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------Original message------ From: Pambazuka Editor <[email protected]> To: "pambazuka-news" <[email protected]> Date: Thursday, September 29, 2011 6:26:26 PM GMT+0100 Subject: Pambazuka News 550: Wangari Maathai: The tree that became a forest PAMBAZUKA NEWS 550: WANGARI MAATHAI: THE TREE THAT BECAME A FOREST The authoritative electronic weekly newsletter and platform for social justice in Africa Pambazuka News (English edition): ISSN 1753-6839 CONTENTS: 1. Features, 2. Announcements, 3. Comment & analysis, 4. Advocacy & campaigns, 5. Books & arts, 6. Letters & Opinions, 7. Highlights French edition, 8. Cartoons /\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\ 1 Features WANGARI MAATHAI: RECLAIMING THE EARTH Horace Campbell ‘The best tribute we can pay to this great woman of Africa is to continue to organise so that we can gain higher levels of spiritual awareness and build the shared values for peace and social justice across the planet,' writes Horace Campbell. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/76724 ****** THE TREES WILL CLAP FOR HER Wangari Muta Maathai, 1940-2011 Nnimmo Bassey Nigerian environmental activist Nnimmo Bassey remembers the life of Wangari Maathai, the internationally recognised founder of the Green Belt Movement, who died on 25 September. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/76698 ****** COMMITTED TO JUSTICE FOR PEOPLE AND PLANET Wangari Muta Maathai, 1940-2011 Margaretta wa Gacheru Wangari Maathai ‘achieved more in one short lifetime than most people can even contemplate,’ writes Margaretta wa Gacheru, founding ‘one of the most important environmental movements in the world’ and highlighting ‘the capacity of African rural women to problem-solve for the planet’. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/76700 ****** DETERRED BY NOTHING, DISCOURAGED BY NOTHING Wangari Muta Maathai, 1940-2011 Cyril Ritchie Cyril Ritchie pays tribute to Wangari Maathai, her ‘contagious enthusiasm’ and ‘calming stoicism’, after 36 years of friendship with ‘an outstanding woman’. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/76701 ****** A ‘GREAT TREE IN HER LIFETIME’ Wangari Muta Maathai, 1940-2011 Shailja Patel Wangari Maathai’s legacies ‘are not just for future generations of Kenyans – her influence was global. We have lost her far too early,’ writes Shailja Patel. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/76737 ****** ‘AFRICA HAS LOST A GREAT DAUGHTER’ Wangari Muta Maathai, 1940-2011 Thandika Mkandawire Wangari Maathai was ‘an amazing person’, writes Thandika Mkandawire, relating a story about how Maathai defied the Kenyan government’s attempt to prevent her from attending a ‘subversive conference’ in Uganda. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/76696 ****** 'WOMEN FOR WHOM NATIONS WILL BE NAMED AND RE-NAMED' Sokari Ekine Over the past month, Kenya lost ‘two of its most formidable freedom fighters and justice seekers’ – feminist and political activist Wambui Otieno and environmental activist Wangari Maathai. Sokari Ekine looks at reactions to the passing away of these women across the continent, and to the execution of Troy Davis by the US State of Georgia a week ago. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/76726 ****** CELEBRATING PROFESSOR WANGARI MUTA MAATHAI 1940-2011 Odhiambo Orlale ‘As we battle climate change, let us remember this remarkable woman who saw in the environmental disasters that engulf us an opportunity for the empowerment of women and the chance to promote peace in the world. We celebrate Maathai for advocating a better Africa and a better world,’ writes Odhiambo Orlale. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/76735 ****** MOTHER NATURE MOURNS YOUR LOSS Tribute to Prof. Wangari Maathai David Njihia Mwakodi In the night of death Our nightingale took her last breath Hope saw a star shinning Listening love heard the rustle of a wing A golden heart stopped beating And hardworking hands went to rest... http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/76728 ****** REMEMBERING WANGARI Bayo Akomolafe ‘Just before the stars sing, just before the childish wave wanes/You will plant another seed in the distance, another tree, another universe gained.’ Bayo Akomolafe remembers Wangari Maathai. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/76675 ****** THE BEST DOCTOR FOR THE ENVIRONMENT Wangari Muta Maathai, 1940-2011 Philo Ikonya Kenya human rights activist and author Philo Ikonya shares an interview ( http://bit.ly/rb4Fws ) she gave to TV2Africa following the death of Wangari Muta Maathai in Nairobi after a long struggle with cancer. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/76738 ****** WANGARI MAATHAI: UNBOWED AND UNBEATEN TILL THE END My tribute to a feisty and courageous woman Rasna Warah Professor Maathai was a celebrated environmentalist, but what was equally remarkable about her was ‘her open defiance of outdated, male chauvinistic, neo-colonial and repressive attitudes and traditions’ that hindered not just women, but Kenya as a whole, writes Rasna Warah. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/76729 ****** GAY KENYA PAYS TRIBUTE TO PROF. WANGARI MAATHAI Gay Kenya Wangari Maathai was ‘very passionate about Human Rights’ as well as the environment, and was extremely supportive of Gay Kenya in its early days, the organisation recalls. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/76750 ****** WANGARI MUTA MATHAAI: SHARE YOUR CONDOLENCES http://wangari.greenbeltmovement.org/ If you would like to write a tribute or read and share tributes to Wangari Maathai, this site ( http://wangari.greenbeltmovement.org ) was setup by the Greenbelt Movement in her honour. ****** CARTELS CHAINING THE GLOBAL FOOD AGENDA ‘BOP’ping the hungry Carol Thompson With their eyes firmly on the money making potential of the bottom of the pyramid (BOP) global food market, profit-seeking corporates punt food security through the enhancement of the global food value chain. But, writes Carol Thompson, this avoids distinguishing who is ‘valued’ and who is ‘chained’. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/76694 ****** HURRY UP BEFORE THE SUN SETS… Imrann Moosa Monday, 12 September marked 34 years since the assassination of South African black consciousness leader Steve Biko. Imrann Moosa remembers his legacy. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/76695 ****** THE AU, THE OAU AND THE UNESCO-OBIANG PRIZE Tutu Alicante Under pressure from campaigners, UNESCO last year rightly shelved a prize for research in the life sciences funded by Equatorial Guinea’s president of 32 years, the despotic Teodoro Obiang. Given Obiang's poor human rights record, why are African governments suddenly so eager to resuscitate the award, asks Tutu Alicante. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/76727 ****** ZIMBABWE: A TALE OF TWO CHINAS Khadija Sharife Khadija Sharife takes a closer look at the involvement of key players in Zanu PF’s Mugabe faction in a diamond-mining venture between the Zimbabwean government and Chinese company, Anhui Foreign Economic Construction Co. Ltd. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/76739 ****** THE TIES THAT BIND: CHINA, ANGOLA AND ZIMBABWE Khadija Sharife Khadija Sharife takes a look at the links between Hong-Kong-based private entity China International Fund, Angola’s state oil company Sonangol and Zimbabwe’s diamond fields. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/76740 ****** CAN GHANA AFFORD TO PAY THE SAME PRICE AS PAKISTAN? Cameron Duodu ‘Mention South Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, and those with good memories can attest to the lesson of history, which is that if you want to remain friendly with the USA, keep its military at arm’s length.’ So why would Ghana risk souring its relationship with the US, as Pakistan has already done, by allowing it to use Ghanaian territory for military purposes, asks Cameron Duodu. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/76748 ****** THE NEW SCRAMBLE FOR AFRICA Conn Hallinan Hallinan traces current US foreign policy in Africa, including military intervention, to a proposal made eight years ago by a conservative think tank. Africa’s vast natural and mineral resources make the continent strategically important to the West. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/76730 ****** THE SECRETARY-GENERAL WHO STOOD UP FOR THE UN John Y. Jones The fears that former UN secretary-general Dag Hammarskjöld expressed 50 years ago about the negative impact that the OECD’s Development Assistance Committee would have on the UN and the African continent have turned out to be prescient, writes John Y. Jones. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/76704 ****** /\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\ 2 Announcements DEAR MANDELA – THE STRUGGLE FOR DIGNITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS FOR SOUTH AFRICA’S SHACK DWELLERS Please join Amnesty International and War on Want to hear about the remarkable work of Abahlali baseMjondolo (‘people of the shacks’), a movement campaigning for the rights of many thousands of South Africans living without access to adequate housing and at risk of forced evictions. The evening includes a a screening of the 20 minute short version of the film, Dear Mandela, the story of the emergence of Abahlali, its courageous response to the numerous challenges it has faced and its campaign against forced evictions, which led to the constitutional court victory in 2009. VENUE: Human Rights Action Centre, 17 - 25 New Inn Yard, EC2A 3EA DATE AND TIME: Friday 7 October 2011 at 6:30 p.m. CONTACT: Caroline Elliot, War on Want CElliot[at]waronwant.org - [email protected] Attn Africa Programme, Amnesty International, amnestyis[at]amnesty.org - [email protected] PRICE: FREE BOOKING: book your space here ( http://bit.ly/mUtG4A ) . http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/Announce/76673 ****** FAHAMU CALL FOR RESEARCH PROPOSALS Comparative African perspectives on China and other emerging powers in Africa China’s deepening engagement with Africa is receiving increased attention from the global media, the public and private sectors and academic research. This should not however overshadow the activities of other emerging powers in Africa, including India, Brazil and the Gulf states. This call therefore seeks to develop African perspectives in the discourse surrounding the engagement between Africa and these emerging powers. Deadline for receiving applications: 12 October 2011. For further details please download information here ( http://www.fahamu.org/Fahamucallforresearchproposals2011-final.pdf ) . ****** /\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\ 3 Comment & analysis MAKING THE CASE FOR DIGITAL ACTIVISM Jessica Ann Mitchell Although Troy Davis was killed despite massive protests online, digital activism raised public awareness of racism and oppression in the US state of Georgia, writes Jessica Ann Mitchell. This case and others show that indeed digital activism works. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/comment/76731 ****** /\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\ 4 Advocacy & campaigns SPECIAL DECLARATION OF THE ALBA-TCP FOREIGN MINISTERS ON THE SITUATION OF LIBYA AND SYRIA Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America The Foreign Ministers of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America has issued a statement condemning ‘the NATO intervention in Libya and its illegal military aggression, carried out under the cover of a UN Security Council resolution, opportunistically exploiting the situation of the internal political conflict in that country.’ http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/advocacy/76749 ****** OXFAM WARNS OF LAND GRAB DANGERS Celsias Oxfam today launched a major new report, Land and Power ( http://oxf.am/4bB ) , to highlight the growing pace of large-scale land deals abroad, often brokered at the expense of poor communities that lose homes and livelihoods - sometimes violently - with no prior consultation, compensation or means of appeal. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/advocacy/76733 ****** BY CONDEMNING PEOPLE WHO OCCUPY LAND, CITY OF CAPE TOWN CONDEMNS THE POOR Western Cape Anti-Eviction Campaign Following the City of Cape Town’s demolition of over 100 structures at Kraalfontein that had been erected by backyarders on an unused piece of land, the Western Cape Anti-Eviction Campaign has issued a statement calling on the City to support rather than condemn the poor. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/advocacy/76674 ****** /\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\ 5 Books & arts BRAZIL’S COTTON PROJECT: ALTERNATIVES DO SUCCEED Review of ‘Cotton, Computers and Citizenship’ David Sogge ‘For students and practitioners of hands-on development efforts, this handsomely designed and clearly written book merits attention as an illustration of what is possible, indeed what may be better done, outside the foreign aid system and its exhausted orthodoxies,’ writes David Sogge. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/books/76703 ****** WE GOT RID OF THE DICTATOR, NOT DICTATORSHIP Review of ‘Defeating dictators: Fighting Tyranny in Africa and Around the World’ Peter Wuteh Vakunta Peter Wuteh Vakunta seems convinced that George B. N. Ayittey has written ‘a blueprint for oppositional militancy, a veritable modus operandi for undoing dictators in the contemporary world’. He thinks it is a must read for every student of African politics. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/books/76732 ****** /\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\ 6 Letters & Opinions THANK YOU FOR YOUR TRIBUTES TO MAMA Elizabeth SW Otieno Warm greetings to you and all at Pambazuka. Thank you for your tributes to Mama ( http://www.pambazuka.org/en/issue/549 ) [Wambui Otieno]. Her life and times is in our memories as a true daughter of Kenya. She lived life large, resourcefully and courageously. ****** /\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\ 7 African Writers’ Corner DEKHA, WAMBUI, WANGARI (inspired by Wambui Mwangi) Shailja Patel the greedy old men vampires live forever the women who restore rebuild replant remake die in their fullness... http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/African_Writers/76751 ****** /\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\7 Highlights French edition PAMBAZUKA NEWS 206: AFRICA IN THE FACE OF WESTERN DOMINATION An appeal to the European and North American intelligentsia against the attack on the African peoples Prince Kum’a Ndumbe III Since the invasion of Iraq, the West has given us daily proof that it is neither interested in the common destiny of humanity nor in dialogue between peoples. Its only concern is absolute global dominance – military, financial, cultural and intellectual. Prince Kum’a Ndumbe 111 thinks, the NATO imposed war against Libya is just one more episode in the scramble for Africa. http://www.pambazuka.org/fr/category/features/76630 ****** The funding of research and alleged scientific dialogue Prince Kum’a Ndumbe III It is time for Africa to rearm itself in the face of the various attacks being unleashed against it by Western military powers. A key area is sovereignty over the use of its natural resources and wealth. The struggle, argues Prince Kum’a Ndumbe III, begins with the restoration and reaffirmation of our collective memories. http://www.pambazuka.org/fr/category/features/76629 ****** For the creation of a Palestinian state Hugo Chavez Though he was absent at the UN General Assembly during which Mahmood Abbas made his historic call for the recognition of the Palestinian state, Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez extended strong support for the initiative. In a letter to the UN Secretary General, he described it as “an act of historic justice towards a people who carry with them, from time immemorial, all the pain and suffering in the world. http://www.pambazuka.org/fr/category/features/76628 ****** Egypt – Time for the peoples revolution to open the Rafah Crossing! Haidar Eid Israel has not only colonised the territories, writes Haidar Eid, but it has also taken control of the “Palestinian narrative and history” and confiscated international law. The Rafah crossing, like the birth of the Palestinian state, is testimony to the injustices that continue to be inflicted on the people. http://www.pambazuka.org/fr/category/features/76632 ****** A salutary democratic revolution in the Arab world or the first major social crisis of globalisation? Patrice Allard Whether they are called the Arab Spring or ‘salutary revolutions’, the uprisings that have shaken the Arab world and ousted some dictatorial regimes appear to herald the dawn of a new day. But fundamental questions remain behind what the West describes as the opening of a new chapter. http://www.pambazuka.org/fr/category/features/76635 ****** ****** /\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\ 8 Cartoons MAMA WANGARI MAATHAI 1940-2011 Gado Wangari Maathai remembered. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/cartoons/76672 ****** GIVING AFRICAN STRONG MEN A BAD NAME! Gado Zambia's Banda lets the side down... http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/cartoons/76670 ****** CLINGING ON TO POWER, AFRICAN STYLE Gado Looking for a role model? Take your pick. http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/cartoons/76671 ****** /\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\/\/\//\ Fahamu - Networks For Social Justice http://www.fahamu.org Pambazuka News is published by Fahamu Ltd. © Unless otherwise indicated, all materials published are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 Unported License. For further details see: http://www.pambazuka.org/en/about.php Pambazuka news can be viewed online: English language edition ( http://www.pambazuka.org/en ) Edição em língua Portuguesa ( http://www.pambazuka.org/pt ) Edition française ( http://www.pambazuka.org/fr ) RSS Feeds available at http://www.pambazuka.org/en/newsfeed.php Pambazuka News is published with the support of a number of funders, details of which can be obtained here ( http://www.pambazuka.org/en/about.php ) . 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