Lisa Shannon: My One of A Kind Shero

I refuse to accept the notion that the Congo cannot be helped and this is the way it has to be. Congo’s fate is in the hands of the Congolese people…yes, we are responsible for ourselves and each nation for its citizens but now that their destiny is in full view of the international community, we as Africans, at home and in the diaspora can no longer sit back. In the words of Leymah Gbowee, it is time to ignite the spirit of Ubuntu, “I am what I am because of who we all are.” The body of the Congolese woman should not have to pay for me to have the latest ipod or fancy phone or laptop…enough is enough…

Lisa Shannon: My One of A Kind Shero

Igniting The Power of One: The Strength Of A Woman’s Voice.

In the last few days, I have been consumed by my reading and research into the plight of the Congolese women while writing my articles. At some point, I have pondered and wondered, what do I write about which has not been written? What have I got to say that has not been said. In fact, who will listen to me and who wants to hear and read about the Congo one more time? Haven’t they had an overload already? Watching the video clip below, I realised…we cannot stop talking about this until it stops...


Igniting The Power of One: The Strength Of A Woman’s Voice.

Zainab Salbi: One of My Favourite Women In The World

Zainab Salbi speaks and the world listens. She is the founder and CEO of Women for Women International. It takes a special woman to stand up and say, enough is enough and takes action to follow through. Watch and find out why I love this lady. She is more than three times a lady in my book. “War is about silence, the silence of humanity.” You can say that again because we know she is on point!


Zainab Salbi: One of My Favourite Women In The World

An Assignment Most Special

“Rape is used as a tactic of war to drive fear and to humiliate women and their communities,” says the Women’s sphere blog page. What we fail to understand is that women are so powerful, their stability ensures the stability of the household and when you take that out of the home and transplant into the wider community, you end up with a healthy society. In a society where the women are sick mentally, emotionally, spiritually and intellectually, we have a sick society and nation. Hence, the DRC is currently ill because its women are ill. The question is, who will help them to heal? Who will fight for their souls?



An Assignment Most Special

When Becoming Rich Is A Political Statement

Poverty is systemic and it starts with the government. Where Africa is concerned, it started with slavery right up to colonialism...

When Becoming Rich Is A Political Statement

Rejection 101: Stop Grieving, Start Living!

Let me start with the fact that no one likes to be rejected but it is an inevitable life experience we all have to face at one point or another. From our career to our relationships to family and friends, it can come from the place we least expected it to the place where we had a faint idea it was possible, yet, we wanted to take a chance and see what will happen...

Rejection 101: Stop Grieving, Start Living!

My B*tches!

For the married ones who pass the test

I tell them, go home

Teach her how to get you from boyhood to manhood

The gay, single, commitment phobic and hopeless ones…

Some intentionally fail

So they can keep coming back

Selfish bastards

My B*tches!

Suicide Watch

If sorrow is a companion

I go to bed with suicide as my lover

Her gentle whisper of loss

Loss of hope and glory

Her silent but strong voice of conviction

Her aroma like the waft of an onion

Being peeled one layer at a time till it sinks into you

Suicide Watch

Tiger Hills by Sarita Mandanna

Armed with a vivid imagination, Mandanna transports you to Coorg with her evocative descriptions of its landscape, filled with nature’s beauty. Her passion for Coorg shines through, and you can sense that her descriptions are rooted in the reality of the region. She does not shy away from bringing aspects of the cultures and traditions of Coorg into her writing. While there is a plethora of issues readers will pick from this story, Mandanna paints a fascinating canvas of different lives brought together by various events which are relatable as she explores the themes of love, family and relationships, the old and new world, through the European missionaries and their influence on the local people, customs and traditions, loss and the pain of discovering one’s own voice and identity in the multitude of a crowd.


Tiger Hills by Sarita Mandanna

In Conversation: Ogo Ogbata

I observed that butterflies are beautiful creatures welcomed everywhere. However, their start in life is quite slimy and ugly. Humans are like butterflies in a sense. Successful and confident people weren’t always so – they have evolved. Basically Egg-Larva-Pupa-Woman is about growth and change and hope. The successful nations of this world have all had humble beginnings. With faith and inspired action, our continent can morph into something beautiful.


In Conversation: Ogo Ogbata

Through The Gates by Nana Awere Damoah

“Be generous with your advice: live it instead,” says Nana Awere Damoah. He is putting soul back into reading with his collection of heart-warming stories laced with traditional Ghanaian proverbs...

Through The Gates by Nana Awere Damoah

In Conversation: Shango Baku

Mustapha Matura’s adaption of Anton Chekov’s Three Sisters, remains one of my most memorable theatre night out. No ordinary feat, he transported me to the Caribbean with his eclectic characters and electrifying dialogue. Chekhov would have approved. What a fine production that was under the direction of Paulette Randal. Its 2010, and Matura, the award winning Trinidadian playwright is back with Rum and Cola.


In Conversation: Shango Baku

Bitter Leaf – Book Review

Chioma Okereke weaves a poetically evocative story, rich in texture and vivid descriptions as it is emotionally accessible and moving. If there is a fault to be found, it is the fact that it takes a while to get into the story as Okereke takes time to lay the foundation. This could put a lazy reader off but if you are a person who likes to be challenged by a book, once you get into the story, you do not want to drop it. All in all, this is a delightful and impressive debut novel...





Bitter Leaf – Book Review

New African and New African Woman Magazines: Must Have Editions

The New African is celebrating its 500th edition and what a bumper edition. With contributions from the likes of Kofi Anan, Kenneth Kaunda, Mo Ibrahim, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, Thabo Mebeki and John Agyekum Kufor, Ghana’s former president, you are spoilt for choice of articles to read. So imagine the honour I feel, knowing I also have a piece in this edition, an interview with Ahmed Kathrada, who spent 26 years on Robben Island with Nelson Mandela. Go get a copy...well worth it!



New African and New African Woman Magazines: Must Have Editions

Dark Heart of The Night By Leonora Miano. Translated by Tamsin Black

Miano’s narrative leaps at you from the pages with pain as the most barbaric and callous act of ritual, which Isilo says will reunite Africa, is carried out by his soldiers, sentencing the villagers who are left powerless into an abyss of silence...

ark Heart of The Night By Leonora Miano. Translated by Tamsin Black

Court of Remorse: Inside The International Tribunals For Rwanda By Thierry Cruvellier and Translated by Chari Voss

This is an enthralling read that will leave you angry, remorseful and force you to question the principles of justice on national and international levels. It would also make a riveting court room drama series for television with the exception of one crucial reality; Rwanda’s story and continuous quest for justice is real. It is real life with real people whose national pain and loss is forever ingrained in world history.


Court of Remorse: Inside The International Tribunals For Rwanda By Thierry Cruvellier and Translated by Chari Voss

Migritude by Shailja Patel (A Must Read)

If words turn you on, then Migritude is a book you must read. Now, get your mind off sex, think about words challenging you and doing the Brazilian samba with your mind.

Migritude by Shailja Patel (A Must Read)