Zimbabwe fashion showcase returns this July By Mike Tashaya

Birmingham, UK (February 17, 2016) - Zimbabwe Fashion Showcase - Fashionistas throughout the UK will be flocking to Birmingham when the annual Zimbabwe Fashion Showcase returns to the city in July. The show, which made its debut last year was launched by Chiedza Dawn Ziyambe to support emerging and semi established designers of Zimbabwean heritage within the UK by providing them with a platform to showcase their designs. Following the success of last years show, Zimbabwe Fashion Showcase is back to bring together the best in Zimbabwean fashion from 28-30 July 2016. Hundreds of fashionistas and some well known faces are expected to attend the fashion showcase. Last year the event welcomed internationally acclaimed Farai Simoyi, a New York based Zimbabwean designer that has previously worked with Nicki Minaj and the Honourable Mayor of Birmingham who graced the event to help make community ties stronger. Day one will be held in London, an invite only event exclusively for media, buyers and industry experts. Day two will return to Birmingham, where talented designers will showcase their exquisite collections and day three will feature a range of business in fashion workshops, designed to empower designers with business acumen and other skills that will enable them to turn their artistry into a lucrative and longstanding business. Chiedza Dawn Ziyambe, Founder of Zimbabwe Fashion Showcase, said: “Zimbabwe Fashion Showcase returns with a packed schedule of fashion shows by designers of Zimbabwean heritage, business in fashion workshops, competitions and shopping.” “But, the event is also a great social event, couples, families and friends have all attended the show and been excited by what they have seen. The event really is a great day out where aside from meeting established and emerging designers, you can watch an exquisite fashion show and enjoy delicious food and great music.” The Zimbabwean

Southern Africa: SADC Economic, Energy Experts Discuss Energy Crisis in Lilongwe By Solister Mogha

Lilongwe — Economic and Energy experts from the South Africa Sub-region have convened in Lilongwe to discuss and find solutions to the long standing energy challenges facing the African continent. Speaking Monday during the opening of a two-day workshop, Director of United Nations Economic Commission for Southern Africa Sub Region, Prof. Said Adejumobi said the energy threat and crisis facing the Africa continent has had diverse effect on the economic performance and sustainable development efforts of member states. Prof. Adejumobi said the energy problems have among others contributed to productivity loss, unemployment, environmental degradation, labour unrest and de-industrialisation. "The Southern Africa region has not been spared from the negative effects and impacts of the crisis on the economic prospects of its member states as well as on the welfare and living conditions of its population. The energy sector in general and energy consumption in particular have reached a crisis point," he explained. The director then described the meeting in Lilongwe too important as it will help in facilitating exchange and sharing of experiences and generation of information and substantive content for informed policy formulation and policy making. Prof. Adejumobi further said the meeting will also build partnership and network for the purpose of mobilising resources and support for the future development of the region's energy sector while also promote awareness and sensitisation on the energy crisis and its impacts on the economies of member states. "As a continent we have the potential to generate enough energy and export to other continents. This meeting, apart from fossil fuel and hydro energy focuses on finding the alternative sources of energy such and solar power. "We really need to act and think fast in order to achieve this," Prof. Adejumobi said. The energy outlook special report of 2014 by the International Energy Agency (IEA) reiterates that the primary purpose of the energy system is to contribute to a better quality of life. Malawi News Agency Photo

Botswana named Lonely Planet's No 1 destination for 2016

(CNN) It's one of the most hotly anticipated travel guides of any year -- the annual survey of destinations Lonely Planet is recommending for 2016. The travel giant's "Best in Travel 2016" is a roundup of top as well as emerging destinations and experiences. The collection "highlights not the places travelers are headed to next year, but the places our team determined they should visit," says Tom Hall, Lonely Planet's editorial director. Next year's must-visit country is Botswana, which the team at Lonely Planet calls "wild Africa at its best." CNN Photo

'Scores' killed by Nigeria female suicide bombers By Aminu Abubakar

Kano (Nigeria) (AFP) - Several female suicide bombers in northeast Nigeria blew themselves up amid panicked villagers fleeing a Boko Haram attack, killing scores, the army and witnesses said Saturday. The latest carnage in a series of attacks that have claimed more than 200 lives in just three days happened on Friday night in Zabarmari village, 10 kilometres (six miles) from the city of Maiduguri, the birthplace of the jihadist group. Local resident Haladu Musa, who fled the attack, told AFP that "large numbers" of fighters poured into the village, overpowering government forces deployed to prevent the insurgents reaching Maiduguri. "The soldiers were forced to retreat," he said. Then, as people began to flee, female suicide bombers started blowing themselves up in their midst, killing large numbers of people, he said. "Most of the casualties came from the suicide bombings," he said, without being able to give a precise figure for the dead and injured. "A total of six suicide bombers detonated themselves... killing scores of people while some people were also wounded. A soldier also died," the Nigerian army said in a statement without specifying the sex of the bombers. The army said a jeep full of improvised explosive devices was recovered by troops, adding there was an ongoing search "for any bombs that might have been hidden or left unexploded in the area." Danlami Ajaokuta, a civilian vigilante helping the military battle Boko Haram, who also witnessed the attack, spoke of heavy casualties. "The main concern now is to evacuate and attend to the injured and later recover the dead bodies now lying in the village," he said, adding that more than 100 injured had been taken to hospital. Boko Haram, which is fighting to establish a hardline Islamic state in northeast Nigeria and has sworn allegiance to the Islamic State group, has intensified its campaign of violence since President Muhammadu Buhari came to power on May 29. Yahoo! News-AFP

African Entrepreneurs take on society's toughest problems By Jane Wales 08-14-2014

From telecomms tycoons to inclusive bankers, Africa's entrepreneurs are pooling ideas and resources to drive progress across the continent. Jane Wales, chief executive of the Global Philanthropy Forum tells us who's who and how they're approaching social and environmental challenges.In fast-growing economies like Africa an increasing number of entrepreneurs are building businesses and forming philanthropic organisations to address some of society’s toughest problems. They are tackling such challenges as endemic poverty, infectious diseases, climate change, food insecurity, violent conflict and government corruption. As entrepreneurs mobilise, strategic giving is a growing trend, with African members joining the Giving Pledge, growing the Synergos’ Global Philanthropists Circle and making the African Philanthropy Forum (APF) the fastest growing affiliate of the Global Philanthropy Forum. So who are these entrepreneurs and what are they doing? Mo Ibrahim: fostering good governance For telecom billionaire Mo Ibrahim, good governance is a primary philanthropic objective. The Sudanese-born founder of Celtel created a multi-million dollar prize, which provides retirement security for African leaders who exit government through a process of democratic elections – and do so without appropriating public resources for private or personal gain along the way. Through the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, he created the Ibrahim Index, which offers quantitative data on governance in Africa, providing the tools to assess government policy and the reliability of the delivery of public goods and services. The values that guide Ibrahim are apparent in the philosophy and philanthropy of his daughter Hadeel, the founding Executive Director of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation. An effective advocate and savvy strategist, she is among the next-gen philanthropists to watch. She shares her parents’ convictions (her mother, Hania, a radiologist, has established a hospital in Khartoum) but is very much her own person. Beyond her foundation obligations, she chairs and champions the new Africa Center, formerly known as the Museum for African Art. It will be housed in a magnificent (and hip) building on Fifth Avenue and 110th Street, on the edge of Harlem and Central Park. Noting that all of humanity has its roots in Africa, her vision for the Center is one of a policy institute, a museum, and a forum to explore and perhaps solve hard problems—together. Aliko Dangote: building resilience in zones of conflict. Patrice and Precious Motsepe: promoting health and development.​ Hakeem and Myma Belo-Osagie: support for values-based leadership. Strive and Tsitsi Masiyiwa: widening access to education. James Mwangi: financial services for the poor. Tony Elumelu: leveraging markets. While the Ibrahims have taken on the improvement of governments, others prefer the more familiar territory of the private sector, taking advantage of their investment prowess to achieve their social goals. By doubling down, they hope to create both financial and social value. Pioneers Post

A Little Girl with a Big Voice--Zuriel Oduwole

My name is Zuriel Oduwole. I am 11 years old and I was born in Los Angeles. My dad is from Nigeria and my mom is from Mauritius. So, you could call me an African child – a Pan-African child. I have taken my Dream Up, Speak Up, Stand Up program to 4 African countries – Nigeria, Malawi, Tanzania and Mauritius, and have spoken to more than 3000 girls about Dreaming up, Speaking Up, and Standing Up for what they believe. I talked with my family about this many times and in March 2013, I launched my project called “Dream Up, Speak Up, Stand Up” at the Lagos Business School. My hope is to encourage young children but especially young girls to dream big, and never believe it if anyone says there is something they can’t do. I also wanted to show myself as an example to the parents back in the village. I wanted to show them what a girl can do if she is educated. So I began to talk with African Presidents and Prime Ministers on girl’s education, and ask for their help and commitment. Today, I have interviewed and met more than 9 African Presidents and Prime Ministers since September 2012. Some of these are now my friends and we stay in touch for me to see how much their countries are doing about the issue. (They are President Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania, President Joyce Banda of Malawi, President Rajkeswur Purryag of Mauritius, President Jose Fonseca of Cape Verde and President Salva Kiir of South Sudan. The others are President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya, President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria, President Ellen Sirleaf Johnson of Liberia and Prime Minister Thomas Thabane of Lesotho Kingdom.) Learn more: www.dreamupspeakupstandup.com Chime for Change

Mission Malawi: Volunteers from the East Midlands build a school in Africa By Anne Davies

Five years ago a Leicestershire student was so touched by the people of Malawi, poverty in Africa and the plight of its orphans that she decided to try and do something about it. Alice Pulford, from Rothley, Leicestershire, set-up the charity LoveTilinanu I've travelled to Malawi in south-eastern Africa with video journalist Paul Bradshaw to follow her story and that of 15 builders from the East Midlands. So the first step for Alice was to build an orphanage called Tilinanu which is located in the suburbs of the capital Lilongwe. Now five years on, we meet the 34 girls who live there - girls with a future, girls who sing and smile and now have something to live for. But the charity LoveTilinanu has not stopped there. Boys are being fostered out to widows in the village. It gives them the love of a mother and the security of a home. It gives the women a reason to live and a small income to help them survive. Phillip Hughes, from the Nottingham-based company P Hughes Construction Limited and his men from Swadlincote, East Leake, Wymeswold, Lincoln and Burton-on-Trent are performing a near miracle. They are building a school in 10 days. They have paid for it all themselves but as they all agree - it is one of the best things they have ever done. Thanks to Alice, her sister Nina and their mother Yvonne, the charity and its East Midlands supporters have helped a little part of Malawi to take a step closer to a better life. BBC News Leicester