Kenyan Supermarket Chain Faces Competition From Global Giant

In many African countries, an open marketplace is a common destination to get groceries and other wares, regardless of socio-economic class. However, malls and supermarkets tend to be reserved for quickly growing middle class groups in across the continent. Kenya is no exception.

Nakumatt Supermarkets, a rapidly expanding supermarket chain with locations throughout Kenya and some in Uganda and Rwanda, has been doing rather well since it's first store opened in 1987. The stores bring goods from across the globe to East Africa.

A global supermarket giant has noticed the progress and economic growth and potential of several African nations and has decided to first make it's mark by purchasing the South Africa-based retailer, Massmart. Massmart has stores of several of its brands in 13 African countries, including Nigeria, Ghana and Uganda. This monster that is taking over is none other than Wal-Mart.

Atul Shah, managing director of Nakumatt, is actually welcome to the competition. In an interview with CNN International, he sees Wal-Mart's interest as a businesses really seeing Africa beyond the stereotype and as a place where money and investments can be made.

I have to agree with him. Finally, this move and many others (despite what it's outcome could be), shows that this continent is not as in despair as people outside of Africa (especially in the US) may presume. Don't get me wrong, there are dire situation that are occurring in several parts of the continent, but in many other places, there is peace and stability (Ghana and Botswana two of many great examples). Now, what would be the next retailer to come Africa. H & M?

Misconceptions About Africa

Of course, this blog is meant to hopefully break the misconceptions about Africa, but I found an interesting blog post on CNN International that discusses this particular issue. What is more interesting is not the article itself, but the responses.

One response that really caught my eye was that of someone who called themselves "Juan:"

"Africa is the best 1st world country and worst 3rd world country on the planet. There are industries that compete very well with the best there is, and some of the infrastructure is world class. The flip side is also true though, with some Africans living in the poorest of poor conditions with no access to even the most basic amenities.

"To the point about misperceptions – the biggest misperception is that the global economy often regard Africa as a "country" or a United State composition like the US where the reality is that most countries live and function in complete independence and isolation of its neighbours. This generalization fails to draw a distinction between the first world parts and the third world parts with debilitating consequences to both developed and undeveloped Africa.

"African people have a strong sense of cultural patriotism where respect for fellow pan plays a big role. Are Africans over sensitive about world perceptions…. Maybe, but then again maybe these “sensitivities” are nothing more than offenses caused by others who don’t value culture-engrained “respect for mankind” in quite the same way Africans do. The same way personalities differ from person to person, so do cultures. If one wants to “get along” with your neighbour, both of you better understand and respect his/her personality differences."

What is most bothersome is how this person began stating that Africa is a "country" but yet in the very next paragraph said the biggest misconception is that people see Africa as a "country." I don't know if that was a mistype or not, but certainly something does not jive. If it was a mistype, could that mean that this person subconsciously believes Africa is a country and is trying to make him/herself sound more educated? Or was this person trying to make a point, but sadly contradicted themselves?

Dick Cheney is Being Charged for Bribery by the Nigerian Government

Earlier this month, the Nigeria's Economic and Financial Crimes Commission charged Dick Cheney and nine others associated with Halliburton with "conspiracy and distribution of gratification to public officials," according to CNN International. In other words, they allegedly tried to bribe Nigerian officials.

Now, the charges may be dropped based on if an agreement is reached with Halliburton to pay $250 million in fines.

Of course, these allegations are considered a stunt by the Nigerian government since elections are in April. But, then again, Halliburton had pleaded guilty to similar charges in the United States last year.

Regardless of if the Nigerian government seized the opportunity to "act" as if they are cleaning up corruption or not, Halliburton had this coming to them. Check out the whole story and let me know what you think of this hot mess.

What I found most shocking was not that Cheney was being accused of bribery, but more so the picture of how he looks. He is so slim! This was supposedly caused by a hospital summer stay, but I don't know about all that...

African-American Named Top Commercial Star in Japan

Is this Black-Success-Stories-in-Nearly-Homogeneous-Countries Day or am I tweaking? On a CNN International blog, they say that Dante Carver, an African-American actor in Japan was named the top commercial actor in one of the world's most homogeneous countries. Earlier today, I talked about how BBC News stated that a Nigerian was sworn in as an MP in Poland.

Japan is ethnically 98.5% Japanese, 0.5% Korean and 0.4% Chinese and the rest is shown by the World Fact Book as "other," which means black people in Japan don't even make 0.5% of the country. Watch the video from CNN and let me know what you think of today's second triumph by a black person in a non-black world.

Angola/South Africa Love Story

I love it when two countries that have had a shaky relationship for a while make amends. President Jacob Zuma of South Africa visited Angola's President Jose Eduardo dos Santos last year which marked the beginning of a budding relationship between Africa's strongest and largest economy and Africa's second largest oil producer, respectively. BBC reports that this time dos Santos took a trip to South Africa to solidify agreements between the two nations.

South Africa's apartheid regime stifled any good ties with Angola for nearly three decades, even after apartheid ended in 1994. Now, with Angola's economy quickly growing and South Africa's renewed popularity after hosting the World Cup, this may be a relationship that will last for a very long time. Don't you just feel the love?

Nigerian Sworn in as First Black MP in Poland

I told someone this before and I am going to say it again: BLACK PEOPLE ARE EVERYWHERE. They tend to be in what some may believe as the most unexpected places - Poland being one of them.

BBC News today said that John Abraham Godson, a Nigerian who emigrated to Poland in the 1990's, caused a media stir with his entry into the Polish Parliament.

Poland is a country with a large white majority (97% is ethnically Polish and about 2% is of non-European decent). BBC also reports that racism is still a problem in Poland, so this is definitely a triumph for a person of color.

Because our world is become smaller (thanks to the Internet), I think it is imperative for all of us to become more culturally relative and more knowledgeable about the other countries on our planet and to be well-read on current global issues. Of course, if money were not an issue, I would strongly suggest travelling (and there are ways as a high school or college student to travel on a budget), but if you wallet can handle going to another place, reading is the next best thing.

Korean Pop (K-Pop) Anyone?

I just want to figure out how many people listen to K-Pop. I think my predictions are right, but I have a gut feeling that I am wrong. Please, all of you that are fans of my blog, take this survey and send it to others so I can get some answers. This survey no longer has a deadline. Once the results are compiled, I will definitely share them with you all and give you my thoughts on what I perceived the outcome would be.

Create your free online surveys with SurveyMonkey, the world's leading questionnaire tool.

Have You Heard of Asa? Well Now You Can!

I seriously this love this Nigerian artist! Listen and watch her and let me know what you think.

Legalizing Prostitution in Botswana to Combat AIDS

As many of you are well aware of, today is World AIDS day. I read an interesting story about the fight against AIDS in Botswana, which has been applauded for their stringent and bold efforts to combat the virus. It's government has reported that 97% of babies born in Botswana from HIV positive mothers are HIV free. However, AIDS is still an issue amongst truck drivers and prostitutes along the truck routes.

Botswana, one of Africa's most stable nations and economies, is now considering legalizing prostitution as a way to control the spread of the virus. For example, even though condoms are free at any health facility in the country, sex workers have reported that police men confiscate their condoms because the police say what they are doing is illegal. With measures in place, police men would not have an excuse to take condoms away from sex workers.

Of course, I believe that it takes two for prostitution to exist and if you really want to stop prostitution, you would need to have strict laws and consequences for the johns. But in this case, since it doesn't sound like that is being done, maybe implementing laws that protect the sex worker in order to keep the virus at bay may not be a bad idea. Read the story and let me know what you think.

Shuga - Episode 3

I don't know who all has been watching this, but it has definitely been heating up!

Shuga Episode 3 from mtv staying alive on Vimeo.

Would This Alter Hyper-Masculinity in the African-American Culture?

Overall, if you haven't noticed yet, the mainstream culture of the United States is is caught up on masculinity and defining what is a man. More so, African-American culture has and is dealing with hyper-masculinity, an exaggerated stereotype of being masculine. I don't know why African-American men are so caught up in being the ideal African-American male, but it is evident in many predominantly African-American arenas, especially those that are educational institutions.

Early last month, when I brought up the new dress code policy at the HBCU Morehouse, I was going to talk about homosexuality in African-American culture. Just when I thought I was going to lose people since it has been a month since I have said anything, the question of repealing the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" clause in the army came about and I stumbled upon this video from CNN.

After watching this video, consider the following:

• What is masculinity to you? Why do you define it as such?
• Apart from Anthony Woods stating his sexual orientation, would you have thought he was gay? Why or why not?
• Does sexuality determine one's level of masculinity? How?