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Kerala: God's own Country

First in the country to cross 200 million subscribers!!

ANOTHER MILESTONE ACHIEVED BY

There is something new about this New Year for Airtel. A new beginning and a new milestone. Airtel has rolled out 4G service to mobile phone users in

Bangalore. Not only this, it has also picked up Loop mobile for Rs. 700 Crore. Under the new arrangement, Loop Mobile’s 3 million subscribers in Mumbai will join Airtel’s over 4 million subscribers fetching Airtel’s total subscriber base in Mumbai to 7 million.

Now comes the big news. Airtel has broadcasted that it has crossed the 200 million mobile subscriber mark in India. It is also the first one to cross the 200 million mobile user mark. Airtel is the largest telecom operator in India, both in terms of customers and revenues. This operator has added 100 million users in less than 5 years. Erstwhile to this, it had spanned the 100 million mark in 2009.

Gopal Vittal, Joint MD & CEO (India), Bharti Airtel said in a statement, “We are delighted to have reached this major milestone. It is gratifying to see the trust our customers have reposed in our brand and it will be our endeavor to continue delighting them with innovative and world-class services. We will also continue

to invest towards building a robust data network of the future and be at the forefront of India’s mobile broadband revolution”.

The leading world-wide telecommunications company further brought out that its distribution channel is spread across 1.5 million outlets, with network attendance in 5,121 census and 460,655 non-census towns and villages in India crossing roughly 86.7 percent of the country’s population. Airtel has the major rural mobile customer base in India with over 88 million mobile customers (from rural markets).

2014 edition of seyChelles Carnival in april

enhanCinG suGar industry perforManCe in afriCa

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AIRTELAirtel is aimed by the idea of furnishing

reasonable and pioneering mobile services to all. Airtel has African operations in Burkina Faso, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Madagascar, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.

According to statistics from the Cellular Operators Association of India, a lobby group, with about 29% market share, Airtel was ahead of Vodafone which had 162.18 million mobile subscribers (23% share) and Idea Cellular that

We are delighted to have reached this major milestone. It is gratifying to see the trust our customers have reposed in our brand and it will be our endeavor to continue delighting them with innovative and world-class services. We will also continue to invest towards building a robust data network of the future and be at the forefront of India’s mobile broadband revolution.

Gopal Vittal Joint MD & CEo (inDia), Bharti airtEl

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Title Code: DELENG18579 • VOL. 1 • NO. 7 • Page 12 • Price `10

south sudan is now open for business

Wassupafrica02

ETHIOPIA: This country is believed to be one of the fastest growing economies of the world. An outgoing Ambassador of India expressed that with the launch of the new space programme in Ethiopia, India can be a promising partner of Africa in space technology. Mr. Bhagwant Singh Bishnoi, an outgoing envoy at his farewell reception organized by the Indian Business Forum (IBF) in Ethiopia said. “An Indian rocket may carry an Ethiopian satellite into space; that is possible. India’s space launches are much cheaper (than in the West); hence launching micro satellites for Ethiopia is something that I think the two countries should work closely together for.”

A PROMISINg INVESTMENT DESTINATION fOR INDIAN TECHNOLOgICAL COMPANIES

JOHANNESBURg: President JACOB Zuma of South Africa has acknowledged some people have used his name for political mileage and to advance their own business interests.

State radio, SABC News, says his comments come after some sections of the media accused the President of allowing the GUPTA family to land an aircraft full of wedding guests at the Waterkloof Airforce Base last year.

President Zuma has told SABC News in an exclusive interview the practice of name-dropping goes back to the First democratic government led by the late President Nelson Mandela. He says Tata Madiba left and then Thabo Mbeki came in and his name was abused; he is aware of it when it comes to him.

President Zuma says he also

aware people are taking decisions and messing up the names of others. He has also criticized the media for reporting based on what he describes as unfounded allegations regarding his private home in the Nkandla area of Kwazulu-Natal Province.

The South African Head of State also says no one should interrupt the on-going investigation regarding Nkandla. Meanwhile, sentencing procedures in the murder trial of widow, Thandi Maqubela, have been expected to resume in the Western Cape High Court. State radio says she was found guilty of murdering her husband, acting Judge Patrick

Maqubela, in JUNE 2009. Ms. Maqubela was in November last year found guilty of murdering her husband and forging his signature on a will.

Her co-accused and former business partner, Vela Mabena, was acquitted; and in December, the widow applied for bail, pending sentencing, but this was denied.

The trial of the South African widow was postponed in November for the defence to get a clinical psychologist to testify in the sentencing procedures.

South AfricAn PreSident AdmitS hiS nAme iS uSed corruPtly

HARARE: The Ministry of Lands and Rural Resettlement in Zimbabwe has secured more than Seven-Million US dollars from donors. Lands and Rural Resettlement Minister Douglas Mombeshora says his ministry is now going to embark on a two-year-long program of action. He says it will use the funds availed by the European Union, EU, and the United Nations Development Program, UNDP, to carry out the planned schemes. Dr. Mombeshora says part of the work that will be carried out by the ministry includes a preliminary land audit exercise; which aims to address land disputes and cases of multiple farm ownership. He says the job also involves accounting for land being used productively and investigating reports of some resettled families leasing out their farms to white former commercial farmers. Dr. Mombeshora says part of the funds will be channelled towards work being done by the Surveyor General’s Office of coming up with new base maps. The Zimbabwe Lands Minister disclosed the information during an interview with the state broadcaster, ZBC News.

NEw ENERgY STRATEgY TO ENHANCE ENERgY ExPORTSETHIOPIA: After the introduction of Power Africa initiative, discussions amongst eminent Ethiopian and foreign experts are taking place to formulate a new power strategy with an earnest endeavor to enhance electricity production as an element of Ethiopia’s plans to emerge as a regional energy exporter. Also, the discussion examined the various ways in regard to the successful execution of Addis Ababa’s 25-year power master plan.

As per Ethiopian Electric and Power Corporation (EEPCo), the new power policy will empower Ethiopia to produce 37,000mw of energy by 2037 and the new policy in due course will be able to export over 4,000mw of hydro-power to

nearly nine countries in the East Africa region which could be further extended to northern and southern African nations.

The 25-year energy strategy expected to cost Ethiopia US$100 billon will be sourced from both local and international funds.

Over the next 10 years, the plan aspires to build around 16,000 km of high voltage transmission lines. The present power production of 2,300mw and exports of 60mw electricity to Djibouti and 100mw to Sudan awards the country with a considerable economic growth. As stated by EEPCo, Ethiopia possesses the potential to produce nearly 45,000mw of electricity from hydro-power itself.

NIgERIA: Observing the escalating bilateral relations between India and Nigeria over the recent years, Indian Government has demand to further intensify and enhance the existing multifaceted cooperation between India and other African countries, specifically Nigeria in the field of energy and maritime energy. While addressing at the Second India-Africa Strategic Dialogue organized by Institute of Defense Studies and Analyses (IDSA), New Delhi, Ruchita Beri expressed that in the whole African continent, India look at Nigeria as her biggest trading partner. Shri Dinkar Khullar, Secretary (West),

booming indo-nigerian relations

DONORS BEgIN fUNDINg AgRICULTURE IN ZIMBABwE

Ministry of External Affairs while delivering the inaugural note articulated that the foundation stone of cordial relations between India and Africa was laid down in the history. He added, “India will always acknowledge Africa's role in inspiring our own struggle for national liberation. It was on African soil that Gandhiji's political philosophy came to fruition. And it was Africa where the Mahatma developed the concepts of non-violence and peaceful resistance.”

He conveyed, “In the decades to come, it will be this strategic congruence between India and Africa that will further deepen and expand the multi-dimensional cooperation that already exists between India and Africa. And it will be within this context that both Africa and India will have to deal with common security challenges.” Navy Commander Abhijit Singh in a presentation suggested that India in its near future should plan to offer resources, assets and technology

to African navies and coast guards that will assist them to perform the necessary constabulary functions. In addition, he said that in the long-term India can also support in the formation of an effective maritime system. He conveyed, “By collectively revolutionizing the African maritime sector, and by creating Indian stakes in Africa's maritime economy, India and Africa will have an opportunity to jointly forge a truly robust maritime partnership.”

Shebonti Ray Dawal putting light on the flourishing energy sector in India expressed that, “Indian companies have over the years gained expertise in the energy sector and can provide assistance to Africa in the same,” Mr. Manish Chand, Editor-in-Chief of India Writes revealed, “New Delhi is also planning to set up over 100 training institutes that seek to foster the rise of a middle class in Africa and provide the African youth opportunities for self-advancement.”

Worth to mention, putting up the base with East African nation’s for installation of two huge deep-space observatory telescopes in an endeavor to promote space research in the region, Ethiopia has emerged as a hub of Africa’s ambitions in space after South Africa and Nigeria. Mr. Bishnoi articulated that Indian technological companies should actively invest in the immense opportunities accessible in Ethiopia. He added, “The technologies that India brings are affordable, adoptable and suitable for household uses and others depending on the circumstances. There are a lot of things that Indian Industry has to offer.”

President JACOB Zuma

MONDAY | FeBruArY 24, 2014

implementation of government-funded development projects. He says public tenders to provide services and implement government projects are accessible through the SME Bank and the Development Bank of Namibia. Minister Schlettwein says business people should remember Namibia is still a de facto colonial economy. He says the country consumes finished goods and intermediaries imported from abroad; and it produces raw minerals, fish and agricultural products which it exports. Minister Schlettwein says Namibia must

Wassupafrica 03FRoM page 01

NAIROBI: President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya has commended good relations existing between Malawi and his Eastern AFRICAN country. Malawi state radio, MBC News, says President Kenyatta has received Malawi High Commissioner to Kenya retired Brigadier-General Marcel Chirwa in the capital, NAIROBI. The Kenyan Leader says he welcomes the re-opening of the Malawian Mission, and Kenya will also set up an Embassy in the Malawian capital, Lilongwe, as soon as possible. Retired Brigadier-General Chirwa says President JOYCE BANDA realizes the importance of the relations between Malawi and Kenya. The Envoy says it is for this reason the Malawian Head of State ordered in March 2013 the re-opening of the Mission, after it had been closed way back in October 2005. The Malawi High Commissioner has expressed gratitude to the Government of Kenya for the support and cooperation during the time his Mission has been re-establishing itself in Nairobi.

2014 can rightly be said to be a year for TAFE (Tractors and Farm Equipment Ltd) as the celebrations in regard to the Chairman and CEO, Mallika Srinivasan honouring with Padma Shri Padma Shri award amongst other five from trade and industry category this year have not got over and the Chennai based company has in hand another big reason for celebration. TAFE has been delineated as the Best Employer in India, 2013 by Aon Hewitt. According to Aon Hewitt Best Employers 2.0 Study, the company was among 17 organizations nominated from varied sectors and was selected. The study is built on a newly designed model for outlining best employers and involves four reckonable factors such as high employee engagement, a compelling employer brand, effective leadership, and a high performance culture.

The sustained focus on attracting and retaining talent

reason For celebration KENYA HAPPY wITH TIES BETwEEN IT AND MALAwI

Namibia continues with policieswINDHOEK: Trade and Industry Minister Calle Schlettwein of Namibia says the government continues to implement policies aimed to encourage investment, industrialization and economic growth. He says the authorities in the Southern African country will also introduce measures to support domestic small and medium-scale enterprises to become more profitable and effective participants in the economy.

Minister Schlettwein says the measures are to ensure the small businesses access tenders for the provision of services and

had 130.2 million subscribers (18.5% share), at the end of January.

Airtel has India’s broadest 3G footprint, presenting customers high-speed internet access and a horde of inventive amenities like Mobile TV, video calls, live-streaming videos and gaming.

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ONE AIRTEL: ONE AFRICAAnchored on the Airtel brand promise of enriching lives, one Airtel service extends the most reasonable roaming service grounded on the principle of being able to 'talk like the locals' (even when away from home). The facility is balanced with incoming calls which are now free of charge. One Airtel permits you to freely roam across any country in which Airtel Africa is existent relishing flat sms and data rates.

KEY MILESTONES1994 : Wins GSM licenses for mobile service in Delhi & NCR.1995 : Launches services under the ‘Airtel’ brand name.1997 : Becomes the first mobile service provider in the country to cross 100,000 customer mark.1998 : Launches India’s first private fixed line service in Indore, Madhya Pradesh.2001 : Network i2i, India’s first submarine cable company launched with SingTel.2002 : Goes public, completes India’s first 100% book building issue.2002 : Becomes India’s first private telecommunications service provider to launch International Long Distance services2005 : First private service provider in India to have an All-India telecom footprint.2008 : Crosses 60 million customer mark. Launches DTH services.2009 : Crosses the magical 100 million customer mark.2009 : Expands operation to Sri Lanka.2010 : Expands operations to Bangladesh.2010 : Announces acquisition of Zain telecom.2011 : Launches 3G services and ‘airtel money’ in India.2012 : Becomes the first Indian telco to launch 4G services.2014 : Becomes the first Indian telco to offer 4G service on mobile phones.

Airtel is the single mobile operator in India to extend 4G services with TD-LTE equipment, rendering customers the quickest wireless facilities with buffer-less HD video streaming and multi-tasking proficiencies.

The company got its first permits for mobile telephony in November 1994 and started services in 1995.

of the company was given a special mention. On this occasion, Chairman and CEO, Mallika Srinivasan quoted, "As an ambitious, value driven organization with global aspirations, TAFE strongly believes that its people are its most important asset. They are an integral part of our value system and we provide an environment that nurtures high performance and learning with a focus on individual and organizational growth. This award is a reinforcement of our beliefs and practices and encourages us forward. Team TAFE is proud and happy to receive this recognition from a highly reputed organization like Aon-Hewitt." The company, in celebratory mood, put some light on its future plans focusing on development and propogation of work culture in tune with encouragement of diversification, innovation and inspiring for achievements.

become industrialized and continue drawing up strategies to defend and sustain domestic and upcoming manufacturers. The Cabinet member was addressing a breakfast meeting hosted by the OSHAKATI Town Council in Northern Namibia, where he toured the Ongwediva fresh produce Hub and the Ondangwa Tannery.

mONDAY | FeBruArY 24, 2014

Zimbabwe today, is without doubt, Africa’s jewel with so many breathtaking and

spectacular attractions from the mighty Zambezi River to the majestic Victoria Falls. Zimbabwe has a lot to offer the visitors at large. It is an enormously popular

travel destination-moderately cheap having beautiful, friendly and warm people with plenty of tourist attractions-a perfect holiday destination.

Harare is the capital and the largest city of Zimbabwe, followed by Bulawayo. South East of the world’s second largest continent is Zimbabwe, formerly known as Rhodesia. Zimbabwe means “great houses of stone” which is derived from Shona language.

It is a landlocked country blessed with fertile soils, mineral wealth and wonderful scenery. It straddles an extensive high inland plateau that drops northwards to the Zambezi valley where the border with South Africa. The country has borders with Botswana 813 km, Mozambique 1,231 km, South Africa 225 km, and Zambia 797 km and meets Namibia as its westernmost point.

This tourist destination is once again increasing in popularity with lots of overseas tourists as well as thousands of African tourists flocking there each year. A country that offers the travel and tourism a wide range of attractions, Zimbabwe with the

breathtaking Victoria Waterfalls rated as one of the world’s natural wonders which will keep the cameras clicking. Harare features a subtropical highland climate. Located at a high altitude, the city experiences a cool airflow and can ideally be visited during any season.

Victoria fallsVictoria Falls is undoubtedly the most majestic waterfall in the

world. A member of many lists of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, Victoria Falls towers 360 feet high (almost three times higher than Niagara Falls) and is nearly a mile wide. This World Heritage Site is located on the Zambezi River on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe. The Victoria Falls are spectacular in April and May after the rainy season. At the end of the dry season, October to December, the water levels are low and one can see the magnificent rock formation of the falls. River rafting is most exciting during low water (August to December) and is limited at high water. Seeing the spectacular curtain of water as it rushes over a sheer drop at the first gorge in the falls system and enchanting abyss and beautiful lagoons in the area will leave you completely enthralled and mesmerized which is the experience of a lifetime.

why you should invest in Zimbabwe?Zimbabwe is a country with unexpected prosperity which is on the path of economic revival. The country is rich with raw materials,

natural resources and investment opportunities. Zimbabwe is currently ranked 171 out of 183 economies at a global scale while at sub-Saharan African level; the country is positioned at 36 in the 2012 World Bank Doing Business report. Zimbabwe is also enriched with platinum and diamonds. Platinum mining and processing add to an already vibrant mining sector which will become a major contributor to the country’s GDP.

Zimbabwe’s economy is established on various sectors: there is a well-developed manufacturing sector (25% of its GDP) and there are relatively strong financial services and mining sectors, but agriculture (13% of its GDP) forms the basis of the economy, even though drought causes great fluctuations in agriculture. This sector provides work for 27% of the labour force, whereas mining accounts for only 5% of employment. One of the main branches of industry is mining (coal, copper, nickel, cobalt, asbestos, tin, gold, silver, and iron ore). Wood, cement, chemicals, fertilizers, clothing, footwear, and beverages are

ZIMBABWE AT A GLANCE

Official Name Republic of Zimbabwe

Head of State H.E. Mr. Robert Mugabe

Capital Harare

Area 390,757 km2 (150,872 sq mi)

Population 12 973 808 (2012 estimate)

Governement Semi-presidential system, Republic

Time Zone Central Africa Time (UTC+2)

Country Dialling Code +263

Currency United States Dollar, Euro, Botswana pula, UK £, South African rand

Major Exports Tobacco, cotton, sugar, platinum, gold, ferroalloys, textiles/clothing

Major Imports Machinery and transport equipment, other manufactures, chemicals, fuels, food products

Climate The climate is tropical, although markedly moderated by altitude.

Official Language 16 official languages, but most common are English, Shona and Northern Ndebele language

Natural Resources coal and platinum, smaller deposits of asbestos, gold, nickel, copper, iron ore, vanadium, lithium and tin.

Independence Day April 18, 1980 (from U.K)

other important products. Major agricultural products include maize, cotton, tobacco, wheat, coffee, sugar cane and peanuts, as well as products that derive from livestock breeding (cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs). The government has recognized the need to build a competent and enabling investment environment so as to augment an optimistic supply response. The government has therefore given its assurance for creating a conducive investment environment by guaranteeing security of investment and crafting of investor friendly policies that are consistent and predictable. Zimbabwe’s overall investment environment offers you a market-

countryoftheWeek04

ZIMBABWEa World of Wonders

driven economy with the following attributes:■ Plentiful natural resources;■ Accessibility of educated and

competitive labour;■ Well-developed infrastructure;■ Access to Regional and World

markets;■ Security of Investments

(Protection of investments through membership of international, Zimbabwe is a signatory of MIGA, OPIC, ICSID, UNCITRAL);

■ Treaties and Bilateral Investment Protection Agreements;

■ Free movement of investment capital;

■ Striking investment incentives.

The Magical Victoria falls

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Dynamic Gen Y in Microsoft for Afrika council

The “Best Core Banking Systems Technology Provider, Africa” Award goes to…

Ericsson, the world's top mobile infrastructure supplier has betted on 3G to remain the fast-growing African mobile broadband market of future keeping in mind that up-to-the-minute 4G smartphones are too expensive for local clients.

With the World Bank estimating a 10 percent increase in broadband coverage, Africa`s rapid telecoms expansion can be linked to the continent`s economic growth which could add 1.4 percentage points to economic output. If Ericsson is to be believed, high-speed mobile connections are estimated to grow more than nine-fold by 2019 to 700 million from 75 million today, i.e. about 85 percent of these subscriptions will remain 3G.

Meanwhile, Fredrik Jejdling, Ericsson`s head for sub-Saharan Africa asserted that it is currently prioritizing mobile television in addition to operations and business support systems in Africa. "We as a company feel that technology will not really pick up unless the affordability is there on the consumer end." Not to forget, the company is in competition to keep market share away from Chinese vendors such as ZTE and the world`s second largest telecom equipment maker, Huawei Technologies, in a region most operators still consider rewarding and undersized as approximately 15 percent of sub-Saharan Africa`s population is presently covered by broadband networks.

wIPRO gETS IN DEEP wITH SOUTH AfRICA

Wipro Ltd., a global information technology, consulting and outsourcing organization with 145,000 employees serving over 900 clients in 61 countries is India's third largest IT services

organization. It has come up with a marvelous opportunity for South Africans, as recently it has declared to induct 150 graduates for internships in South Africa this year round, double from 70 last year. Last year, company enrolled two batches of 30 and 40 interns each in South Africa.

According to Saurabh Govil, senior VP, Human Resources, “The internship program is becoming a crucial enabler of Wipro’s growth in Africa. For us, the program is about nurturing talent for local leadership and ensuring that we have the right people on board – people who understand local culture, local markets and local customers across the African continent. We look for people that fit the entrepreneurial spirit of Wipro – those who have a willingness to learn and a creative and innovative bent of mind.”

The three-month internship will allow interns to have theoretical knowledge regarding projects and afterwards the interns are interviewed for an apprentice role on live projects, and once placed, they receive supervised on-the-job training and mentorship for another three months. At the end of this, their performance is reviewed and qualifying interns are absorbed into Wipro's operations in South Africa.

This internship program, in words of Saurabh Govil, can give a “very high chance” to get absorbed into the company. Also, the Bangalore-based company has completely absorbed 30 interns from the first batch of 2013 as full-time employees.

On the other hand, Wipro also undertook several such initiatives in various markets in which it operates as it envisions to become 'truly global' like, an ‘India Gateway’ internship program for the UK, a program called 'Global 100', under which it would hire 100 best talents from various foreign colleges and universities every year, and groom them for senior leadership roles.

Stockholders and specialists from Wall Street to Silicon Valley were shocked after Facebook said it was giving a total of $16 billion in joint cash and stock for WhatsApp, an Internet-based mobile texting app that circumvents the SMS messaging services functioned by the telcos and has more than 450 million users around the world.

It also highlighted Facebook’s true dedication to win the market for messaging. The acquisition presenting a combination of text messaging and social networking will provide a quick way for smartphone users to trade everything ranging from short texts to flirtatious pictures and YouTube clips avoiding the need to pay wireless carriers for

The energetic and dynamic African youth is full of creative ideas which is ready to emerge in Microsoft 4Afrika Initiative – a new attempt through which the company will vigorously engross in Africa’s economic development to expand its global competitiveness. The Microsoft 4Afrika advisory council is an external board of advisers tasked with directorial strategic investments commenced by the Microsoft 4Afrika Initiative. Microsoft’s 4Afrika initiative was launched a year ago and intended to help Africa improve its global competitiveness and facilitate Microsoft’s active rendezvous in Africa’s economic development.

Microsoft's 4Afrika initiative has carefully chosen four youth members to be the reps of Africa’s youth demographic for its advisory council. Rwanda’s Akaliza Keza Gara, Chude Jideonwo from Nigeria, Tayeb Sbihi from Morocco and Cameroon’s Olivia Mukam were selected from standing African youth leadership groups such

ERICSSON SAYS 3g AS THE LEADINg TECHNOLOgY Of fUTURE

messaging services. Facebook stated in January that it had 945 million monthly mobile users, who use the app mainly to check out News Feed and message each other; WhatsApp presently privileges with over 450 million monthly vigorous users, who chat with each other, set statuses, set up group chats, send pictures and videos, and share voice notes.

Mark Zuckerberg, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Facebook revealed that WhatsApp is adding nearly a million users per day. He further posted on his Facebook page, “WhatsApp will complement our existing chat and messaging services to provide new tools for our community. Since WhatsApp and

as US President Obama’s Young African Leaders Initiative and the African Leadership Network. According to the officials, the new members symbolize the issues facing Africa’s youth across rural

and urban populations in areas such as unemployment, education and entrance to technology.

The new members bring with them skills from multiple sectors counting non-profit, technology, design and more, the technology company stated.

According to the Chairman Microsoft 4Afrika Advisory Council, Benjamin Mkapa "The

(Facebook) Messenger serve such different and important users, we will continue investing in both." Worth mentioning, smartphone based messaging apps are getting widespread across North America, Asia and Europe. Jonathan Teo, an early investor in Snapchat, another renowned messaging company expressed, “Communication is the one thing that you have to use daily, and it has a strong network effect. Facebook is more about content and has not yet fully figured out communication.” Jan Koum, Co-founder and CEO will join Facebook’s board and the social network will award an additional $3 billion worth of restricted stock units to WhatsApp’s founders as a part of deal.

information and communications technology (ICT) field is not only redefining how we conduct our major businesses on the continent, it is increasingly improving the efficiency of critical support services, such as education, health, and disaster mitigation and management. The young demographic is playing a big role in integrating new solutions to these services, and this has helped create new industries and employment opportunities.”

"We are excited about the induction of the new 4Afrika advisory council youth members because it helps the initiative stay true to the spirit of youth, enterprise and innovation," he added. Further Mteto Nyati, Vice Chair of the Microsoft 4Afrika advisory council added, "Africa has a relatively young population. This can be either a curse or a blessing. The aim of our 4Afrika Initiative is to unleash the potential of Africa’s youth. Our Ambassadors will guide us as we strive to achieve this goal."

ICS Financial Systems Ltd. – ICSFS , the global software and services provider for banks and financial institutions has won “Best Core Banking Systems Technology Provider” in Africa at the esteemed World Finance Technology Awards that was structured by World Finance magazine. It affords a comprehensive collection of banking business units with a rich sweep of functionality and features, addressing business needs and automating accounting processes, as needed, to improve a bank’s business performance. ICS Banks has always been a pioneer in utilizing the latest technology to serve financial institutions.

The World Finance Awards recognize industry leaders, individuals, teams and organizations that epitomize the yardstick of accomplishment in the business world. They identify the leading ground-breaking individuals and companies demonstrating

best practices for skills worldwide. Informed by a voting system supported by the World Finance magazine’s readership, the World Finance Award Selection Panel has used a wide range of criteria to inform its decision over the 2013 awards, lending the critical eye of a collective 205 years of

business journalism to the exhaustive information gathered by the research team.

Alexander Redcliffe, Editor at World Finance said “It gives me great pleasure to bestow upon ICS Financial Systems. The World Finance 2013 award for the ‘Best Core Banking Systems Technology Provider, Africa’.

May the firm’s excellent work and devotion to their market continue, “

This award high spot ICSFS’ footprints in the African ICT Market, while conceiving the rapid expansion of ICSFS’ customer base in many African countries such as Nigeria, Ghana, Gambia, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Congo (RDC), Côte D’Ivoire, Djibouti, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Tunis, Egypt, Algeria, Libya and Sudan.

The Managing Director of ICSFS, Robert Hazboun commented, “We are delighted to be adding such an award to our industry accolades, as it is our fourth time being recognized as the Best Core Banking Systems Technology Provider in Africa. We are very proud to be awarded by World Finance magazine as a leading solution provider. ICSFS invests heavily in research and development to ensure the business requirements delivered to its customers is in line with their rapidly changing needs.”

Mark Zuckerberg, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Facebook

mONDAY | FeBruArY 24, 2014

fRaNkLY sPeaKinG06

Indication of ineffective foreign aid is prevalent in Africa. The deliberation on how aid can be active and add to Africa’s growth is, conversely, still continuing deprived of any strong way forward. The wide spread crack between the developed and developing countries has conquered international associations and peacekeeping for a long time.

Yet, there is indication that decades of foreign aid have done fiddling in shifting the fortunes of many African states, most of which are presently undergoing low growth rates. Foreign aid flows from developed to developing countries have been greeted as the answer to world poverty.

These aids confronts many challenges. The toughest relays to the Millennium Developments Goals (MDGs). The main MDG target - sinking the percentage of people living in utmost poverty to half by 2015 - on present tendencies will not be attained in sub-Saharan Africa. Still seemingly hopeful predictions propose that the MDG income poverty target will not be achieved in sub-Saharan Africa until 2147, some 132 years late.

The many progressive objectives that aid is likely to attain are introduced on the central hypothesis that aid works in reducing poverty. Yet the efficiency of aid in plummeting poverty and realizing other related developmental results, counting pre-conditions for poverty reduction, has been called into question for many decades.

The inflow of enormous amounts of foreign aid can have harmful consequences on the governments of the receiving countries, and can end up doing more damage and good in several conditions. However, discernment by donor countries on the cornerstone of standards of governance makes new difficulties.

The existing foreign aid model should be renovated, and the new system should take a more nuanced view of international development.

Several detractors go so far as to tag aid as damaging, a disappointment or as counterproductive in terms of the efficiency criteria.

Complementing the MDGs is a lately originated optimism allied with official aid. This is grounded on discoveries of a budding body of experiential examination on the macroeconomic influence of these inflows, most of which includes the econometric analysis of panel data sets. Aid now seems to work in the logic that per capita economic growth would have been poorer in its absenteeism. This is pure, unmistakable finding of virtually all

is the Foreign aid working For aFrica?

pragmatic studies conducted over the last seven or eight years.

Foreign aid is meant at endorsing development, but what is (under) development? Is it GDP growth rates or does it include a noticeable alteration in the lives of a considerable portion of the population of a country?

For this drive, ‘development’ is mostly progress, be it economic, social or cultural, that serves the basic needs of both today and tomorrow. This needs to comprise five interconnected freedoms; viz., economic opportunities, political freedoms, social freedoms, transparency and protective security. Under development befalls when these basic needs and freedoms are deprived of or not equally available to all members of the populace. Undevelopment is not the absence of development. It results from the uneven nature of human social, political and economic development. ‘Development’ to me means much more than economic growth as assessed by enhancement in GDP per capita. In like way, a decline in GDP growth rate does not inevitably mean there is underdevelopment.

Two questions are relevant: firstly, is there any strong connection between foreign aid and (under) development in Africa? Secondly, has aid thrived in making Africa better or has it damaged development?

There is no settlement on the suitable responses to these questions. In many circumstances, people have convinced central confidence systems and follows that stimulus their acuities of what development should necessitate. If these factors are overlooked, one cannot have a complete thoughtfulness of the kinetics of aid, politics and socio-economic development in Africa.

To a large extent, Africa’s growth hinge on “African private sector entrepreneurs, African civic activists and African political reformers… not on what ineffective, bureaucratic, unaccountable and poorly informed and motivated outsiders do”. Besides, there is continuous debt repairing where receivers regularly report to patrons and try to keep things “normal” thus ignoring domestic issues and development. Loans put Africa in debt and it has to spend perpetuity in a merry-go-round affair to postpone and negotiate “to keep gross inflows sufficient to fund debt servicing outflows.”

It is challenging to settle from the many arguments above particularly since there is no sole magic rod to grasp development to appear. Most of the so-called observed studies emphasize on economic growth in the macro-economic sense without taking grasp that development is much bigger than just statistically substantial upgrading in GDP per capita. The authenticity is that there could still be extensive poverty in the grassroots even when a country is apparent to have reached considerable levels of macro-economic growth. Given the indistinct and vague nature of experiential literature on aid efficiency, there cannot be a stable conclusion that aid has led to (under) development in Africa.

However, I repeat my point that unless aid/development deliberations include socio-cultural factors, it cannot be fully appreciated why foreign aid has flunked to bring development in Africa.

The AfDb commits nearly two-thirds of its resources to infrastructure. In the past two years, 100 million Africans have benefited from new electricity connections, water and sanitation works, better health services, and improved access to transport.

bank Group projects at least $700 million in financing through the end of 2015 to help developing countries reach the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) for women and children’s health.

MR. DONAlD KABeRuKAPRESIDENT, THE AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK (AFDB)

DR. JIM YONg KIMPRESIDENT, WORLD BANK GROUP

Financial institutions have affirmed its aids for development in the continent. In the recent past, African Development Bank (AfDB) revealed to be an anchor partner of Power Africa, a five-year United States of America Presidential initiative intended at supporting economic growth and development by amplifying access to electricity in Sub-Saharan Africa. The AfDB’s aids to Power Africa run broad and deep, including contributions to the initiative’s dedicated countries in the terms of investments, support for policy reforms, guarantees and advisory services.

Last year, the various aids included providing US $64.5 million for the Africa Renewable Energy Fund (AREF); the adaptation of the Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA) into a multi-donor trust fund; issuing a loan of EUR 115 million for the 300 MW Turkana Wind Power Project in Kenya, along with a partial risk guarantee (PRG) of EUR 20 million; issuing a PRG Program of US $184 million together with a concessional loan of US $3 million to support Nigeria’s power sector privatization program; providing EUR 145 million for the Côte d’Ivoire–Liberia–Sierra Leone–Guinea Electricity Interconnection; and making US $58 million available for Tanzania’s Governance and Economic Competitiveness Program.

In the same vein, the Bank approved numerous revolutionary operations linked with Power Africa countries for a total of nearly US $670 million. In April 2013, the Côte d’Ivoire–Liberia–Sierra Leone–Guinea Electricity Interconnection received EUR 145 million of AfDB financing for the production of about 1,400-kilometres of high-voltage transmission lines to connect the national networks of the four countries, directly benefitting 24 million people.

The financial institution, AfDB provided a loan of EUR 115 million for the 300 MW Turkana Wind Power Project in Kenya and a fractional risk assurance of EUR 20 million to alleviate the risk of delay in assembling the 428-kilometre publicly owned transmission line and associated substations required to connect the project to the national grid.

A little before the end of 2013, AfDB also flourished in inaugurating a Partial Risk Guarantee (PRG) Program of US $184 million together with a concessional loan of US $3 million for capacity building to support Nigeria’s power sector privatization program and approved US $58 million to Tanzania’s Governance and Economic Competitiveness Programme.

AfRIcA AND AIDs

By kirit soBti, EDitor, iateditor@indoafricatimes.com

It Is challengIng to settle from the many arguments partIcularly sInce there Is no sole magIc rod to grasp development to appear

MONDAY | FeBruArY 24, 2014

traVeL&touRism 07

Wedged between the Western Ghats on the East and the Arabian Sea on the West, the narrow strip of land

known as Kerala is a destination of a lifetime. The timeless beauty of the palm fringed beaches of Kovalam and Varkala, the serenity of the pristine backwaters of Kumarakom & Kuttanad and the enchanting woods and forests of Thekkady are the eye-catching places of Kerala. You can relax for days in the backwaters on a houseboat, indulge in an Ayurveda spa or stay at the resorts amid the Cardamom berg characterized by their spice, tea plantations and wildlife parks. Kerala meets all the expectations of a tropical paradise and therefore National Geographic Traveler awarded Kerala as one of the ten paradises of the world. The Houseboats in Kerala is one of the main reasons for the increase in tourist as travelling in houseboats makes you enter a new world. The houseboats provide a wide number of choices depending upon one’s budget and requirements.

Land of Coconuts: In Kerala, the coconut tree is called as Kalpa Vriksham which basically implies all parts of a Coconut tree is valuable in some way. A number of destinations in Kerala such as Thiruvananthpuram, Kochi, Kumarakom, Paravur, Mararikulam and Periyar put up coconut tours to visitors in their plantations, interpreting a vision into coconut cultivation in Kerala.

GoD’S oWn CoUntrYKERALAKerala- The Land of Ayurveda: Kerala

owns an uninterrupted practice of Ayurveda that has exceeded the many invasions and impositions both foreign and native. For hundreds of years the Ayurveda Vaidyas were almost the only access for people looking for healing from every kind of disease in Kerala.

Backwaters of Kerala: In south of India this is a special place, beautiful vegetation, lovely beaches, unique customs and traditions,

wonderful cuisine and above all the soft and mystic people of Kerala, the best of India. One of the most big for tourists is the tour in backwaters, the water chanals, rivers and lakes that cover the province costline.

Kerala and Elephants: Elephants found in Kerala, the Indian Elephants, are one of three renowned subspecies of the Asian elephant. Elephants in Kerala are habitually referred to as the "sons of the sahya". As the State Animal, the elephant is highlighted on the emblem of the Government of Kerala state, taken from the Royal Arms of both Travancore and Cochin.

FACT FILELocation: Southwestern tip of India

Capital: Thiruvananthapuram

Currency: Indian Rupee

Climate: Tropical

Kerala meets all the expectations of a tropical

paradise and therefore National Geographic

Traveler awarded Kerala as one of the ten

paradises of the world

mONDAY | FeBruArY 24, 2014

taLkiNGtecHnoLoGy08

J P Mukherji & Associates Pvt. Ltd: The company was established in 1974 and

acronym JPMA, has in past 40 years, has served in providing engineering and consultancy services to the Sugar Industry in all the areas from agriculture to final production of sugar. In short the company is capable to handle projects from concept to commissioning.

Challenges in African sugar Industry:

We feel blessed with our association with African world for the last 20 years and with continued patronage. We wish to continue to share our knowledge and render our services to the sugar industry in African continent in all means and try to maintain it.

One of the emerging perceptions in Africa is sugar based cogeneration projects, which have been are already in operation in Africa. The main challenge in such projects is to carry out Proper detail analysis of the requirements of factory steam, Bagasse balance, and export of power possibilities to grid. The main important points are as follows:1. Understanding of Project

Requirement – Techno Commercial Viability

2. Project Management3. Contract Documentation4. Implementation of Project

5. Resources for finance6. Power Purchase Agreement

(PPA)7. globalization of Sugar Market8. Adoption To New Technology

Any new technology comes with a price tag. While choosing a scheme or equipment, one has to ensure that the right technology is being adopted and the equipment is proven and capable to give efficient performance in the long run. Some of the new technological equipments that are now used in India are:1. High Pressure Boilers 2. HP Heaters3. DEC turbines4. DCS System5. VFD for motors.

All the above equipment properly integrated and interfaced can be an added advantage.

Generation added to a sugar plant not only improves the Return on investment but also helps in being abreast of technology and consequently add to efficient operations and maximum returns.

Apart from above, milling and diffusers are being adopted with improved technology to optimize performances in cane juice extraction.

Improved cane preparatory devices such as fibrizors with swing type hammers, various improved instrumentation, DCS systems for operational controls

enhAncinG SuGAr induStry PerformAnce in AfricA

are the new technologies to improve plant operations.

Replacing conventional Tail bars in Mill drives to Rope couplings, using various juice screening equipment, monitoring juice flow to process with the help of mass flow meters etc. have been the new developments.

The process house equipment and systems have undergone a sea change in improved methods and systems to improve process and get more benefits.

High Pressure boilers, improved Power generation sets, optimum use of bagasse, reduction of steam requirement in process have contributed for the Sugar industry to be more profitable and to gain more Returns on Investment.

To date JPMA has successful completed projects, and has projects under execution, in a number of different countries including India, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Sudan, Morocco, Nigeria, Tanzania, Fiji, Mauritius, Mozambique, Bangladesh, Philippines, Indonesia and Sri Lanka.

J. P. MUJHERJI & ASSOCIATES PVT. LTD.

“JYOTI HOUSE”, 172, Dahanukar Colony,Kothrud, PUNE – 411 029, INDIA.Tel. - +91-20-25397303 Fax - +91-20-25399287E-mail- info@jpma.org.in ; www.jpma.org.in

J.P. Mukherji & Associates Pvt. Ltd.

MONDAY | FeBruArY 24, 2014

trysomethiNGNeW 09

Prepration Method1. Heat the oil in a large skillet over

medium-high heat. Season the fish with salt and place in the skillet. Fry on both sides until fish is browned and cooked through, about 5 minutes per side. Remove from the skillet and set aside.

2. Fry the onions and garlic in the same skillet over medium heat until translucent. Add the peppercorns, allspice berries, bay leaves, and red chile pepper. Pour in the vinegar and water and bring to a boil. Stir in the brown sugar until dissolved. Season

Ingredients • 1/2 cup vegetable oil for frying • 3 pounds cod fillets, cut into 2 to 3 ounce portions • salt to taste • 2 large onions, peeled and sliced into rings • 2 cloves garlic, chopped • 8 whole black peppercorns • 4 whole allspice berries • 3 bay leaves

Business Opportunities Show Varanasibusiness Opportunities Show Varanasi is a 1 day event being held on 24th february 2014 in Varanasi, India. This event showcases products like furniture services, educational opportunities garments, apparels, jewelry, car wash, salon and spas, cafes, domestic products, career services, beauty and wellness products and more etc. in the business Services industry.

Date: 24 Feb 2014 Venue: TBA, Varanasi, India

National Dairy Mela Dairy Mela is one of the regular activities in the annual calendar of NDrI but this year the activity will encompass much bigger dimensions and cover a plethora of new activities. National Dairy Mela 2014 offers a unique opportunity to showcase the latest technologies and address new opportunities in the Dairy Sector as nearly 15,000 progressive dairy farmers, farm women, dairy entrepreneurs etc.

Date: 25-27 Feb 2014Venue: National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, India

iBART ExPOibArT eXPO is one of the leading trade fair for the building construction industry in India. The exhibition will showcase the latest products and equipments of the brick, roof and tile category. This eminent event will attract thousands of visitors from different parts of the world.

Date: 26-28 Feb 2014Venue: Gujarat University Exhibition Hall, Ahmedabad, India

India Expo- HyderabadIndia expo- Hyderabad is one of the leading exhibition for education and training industry in the region and the trade meeting point for education and training professionals, where the educational and training institutions can display and present latest programs with trends and network.

Date: 27 Feb 2014Venue: TBA, Hyderabad, India

ACREx IndiaACreX India is the largest biennial International exhibition and Conference catering to the Air Conditioning, refrigeration, Ventilation and building Services' Industries. The Exposition, the 15th in the series, is being organized by ISHrAe. The ISHrAe, is the largest National body of engineering Professionals connected with the Indian HVAC&r industry.

Date: 27 Feb-01 Mar 2014 Venue: Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, India

International Power Transmission ExpoInternational Power Transmission expo is one of the most professionally organized power transmission sector trade shows in India. The show ranks high on the popularity count, with more than 2500 qualified visitors attending the show on a regular basis. The latest developments and market trends from this sector are discussed upon during the show and topical business seminars are also organized here.

Date: 27 Feb-01 Mar 2014 Venue: Bombay Convention & Exhibition Centre, Mumbai, India

India LiveIndia Live is an exclusive upcoming trade event and it has been scheduled to be held in New Delhi, India. This international business affair will be continuing for the duration of three days. It is intended to advance the growth and development of the large scale medical sector that especially deals with interventional cardiology sector.

Date: 28 Feb-02 Mar 2014 Venue: Taj Palace Hotel, New Delhi, India

uPCOMING

African Cuisine (Cape Malay Pickled Fish)

with curry powder, turmeric, cumin and coriander. Taste and adjust the sweetness if desired.

3. Layer pieces of fish and the pickling mixture in a serving dish. Pour the liquid over until the top layer is covered. Allow to cool then cover and refrigerate for at least 24 hours before serving.

the heaviest bird that can fly is the kori bustard native to africa and belongs to the bustard family and weighs around 19 kg.

When People cannot stand you because they do not understand you, God will stand by you.

THOUGHT OFTHE WEEK

1. When are you coming to India? आप भारत कब आ रहे हंै?

2. What is your plan for today? आज के िलए आपकी कया योजना है?

3. When is your birthday? आपका जनमिदन कब है?

4. I would be happy to help you. मुझे तुमहारी मदद करने मंे खुशी होगी.

5. Congratulations. बधाई हो.

This recipe is a traditional Easter time classic in Cape Town South Africa. It is served mainly with hot cross buns or freshly baked bread.

• 1 red chile pepper, seeded and sliced lengthwise • 2 cups red wine vinegar • 1/2 cup water • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar, or to taste • 2 tablespoons curry powder • 1 teaspoon ground turmeric • 2 teaspoons ground cumin • 2 teaspoons ground coriander

Handy Hindi

Health benefits ofMANGO

1. Cancer prevention2. Improves vision3. High in copper4. Improves sex life5. Alkalizes the body6. Improves digestion7. Lowers cholesterol8. Improves memory & concentration

pIctuRe Of tHe weeK

The King of Kingdom of Bahrain, His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa meeting the President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on February 19, 2014.

fLAG NAMe CAPITAL CurreNCY OffICIAL LANGuAGe

Gambia Banjul Gambian dalasi English

Ghana Accra Ghana cedi English

Guinea Conakry Guinean franc French

Guinea-Bissau Bissau West African CFA franc Portuguese

KNOw MORe ABOut AfRIcANEPAD stands for?The New Partnership for Africa's Development (NePAD)

Where is Nollywood, the second biggest movie industry in the world in terms of number of films made?Nigeria

How many countries

are members of Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) trading bloc?eight (08)

What is the former name of Zambia?Northern rhodesia

On which mountain of Uganda is Margherita Peak,

the highest point in the country, as well as the third highest mountain in Africa?Mount Stanley

Whose face is on the 20 Naira Note?Murtala Muhammed

Who discovered the source of the River Niger?Lander brothers

Serve with rice and a green salad if desired.

Serving Suggestions

mONDAY | FeBruArY 24, 2014

thefasHionistas10

Tell us about your collections. My collection is the best, as I design them with my own inspiration.

where do you go for inspiration?My inspiration is my house.

How do you accommodate the needs of women who might have different fashion sensibilities?I am a women, for that side I know what they want and how to impress them with my design.

who or what inspired you to become a designer? was it always something you always knew you would do?People around used to appreciate me a lot but I was not ready for it but with the inspiration and support of my family & friends, I have made a bang in the industry. bold & Confident : emilie Tshibola

what is your advice to other aspiring designers that would also love to have a successful career in this business?It’s not easy to be a successful designer....you need a lot of support and inspiration. It is a game, if you are a good player you will win.

who is your dream celebrity?Indian designers.

Most challenging thing about being a designer?I never accept defeat.

Can you tell us an anecdote of your experience with clients that revealed itself to be a big lesson?Women are the most complicated human beings on earth ......but I am a strong marketer, I know how to convince my clients.

i impress them with my designs

SOUTH AfRICAN ACTRESS NAMED AS MASTER Of CEREMONY 2014 SEYCHELLES CARNIVAL

African designers are making a splash on the world platform. In the last few years, there has been an upsurge in the number of African fashion shows launching, and most of them are not in Africa. IAT interacted with one such designer Emilie Tshibola from Democratic Republic of Congo.

South Africa KwaZulu Natal is this year a co-host for the April Carnival of Carnivals

that is staged annually in the Seychelles, and as such will be playing a key part in all the main events of that unique event that continues to attract international press to these mid-ocean islands to cover the event that they have themselves dubbed the one and only Carnival of carnivals.

Last week Seychelles named Michelle Marengo, singer and artist in her own right as the MC for the Opening Ceremony of the 2014

edition of the carnival who will be addressing in the island's Creole Language. The announcement was made as the Seychelles is seeing final touches put together for the official opening ceremony of the carnival that takes place in Victoria, the Capital of the Seychelles on the 25th April.

It was also confirmed that for this 2014 edition of the Carnival International de Victoria, the three main co-hosts (Seychelles, La Reunion and South Africa KwaZulu Natal) will all have an MC on stage who will also ensure

that the island's three official languages (Creole, English and French) are used simultaneously for the official opening ceremony. South Africa have now named the famous Angelique Gerber as their MC who will be addressing the official opening ceremony in the English language. Angelique Gerber is a well-known South African actress and presenter on South-African television and she is also a known Film Star. The Vanilla Island of La Reunion will be proposing someone from their island who will be addressing the opening ceremony in the French language. Angelique Gerber is currently successfully completing the production of ‘Isidingo’ a South African soap opera which will be aired in February.

"Angelique Gerber has kindly accept the invitation to be a Master of Ceremony at the upcoming Carnival of Carnivals to be held in Seychelles from 25th – 27th April. Ms. Gerber will also be part of the carnival float on Saturday 26th promoting sports tourism – fitness & nutrition both on the national & international level. Sport Tourism is one of the

niche market that the Seychelles Tourism Board South African Office is tapping into this year, as I believe that Seychelles presents an excellent opportunity to place a proper and long term wellness and sports tourism sustainable development program on the national platform for the benefit of Seychelles tourism growth and development which will attract not only the South Africans but the rest of the discerning travellers around the globe" says Marsha Parcou, the Seychelles Tourism Board Regional Manager for Africa.Seychelles will also be privileged during their 2014 carnival week to welcome Mr. Jacques Fagan, the well–reputed athlete from South Africa and ambassador for Ultimate Sports Nutrition (USN), the leading nutrition brand in South Africa. Mr. Fagan who won Mr. Tourism in 2011 will be part of the carnival float together with Insane Fitness & Training team. Insane Fitness & Nutrition have said that they are happy to showcase their athletes to the carnival of carnivals in Seychelles.

Mr. Fagan would be doing a live talk show on Jacaranda FM of

South Africa promoting the coming carnival that South Africa KwaZulu Natal is co-hosting with Seychelles and the other Vanilla Islands of La Reunion, Madagascar and Mayotte. "This will give the event & tourism in the region of the Indian Ocean maximum exposure across South Africa" said Marsha Parcou of the Seychelles Tourism Board South Africa.

It has also been confirmed from South Africa that after the carnival Mr. Naidoo, the Life Coaching consultant from Insane Fitness & Training of South Africa will be hosting a workshop in partnership with the Seychelles National Sports Council (NSC) educating the Training Instructors, Body Builders, Athletes & Sportsman on the importance on proper nutrition and training technique. Both Ms. Gerber & Mr. Fagan will be motivational speakers during the workshop. Mr. Naidoo ‘says that he is delighted through the carnival time in Seychelles to have the opportunity to share his experience and knowledge towards holistic living and effective training method.’

—Eturbo News

The Smiling Star : Angelique Gerber

MONDAY | FeBruArY 24, 2014

Let’s not create JOBSLet’s create JOB creators

SUSTAINABLE ENTERPRISES

HAND HOLDING

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

TRAINING

INCUBATOR

LOCAL ENTERPRENEUR SKILL DEVELOPMENT & EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM

sPorts2WatCh 11climbing oF the mount-cameroon

This year, the race of hope took place on 15 February, 600 national athletes,

including 32 women and many foreigners, Africans, Europeans and Americans took part in it.

The ascent is to go to the city of Buea, 2400 metres above sea level, at the top of the mountain and return. Total distance of the round trip is 38 kms. At the top of the mountain, there is a large crater because Mount Cameroon is an active volcano, which last erupted in 2001.

2014 edition of Climbing of the Mount Cameroon was won among men, by Eric Mbatcha, athlete from North West Cameroon and among women by Miss Lisette Galiam, female athlete of the North - West Cameroon.

It must be said that in Cameroon, a great rivalry exists among athletes in the ascent of Mount Cameroon, which is located

1. Describe your love for sports.

It means joy, happiness, hard work and also having the opportunity to meet people. I am a footballer of character and discipline, intelligent and able to fulfill my role as per given by the coach.

2. when did sports became a part of you and why?

Straight away from my child hood times I found myself involved in sports like athletics, football and gradually I participated in sports events within my school as well. I got to dream to become a champion; I got to give it all my best to make my dream come to reality, hard work pays off.

3. which is your favorite sport? Football.

4. what is your football philosophy?

Work hard and be optimistic, always try to have as much fun as you can whenever you play.

5. How do you handle criticism? I take criticism positively so it doesn’t really bother me and rather gives give an idea on what I have to improve on.

6. what is your opinion of multi-sport athletes?

I think they are multi-talented and gifted athletes who work hard to achieve their goals.

7. Your favorite football club in

Considered as the highest mountain in West Africa (4090 m altitude), every year there is mountain climbing race. This mountain race is known as "The Race of Hope".

in the southwest region. And the south-western people who call themselves guardians of the chariot of God, another name given to the mount Cameroon, legitimately believe that victory in his ascension must return them. Other athletes do not agree with this fact. Foreigners also want to win, but the race is very difficult. Till today, only the Père Stifter, priest of British origin has won the ascent of Mount-Cameroon twice later in the 70s.

On this occasion of Mount Cameroon, many local cultural events have attracted a large audience in Buea. The ascent of Mount has its Queen, Madam Nyengou Sarah Etonge, who is more than 50 years, and still is in competition this time. But she did not appear at the podium. She has won this competition 7 times. This is also the ascent of Mount Cameroon, the race of hope.

—Jean Calvin

fIfA? Manchester United.

8. what is success to you?? Making it through every day

challenges and achieving your life time goals. It doesn’t come at once, it a process.

9. what characteristic, according to you should a true player possess to contribute best to team?

Disciplined, strong, a team player and should be able to anticipate situations in a game.

10. what words of advice or encouragement do you want to share with other athletes?

Keep working hard, whenever you fail pick yourself up, and

don’t be hard on yourself, give it your best shot whenever you have the opportunity.

11. Except football, which sports do you love to play?

Basketball and volley ball.

12. what is your biggest accomplishment in your sports?

Being able to pass on my knowledge and experience to other people.

13. what is your diet like? My diet would mainly be

a lot of water, fruits, and pretentious foods like chicken.

14. By what philosophy, your life goes on?

“Never loose time” in life. You can lose money and recover it but you cannot recover time.

15. How do you handle stress and pressure?

I take rest and talk some body whom I know will make me laugh to get my emotions back.

16. �Who� is� the�most� influential�person in your life?

My Dad, he has been there for me throughout my life during my ups and downs.

17. Describe yourself as a sport person/ player.

Aggressive, Talented, Favored, Intelligent.

18. How long have sports been a part of your life?.

10 years.

“I am a footballer of character & discipline”

Financial aid to nigeria Football FederationConfirming to Bolaji Abdullahi, Nigeria’s Sports Minster, the Nigerian government assures Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) adequate financial assistance to the country’s team for the World Cup scheduled to be held in June. He articulated that the fund will be accessible for the team in good time. Further he expressed, “The Nigeria football Federation has submitted their financial plan to the National Sports Commission and we have finished work on it and sent it to the appropriate

quarters and we believe that it would receive priority attention.

I have no doubt in my mind that the plan for the World Cup would go very well. We would give all the support that is necessary to the Nigerian football Federation to succeed because if they succeed, everyone is happy.” Nigeria will face Mexico on March 5 for a warm-up game and some other matched are also lined up for the team. Also, they plan to set up a training camp in Houston, USA from 25th May.

Champions are dreamers who never give up. Omongin Emmanuel from Uganda who is studying post graduate degree in Public relations

and Events Management at Amity University Noida campus is currently playing football for the Amity football team.

mONDAY | FeBruArY 24, 2014

Media Partners

eNCouNteR WitH eDitor12

Brief us about this new nation in the African continent South Sudan.

South Sudan is not new on the map of the world; South Sudan has been there since time immemorial. It is a landlocked country in east- central Africa. It is bordered by Ethiopia to the east, Kenya to the southeast, Uganda to the south, the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the southwest, the Central African Republic to the west and Sudan to the north. After decades of struggle for freedom, South Sudan seceded on July 9, 2011, becoming the Republic of South Sudan following a referendum that passed with 98 .8 3% of the vote.

what is the current state of relationship of South Sudan with other different countries of Africa?

Our belief is to coexist with anybody in the world. We have no hitches even with Sudan that we have separated from. Prior to independence, there were numerous South Sudanese in the north and vice versa. We are just trying to be

good neighbours working to maintain good relations even though we live in separate countries. We want to play the role of peace makers and become partners of peace in the whole African continent and the world at large.

Talking about the investment climate in South Sudan, how conducive it is for investment? How would you propose to Indians to come and invest in your country?

Indians have been very successful in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and in many other African countries. I would like to mention that South Sudan is now open for business and we would like Indians to bring their skills, technology, and experience to invest in this nation which is just virgin, a nation that is completely new. The Government of South Sudan has taken particular steps to cultivate an environment conducive to investment. The investment laws furnish attractive fiscal regimes, protection of industrial and intellectual property, credible guarantee of legal security, customs

duties exemptions as well as reduced bureaucracy.

Tourism is one of the largest and dynamically developing sectors of external economic activities. what steps are being initiated by your Embassy to promote this sector in India?

The country has a number of notable and renowned tourist destinations. First of all we have the gift of Nile which is the longest river in the world, three quarters of the Nile is within South Sudan. We have large populations of elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, chimpanzees and forest monkeys, hippos, hyenas, gazelles, zebras, ostriches and lions. The Embassy is working on to bring a lot of promotional materials for people who would not be able to travel right way.

what according to you is the role and importance of the infrastructure in the development of the economy?

Since the colonial power left South

Sudan in 1956, since then there had never been any development. After independence, we are now struggling to put infrastructure in place because we recognize that infrastructure is most crucial for development. 50 years of war has made a very big setback for us but, we are working on it already and this is an area also that we are asking our friends in India to help us in this area of infrastructure in South Sudan.

Any other sector where you think India could play a major role in South Sudan?

There are many areas. Our land is very fertile, we do not even need fertilizers, and we have rainfall which last for 8 to 9 months in a year, all in all very suitable climatic conditions prevails in the country. Agriculture potential is enormous. Apart from agriculture, we have enough oil exploration to take place in South Sudan. Apart from oil, we also have gold, we also have cement these are the areas, it has so many things that any interested persons can be able to find where their interest lies in South Sudan.

A new nation was born in July 2011, South Sudan, after decades of struggle for freedom from the north. In an exclusive interview to Kanchi Batra, Sub-Editor, INDO AFRICA TIMES, the Deputy Head of Mission from the Embassy of South Sudan discussed the kind of assistance they need from India to make the country promising for investment as it is still a virgin land, full of untapped resources.

Owner / Publisher / Editor: Mr. Kirit Sobti from 3rd Floor, Plot No. 3, Block PSP-IV, Service Centre Opp. Sector-11 (Extn.), Rohini, Delhi-85Printed at LIPEE SCAN PVT. LTD. 89 DSIDC SHED Okhala Phase 1, New Delhi

South Sudan iS now open for buSineSS

amb. James p. MorganDeputy Head of Mission, Embassy of the Republic of South Sudan, New Delhi

MONDAY | FeBruArY 24, 2014