Tuesday 8 November 2011

Dr Murray branded a public risk









IT was the reckless injection of a powerful and dangerous hospital drug that sparked the most ­sensational trial in pop history.
And last night, Michael Jackson’s disgraced personal physician headed for the cells with the words of a judge who branded him a “danger to the public” ringing in his ears.
The 58-year-old heart doctor was found guilty of killing the tragic star at his Los Angeles home in June 2009 with a lethal ­injection of the anaesthetic propofol to help him sleep as he prepared for his comeback tour at the O2 in London.

Hundreds of Jacko fans gathered outside the court cheered wildly and waved banners with pictures of the King of Pop when the unanimous verdict were read out shortly after 9pm.

Minutes later the disgraced physician was handcuffed and led ­unceremoniously from the building.

Dr Murray showed no emotion as the verdict was read out by a court clerk - to a stifled gasp from the public gallery. It said: “We find the defendant guilty of the crime of involuntary manslaughter.”

He peered over at the jury when they were asked in turn if the decision had been their’s and their’s alone by judge Michael Pastor.

After a brief discussion with the defence team, Mr Pastor remanded Dr Murray in custody “taking into his account his reckless behaviour and public safety”.

Violence Indaba!!

POLICE were unable to act to prevent the violence that forced MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai to call off a planned weekend rally because they had been banned from the event, President Robert Mugabe said on Monday.

The MDC-T claims police details “stood-by and watched” as dozens of its supporters were attacked and property damaged when Zanu PF activists stormed a football ground in Chitungwiza where Tsvangirai was set to hold a rally on Sunday.

"They (police) watched us as these Zanu PF youths destroyed our property and assaulted our members," MDC-T secretary general Tendai Biti said after the disturbances.

Tsvangirai confronted Mugabe at their weekly meeting on Monday, but the Zanu PF leader said the MDC-T had contributed to the problems by insisting that it did not want police at its gatherings.

“The President intimated to him (PM Tsvangirai) that the Police Commissioner-General (Augustine Chihuri) was not at the venue of the clashes and had not deployed in Chitungwiza because the MDC-T made it clear to the police that they were not welcome to their meetings as the MDC-T was able to police itself,” Mugabe’s spokesman George Charamba told state media.

"(The) Prime Minister (was told) that the Police Commissioner-General can only deploy where he is wanted and where an incident has happened, the Commissioner-General will move in on the strength of the law. That was made clear to the Prime Minister."

Despite Mugabe’s reluctance to blame the police for failing to bring the violence under control, he and Tsvangirai agreed to call a meeting of the Zanu PF central committee and the national executive committees of the two MDC factions on Friday where leaders of the three parties will speak out against violence."

“We have now agreed that on Friday we are going to convene a meeting of Central Committee and national executive councils of the three parties to discuss the issue of political violence,” Tsvangirai told reporters on Monday.

He, however, warned that the violence could undermine preparations for elections expected to be held early next year.

A date for the poll is set to be agreed once the ongoing constitutional reforms are completed.
“We will come up with a date but of course with conditions for credible elections... if the current situation prevails then the elections will be a sham," Tsvangirai said.

Sunday 30 October 2011

TBA and fiancée die in South Africa car crash.....RIP



By Michael Chipato
One of Zimbabwe’s leading urban music producers Sipho Mkhuhlani aka TBA The Playboy (28) has died together with his fiancée Theresa Tafirenyika aka Terri Fik after they were involved in a car accident this morning on their return from the launch of his album at Chez Ntemba International Club in Pretoria.
Sipho Mkhuhlani aka TBA was Chief Executive Producer of the Chigutiro signature.In a press release Nox Guni on behalf of Chigutiro Records announced the untimely death of Zimbabwean music producer TBA the Playboy. ‘He passed on late Sunday afternoon after spending the whole day on life support due to a fatal car crash that happened at 5am (Sunday morning). Sadly his fiancée passed on the spot. Six other passengers in the same vehicle survived with minor injuries.
TBA would be remembered for fathering Urban Grooves music in 2001 at Squad Studio with the likes of Roki, Stunner, Nox, Ngonie, Maskiri,Honey Vibes, XQ, Tererai, Cindy, Shayedingz, Jerry and many more. He produced many smash hits such as Ngonie-Wakaenda, Roki-Suzana, Maskiri-Zverudo-Wenera,Nox-Ini Ndada and loads more.At the time of his death he had just finished recording his first album,a tragic return from a launch!The ‘Chigutiro’ label issued a statement seeking comfort and prayers for both families who have much loved but lost prime lives.
Musician and Producer Jusa Dementor, joined in to express his shock over the loss and described it as sad and ‘premature loss to our industry’. Jusa added that may this be ‘a lesson for us to appreciate our young talent whilst it’s still in our midst.’
RIP in Peace TBA....

Thursday 20 October 2011

Last Pictures of Gaddaffi

Gadaffi dies....End of an era!

Gaddafi killed as his hometown falls Daphne Benoit and Jay Deshmukh
October 21, 2011 - 1:44AM

Veteran Libyan strongman Muammar Gaddafi has been killed by new regime forces in their final assault on the last pocket of resistance in his hometown Sirte.

"We announce to the world that Gaddafi has been killed at the hands of the revolution," National Transitional Council (NTC) spokesman Abdel Hafez Ghoga said on Thursday in the eastern city of Benghazi.

"It is an historic moment. It is the end of tyranny and dictatorship. Gaddafi has met his fate," he added.

Advertisement: Story continues below Another NTC commander said one of Gaddafi's sons, Mutassim, was also killed in Sirte.

"We found him dead. We put his body and that of (former defence minister) Abu Bakr Yunis Jabar in an ambulance to take them to Misrata," said Mohamed Leith.

NTC fighters who had fought in the bloody seven-month conflict that toppled the veteran despot at a cost of more than 25,000 lives, erupted in jubilation at the news, which followed earlier reports that Gaddafi had been captured.

A photograph taken on a mobile phone appeared to show the 69-year-old Gaddafi, toppled by NTC fighters in August, heavily bloodied.

In the poor-quality image, Gaddafi is seen with blood-soaked clothing and blood daubed across his face.

A video circulating among NTC fighters in Sirte showed mobile phone footage of what appeared to be Gaddafi's bloodied corpse.

In the grainy images, a large number of NTC fighters are seen yelling in chaotic scenes around a khaki-clad body, which has blood oozing from the face and neck.

The body is then dragged off by the fighters and loaded in the back of a pick-up truck.

News of Gaddafi's death came as new regime troops overran the last redoubt of his loyalists in Sirte, bringing to an end a two-month siege.

Fighters moving in from east and west overcame the last resistance in the city's Number Two residential neighbourhood where his diehard supporters had been holed up.

The defence minister in Gaddafi's ousted regime, Abu Bakr Yunis, was killed in the last battle, medics said.

"Sirte has been liberated, and with the confirmation that Gaddafi is dead," Libya has been completely liberated, a top NTC military official, Khalifa Haftar, told AFP in Tripoli.

"Those who were fighting with Gaddafi have either been killed or captured," he added.

Pick-up trucks blaring out patriotic music later criss-crossed the streets of Sirte, as fighters flashed V for victory signs and chanted Allahu Akbar (God is Greatest).

A lot of pick-up trucks are playing the new national anthem and other revolutionary songs.

"I am happy we have got revenge for our people who suffered for all these years and for those who were killed in the revolution. Gaddafi is finished," said fighter Talar al-Kashmi.

Gaddafi was wanted by the International Criminal Court on charges of crimes against humanity by Libyan leaders have said they want him to be put on trial in his home country.

A pro-Gaddafi television website however insisted the strongman remained at liberty.

"The reports peddled by the lackeys of NATO about the capture or death of the brother leader, Muammar Gaddafi, are baseless," said Al-Libiya television.

Gaddafi "is in good health", it insisted.

In Brussels, a NATO spokesman said two alliance aircraft on Thursday morning struck two pro-Gaddafi military vehicles near Sirte.

"At approximately 0830 local time (GMT+2) today, NATO aircraft struck two pro-Gaddafi forces military vehicles which were part of a larger group manoeuvring in the vicinity of Sirte," NATO spokesman Colonel Roland Lavoie said in a statement.

A NATO diplomat said checks were under way to verify reports by the NTC that the convoy in which Gaddafi was travelling was stopped by NATO strikes, and that the ousted despot was injured and captured at that time.

At NATO's Brussels headquarters, the alliance said it had "nothing to say" formally.

News of Gaddafi's death came as NTC troops overran the last redoubt of his loyalists in Sirte, bringing to an end a two-month siege.

Fighters moving in from east and west overcame the last resistance in the city's Number Two residential neighbourhood where his diehard supporters had been holed up.

The defence minister in Gaddafi's ousted regime, Abu Bakr Yunis, was killed in the last battle, medics.

"Sirte is free. The whole of Libya is free," said Khaled Ballam, field commander of the February 17 Brigade, which took part in the final assault.

"We had some clashes but there was no fierce resistance as many Gaddafi fighters were trying to escape rather than fight because they had no other option. The game is over."

Abdul Matlub Saleh, a fighter from the February 17 Brigade, said: "Every inch of the city is liberated. Our people are spread everywhere. There is no fighting. The gunfire that you are hearing is all celebrations."

Medics said that at least three NTC fighters were killed and 30 wounded on Thursday after 18 were killed and around 180 wounded the previous two days.

The death of Gaddafi and the fall of Sirte mark a milestone. Libya's new rulers had said that only once Sirte had fallen would they declare the country's liberation and begin the transition to an elected government.

In the end loyalist forces were limited to a tiny enclave of less than a square kilometre that had been completely cut off by the besieging NTC forces who controlled the entire seafront of the Mediterranean coastal city as well as all of its landward sides.

Sirte once had 100,000 inhabitants, almost all of whom have fled. Fierce artillery battles and heavy gunfire over the past month have not left a single building intact, while looting has become commonplace as NTC fighters take their revenge on the Gaddafi bastion.

Among the few natives of Sirte in NTC ranks, anger at the destruction wreaked on their home city by their comrades runs deep.

"We are not happy about what has been happening in our city. It is the only city that is getting so much destruction," said Ibrahim Alazhry.

© 2011 AFP

Tuesday 18 October 2011

Zimbabwe mourns sungura icon!

Heroism has been limited in recent times by national structures,political orientation,regionalism and narrowmindedness by social adjudicators....this has not stopped the nation attributing genuine hero status to sungura star Tongai Moyo! With millions of Zimbabweans having danced , swayed or girrated to his tunes at one time or another, the star has left an indelible mark on the Zimbabwean musical scene. The Muchina Muhombe star lived a philosophy of 'smartness'in both music and clobber and this shall be missed, his involvement in cancer centre projects in Southern Africa is a living footprint of his desire and willingness to safeguard life. Tongai Moyo shall be missed and may his soul rest in peace!!

Wednesday 12 October 2011

Nox Guni bids UK farewell in a Fab Afrique style!

Nox has been… and checked out for South Africa on Sunday afternoon following the urban groovers’ maiden UK tour which took the star to Coventry, London and Birmingham in what have been memorable shows against the pioneering challenges of being a freshman to the UK audience. The test is over and the diagnostic writing is on the wall…Noxmania gripped many!!
On Saturday night the urban grooves crooner registered a crack performance at a Fab Afrique fashion show at The Drum in Birmingham. Nox transcended the Zimbabwean fan base that many artists so much rely on by indelibly imprinting his musical mark before a wholly international audience.
FabAfriq launched an introductory print version of their magazine after a year of online publication. FabAfriq is an African lifestyle magazine, with particular emphasis on African inspired contents, contemporary fashion, features on culture, African cuisine, health and tourism, development and book reviews.
Tightly fitting for the occasion was Nox’s ambassadorial tune, ‘I wanna take you to Victoria Falls’ which pitched him high on the Afro-RNB musical logsheet.The theme of the night was "Fabulous African celebrating Black History”.
The event also showcased the Zimbabwean born African Fashion designer Thandi Haruperi of the ThandiWrap label, Palvika and many more to celebrate the rise of African Fashion at an international level. Nya King (Nyarai) a UK based Zimbabwean singer-songwriter joined hands with Nox to raise the Zimbabwean flag.
Fab Afriq Beryl-Ann PR and Communications Executive said ‘Nox is an impressive artist; he is just amazing and unique, he brings pride to the continent’.
Nox’ promoters Madboiz Entertainment were jubilant and upbeat about the shows and are already plotting Christmas gigs
Madboiz Entertainment continues to connect the diaspora with home grown talent to quench nostalgia and Zimbabwean musical thirst. Alex Mutoro, spokesperson for Madboiz Entertainment has announced that the journey continues, ‘Christmas time, Nox, King Shaddy and Ex-Q will scorch the UK festive season with a series of gigs’.

Sunday 2 October 2011

Nox Guni Checks in ahead of UK weekend gigs

Zimbabwean Urban Groove reigning King, Nox Guni arrived in England on Wednesday ahead of his maiden UK gigs with stages set in the West Midlands city of Coventry and London.
The Ndinoshuwa Urban Groove star checked in for the first time in UK on a promised satisfaction guaranteed musical mission for his fans and mellow lyrical journey galore! The gigs come at a time when Nox is a household name in Zimbabwe after an undoubted successful year with hits like Wenera rigidly immovable and topping the charts for more than six months.
Speaking exclusively to NewZimbabwe.com Nox said ‘I promise fireworks, the wildest performance ever. Currently Wenera and Vasikana Vanoda continue to top the charts on Power FM! What more can I say, come and be part of the experience’.
During the visit Nox Guni shall be a guest artist at Zimbabwe House, Tourist Office, London ahead of Sanganayi /Hlanganai Tourism Expo Zimbabwe World Travel & Tourism Fair from the 10th to the 12th of October 2011 in Harare at the International Conference Centre Towers. ZTA (UK) Information and marketing spokesperson Felicia Mujaidi welcomed the young artist to the reception to see off media and business representatives from UK, Ireland, Nordics and Baltic States.
Nox’s promoters MAD Boiz Ents are currently embarking on promoting upcoming African musicians especially from Zimbabwe and said, ‘We certainly hope that this will be the beginning of a very fruitful and successful relationship’. The aim is to pace set upcoming artist within international musical space.

Sunday 3 July 2011

Language and culture

The language tragedy: By Michael Chipato
Many sociolinguists have emphasized on how language inevitably carries the core values of any given culture. In other words when one chooses a language they also inevitably choose a culture. I wish to stir some turbulent waters in the language debate and at the same time rekindle the love for vernacular languages amongst Zimbabweans both at home and in the Diasporas.

For me to use the English language in this article appears to be the first contradiction as I will be encouraging both the young and old to embrace their first languages as they are part and parcel of an individual’s identity. Ngugi Wa’Thiongo argues that within the context of the colonial experience, ‘Speaking and writing in the language of the colonizers will naturally be different than in the language one speaks while at play or with one's family. In addition, the language of the colonizer is often a truly foreign one: segments of society understand it badly, if at all, and so certain audiences can not be reached by works in these imposed languages’. The essence of language is communication and the moment a child from Zimbabwe fails to communicate with Grandmother when he /she goes kumusha, becomes tragic.
A lot has been written in literature and for theatre about the loss of culture as individuals half digestedly embrace foreign languages and their respective cultures. There is nothing wrong with the use of English and the respective culture, but there is a sad tragedy in the way things are today where a 10 year old boy who arrived in the UK six months back miraculously loses his native language to the point where it becomes extinct even in the home. The problem appears to be the parents who are often heard saying ‘Tee haachagoni Shona uyo…’ (Tee can’t speak Shona anymore)
A domestic social context that embraces the excessive use of other people’s languages at the expense of one’s own is essentially destructive. Language has the potential to take us further from ourselves to other selves, from our world to other worlds. This is the tragedy of the migrant communities across the globe. What communities lack is the ability to hold on to that which defines them.
Speaking during a telephone interview Mbuya Zvabva said that she was nauseated by the extent of irresponsible cultural neglect in parents who do not make an effort to teach their children their mother languages at home, let alone use them for everyday commmunication. ‘Pavanotofonera handivanwzisisi, pavakauya kumusha handina kumbomunzwa ini, aingotaura chingezi chete. Baba vake vakati haachagoni Shona. Zvakandirwadza kutadza kutaura nemuzukuru wangu nepamusana pekusagona Shona kwake , iye ari MuShona’. This social lamentation by Mbuya is just the tip of the iceberg; there are endless examples that are likely ringing bells in your mind as you read this.
Even in the wake of diffusionism and acculturation as inevitable in the context of the world we live in as a global village, it remains imperative for all generations to hold onto the core values of a people, their language, identity and this inevitably builds dignity and respect in the communities we live in. The danger with half- digested consumption of foreign culture, language, value systems and other anthropological concepts is that when you make a mistake it exposes and ridicules you more. Alfred Masayire from Luton said that, ‘The best thing to recognize you as somebody from somewhere is your language, how would you identify yourself as Ndebele outside the linguistic framework?’
Sandra Brown from Birmingham blasted Africans who have no pride in their identity and language saying that ‘I am angered by Africans who promote cultural loss by not promoting the use of vernacular languages in the home’. There is no doubt that English and other languages are key in business and commerce, but English is not a value asset for cultural sustenance.
Those who have disconnected themselves and family from VanaMbuya ekhaya, they become fixed in the no-mans zone and both ends of the cultural battlefield may fail to call you their own.

Disaster management failures in tanker explosion

Disaster management failures in tanker explosion
02/07/2011 00:00:00
by Michael Chipato

THE recent fuel tanker accident, spillage and explosion in Harare presents a gargantuan challenge on the country’s chemical incident management systems at a time when risk and safety management are compromised by economic and developmental hurdles.

With the death toll of 11 people in this one tragedy, there are lessons that must be learnt by the government, disaster management stakeholders and members of the public.

After a similar Kenyan blast and explosion incident, transferable lessons remain valid within national, continental and global contexts. Similar blasts are not a rarity in Nigeria, where people tap gas pipelines to pilfer fuel for cooking or for resale on the booming black market.

In another tragic accident in 2006, a gasoline blast killed 200 people in Nigeria. In all these cases, poor government regulation, inadequate licensing and inspection enforcement and control of hazardous materials were to blame.

The fire and rescue service, police, hospitals and other incident management responders have a collective responsibility to protect the public in situations like these. The effective support from these stakeholders calls for candid public participation, cooperation, commitment and engagement. Each one of these stakeholders must execute their roles in a well-coordinated, efficient and effective manner.

Efficiency can technically be achieved through application of systematic guidelines and operational parameters, by which actions should follow for an intended safety outcome. Existing guidelines available to government departments must be followed through and through in incident management situations, if effectiveness and efficiency are to be attainable.

What guidelines were available for the driver of the fuel tanker to follow at the time of the accident? Did the driver follow them? Did the public respond accordingly to the directives made by emergency personnel? Similar to the Kenyan scenario, scores of residents rushed to the tanker with containers to collect the fuel. Risk perception, hazard awareness and safety consciousness totally lacked and the consequences were tragic, 11 lives lost and many injuries.

The response times to incidences must be rigidly set within timelines. Arriving at a petrol fuel tanker accident scene after forty or so minutes raises response time concerns.The Fire and Rescue Service's response times are important in disaster management and the City of Harare’s Fire Brigade arrived at the scene within an hour of the explosion, and still struggled to put off the fire.

Chemical incident management involves more of seclusion of the public from the area of exposure to the hazard. The incident area police cordon is an imperative. Incident scene management is central and the presence of professional personnel to manage the incident is crucial.

Incidences must be ranked hierarchically in order to necessitate a response action that meets the situational needs. There must be command structures set up to variably deal with different types of incidences, Zimbabwe needs these to be clearly in place in order to have appropriate intervention systems.

Some countries the like the UK have Bronze, Silver, Gold command structures set to respond in different disaster magnitudes and incident category. For terrorism related incidences, the state takes charge.

From the media accounts on the tanker explosion, it’s not clear if there was an incident commander to coordinate the emergency services. The taxpayer’s entitlement to safe environments and protection must be guaranteed by the police service and this needs to be reflected in the strategic monitoring of hazardous materials transportation.

The presence of legislation in the form of the Environmental Management Act Chapter 20:7 breathes life to hopeless situations as it ensures regulation and monitoring of the discharge or emission of any pollutant or hazardous substance into the environment.

The public relations manager of the Environmental Management Agency (EMA), Steady Kangata’s reaffirmation that his organisation would intensify educational awareness on environmental issues and dangerous substances must transcend the rhetoric. The broad knowledge base development for communities and workers in industries needs to be intensified. Hazardous material spillage containment, clean-ups and on-site mediation require proper planning and training for emergency responders.

Public hazard perception coupled with safety management systems for such disasters must be synchronised well and coordinated within a systematic approach which in this case was clearly absent during the blast. Health and safety enforcement is a core element in chemical incident auditing and management. Transporters of hazardous materials must have trained drivers and vehicle safety specifications must be complied with.

Public awareness through media campaigns is another imperative and collective responsible conscientisation must be perceived as a national responsibility necessary for public safety. Media houses and media stakeholders must maintain the appropriate levels of sensitivity and portray disasters with professional sensitivity and responsibility.

Takura Zhangazha, the executive director of the Voluntary Media Council of Zimbabwe issued a statement to express concern regarding some of the images that were published by various newspapers, who appeared to give little regard to the bereaved families. Again, responsibility at all levels must be evident as steered by Section 14 of the VMCZ Media Code of Conduct (MCC).

Some members of the public undoubtedly played responsible roles to save life, yet some acted in ways that are of concern by putting themselves in the line of danger.

Perhaps the crudest lesson learnt is that it is never safe loot goods from a chemical incident scene. It’s an important question: would there have been so many deaths if the fuel siphoning rush had not happened?

The incident must awaken the government to engage in community awareness campaigns against the culture of looting at scenes of accidents through intense outreach enforcement initiatives against non-compliance. Lack of public commitment to safety and precautionary attitudes need to be reinforced by legal enforcement procedures which legislators have a responsibility to shape more rigorously.

The control of substances hazardous to health must be integrated into the curriculum in a stance to ensure an educated society. Occupational Health, Safety and Environment professionals are needed to complement the existing Environmental personnel.

In a reactive response, EMA launched a blitz against haulage truck drivers who carry dangerous substances without permits; this is a good start which must not end if human life is to be protected. EMA fines transporters of hazardous and toxic substances like petrol, diesel and acids at least US$2,000. The challenge is ‘enforcement’.

Firemen's basic agent for fire extinguishing is water, but it is not the best method all the time. Sadly, the Harare Fire Brigade did not carry the basic fire extinguishing water and discovered that the fire hydrants near the scene of the accident were vandalised. The fire service should have Material Data Sheets (MDS) with all the relevant data about appropriate extinguishing methods like carbon dioxide, dry powder or foam. Emergency preparedness and routine fire fighting drills should pick up and deal with such logistical flaws. This is unacceptable, period!

The fire and rescue services fleet of vehicles were last upgraded in 1991 and that technological gap must be addressed through lobbying for government’s budgetary commitment in risk and safety management requirements. Local authorities must continuously train firemen and the police force must always be prepared for emergencies. It is shocking for such safety agencies to openly express lack of preparedness for petrol tanker explosions.

The lessons to be learnt by stakeholders, especially in the handling of hazardous substances, is that the country must steer the risk and safety management strategies that collectively engage members of the public.

As the lessons sink deeper into the Zimbabwean citizenry, sincere condolences to all who lost their loved ones!

Michael Chipato works in the field of cccupational health, safety and the environment

Friday 17 June 2011

Winky D...Rocks USA, Canada

Winky D mania grips US and Canada

By : Michael Chipato

‘Messi We Reggae’ Winky D has rolled up a series of US and Canada gigs in style. The tour which kicked off in Dallas TX on May 20 at 2 Kats Live rubber stamped his ever rising musical stardom with a magnetic attraction of capacity crowds.

Flanked by Cee Jay Besa,a US based musician and promoter, Winky D rocked Edmonton Canada at Duggan Community Hall with his lyrical creativity and energy.Winky D has mutated into a household name and has a growing legion of fans following hits like Musarova Bigman and Pakaita Controversy.

Although there was a strong Zimbabwean presence Winky D certainly gained new fans across the social divides to affirm the connection his music has on the global musical forah.A Canadian sound engineer Chris from On The Rox Concert Hall said, "I have done sound for Beenie Man, Tony Matterhorn, Mary J Blige and Lil Wayne , Even though I don’t understand some of the words, I can tell you that Winky D rates highly as an international artist of the highest calibre and standards to match or better most the artists I’ve worked with".

The final showdown was in Cincinnati Ohio where Winky D was the highlight of the Zim Expo Business Emporium which is held annually in USA, Canada and UK.

Meanwhile Winky D arrived home in Zimbabwe on Wednesday after the tour and stated emphatically through his facebook page "di tour was ninjaful,yard mi deh finally.WAGWAN MANINJA". U.Z.O United for Zimbabwean Orphans and Besa Music the promoters of Winky D North America tour said" Winky D and his team are a very professional crew and great team players. We enjoyed working with them on such a successful tour’.

Video Link For Live in Toronto
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQtXP6JhpbU

Michael Chipato

Michael Chipato
Media and Social Consultant

Michael delivering a paper- Journalism in a Dictatorship

Michael delivering a paper- Journalism in a Dictatorship
Michael Chipato adresses EU journalists

Tuku meets Mike in Birmingham 2008

Tuku meets Mike in Birmingham 2008
Bvuma!

Backing vocalist for Alick Macheso in Liecester with Mike

Backing vocalist for Alick Macheso in Liecester with Mike
Afrobeat at its Best!

Macheso crew in Liecester 2008

Macheso crew in Liecester 2008

Lord Mayor, Jeff and Tawanda

Lord Mayor, Jeff and Tawanda
Exhibition Official launch , Birmingham 08

Michael and Chiwoniso Maraire , an exiled musician. Now lives in the USA

Michael and Chiwoniso Maraire , an exiled musician. Now lives in the USA
Mike and Chioneso Maraire in Birmingham 08

About Me

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Birmingham, West Midlands, United Kingdom
Michael Chipato is a social and development scientist currently living in Birmingham.Over the years issues pertaining social inequalities, dictatorship, political oppression and gender disparities have been his research focus.As an artist, journalist and academic Michael's philosophy of life is greatly influenced by Léopold Sédar Senghor (9 October 1906 – 20 December 2001) ... a Senegalese poet, politician, and cultural theorist who served as the first president of Senegal (1960–1980). Senghor was the first African to sit as a member of the Académie française. He was also the founder of the political party called the Senegalese Democratic Bloc. He is regarded by many as one of the most important African intellectuals of the 20th century. Senghor created the concept of Négritude, an important intellectual movement that sought to assert and to valorize what they believed to be distinctive African characteristics, values, and aesthetics..He does not condone oppression and violence in any shape or form.

Michael Chipato

Michael Chipato
Michael interviews Lord Mayor in Birmingham

What else do you want to see on my blog

Zimbabweans hang in the balance

Zimbabweans hang in the balance