Tag Archives: South Africa

Rape-aXe: The Anti-Rape Condom

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A South African woman working as a blood technician with the South African Blood Transfusion Service, during which time she met and treated many rape victims. The device, known as The Rape-aXe, is a latex sheath embedded with shafts of sharp, inward-facing microscopic barbs that would be worn by a woman in her vagina like a tampon.

If an attacker were to attempt vaginal rape, their penis would enter the latex sheath and be snagged by the barbs, causing the attacker pain during withdrawal and (ideally) giving the victim time to escape.
The condom would remain attached to the attacker’s body when he withdrew and could only be removed surgically, which would alert hospital staff and police. This device could assist in the identification and prosecution of rapist.

South African inventor Sonette Ehlers demonstrates her new anti-rape female condom in Cape Town. The device, concealed inside a woman’s body, hooks onto a rapist during penetration and must be surgically removed. Ms Ehlers said the rape trap would be so painful for a rapist that it would disable him immediately, enabling his victim to escape; but would cause no long-term physical damage and could not injure the woman.

The United Nations says South Africa has the world’s highest per capita rate of reported rapes – 119 per 100,000 people. Analysts say the total, including unreported rapes, could be nine times higher. A majority of women surveyed said they were willing to use the device, which will go into production next year and sell for one rand (20 cents).

 

 

I dream of Africa

I dream of  Africa as my mind manifests  over  all its greatness that matters. I hear of stories  imagined and true; from far away empires  and palaces.Are things as they are,? Kingdoms  spread  all over domination, across deserts and thick forest lands. Mothers   telling stories under moon light Coconut  compounds.

So i asked myself, why  the infighting,? from the North to the South, from the Eastern sea shores to the western trade zones. Wars, famine and unrest, caused by  greed, selfishness and hatred.

Where are the noble men and wise women of generations past?, have your daughters gone to the hill tops to fetch water from the spring crops.?Are your young men still waging battles among their brothers? for if you trade your  resources for your gun sources; in the morning you will find  out  you have no life force.

My Africa, your lands have no men to harvest your grains crops; yet the harvest is due and  the young and old cry out  for food.So  I kept my dream of Africa alive, “pregnant with patience” until her Sons  and Daughters return and spend time close to their father and Mother, their towns kins men and women.Then tears will stop for then all Will understand that their hearts have  come to stay  and engage.

~ K. Okojie

Florida.USA

 

Silvy De Bie Bridging the Cultural Gap

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AfriQtalk Welcomes! Silvy De Bie, Belgian Music Billboard top 10, pop dance recording artist to Atlanta. The Belgian singer is best known for being the vocalist for the dance band Sylver. With them she eleased five studio albums and 20 singles. Between 1990 and 1994 she also released over 10 singles with band “Silvy Melody”.

Silvy became a Flanders child star when she was nine years old. She sung Ben, a song of Michael Jackson, in the Flemish showbizz TV Show De Kinderacademie (child academy). This show was not a contest, it was just an entertainment program where children between 4 and 12 years could perform an act (sing act, dance act, telling a little fairy tail or poem,…) Silvy’s performance was so good, an independent recording studio gave her a contract. Under the name “Silvy Melody” she recorded some songs (including a Dutch version of Ben) as solo-artist and also some numbers together with other famous Belgian singers. Many of her songs were in top 10 charts. Her career as child star stopped abruptly in 1994 due to Belgian law. She did too many activities, performances, and broke the law regarding child labour which is forbidden in Belgium.

In 2000 Silvy became the female vocalist for the dance band Liquid feat., later in 2001 the band’s name was changed into Sylver. Alongside the successes with Sylver, she started also solo.

In 2001 she worked with MNC, with him she covered the Eurythmics song Sweet Dreams. She also worked with the dance formation Milk Inc. (she is friends with Singer Linda Mertens). In 2004 the Track I Don’t Care came out, the single reached the Belgian Top Ten. In 2007 the Single Time alongside with 4 Clubbers in Belgium, she composed and wrote the song “Lovesong” from the Crossroads album.

In my conversation with Silvy, I find her to be somewhat adventurous and intellectually engaging. Do you see yourself working with Artiste from Africa? I asked, she replied! “I am ready to collaborate with artiste of different genre” including artist from Africa. Now that’s what I call bridging the cultural gap.

 

President Jacob Zuma had married his sixth wife and whole world looks in awe

President Jacob Zuma and WivesMail & Guardian (Siyabulela Duda)

Africa‘s polygamous President Jacob Zuma married for the sixth time on Friday, taking his long-time girlfriend Bongi Ngema as his newest bride and fourth current wife in a private ceremony at his rural home. Ngema, an activist and former information technology worker, is well known in South Africaand has already accompanied the president on foreign visits. The ceremony raised few eyebrows in a country where polygamy is legal and an integral part of Zuma’s Zulu culture. The two had a traditional Zulu wedding and “the bride and groom later participated in the traditional competitive celebratory dance,” the presidency said in a statement. Zuma has 21 children, including a seven-year-old son with Ngema. The president is also married to Sizakele Zuma, Nompumelelo Ntuli-Zuma and Tobeka Madiba-Zuma. They all attended the ceremony. His marriage to Home Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma ended in divorce. Another wife Kate Mantsho-Zuma committed suicide in 2000. There is no official position of First Lady in South Africa. The presidency said none of the wives had a constitutional role or received any state funds. ”     –Reuters

ATL Host Nigerian Promoters Association 2nd Annual Summit!

Atlanta is set to host  Nigerian Promoters Association 1st business award summit (NPA) This event is planned to be unique and huge. Bringing celebrities around the world, and guess who is coming to town?  Belgian’s Music Billboard top 10, pop recording artist, Silvy De Bie with the group Sylver.

The Annual summit is an annual meeting of Nigerian Entertainment exponents coming together to meet and deliberate thoroughly on how to better improve the standard of the Nigerian Arts and Entertainment industry as a one point agenda by the year 2015.

While the Arts and Entertainment Business Awards is to recognize, celebrate and to further promote the Nigerian Arts and Entertainment exponents based in the United States of America and in the Diaspora and to preserve Nigerian cultural heritage by providing a space for Business opportunities.

EVENT INFO

FRIDAY–(DAY 1)
MEET & GREET MIXER
(Pool Party Affair)
(Sheraton Gateway Hotel Atlanta Airport)
1900 Sullivan Road Atlanta GA 30337
Date: September 2nd, 2011
Time: 8.00pm-11.00pm

SATURDAY–(DAY 2)
NPA 2ND ANNUAL SUMMIT MEETING
Date: September 3rd, 2011
Time: 2.00pm-4.00pm
Dress code: Corporate & Classy

TOPIC
How Nigerian & African artistes can get Published & Publishing money in America.
Hosted by: Femi Ojetunde, Grammy Chapter Atlanta, ASACP Publishing, BMI Publishing, Entertainment Lawyers, Artists
Speaker: Manuel Seal Jr
* Entertainment Business 101 Discussion Panel
Time: 4.00pm-5.00pm
Hosted by: Bishop A.
Speaker: Taiwo Lawrence

MOVIE PREMIERE
Comedy Movie ( Okoto the Messenger)
Produced by: Pascal Atuma
SEPT 3RD, 2011
(Movie Premiere & After-Party)
Time: 9.00pm-11.00pm
* After-Party—Time: 11.00pm-3.00am

SUNDAY–(DAY 3)
PRE-AWARD PRESENTATION
Red Carpet photo shoot/Media
Date: September 4th, 2011
Time: 6.00pm-8.00pm
SEPT 4TH, 2011
(Award Ceremony & After-Party)
AWARD PRESENTATION
Date: September 4th, 2011
Time: 8.00pm-11.00pm

FAREWELL PARTY—Time: 11.00pm-3.00am
Dress Code: Upscale, Classy Native wear, GQ & Sexy

OTHER EVENTS
* Artists Showcase
*Respect The Dee Jay BBQ & Pool Party
* Dee Jay Battle
*Fashion Showcase

For tickets visit http://wwwnpa.ticketleap.com/npa-awards-atlanta-2011/. An experience you don’t want to miss! Africa Let’s Go! or visit: www.npa-usa.com for more information.