FLYING TOILETS
Johnny had never come across a 'flying toilet' before, so, in case you haven't, here is a lovely video of two lads from Kibera anxious to educate you, and here's something for you to read.
Oh - so there's no mistake, they're also called "scud missiles".
Johnny had never come across a 'flying toilet' before, so, in case you haven't, here is a lovely video of two lads from Kibera anxious to educate you, and here's something for you to read.
Oh - so there's no mistake, they're also called "scud missiles".
SLUM WARS . . . . .
The terrible conditions in slums make them tinderboxes, where riots break out at any provocation. Rents, often greatly inflated because of the shortage of housing, are often a cause of conflict, as they were in Kibera, when comments by President Moi , in the run-up to an election, sparked riots which resulted in 12 deaths.
The terrible conditions in slums make them tinderboxes, where riots break out at any provocation. Rents, often greatly inflated because of the shortage of housing, are often a cause of conflict, as they were in Kibera, when comments by President Moi , in the run-up to an election, sparked riots which resulted in 12 deaths.
5
HIGH COMMISSION HELP
One of the options open to Johnny in the mess he found himself
was to seek help from the British High Commission in Sosweza.
A High Commission, in the modern meaning, is exactly like
an embassy but in a Commonwealth country. So, instead of an ambassador to Australia, the UK sends a High Commissioner.
A British High Commission offers UK citizens in a foreign country all the facilities of an embassy, as can be seen at this website for the UK High Commission in Kenya, and their services include assistance and support if anyone fall foul of local law. If you go to 'Help for British Nationals' -> 'When things go Wrong' -> 'Help if you are Arrested or Detained', you'll see what they offer. Ephraim was quite right when he told Johnny that there is actually very little they can do, as this BBC article explains. People sometimes forget that, when they are in a foreign country, they are entirely subject to the law of that land, which may be very different from the law in the UK.
You may remember the case of the British teacher in the Sudan who made the dreadful mistake of naming her primary school class' teddy bear Mohammed: here's The Sun's slant on that story, but, to show how serious it was, click on The Sun's link under 'Related Stories' to the one titled 'Sudanese: 'Shoot Teacher''.
One of the options open to Johnny in the mess he found himself
was to seek help from the British High Commission in Sosweza.
A High Commission, in the modern meaning, is exactly like
an embassy but in a Commonwealth country. So, instead of an ambassador to Australia, the UK sends a High Commissioner.
A British High Commission offers UK citizens in a foreign country all the facilities of an embassy, as can be seen at this website for the UK High Commission in Kenya, and their services include assistance and support if anyone fall foul of local law. If you go to 'Help for British Nationals' -> 'When things go Wrong' -> 'Help if you are Arrested or Detained', you'll see what they offer. Ephraim was quite right when he told Johnny that there is actually very little they can do, as this BBC article explains. People sometimes forget that, when they are in a foreign country, they are entirely subject to the law of that land, which may be very different from the law in the UK.
You may remember the case of the British teacher in the Sudan who made the dreadful mistake of naming her primary school class' teddy bear Mohammed: here's The Sun's slant on that story, but, to show how serious it was, click on The Sun's link under 'Related Stories' to the one titled 'Sudanese: 'Shoot Teacher''.
HOSTAGES ABROAD
Johnny hoped that Mark might have been kidnapped for ransom rather than killed. In fact, outside Nigeria, few foreigners are kidnapped in Africa.
The situation in Nigeria is complicated by its oil wealth. Much of the huge revenues which come from it have gone to central and regional governments where, very often, they have been pillaged for corrupt politicians' own uses. Very little has touched the ground, with the result that local people in the Niger delta region have formed guerrilla groups which try to wrest back some of the money - and one way of doing this is to take expatriate oil workers hostage.
The example of two British hostages held in 2006 is well described in this CNN video, which also outlines the background to their case.
Johnny hoped that Mark might have been kidnapped for ransom rather than killed. In fact, outside Nigeria, few foreigners are kidnapped in Africa.
The situation in Nigeria is complicated by its oil wealth. Much of the huge revenues which come from it have gone to central and regional governments where, very often, they have been pillaged for corrupt politicians' own uses. Very little has touched the ground, with the result that local people in the Niger delta region have formed guerrilla groups which try to wrest back some of the money - and one way of doing this is to take expatriate oil workers hostage.
The example of two British hostages held in 2006 is well described in this CNN video, which also outlines the background to their case.
INFLATION - AFRICAN STYLE
USuzwe was, in some ways, quite fortunate to have such a low rate of inflation. At the time 'Black Mongoose' was written, Zimbabwe's inflation rate was utterly out of control, with Gideon Gono, the Governor of the Reserve Bank, simply printing money. By early 2009 the rate stood at 5 sextillion percent (that's five followed by 21 zeros), and the Bank of Zimbabwe was planning to print notes with a face value of Z$100 trillion (that's 100,000,000,000,000), worth a mere US$300.
The situation became so dire that the Zimbabwe government finally abandoned its dollar, allowing other currencies - the US dollar, South African Rand, British Pound, the Euro and the Botswana Pula - to be used as legal tender.
USuzwe was, in some ways, quite fortunate to have such a low rate of inflation. At the time 'Black Mongoose' was written, Zimbabwe's inflation rate was utterly out of control, with Gideon Gono, the Governor of the Reserve Bank, simply printing money. By early 2009 the rate stood at 5 sextillion percent (that's five followed by 21 zeros), and the Bank of Zimbabwe was planning to print notes with a face value of Z$100 trillion (that's 100,000,000,000,000), worth a mere US$300.
The situation became so dire that the Zimbabwe government finally abandoned its dollar, allowing other currencies - the US dollar, South African Rand, British Pound, the Euro and the Botswana Pula - to be used as legal tender.
. . . . . AND SLUM HOMES
However simple, however basic it may be, it'll be clean and cared for inside - and it's home.
About 190 million Africans live in rooms such as this.
However simple, however basic it may be, it'll be clean and cared for inside - and it's home.
About 190 million Africans live in rooms such as this.
"Kitu Kidogo" - Kenya Corruption
"Kitu kidogo" is Swahili for "a little something". It's what you have to give officials in Kenya if you want anything done - and by 'officials' it means anyone from the policemen at the road blocks to the clerks in the city council.
What the man in the street sees as a daily and expensive nuisance is nothing compared to the wholesale theft carried out by Kenya politicians. When the notoriously corrupt President Daniel arap Moi was ousted, Mwai Kibaki, the new president, promised he would clean up corruption. He appointed John Githongo to carry out an enquiry. When Githongo released his findings, which implicated several top Kenya politicians, he was forced to flee the country and go into hiding. This interview with him gives a good idea of the extent of Kenyan corruption.
One of the areas of enquiry was into a new passport printing scheme ordered by the Kenya Government. A French firm quoted 6 million euros for the job but the contract went to Anglo Leasing Finance at €30 million, who subcontracted the job to the French firm. A subsequent investigation by the UK Serious Fraud Office was blocked by the Kenya government.
For much more on this, read Michela Wrong's 'Our Turn to Eat'.
"Kitu kidogo" is Swahili for "a little something". It's what you have to give officials in Kenya if you want anything done - and by 'officials' it means anyone from the policemen at the road blocks to the clerks in the city council.
What the man in the street sees as a daily and expensive nuisance is nothing compared to the wholesale theft carried out by Kenya politicians. When the notoriously corrupt President Daniel arap Moi was ousted, Mwai Kibaki, the new president, promised he would clean up corruption. He appointed John Githongo to carry out an enquiry. When Githongo released his findings, which implicated several top Kenya politicians, he was forced to flee the country and go into hiding. This interview with him gives a good idea of the extent of Kenyan corruption.
One of the areas of enquiry was into a new passport printing scheme ordered by the Kenya Government. A French firm quoted 6 million euros for the job but the contract went to Anglo Leasing Finance at €30 million, who subcontracted the job to the French firm. A subsequent investigation by the UK Serious Fraud Office was blocked by the Kenya government.
For much more on this, read Michela Wrong's 'Our Turn to Eat'.
. . . . . BUT LOOK AT THE CHILDREN.
However hard their circumstances, most parents take great pride in their children's turn-out for school. These young ladies attend a school near Nairobi.
However hard their circumstances, most parents take great pride in their children's turn-out for school. These young ladies attend a school near Nairobi.
PHOTOS courtesy of - Flying Toilet: Feliz Navidad; Zimbabwe Currency: Sokwanele; Riot in Kibera: StarDragon88; Inside a Kibera Shack: Chrissy Olson; Nairobi Schoolgirls: Lori
