The World of Shez

THE COMMODITIES BOOM

2008-11-20T15:17:00.000+05:00

THE COMMODITIES BOOMCommodity markets have been booming. Prices of many commodities, especially those of oil, corn, wheat, tin and nickel have reached record high recently, despite credit market turbulence and slowing activity in many major advanced economies. The current boom has also been broader based and longer lasting than usual.The price boom has brought a sea change to the commodities

STRONG CORPORATE CULTURE VITAL FOR COMPANY SUCCESS

2007-10-16T18:26:00.000+06:00

The recent economic boom in Kenya has taken its toll on more than just the corporate bottom line. It has also had a significant impact on the employment scenario and the work environment, as companies battle it out to retain employees. Some employees are left wondering what happened to the organizations they originally joined or even worse, most employees never really figure out what kind of

PROFESSIONALISM AT WORK- WHAT IT TAKES

2007-10-12T15:06:00.000+06:00

It's sometimes difficult to identify the true meaning of "professionalism." Many individuals use professionalism as a facade to cover their lack ability to perform their job effectively. Others use it to for intimidation to gain power. Still others use it as a way to impress the unknowing. However, it seems that very few individuals use it for its original intent---to provide a foundation for

Oshwal Youth in the 21st Century

2007-08-01T14:15:00.000+06:00

In which direction is the youth of today? Being a youth in the 21st century is a challenging and dynamic experience. We live in an era influenced by myriad factors; in a global melting pot where our lives are shaped by the media, technology, the internet and Western influences. The Oshwal youth face many more challenges socially and emotionally. They are brought up in a

KENYA 2002-2007- A synopsis

2007-04-24T00:57:00.000+06:00

By guest writer: M.SThis government came in with a bang… brought 5-6 months or less of fresh air, showed true potential of what good leadership to this country could achieve, and then started on its most probably pre-planned act of looting the coffers. Just as NARC came in, dodgy contractors were forced off, the corrupt in the civil service – Police, CID, City Council, Lands offices, etc started

IS KENYA'S GROWTH SUSTAINABLE?

2007-04-24T00:51:00.000+06:00

I recently conducted a mini survey on peoples perception of Kenya and its future. Below is the email I sent out, followed by the responses I received.IS KENYA'S GROWTH SUSTAINABLE?Over the past four years Kenya's economic growth has continued to exceed expectations, surging ahead at an annual rate of more than 4%. Additionally, Kenya's recent Vision 2030 predicts that 10% percent annual growth

One more reason why I love Kenya!

2006-11-18T03:05:00.000+05:00

Nationmedia.com Daily Nation NEWS 7th Wonder of the world: "7th Wonder of the worldStory by ERIC SHIMOLIPublication Date: 11/18/2006Kenya's tourism received a shot in the arm yesterday when a panel of experts and a major American television channel declared the annual Wildebeest migration one of the seven new wonders of the world.Broadcasting live from the Maasai Mara to millions of American

BBC NEWS | Business | Challenges facing Africa's entrepreneurs

2006-11-13T12:45:00.000+05:00

This is yet another article that makes me all the more optimistic about Africa's prospects and Africa's future!Vive l'afrique!!!BBC NEWS Business Challenges facing Africa's entrepreneurs

State versus Market: Forever a Struggle?

2006-11-11T20:57:00.000+05:00

State versus Market: Forever a Struggle?

CHINA IN AFRICA: IT’S STRICTLY BUSINESS

2006-09-13T19:19:00.000+06:00

China, it seems, is suddenly everywhere in Africa, not just in oil-rich states. This recent interest shown not only by China, but by Russia and Venezuela is a clear indication of a new perspective to the current world order. Africa has recently become more important to large industrial countries, resulting in a state of heightened competition between them to tap the continent’s many natural

Is Kenya Film Board sleeping on the job?

2006-09-08T14:49:00.000+06:00

Letter to the editor published in the East African Standard, 6 September 2006 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Although a majority of Bollywood movies can pass for family entertainment, a lot of them are fast changing and portraying diverse issues and have scenes unsuitable for General Exhibition (GE).For example, the movie Kabhi Alvida na Kehna,

REVIEW OF 'WHITE MAN'S BURDEN'

2006-08-31T19:58:00.000+06:00

EXCERPTS FROM ‘THE WHITE MAN’S BURDEN’: Why the West’s efforts to Aid The Rest have Done So Much Ill And So Little Good WILLIAM EASTERLYThis book is a must read for development economists or anyone seriously concerned about the plight of the million of people living in absolute poverty. Of course many factors contribute to why poor countries are poor. Easterly focuses on analyzing the effect of

MY FAVORITE BOOKS (READ JAN 2005- AUG 2006)

2006-08-31T19:53:00.000+06:00

• ‘In defence of global Capitalism’ by Johan Norberg- This book gives an in-depth explanation on how globalisation in the 21st century is promoting freedom and creating opportunities for the poor. The author uses a lot of examples, which makes it a lively read. The use of graphs also makes and easy reference point • Lords of Poverty’ by Graham Hancock- A touching expose about the lifestyles,

PATRIOTISM DOES NOT COME NATURALLY, BUT WITH PROGRESS OF SOCIETY

2006-08-06T21:13:00.000+06:00

PATRIOTISM DOES NOT COME NATURALLY, BUT WITH PROGRESS OF SOCIETYDr. Mutua’s commentary on ‘Why we should all be proud to be Kenyans’ (Sunday Nation, 6 august) was indeed a timely and thought provoking piece. In the one year that I have spent living away from home, I have always pondered over the question what makes Kenya special. Surely there must be more to it than the wildlife, the good weather

M-BANKING IN AFRICA

2006-08-06T08:47:00.000+06:00

Mobile-Phone Banking Showing Signs of Growth! *********************************** The mobile phone is the one pervasive device which has fewer barriers to entry than most technologies, and it has penetrated some of the poorest economies due to the overwhelming demand for any form of telecommunications. Mobile phones have presented a unique opportunity to individuals and even companies, not only

MOBILE PHONES IN DRC

2006-08-06T08:44:00.000+06:00

This is an article from The Washington Post, Sunday 9 July. It talks about how mobile phone banking is fast catching up in remote areas of developing countries. It aslo illustrates how mobile phones are fast reducing the inequalities in access to technology. Enjoy!_________________________________________________________________________________In War-Torn Congo, Going Wireless to Reach HomeFor

FOREIGN AID: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES

2006-08-06T04:07:00.000+06:00

WOLFOWITZ ON FOREIGN AID: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIESI recently attended a lecture by Paul Wolfowitz, president of the World Bank, at the Heritage Foundation in Washington DC.Since he came into office, Mr. Wolfowitz has stressed on Sub-Saharan Africa and fighting corruption.In his speech, he acknowledged the incredible energy and ambition that can be seen in ordinary Africans. This, he said

TOURISM IN KENYA

2006-07-23T22:27:00.000+06:00

GEDI RUINS - NEAR MALINDI -COULD BE A MAJOR ATTRACTIONTO MAKE KENYA INTO EUROPE'S "NUMERO UNO"DESTINATION IS NOT REALLY ALL THAT DIFFICULTCoastweek - - Although the tourism industry has seen some recent signs of robust growth a lot more needs to be done to make Kenya the number one tourist destination in Africa.Tourism not only creates direct employment through the investment of capital but it

MEDIA COVERAGE ON AFRICA

2006-07-15T00:51:00.000+06:00

THE UNTOLD TRUTHS FROM THE DARK CONTINENT-WHO WILL BE THE REAL VOICE OF AFRICA?It is said that Africa is the worst of all continents, a continent of ‘doom and groom’. Yes we may not be the richest, but we certainly are the world's staunchest optimists.Despite all its difficulties to overcome its economical, social and political problems, Africa is a warm and happy continent. For that, the most

TRAFFIC CONGESTION IN NAIROBI

2006-07-13T19:33:00.000+06:00

High parking fee not a solution Story by: Shreya ShahPublication Date: 7/13/2006 The proposal by the Matatu Welfare Association's chairman, Mr Dickson Mbugua, that the daily parking fee in Nairobi be increased from Sh70 to Sh500 will do little to ease the traffic congestion. The reasons for the city's congestion are multiple and have been a key concern for decades. Nairobi expanded out of a

QUOTES ON LIBERTY AND PROSPERITY

2006-07-08T01:31:00.000+06:00

You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.You cannot help the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer.You cannot further the brotherhood of man by encouraging class hatred.You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich.You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than you earn.You cannot build character and courage by

FACTS ON CORRUPTION AND AID

2006-07-08T01:14:00.000+06:00

from: Corruption and foreign aid in Africa,’ by Herbert H. WerlinA 2004 World Bank report on corruption noted that bribery has become a trillion-dollar industry; causing far more wealth to flow from poor countries to rich countries than these poor countries receive in foreign aid. Whereas an estimated trillion dollars of foreign aid has been given to poor countries since World War ii, at least 5

MAKE CORRUPTION, NOT POVERTY, HISTORY

2006-07-06T22:57:00.000+06:00

Among the recommendations made at the G8 shadow meeting in Moscow in preparation for the St Petersburg summit is that international organizations such as the World Bank and the World Trade Organization be overhauled. The concern is that these outfits now entrench poverty and inequality. One year after the G8 Gleneagles summit, there is little wonder why no progress has been made by the ‘group of

TECHNOLOGY NOT TO BLAME FOR KENYA’S UNEMPLOYMENT

2006-07-04T04:18:00.000+06:00

TECHNOLOGY NOT TO BLAME FOR KENYA’S UNEMPLOYMENTRe: Daily Nation, Monday 3rd July, ‘Why there aren’t 500,000 new jobs a year’, Kwamchetsi Makokha, http://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/nmgcontententry.asp?category_id=25&newsid=76419Yes Kenya is an agricultural country but must it also be a backward country? Mr. Makokha (‘Why there aren’t 500,000 new jobs a year’, Daily Nation 3 July) makes

Just some inspirational quotes & thoughts: Part I

2006-06-30T06:15:00.000+06:00

We must all learn to live together as brothers. Or we will all perish together as foolsMartin Luther King 1929 – 1968A little bit of sincerity is a dangerous thing, and a great deal of it is absolutely fatalOscar Wilde (1854-1900)All the world’s a stageAnd all the women and men merely playersThey have their exits and their entrancesAnd one man in his time plays many partsWilliam Shakespeare (1564

2006-06-29T21:59:00.000+06:00

When will Kenya learn to strike while the iron is hot

2006-06-29T19:59:00.000+06:00

Agoa: When will Kenya strike while iron is hot? Story by: Shreya ShahPublication Date: 6/29/2006 The recent Agoa meeting in Washington has been a source of heated debate among Africa's trade ministers, described by some as a "matter of life and death". The recent unveiling of a project to revamp cotton growing in eastern and central Kenya illustrates yet another example of a missed opportunity

JAINISM AND ECONOMICS

2006-06-27T02:46:00.000+06:00

A global problem that threatens the welfare of all people is the conflict between Communism and Capitalism. Though totally different, they have these things in common - an insatiable appetite for material consumption and a corresponding disregard for moral principles. The result is mass exploitation on both sides.

EXCERPTS FROM MIRA KAMDAR'S MOTIBAS TATOOS

2006-06-27T02:30:00.000+06:00

EXCERPTS FROM MOTIBA’S TATTOOS, Mira KamdarAn ancient nomadic the Kathiawars who spawned my family were always in the words of my father “people from somewhere else”. Certainly in the century just ended that is who we became more than any other time in our history: people from some place else. The wanderings my family has undertaken in the past one hundred years in pursuit of more tempting

AGOA OFFERS LITTLE HOPE FOR AFRICA

2006-06-25T21:15:00.000+06:00

Enterprise in Africa The recent African Growth Opportunity Act meeting held in Washington has been a source for much concern and debate within many African governments and the U.S. Congress. Mpho Malie of Lesotho referred to AGOA as "a matter of life and death" ("Life or Death," Embassy Row, World, June 14). This certainly is not a true account of the real problem African countries face. One

Property an essential component of economic success IN AFRICA

2006-06-25T04:48:00.000+06:00

Property an essential component of economic success IN AFRICAKarl Marx predicted the imminent collapse of capitalism. As the rich got richer, and the poor got poorer, he claimed the increasing staring on society would ultimately lead to a convulsion that would bring a new socialist order. Marx couldn’t have been more wrong. Since he died, capitalism in the West has led to more affluence: child

WE NEED INSTITUTIONAL REFORM, NOT AID

2006-06-25T04:45:00.000+06:00

WE NEED INSTITUTIONAL REFORM, NOT AIDThat the world has well meaning individuals ready to assist others but employing the wrong strategies can not be disputed. Why are aid flows to poor nations problematic? First, aid can overwhelm the administrative capacity of governments, leading to waste and inefficient and ineffective programs. Second, it is critical to ensure that an increase in aid does

IMF, WORLD BANK’S SAPs A MAJOUR CAUSE OF POVERTY.

2006-06-25T04:40:00.000+06:00

IMF, WORLD BANK’S SAPs A MAJOUR CAUSE OF POVERTY.“DEBT is an efficient tool. It ensures access to other people’s raw materials and infrastructure on the cheapest possible terms. Dozens of countries must compete for shrinking export markets and can export only a limited range of products because of Northern protectionism and their lack of cash to invest in diversification. Market saturation ensues

AFRICA LACKS IMAGINATION AND WILLPOWER

2006-06-25T04:38:00.000+06:00

AFRICA LACKS IMAGINATION AND WILLPOWERBy:Shreya ShahA paragraph of the American Constitution reads “We should always work hard in order to be free and so that this liberty can be passed on to our children…” This document was written almost 3 centuries ago by American patriots and not one of them probably imagined that the United States Of America would one day occupy such a prominent place in the