ROBERT MUGABE…WHAT HAPPENED? THE DOCUMENTARY

A stunning look at how Zimbabwe’s controversial leader President Robert Mugabe turned from saint to sinner after assuming power in 1980 airs on the FX Only in Africa Season 2 strand on Zuku TV last weekend.
Robert Mugabe… What happened?, is directed by Simon Bright and produced by Michael Auret, and the documentary had its World Premiere two months ago in Cape Town as the opening night film at the Encounters South Africa International Documentary Film Festival.
Billed as the definitive account of Mugabe’s life, it dramatically illustrates his role in the successful struggle for liberation and development of the country but also his ruthless and cunning retention of power at all costs.
In publicity material, Bright said that the documentary “gives Mugabe the credit where it’s due”.



“It’s an exploration of what happened to a promising African leader who was well respected and it recognises his fight for freedom and against Apartheid. But it also explores the forces that caused him to effectively destroy a lot of what he built.”
In parallel narratives Bright tells the stories of Rhodesia’s transition to Zimbabwe and the personal journey of Mugabe, using one to explain the other, finally suggesting why Mugabe chose the road he has taken.
As a biography it makes for compelling viewing with first-hand accounts of Mugabe’s early life with a desperately poor Catholic mother, what he was like at school, the effects of a Jesuit education and his rage against his absent father.



As his star ascends commentators reflect on early landmarks, particularly his attendance of Ghana’s independence celebrations in 1957. It’s clear the highly intellectual Mugabe was admired and respected through the 1960s and 70s, Bright traces the origins of the adoration towards Mugabe through fascinating archival film interviews with some of his ardent supporters.
The parallel story of the transition is equally well researched, as are later episodes of importance, notably Lancaster House, the Matabeleland genocide and the growing role of global business in Africa’s economies. But it’s the behind-the-scenes jostling for power which Bright exposes that is the most riveting, and from it Mugabe emerges as unquestionably one of history’s most canny, devious leaders.
Accompanied by a haunting soundtrack, the music is an achievement in itself, a mix of liberation, folk and contemporary sounds. It is Mugabe as not seen before…
“Robert Mugabe… What Happened?” aired on Saturday, 03 September at 22:30 CET on FX Only In Africa Season 2 on ZukuTV.

AY’S NEXT PROJECT IS WITH T PAIN

Hot Secrets has learnt that Tanzanian rapper AY has already recorded a single with American rapper T-Pain and is planning on shooting the video.
The rapper was in the country for Saturday evening award show EMAS where he bagged the award for Best Collabo for him musical effort with Mwana F.A. in the track Habari Ndio Hiyo.



Other winners included a tie in the Best Male category where Dr. Claude of Rwanda and Jaguar shared the award. Best Female went to Juliana for her single Alive Again while Best Group was P-Unit. Gospel group BMF bagged the Best Gospel Group for the single I Live For You and Emmy Kosgei scooped the Best Gospel Collabo for her callabo with Lynn in the single Omegeu Rerein. Kidum and Papa Wemba were both awarded in the Best Male in the Afro Fusion and Rhumba category respectively. South Sudan rapper Lam bagged the Best Video for Stay in Love.
Anyhow, AY released his latest collabo with Romeo and La'Myia Good – actress Meagan Good’s older sister - for the single titled Speak With Ya Body.

AFROTAINMENT TO PRODUCE AND BROADCAST MUSEKE AWARDS

As part of its ongoing efforts to showcase African Music in North America, Afrotainment and Museke Inc are pleased to announce a partnership whereby Afrotainment will be the exclusive broadcast and media partner for Museke’s second annual online African music awards, which will now be known as the Afrotainment Museke Online Africa Music Awards.
Eric Noue from Afrotainment said: “This collaboration reiterates Afrotainment’s commitment to the North American market with an African music awards show being broadcasted for the first time Live on National TV in North America and via web streaming worldwide, reflecting yet another facet of our growth strategy”
In an evidence of growth for the online awards, the Afrotainment Museke Online Africa Music Awards – which are currently in the nominees’ submission phase, will culminate on September 24 in Afrotainment New York City’s studios, where the cream of the African music industry will gather at an Afro-glam red carpet event to recognise African talent as award winners are announced and celebrated. The Afrotainment Museke Online Africa Music Awards will be multicasted Live on the Afrotainment family of channels nationwide in the US and will also be viewable online via Live Streaming on the awards website, moamas.com and awards.afrotainment.us.
Museke representative Tumi Diseko commented: “We are thoroughly excited to have concluded this agreement with Afrotainment, an entity which shares our passion for African entertainment. Hosting and screening the awards will help to bring the African music fan closer to their favourite artists, rightfully so, as Museke.com is The Home of the African Music Fan”. The evening will feature performances by some of the best in African music as well as some artists who are well on their way to the top of the African music scene.

GLOBAL GREEN ENERGY AWARDS ANNOUNCE INTERNATIONAL FINALISTS FOR 2011

Five African projects have been selected as a finalist for the Ashden Awards for Sustainable Energy. The world’s leading green energy prize announced that eight sustainable energy pioneers from the African continent, India and Pakistan have been selected as finalists for the prestigious Ashden Awards for Sustainable Energy 2011. The finalists will compete for over £120,000 prize money. The winners will be announced at a ceremony hosted in London on 16 June 2011.
Access to affordable clean energy is fundamental to daily life and should be a basic right yet almost a quarter of the world’s population - over 1.4 billion people - live without access to electricity, and worldwide around 2.5 billion people still rely on wood and charcoal for cooking. Harnessing clean, local and affordable ways to meet the energy needs of the poor and to drive local industry is vital to any efforts to reduce poverty and to tackle the urgent issues of climate change and deforestation.
Sarah Butler-Sloss, Founder Director of the Ashden Awards said:
"Our dream is a world where access to clean, affordable electricity and fuel can be enjoyed by the poor, transforming living standards, reducing CO2 emissions and easing the pressure on our dwindling forests. The 2011 Ashden Award finalists are making this vision a reality, and their potential for expansion and replication is high. It is our sincere hope that others are inspired to enable their growth and follow their lead”.

The five African projects selected are:

AJDR Cooperative, Rwanda for helping street kids and unemployed youth earn an income by making fuel-efficient charcoal-burning stoves from scrap metal, heat retaining insulated baskets and wood burning rocket stoves. Over 16,000 efficient stoves have been sold in the past four years, saving over 8,000 tonnes of CO2. With the Rwandan government firmly committed to cutting charcoal use, AJDR is further improving the efficiency of its stoves.


Nuru East Africa Ltd, Rwanda for finding a new way to provide affordable lighting in rural areas using LED rechargeable lamps that sell for only US$5. The lamps replace smoky kerosene lamps in homes and are also used as bicycle lights. Nuru has also developed pedal powered generators to recharge the lamps. Nearly 10,000 lamps have been sold and 70 pedal-powered generators are now in use, mainly in Rwanda and also in Kenya. And with a new carbon finance deal, Nuru plans to set up hundreds of new entrepreneurs in the next three years.


Toyola Energy Ltd, Ghana for an innovative business model which has succeeded in selling 154,000 efficient and affordable charcoal stoves to low-income families, 75 per cent of whom buy the stoves on credit and use savings on charcoal to pay cash back. The stoves save about 26,000 tonnes of charcoal a year, and around 150,000 tonnes a year of CO2. Toyola plans to open more centres in Benin, Sierra Leone and Nigeria in the next two years, stepping up sales to a further 140,000 stoves by 2013.


ToughStuff International, UK and Africa for the manufacture and marketing of a range of low-cost and robust solar products to off-grid communities across Africa, bringing the benefits of light, mobile phone charging and radio to poor households. So far 140,000 PV modules have been sold, benefitting around 740,000 people. The company also works with humanitarian relief agencies to bring solar lighting to people living in disaster zones in Haiti and Pakistan. ToughStuff aims to reach 33 million people by 2015 through its regional offices in Nairobi, Lagos and Johannesburg.



Ugastove Ltd. Uganda for making fuel-efficient charcoal and wood stoves for homes, schools and businesses, which sell for as little as US$7 and for making the stoves accessible to the poor through a scheme which allows customers to pay back the price of the stove through the cash they save on charcoal. About 80,000 stoves have been sold since 2006 and their total greenhouse gas savings are now over 100,000 tonnes a year of CO2. The enterprise is expanding to reach customers in more remote parts of Uganda and beyond.

BEN AFFLECK WANTS TO MAKE MOVIE ABOUT CONGO

With the success of DRC Congo’s star singer Fally Ipupa during the MAMAs, now Oscar-winning screenwriter, actor, director and now Africa advocate Ben Affleck wants to make a movie about the troubled eastern Democratic Republic of Congo but has found no Hollywood taker yet.
"I would love to make a movie about Congo, but unfortunately Hollywood folks claim that nobody wants to see a movie about Africa," said Affleck, who earlier this year founded the Eastern Congo Initiative (ECI) advocacy group.



Affleck was speaking after launching a report by his advocacy group, which calls for the United States to lead an international effort to bring stability to the troubled eastern Congo or risk the Great Lakes region becoming "another failure of humanity."
The Congo was riven by devastating back-to-back wars that began in the 1990s and ended early this century after claiming some 3.5 million lives.
Affleck directed, wrote and co-starred in bank heist movie "The Town" and has a slew of awards to his name, including a 1998 Oscar for the screenplay of "Good Will Hunting." He is among a growing number of stars who use their celebrity to raise awareness of global crises.

50 CONTESTANTS LEAVE NIGERIAN IDOL

It is now time for serious business!!!
“Are you all packed and ready? Because you are all going home” Judge Audu says to contestants in room four. After a long pause he adds “But not today”
The joy and tears that filled the room afterwards knew no bounds. Contestants have been busy singing in duos and trios for two days, and to hear that they were leaving was the last thing on their mind.
But then, 50 hopefuls had to leave. One contestant that caught a lot of attention is Jennifer Ijeoma Ekenma Contestant 1251 from Enugu, who weeks back left Enugu with hope, toasting and drinking with friends who were almost sure that she will return to them with the grand prize.



All hopes were dashed when Jeffery Daniel announced that everyone in her room was leaving. But Audu had stated earlier “The fact that you are evicted doesn’t make it the end of the world, we’d still meet at BET or the Grammy’s”
And then some contestants forgot their lines against Jeffery Daniel’s initial insistence that forgetting your lines could lead to eviction.
Two contestants who the judges couldn’t help but give thumbs up were contestants 2123- Ajumoke and Toni who have before now released singles in the Nigerian market. Viewers were shocked to see Ajumoke Member of Diamonds band – Winners of 2008 Star Quest in the competition. Even though she has not made it public, It appears the young talent is ready to go solo.


Oluwatoni Afolayan whom we have all come to know as Tonii started singing in the church, but became an active actor in the industry in 2008. The unsigned young lady made a lot of buzz with her single “Silateya” in 2008.
Toni and Ajumoke belong to different groups that made it to the next round. Out of thousands that auditioned for Idols, there are just now 50 talents left as the show moves from preliminaries into a critical phase.



Since Nigerian Idol debuted on TV on Sunday November 21, 2010, TV audiences in Nigeria, UK and USA have been treated to the highs and lows of hopefuls who trooped out to audition for the music reality show.
It’s been a roller coaster, some contestants have cried after being rejected by judges, some have taken rejection with a pinch of salt, others have even lied that they were going to the dream studios when the reverse was the case- one particular contestant even ran away from the camera after being rejected, and then others have been given the much desired Golden ticket.



Last week, 100 contestants were trimmed down to 50, and in the weeks to come, producers of the show have stated that every week, the contestants will appear in groups of 10, the general public will be given the privilege to vote, and then the two contestants with the highest votes get to go on to the next level while eight wannabes go home each week
“It’s getting tougher, the contestants are really talented, and having to see eight of them go every week is really disheartening, but the format has to be followed” Lillias Bode Producer of the show says
With the top 50 contestants ready to slug it out for the grand prize, Adaora Mbelu Communications Manager at OMG educates us more “At this point, the judges no longer make the decision, the viewers will take over and participation will be through voting”



Sponsored by Etisalat in association with Royal Exchange and Pepsi. The journey to discovering Nigerian Idol will take the mould of the original Pop Idol. Host Misi and Anis will take TV viewers through auditions, the Theatre episodes, group work shop episodes all the way to the live shows.
The Idols TV series was first created by Freemantle media UK as Pop Idol, but in recent times it has been simply referred to world-wide as ‘’Idols’’ And just like the original show, Nigerian Idol aims to seek out the next solo super star and offer one young hopeful talent a life changing opportunity.
The stiff competition this year began with a hundred contestants slugging it out for a grand prize of 7.5 Million Naira and a record deal with Sony BMG.

JERMAINE JACKSON FOR AFRICA MUSIC AWARDS

This year’s African Music Awards will take place in London and Jermaine Jackson is listed as one of the celebrities presenting a prize at Wembley Arena on October 15.
With UNICEF UK as a beneficiary, the AMAs is a celebration of African inspired talent and, within its niche, the AMAs will aim to expose the incredible richness of African music and culture, showcasing the breath-taking performances from the Continent's music giants and top musicians. Music Moguls, Film Legends, Fashion gurus, and Football stars, will all participate in the event's presentations, making it truly the most glamorous African event in the UK for the year 2010.
Speaking about this years event founder Eric McKaiser said, "Music industry experts have tipped African music to "explode" into the UK market and the AMAs is there to provide a platform that will recognise their achievements annually. We want to change the perception of African music as a niche into entertainment that will appeal to the masses". Last year, Sweet Love singer, Wahu won the Female Act of The Year.

FOR THE STRONG AFRICAN WOMAN IN THE DIASPORA

Sharon Asonganyi is conducting research for a project involving African Sister living in the diaspora.
“My vision is for empowered, mentally healthy women with less inner “self” turmoil that are liberated to become all that they aspire to be and hold true to Sankofa – It is never late to go back and take hold of purpose and destiny in one’s life or support other African sisters nurture or reclaim theirs. Your input would be priceless in informing the presentation of this project and its use in developing programs for African women and girls,” Sharon says.
If you know of anyone else who would like to fill out the survey but are not on the blog, please feel free to share the survey with them. It doesn't matter where they are (U.S., Europe, or Africa), as long as they are an their voice is critical and welcomed.
All you need to do is click over huuur and fill in the form. Your contribution will be highly appreciated.

AKON’S ZIMBABWE SHOW THREATENED BY HIS EX-CRIME LIFE

Organisers of the Akon Live in Concert are talking with Zimbabwean Immigration Department to ensure that the artiste’s show scheduled for September 4 proceeds without hitches. This is because of rapper Akon previous criminal convictions.
According to the Immigration Act, someone who was once convicted of a specified crime, regardless of where this was, is prohibited from entering Zimbabwe unless special arrangements have been made.
Some of the offences cited include treason, sedition of public violence, rape, theft, fraud, robbery and dealing in or being in possession of dangerous or habit-forming drugs or being in possession of any pipes or other utensils used in connection with the smoking of such drugs.

NAIJA’S MTN PROJECT FAME BEGINS

From July 12, Nigerian airwaves will be accosted by the hit reality show MTN Project Fame West Africa.
Highlights of the auditions and finals will begin airing on today while the opening gala night show will be aired on Sunday July 18. Project Fame provides the rare opportunity for 15 talented men and women to have a shot at becoming music superstars.
“The track record speaks for itself. Last year Iyanya got busy performing all over the world eventually releasing his debut album My Story in December. Season 2 winner. Mike has released three singles- the most popular being Fine Fine Lady which both radio and TV stations can’t stop playing. Judging from how their careers have both risen since winning Project Fame, we think it’s safe to say Project Fame has established itself as a leading academy which grooms Nigeria’s best musical talent” says Ultima Boss Femi Ayeni.
It is not only the winners of PFWA that can boast of having bright and brilliant careers. Nii Akrah from Ghana who was the 1st runner up during the first season of Project Fame is the voice behind the West African hit single Monife and is scheduled to drop her album later in the month.
Tomiwa Songonuga, the 2nd runner- up during last year’s edition has released his single Iyawo Mi which is fast becoming a staple in many wedding receptions.
The Academy is made up of Joke Silva- The Academy Principal, Music Director Ben Ogbeiwi Voice coach Dupe Ige and Zara Udofia as Dance instructor.
Some of the great musicians who have visited the contestants in the Academy include the legendary JT Taylor of Kool and the Gang in Season 1 and the famous Marlon Jackson of the Jackson 5 and brother to the King of Pop, Michael Jackson in Season 2.

LINDSEY LOHAN CRIES AT HEARING

A Beverly Hills judge Tuesday sentenced Lindsay Lohan to 90 days in jail for repeatedly violating the terms of her probation, ignoring the actress' tearful pleas for one more chance. Remember if you make your bed you must be prepared to sleep in it.

LORENZO

Who Can Enter?
1. Radio and TV journalists employed in the following regions: Africa, Arab World and the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific, Europe and Latin America and the Caribbean are invited to submit an application (EITHER individually OR – in the case of jointly authored or jointly produced items - as a group).
2. The laureates of previous competitions may not present a fresh application for the edition of the Prize immediately following their award, but will be eligible to compete again in subsequent editions.
3. Journalistic works written by current members of staff of the European Community institutions or the ProPager agency will not be considered for the Lorenzo Natali Prize. These individuals are allowed to submit their work 3 years after having left their position.
Each entry must be accompanied by an entry form, available on the Lorenzo Natali Prize website, from the European Commission Delegations and Representations or from ProPager and a CV.
The deadline for submission of entries is 31st August 2010.

AIDS ACTIVIST DEPORTED AFTER MEETING YVONNE CHAKA CHAKA

Nine well connected AIDS activists were deported from Tanzania minutes after meeting up with South African singer Yvonne Chaka Chaka.
The nine were protesting on the decreasing funding for HIV at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Dar es Salaam.
"We met with Yvonne Chaka Chaka and gave her our memorandum to present to the leaders attending the WEF; shortly thereafter we were arrested," Bactrin Killingo of the International Treatment Preparedness Coalition (ITPC), told IRIN/PlusNews on Friday. 

"We spent four or five hours at the police station making statements, after which we were escorted to our hotels to collect our belongings and then to the airport, where we were deported." None of the activists, who were from a variety of African countries, were charged. 

A planned national workers' union strike prompted Tanzanian President Jakaya Kiwete to cancel all demonstrations this week. "We had received permission to hold the demonstration [on May 5], but later received a letter cancelling it ... Only ten of us delivered the memorandum - it was not a demonstration," Killingo said.
Among those detained were: Paula Akugizibwe and Lynette Mabote from the AIDS 
and Rights Alliance for Southern Africa; James Kayo and Netsayi Dzinoreva from the ITPC; Linda Mafu and Soraya Matthews from the World AIDS Campaign; Sydney Hushie from the Global Youth Coalition on HIV/AIDS; and Michael O’Connor from the Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria. 
Tanzanian government officials were not available for comment.

UK CELEBS FOR UGANDA ANTI-MALARIA CAMPAIGN

Earlier this year a team of nine celebrities flew out to Tanzania to climb the mighty Kilimanjaro summit in aid of Comic Relief.
It took Ben Shephard, Chris Moyles, Alesha Dixon, Denise Van Outen, Kimblerley Walsh, Cheryl Cole, Fearne Cotton, Ronan Keating and Gary Barlow a grueling seven days to complete the walk.
Battling the harsh temperatures and high altitude was not always easy, but they carried on and raised over £3.5m.
Cotton and Walsh have returned to Africa, this time to Uganda, with Barlow, Shephard and Moyles to see where the cash raised has been spent to help to fight malaria.

UGLY BETTY GETS MALARIA FEVER

A UN-backed campaign to raise awareness about malaria – which claims over 1 million lives annually – has a starring role on the season premiere of the hit television comedy, Ugly Betty.
Airing on October 16, the two-hour special will centre on the efforts by the main character, Betty Suarez, a young woman recently promoted to become the features editor at a fashion magazine, to draw attention to the “Nothing But Nets” scheme.
Under that campaign, the UN Foundation seeks to curb the spread of malaria by providing insecticide-treated bed nets, each costing Sh75, to communities in greatest need.
Malaria infects over 500 million people worldwide annually, killing more than 1 million people, the vast majority of whom are African children.
“Our storyline resonated with every member of our cast and crew,” said Richard Heusfrom, the show’s Executive Director.
One of the stars of Ugly Betty, Ana Ortiz, who recently gave birth to her first child, said that being a new mother has opened her eyes to the need to help vulnerable children around the world.
Ugly Betty is the first-ever television comedy series to be filmed at the UN, and its shooting came about through the world body’s Creative Community Outreach Initiative (CCOI).

FOREST WHITAKER TO BE 50 CENT’S DAD

In news that nearly got me choking with suppressed laughter, Forrest Whitaker wants an on-screen “father-son relationship” with 50 Cent. The Oscar-winning actor is in negotiations to star alongside the rapper-turned-actor in the modern-day adaptation of the 1886 novel ‘The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde’.
Forrest is hopeful he can come to an agreement with movie bosses and get involved with the “interesting” script.
He told MTV News: "We’re still figuring out what we’re going to do, if I am going to be doing that or not. If I end up doing it, I would be playing Jekyll and he would be playing Hyde."

TINA TURNER IN DAR?

I saw this poster in on of the TZ blogs and i thought to myself, how good it would be to have a legend in the East African vicinity.

Holla to Tina's Manager/ handlers, bring her over to Kenya as well... Mafans ni wengi.

NIGERIANS ANGRY AT POTRAYAL ON DISTRICT 9

District 9 a South African movie production has angered Nigerians for it’s portrayal of them. In retaliation they have started a Facebook group, District 9 Hates Nigerians. Some have even come up with a petition to have it banned. Tola Onanuga’s statement in the UK Guardian contradicts his angry countrymen. He said: “If District 9 really does hate Nigerians, it clearly hates its powerful, white characters even more. Objecting to Nigerians being portrayed as morally bankrupt criminals seems pointless when almost every group of characters in the film have little or no regard for the law.”
East Africans should be offended as the film’s Nigerians speak in Kiswahili and not Hausa or Yoruba.



More on District 9
:: Kenya's Wanuri worked with District 9 crew