assets in Uganda, Madagascar and Nigeria as Africa’s largest fast-moving consumer goods retailer retreated from markets it has considered under-performing on the continent.

This comes as the group made a provision of $87.89 million on loss-making stores outside South Africa during the 53-week period ended July 4, 2021, while its net debt increased by four percent to $1.77 billion from $1.7 billion.

The retailer, which is listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) and cross-listed on the Namibian and Zambian Stock exchanges, revealed through its financial statements for the 53 weeks ended July 4 that its operations in Uganda and Madagascar which it had classified as “assets held for sale” yielded a combined net gain of $8.85 million, but declined to disclose the value for each transaction.

On the other hand, the sale of the Nigerian subsidiary, which was completed in May 23 realised a net gain of $1.41 million after the business was sold at $35.89 million of which $29.81 million of the amount has already been received.

The retailer noted that its operations outside South Africa consisting of 14 countries only contributes 20 percent of the firm’s profitability with a huge 80 percent of the earnings coming from South Africa.

As a result it closed its Mauritius business in 2019 due to continued non-profitability. Uganda and Madagascar operations made net losses of $1.41 million and $540,865 respectively during the financial year ended July 4.

Its Kenyan subsidiary, whose last store was closed in January, made a net profit of $676,081 during the period under review.

According to the retailer Kenya had three stores, Madagascar 10, Nigeria 25 and Uganda had five.

Shoprite exited Tanzania in 2014 by selling two of its branches in Dar es Salaam and one in Arusha to the then regional retailing giant Nakumatt Holdings. It is argued that Shoprite’s business, particularly in Africa, has been disrupted by technology as some shoppers have now moved to online operations.

On the other hand Botswana-based retailer Choppies Enterprises Ltd (CEL) discontinued its operations in Tanzania and Kenya last year to curb financial losses amid stiff competition in the retail space.

Choppies, which is listed on the Botswana Stock Exchange (BSE) and cross-listed on Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) discontinued operations in four countries — Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique and South Africa.

The South African business was sold off at a loss of $8.2 million in April 2020, and a combined loss of $58,952 on disposal of plant and equipment of discontinued operations. The retailer’s operations in Mozambique were closed in September 2019, followed by the operations in Kenya and Tanzania in March 2020. In Kenya, retailing giants such as Uchumi, Nakumatt and Tuskys have collapsed leaving the market to upcoming players such as Quickmart and Naivas.

Early this month another South African retailer, Massmart, which operates the Game Stores revealed its plan to sell its three stores in Kenya, marking the latest of a string of retreats from East Africa by a Southern African firm.

The JSE-listed retailer has put up 14 Game stores in East and West Africa for sale, citing a need to focus on its “core strengths” as the group’s losses narrowed during the half year ended June 2021. The firm said it had begun a formal sales process to divest in five Game stores in Nigeria, four in Ghana, three in Kenya, one in Uganda, and one in Tanzania. Massmart made its debut in Kenya with Game Stores in 2015 with its first store at the Garden City Mall, to cash in on the growing demand for retail outlets in the country. It subsequently opened two other stores at the Waterfront in Karen and the Mega City Mall in Kisumu.

However, in March last year, the retailer said it would close non-performing Game stores, as consumers grapple with falling disposable incomes amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

***

Takeover

French franchise Carrefour is set to take over the stores of Shoprite Checkers when the South African giant completes its exit from the Uganda market.

The Carrefour franchise in Uganda is operated by the United Arab Emirates based Majid Al Futtaim Group, which announced in a press statement that it had agreed the lease transfer of Shoprite Checkers Uganda Limited’s store locations.

In the headlines

IMF raises red flag over Tanzania’s bleak economic outlook

The economy is expected to remain subdued in 2021 after contracting to 4.8 percent last year.

Attempted coup in Sudan mirrors building tension

Humanitarian crisis in Ethiopia threaten to suck in all countries in the region as leaders struggle to bring peace in Tigray.

Kigali answers critics on ‘Hotel Rwanda’ hero’s conviction

Samia woos investors to Tanzania

Rwanda hits target in Covid vaccination drive

Somaliland objects election of reps to Somalia Senate

Ethiopia’s minister calls for peace amid fears of Tigray reinvasion

ARM finally wound up, creditors to take home $104m debts

Saturday September 25 2021

An ARM employee oversees feeding of the cement bags into a mill during the packaging of cement. PHOTO | FILE

Summary

According to the administrators, the company’s total claims stand at $154.14 million, comprising preferential creditors ($2.88 million), secured creditors ($71.06 million) and unsecured creditors ($80.2 million).
Additional recoveries have been made possible through a resolution of a $23 million capital gains tax (CGT) dispute with the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) with respect to the sale of Maweni Limestone Ltd.
The new Insolvency Act (2015) allows financially distressed companies to go through an administration process to explore possible ways of recovery before being pushed into liquidation.

By JAMES ANYANZWA

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The life of the ailing cement manufacturer ARM Cement will be brought to an end this week (September 30) when the joint administrators commence winding up the company to pay off outstanding claims estimated at $103.82 million.

The joint administrators — George Weru and Muniu Thoithi of PricewaterhoueCoopers (PWC) — said in a circular to the creditors dated September 21 that their mandate of the administration of the company is set to end on September 30 in line with a court order dated September 9.

“The next course of action will be the immediate commencement of the liquidation of the company in line with the administrators’ proposals as approved by the company’s creditors on October 23, 2018 and in line with the provision of the Insolvency Act, 2015 of Kenya,” they said.

“The joint administrators will transition into the role of joint liquidators of the company and will continue to pursue an orderly wind-up of the affairs of the company and its subsidiaries.”

According to the administrators, the company’s total claims stand at $154.14 million, comprising preferential creditors ($2.88 million), secured creditors ($71.06 million) and unsecured creditors ($80.2 million).

However, so far total claims paid out stand at $50.32 million comprising preferential creditors ($2.88 million),secured creditors ($42.63 million) and unsecured creditors ($4.81) million.

Additional recoveries have been made possible through a resolution of a $23 million capital gains tax (CGT) dispute with the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) with respect to the sale of Maweni Limestone Ltd.

According to the circular, ARM’s tax liability with respect to this transaction (Maweni) was reduced to $4 million from $23 million following negotiations with the Tanzanian tax authority.

As a result, the total surplus (after settlement of all Maweni liabilities and costs of realisation) arising from the sale of Maweni business which is available for distribution to the ARM creditors next month (October) stands at $21 million.

These funds will be distributed to ARM’s secured and unsecured creditors who will each receive $17.69 million and $3.3 million, bringing their total compensation to $42.63 million and $4.81 million respectively.

“We expect that these funds will be received by ARM in the month of October 2021 for distribution to the creditors of the Company,” according to the Joint Administrators.

The proceeds from Maweni transaction is expected to push recovery to ARM’s secured creditors to 60 percent of their total admitted claims, from the current 35 percent while that of unsecured creditors will rise to six percent of their total admitted claims from 1.8 percent.

According to the administrators, further recoveries from Maweni transaction, if any, are unlikely to exceed $5 million, while in Kenya a dispute over capital gains tax (CGT) with the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) amounting to $4.73 million, relating to the sale of ARM assets and business to National Cement Company Ltd for a total consideration of $50 million is yet to be resolved.

“Recovery to the respective categories of creditors may improve further should the Administrators succeed in unlocking further amounts from residual retentions relating to the Kenya and Maweni transactions,” they said.

In mid-January 2021, the administrators received the approval of the Rwanda Development Board’s Registrar General to commence the liquidation of Kigali Cement Company Limited (KCCL) with the objective of settling any claims against the company and achieving an orderly wind-up of the affairs of the subsidiary.

The administrators then appointed a liquidator who is currently pursuing bidders for a transaction that would see the realisation of the company’s assets or any other agreeable transaction.

The administrators however noted that it is unlikely that there will be any surplus to ARM from the liquidation of KCCL considering the amount of creditor claims received in relation to KCCL and the estimated realizable value of the assets of KCCL.

The transaction for the sale of ARM Tanzania Ltd is yet to be concluded although the administrators have already received offers for the purchase of the shares.

“We are waiting for the South African court to make a ruling on the matter. We anticipate that the earliest this ruling can be delivered is after a month from the date of this letter. We will continue to keep creditors updated on this matter,” according to the joint administrators.

In South Africa, a court is yet to make a ruling in which minority shareholders filed a petition seeking cancellation of the shareholders’ agreement and ceding of ARM’s shares in Mafeking Cement to themselves, citing non-performance by ARM.

ARM subscribed to 70 percent of Mafeking shares in May 2009 and signed a shareholders’ agreement which provided for certain activities, related to the development of the deposit held by Mafeking, that ARM needed to fulfil within a prescribed period.

In February 2019, minority shareholders filed a petition seeking cancellation of the shareholders’ agreement and ceding of ARM’s shares in Mafeking to themselves, citing non-performance by ARM.

Further, On August 6 2019, the minority shareholders were successful in bringing urgent proceedings to prevent ARM from selling or disposing of their shares pending the outcome of the litigation.

The new Insolvency Act (2015) allows financially distressed companies to go through an administration process to explore possible ways of recovery before being pushed into liquidation.

However ARM which was put under administration by the United Bank of Africa (UBA) over loan default on August 17, 2018 has failed to recover from financial bruises afflicted by the mismanagement of its former directors.

In the headlines

IMF raises red flag over Tanzania’s bleak economic outlook

The economy is expected to remain subdued in 2021 after contracting to 4.8 percent last year.

Attempted coup in Sudan mirrors building tension

Humanitarian crisis in Ethiopia threaten to suck in all countries in the region as leaders struggle to bring peace in Tigray.

Kigali answers critics on ‘Hotel Rwanda’ hero’s conviction

Samia woos investors to Tanzania

Rwanda hits target in Covid vaccination drive

Somaliland objects election of reps to Somalia Senate

Ethiopia’s minister calls for peace amid fears of Tigray reinvasion

Online theatre takes off in Kenya, next stop, Rwanda

Saturday September 25 2021

A screen grab of Aleya Kassam in Theatre for One. PHOTO | ANDREW I KAZIBWE

Summary

Although the pandemic had pushed all creative work into the virtual space, it proved harder for theatre being an intimate form which loses impact without the face-to-face connection.
With no face to face gatherings allowed, a group of artistes working with the Open-Ended Group, and co-artistic director Jenny Koons, came up with We Are Here, as part of an online private performance space.

By ANDREW I KAZIBWE

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Imagine theatre in an intimate virtual exchange experience in a public space, where you enjoy a unique live theatre stage, but privately. That is what one taps into when they attend the Theatre for One: We are Here, a theatrical innovation bringing audience and actors together, but in a different dimension.

Although the pandemic had pushed all creative work into the virtual space, it proved harder for theatre being an intimate form which loses impact without the face-to-face connection. This is where this latest venture comes in.

With no face to face gatherings allowed, a group of artistes working with the Open-Ended Group, and co-artistic director Jenny Koons, came up with We Are Here, as part of an online private performance space.

It was launched on September 15, 2021 with Theatre for One, the Nairobi edition, to make live theatre a reality again through the internet. The audience purchase a ticket online, with a number, which is used to log in. Then there is a microphone and camera check for whatever gadget is used to log in, before one is finally led to the waiting area. This is a chatroom, where interaction goes a few minutes before the real stage is unveiled. A real set with a performer.

The first edition of Theatre for One presents six Kenyan women performers; Aleya Kassam, Sitawa Namwalie, Laura Ekumbo, Anne Moraa, Mercy Mutisya and Mūmbi Kaigwa from the fields of advocacy, storytelling, editing, writings and performing, with revolutionary and inspiring stories to share through mini-plays.

The edition was commissioned by the Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi and produced by Octopus Theatricals, with support from the Nairobi Musical Theatre Initiative and Rainmaker Ltd.

In the headlines

IMF raises red flag over Tanzania’s bleak economic outlook

The economy is expected to remain subdued in 2021 after contracting to 4.8 percent last year.

Attempted coup in Sudan mirrors building tension

Humanitarian crisis in Ethiopia threaten to suck in all countries in the region as leaders struggle to bring peace in Tigray.

Kigali answers critics on ‘Hotel Rwanda’ hero’s conviction

Samia woos investors to Tanzania

Rwanda hits target in Covid vaccination drive

Somaliland objects election of reps to Somalia Senate

Ethiopia’s minister calls for peace amid fears of Tigray reinvasion

Stage is set for Fespaco 2021

Saturday September 25 2021

A poster of Esteri Tebandeke's ''Little Black Dress''. PHOTO | COURTESY

Summary

Initially set for February 27 to March 6, 2021, the largest and most prestigious film festival in Africa was postponed because of the health crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Seventeen feature-length films have been chosen from among 1,132 entries for the top accolade the “Étalon de Yennenga” (Stallion of Yennenga) awarded to the African film that best showcases “Africa’s realities.”
The short film category has attracted 29 entries including Little Black Dress (23 min) by Esteri Tebandeke from Uganda. Seventeen entries are competing in the TV series category.

By BAMUTURAKI MUSINGUZI

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The 27th edition of the Pan-African Festival of Cinema and Television of Ouagadougou (Fespaco) takes place in Burkina Faso from October 16 to 23, 2021. This edition will be themed “Cinemas of Africa and the Diaspora.”

Initially set for February 27 to March 6, 2021, the largest and most prestigious film festival in Africa was postponed because of the health crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Seventeen feature-length films have been chosen from among 1,132 entries for the top accolade the “Étalon de Yennenga” (Stallion of Yennenga) awarded to the African film that best showcases “Africa’s realities.”

In competition for the Golden Stallion of Yennenga include Farewell Amor, by Ekwa Msangi (Tanzania); Nameless (The Anonymous), by Wa Nkunda Mutiganda (Rwanda); The Gravedigger’s Wife, by Ahmed Khadar (Somalia); Air conditioner, by Mario Bastos (Angola); Baamum Nafi, from Mamadou Dia (Senegal); Bendskins (Moto Taxi), by Narcise Wandji (Cameroon); Lingui, The Sacred Ties, by Haroun Mahamat-Saleh (Chad); Oliver Black, from Tawfik Baba (Morocco); and Souad, by Amin Ayten (Egypt).

The short film category has attracted 29 entries including Little Black Dress (23 min) by Esteri Tebandeke from Uganda. Seventeen entries are competing in the TV series category.

Headed by Abderrahmane Sissako, the Mauritanian filmmaker, the international jury has Mati Diop, Jihan El Tahri, Frederic Lavigne, Angele Diabang and Salif Traore.

The festival will have film screenings and exhibitions, forum debates of films in competition, thematic conferences and meetings.

Professional segment

The African International Film and TV Market (MICA) 2021 is part of the professional section of Fespaco called Fespaco Pro. MICA is a market of audio-visual programmes from and on Africa. It includes the Yennenga Workshops, the Yennenga Liboni and the Yennenga Connexion.

The Fespaco Pro aims to support all links in the cinematographic production. It is open to film producers and distributors, streaming platform operators, TV broadcasters, African film festivals, national, regional and international institutions and organisations that fund African cinema, mechanisms to support creation and to co-production.

It aims to allow the biennale to play a more active role in the development of the cinema industry and the support of African cinema, from the launch of a new project to the optimisation of existing services and initiatives.

Fespaco is a biennial event bringing together professionals and non-professionals from across the world, to celebrate cinema from Africa and Diaspora for a week, every odd-numbered years.

Fespaco is a platform for film competition and an opportunity to promote, distribute and carry forward cinema from Africa and its Diaspora.

Created in 1969, Fespaco became an institution in 1972 and a biennial event from its sixth edition in 1979. Based in Ouagadougou, Fespaco has a statute and is recognised by African states. It is a public administrative institution under the Ministry for Culture of Burkina Faso.

In the headlines

IMF raises red flag over Tanzania’s bleak economic outlook

The economy is expected to remain subdued in 2021 after contracting to 4.8 percent last year.

Attempted coup in Sudan mirrors building tension

Humanitarian crisis in Ethiopia threaten to suck in all countries in the region as leaders struggle to bring peace in Tigray.

Kigali answers critics on ‘Hotel Rwanda’ hero’s conviction

Samia woos investors to Tanzania

Rwanda hits target in Covid vaccination drive

Somaliland objects election of reps to Somalia Senate

Ethiopia’s minister calls for peace amid fears of Tigray reinvasion

The late BMK writes about building an empire in autobiography

Saturday September 25 2021

Book cover of 'My Story of Building a Fortune in Africa' by Bulaimu Muwanga Kibirige. PHOTO | MORGAN MBABAZI | NMG

Summary

When he was diagnosed with terminal prostrate cancer, Bulaimu Muwanga Kibirige chose to share his entrepreneurial knowledge and experiences in an autobiography titled, My Story of Building a Fortune in Africa, which was published about three months before his death.
He was introduced to the world of business at the age of 13 as an apprentice at his father Hajj Ali Kibirige’s coffee trading business and restaurant in Masaka.

By GILBERT MWIJUKE

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Business magnate Bulaimu Muwanga Kibirige — better known as BMK — who died on September 10 at the age of 67, was described as a selfless man. When he was diagnosed with terminal prostrate cancer, BMK chose to share his entrepreneurial knowledge and experiences in an autobiography titled, My Story of Building a Fortune in Africa, which was published about three months before his death.

The book describes how a primary seven dropout worked to build a successful multinational business empire. He was introduced to the world of business at the age of 13 as an apprentice at his father Hajj Ali Kibirige’s coffee trading business and restaurant in Masaka.

After sitting for his Primary Leaving Examinations in 1968, he started working for his father full time to learn the ropes. His stint at his father's restaurant taught him the food business and piqued his interest in the hospitality industry and in 1997 he launched Hotel Africana, a popular hotel in Kampala, which has branches in Moroto, eastern Uganda, and Lusaka, Zambia.

In 1974, he got private tuition to improve his grasp of the English language and also enhance his accounting skills. In 1978, he started flying to Hong Kong, where he bought clothes, handbags, shoes and electronics for selling.

While in exile in Nairobi in the early 1980s, he partnered with a Kenyan businesswoman to form Kowloon Fashions, which dealt in clothes and imported used cars and spare parts from Hong Kong for sale in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Zambia. He returned to Uganda in 1986 and set up BMK Uganda Ltd. Today, the Kampala-headquartered conglomerate operates in Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, South Sudan, Zambia and the DR Congo.

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Tales of Dakar's Oliver Twists in 'No Heaven for Good Boys'

Saturday September 25 2021

Book cover for 'No Heaven for Good Boys'. PHOTO | FILE | NMG

Summary

Six-year-old Ibrahimah is a talibe, a young Senegalese pupil in a special religious school called daara.
At the daara, Ibrahimah meets and becomes close to his cousin, twelve-year-old Etienne, who has been there for five years.
The daara does not offer much protection except for a roof over their heads and cardboard mats for beds, with hardly any food, bathing facilities or medical care.

By KARI MUTU

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Child enslavement using religion is the premise for No Heaven for Good Boys by American author Keisha Bush.
Six-year-old Ibrahimah is a talibe, a young Senegalese pupil in a special religious school called daara. He has been sent there by his parents from his rural home to be under the guidance of a marabout or Muslim teacher. At the daara, Ibrahimah meets and becomes close to his cousin, twelve-year-old Etienne, who has been there for five years.

It turns out that marabout Ahmed is a wolf in sheep's skin as he makes money by exploiting the minors under his care. Every morning the boys, all under the age of 16 years, are forcibly sent into the streets with empty tins to beg for money and food. Each boy must meet a daily quota or risks severe punishment.

The daara does not offer much protection except for a roof over their heads and cardboard mats for beds, with hardly any food, bathing facilities or medical care. The boys endure daily insults, threats, beatings and even sexual abuse by the marabout. No education of any kind takes place at the Koranic school, only the hard-knock lessons learned on the streets of Dakar where the children face all kinds of dangers such as speeding cars, police chases, the scorn of strangers, and even abductions.

Abdoulaye, one of the daara boys, disappears one day when the boys are watching a football match, never to be seen again. Not long afterwards, news spreads around Dakar that the decomposing body of a boy was found with knife wounds to the torso.

The daara boys form a sort of dysfunctional family, living by the rules of marabout to avoid punishment, while the fear of the unknown is a strong motivator for staying alive. With no idea of how to return to their homes, running away from Dakar is not an option. In any case, there is every likelihood that their parents will send them back to the daara to avoid disgrace, which has happened with other runaways.

The combination of circumstances turns the talibe into wild, almost feral youngsters. Even among the boys there is rivalry, and the older ones will not hesitate to steal from the younger, weaker "siblings." The more experienced Etienne is Ibrahimah’s sole protection inside and outside the daara. Just as well because even though Ibrahimah toughens up with time, he remains a dreamy-natured, naïve boy, firmly believing that marabout will return home in a year’s time.

Meanwhile in his home town of Maimouna, Ibrahim’s mother is slowly losing her mind from the loss of her only son and second youngest child. She never wanted to send him away but her husband capitulated to pressure from his eldest brother and sent their son away without her knowledge. She too had a tough upbringing, separated from her mother at a young age and forced to work as an unpaid servant for her uncle’s family. Koranic schooling is an old tradition among many Muslim communities. While some are good, nurturing environments, continuing reports of human rights violations against talibe children in Senegal remains a challenge.

Bush does not investigate the root causes of this exploitative practise. Instead she lets the stories of Ibrahimah, Etienne, the marabout, Mahmouda and other characters tell us how these abusive situations continue. They include poverty, the powerlessness of women, the stranglehold of tradition, a warped sense of family pride that causes people to turn a blind eye to violations, child abuse by parents and protectors, and the unwillingness or ineffectiveness of state authorities to deal with the matter.

Some incidents described in the story seem incongruent with life in small town Senegal, possibly because Bush was not born or raised in Africa. Her career in international development brought her to Senegal where she witnessed the plight of the talibe first-hand. But I admire her ability to write from the voice and perspective of Ibrahimah.

No Heaven for Good Boys is like Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist with its share of villains, crimes, murder, mistreated boys and a sympathetic mother-figure. In this debut novel, Bush has crafted heart-breaking story drawn from real-life horrors still playing out today.

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