Friday, June 11, 2010

AFRICAN ARTISTS & SOCCER PLAYERS AT THE FIFA KICK OF CEREMONY IN SOUTH AFRICA!


She says it all; the excitement, the joy, the adrenaline rush ...love it

Zambinamina Ehe Waka Waka...
Check it out, HERE

The gals from Freshlyground performed w/Shakira



Vieux Farka Toure the son of the late Ali Farka Toure & Will I.A.M
Check Vieux , HERE


Angelique and the Black Eye Peas

Soccer star Sulleyman Ali S.

A mix of some the artists present at the FIFA Kick Off Ceremony

The SA team that's playing against Mexico hoy:)

Of course there wouldn't be a great night without the BEP
Check them out, HERE

Vusi and the Soweto Gospel Choir
Check them out, HERE

Handsome player from Cameroun, Stephane Mbia

South African Host Pabi Moloi

African American player Maurice Edu on the left getting ready for their game

Ghana in the building

South Africaaaaaaaaaaaa

Miss Shakira gave it her whole yesterday

Alicia did an awesome job and looked radiant
You can see a clip, HERE


Drogbacite dans le building

Tinarew ou le Touareg Blues
HERE


Senegalese soccer star Patrick Vierra

........

Miss Lira
Check her out, HERE


South African team

Femi Kuti & Hugh Masekela

Kevin Prince Boateng from Ghana

Wave your flags..awesome energy K'Naan
Check it out, HERE

Angelique & John Legend
Check her out, HERE


Khaled representing for Algerie

Soccer fans representing for their countries

Les Elephants de la Cote d'Ivoire

Amadou & Mariam were there to celebrate Mali
Check them out, HERE


The fierce and very talented Thandiswa at the Opening Ceremony

Etoo and the rest of Cameroon team practicing in South Africa

Cutie Jerome Boateng for Germany

South African artists Capsol & Tumi celebrating the Kick Off Ceremony

Hey guys I hope you waved your flags yesterday during the kick off ceremony:)
I watched parts of it yesterday and I was impressed by the unity of the people in the stadium, the pride in their colors, the smiles, the joy, the excitement ..it made me want to be thereee.
I loved Angelique Kidjoe's performance of course ..you know I love her. Alicia Keys did a great job re-visiting some of her old top songs , Tinarew was true to themselves..they brought tradition to the stage..Shakira, K'Naan did awesome..I'm sure they must feel relieved by now..everybody was waiting for them...and expecting great things and they delivered :)

I also wanted to share my deepest condoleances with Mr Nelson Mandela and his family as they lost his great grand daughter yesterday to an unfortunate car accident after the kick off ceremony..R.I.P Zenani (she was just 13 years old..sad)

In other news,there are 6 African nations represented at the FIFA 2010:
-Nigeria
-Algeria
-South Africa
-Ghana
-Ivory Coast
-Cameroun

Today South Africa is playing against Mexico. Wishing them a whole lot of luck..:)
Wil keep u posted anyways!!
www.fifa.com

Djaa It's time for Africa:)
Eyee Wayee:)


Thursday, June 03, 2010

DIELLE NDIAYE AND HER JEWELRY LINE, LADY SOUL REBEL!







It's funny how after having just been email and facebook friend ,Dielle feels like a little sister to me. This talented and smart Halpulaar princess is the original creator of the afrochic jewelry called
"Lady Soul Rebel". What started as a passion and hobby could def' become something bigger that even Dielle is predicting for herself. As they say dream a bigger dream for yourself. Anywhoo I wanted you guys to get to know her and her designs better, so here's a little interview with Dielle N'Diaye..enjoy:)

1/Hey miss Dielle could you introduce yourself to us?
My name is Dielle N'Diaye I am a young Senegalese woman who resides in Nancy, France.
Je suis Dielle N'DIAYE une jeune femme de 27 ans d'origine sénégalaise. Je vis à Nancy en France.

2. Dielle what's your ethnicity and how connected are your to your tribal origins?
I am Halpularr, my parents are from the village Thilogne in the Fouta region. Being Halpulaar is not just speaking the Fulani language but it's also being the guardian of social values passed on generation to generation (the respect of the elders, courage and determination in front of life obstacles)
J'appartiens à l'ethnie halpulaar, mes parents viennent d'un village du Fouta qui s'appelle Thilogne. Etre halpulaar pour moi, ce n'est pas seulement parler le pulaar ( peuhl), c'est aussi porter des valeurs transmises depuis des générations ( le respect des aînés, le courage devant l'adversité...)
3. How did you fall in love with jewelry design?
As a little girl, I remenber loving beautiful things, fashion, accessories, drawing..I actually used to draw a lot but I wasn't designing yet really. I love jewelry and earrings, I collect them, buy them and offer them as gifts and now I design them:) Desing came naturally to me, after I finished my Masters in Communication, I couldn't find a job, so I worked retail and became a supervisor in a school,when my contract was over, I decided to design in the meantime..
I use leather,metal and wax fabric that I absolutely adore, there are so many things we can do with that fabric.I would also like to work as a PR in the entertainenment and cultural industry Inch'Allah
Depuis tte petite, j'aime les belles choses, la mode, les accessoires, le dessin...Je dessinais très souvent mais je ne créais pas vraiment. J'adore les bijoux et les boucles d'oreilles, je les collectionne, j'en achète, j'en offre et maintenant j'en créée. La création est venue naturellement. En fait, lorsque j'ai fini mes études de communication ( Master Information Communication), je n'ai pas trouvé de job, donc j'ai travaillé comme vendeuse et ensuite comme surveillante dans un collège, ensuite, lorsque mon contrat s'est terminé, je me suis mise à créér pour ne pas rester sans activité le temps de retrouver un nouveau travail.
Je souhaite travailler en tant que responsable de communication dans l'évènementiel ou dans le secteur culturel inshallah.

Dans la création de mes bijoux, j'utilise du métal, du cuir, mais aussi du fil, du tissus wax, j'adooore ! Ya tellement de possibilités avec ce tissus !

4.What's the name of your brand, what does it represent and mean?
Ok Lady Soul Rebel, well everyone knows what lady means but Soul Rebel is a song by Bob Marley that I like a lot.
I love soul music. Rebel also means to be ourselves,it's the idea to refuse a frozen word. Fashion, beauty are things that change all the time.I like being able 2 express who we are, by being unique, original, being a rebel is being beautiful.
Lady Soül Rebel : Lady: demoiselle et Soul Rebel, un titre de Bob Marley que j'aime beaucoup. J'aime bien ce nom là !
J'adore la soul music aussi . Rebel, c'est l'idée de ne pas se conformer aux codes établis, c'est refuser l'idée d'un monde figé. La mode, la beauté c'est relatif, ça évolue tt le temps. J'aime l'idée de s'affirmer, même si on n'a pas le même style ke tt le monde. Etre original, unique. Etre rebelle, c'est êtreBelle !
5. What does Africa mean to you, it seems to be a recurrent theme in your work?
I love Africa, matter of fact I'm in love with Africa, its people, its values, the culture, the history, the art forms, the fashion, style basically its wealth. Africa's map is a logo on its own.! It has so much history and I'm proud to be from Africa.
J'adore l'Afrique, j'en suis amoureuse même, les gens, les valeurs, la culture, l'histoire, l'art, la mode, le style, en gros, la richesse !
La carte de l'Afrique, pour moi, c'est un logo à elle seule ! Elle évoque tellement de choses ! de bonnes ondes en tt cas. Et puis, pour moi, c'est une fierté d'être originaire de ce continent .
6. What is in store for Lady Soul Rebel in the future?
Regarding Lady Soul Rebel, I will keep designing always and forever. I would also to create a line of tee shirts made up of bio cotton with positive messages, ethnochic dresses.My ultimate dream would be to open a shop and export my products all over the world. I would also like to work in partnership with Mind Spirit I love their beautiful tee shirts Africa United.
Mes plans futurs pour les bijoux: tjrs créer, encore et tjrs ! développer ma créativité, lancer une ligne de tshirt à messages positifs en coton bio, créer des robes ethnochics et mon rêve, ouvrir une boutique et exporter mes produits all over the world inshallah ! et aussi travailler en partenariat avec Mind Spirit et ses beaux t-shirt Africa United !!!

7. Who are some of your fav' fashion designers?
Sadio Bee, Martial Tapolo (love his dresses), Shanaelle Creation, Ibo Queen, Oumou Sy, Mame Fagueye Ba, Maimour a bazin designer from Mali, June ,Bezem y Mailan..
I also love the bijoux sold at the Sandaga market in Dkr, Diaga Diaw, Boxing Kitten , Cote Minou ..I'm sure that I'm forgetting some.Missoni, Isabel Marrant, Balmain, and the handbags by Jerome Dreyfus, Imane Ayissi
Créateurs africains et autres : sadio bee, martial tapolo ( love ses robes !), shanaelle création, ibo queen, oumou sy, mame faguèye ba, Maïmour du mali avec ses bazins ki rendent fou lol, June, Bezem y Mailan...
J'aime aussi beaucoup les bijoux qu'on trouve au marché de Sandaga à Dakar, j'aime aussi Diaga Diaw, boxing kitten, côté minou...j'en oublie certainement. Missoni, Isabel Marant, Balmain, Jérôme Dreyfus pr les sacs ! et aussi Imane Ayissi !
8. How does your family feel abt your artistic business and passion?
My family supports me, they encourage me and sometimes believe in me more than I do mysell lol
Ma famille m'encourage ! Ils sont plutôt fiers de moi, ils croient en moi ( parfois même plus que moi ! lol)
9. What are some of your hobbies?
I like to sleep and eat.But more seriously I like to cook, decorate, read and exercice ..yes I do lol
manger et dormir lol, je suis très gourmande. Plus sérieusement, j'aime cuisiner, décorer, lire et faire du sport, si si lol
10. Which designer would u be honored to wear?

Martial Tapolo, je rêve de porter une de ses robes !!!!

11. What is a day in the life of Dielle ?
I work out, I design, look for work, go online bref a regular life
Je fais du sport, je créé, je cherche du travail, je surfe sur le net j'ai une vie banale en fait.
12. What would make you happy in general in your life?
I would like a simple life with my loved ones. My dearest dream this year is to get married to the man that I love. Of course grow Lady Soul Rebel and be there for my family and friends. I also would love to have children, twins would be perfect.
J'aspire à une vie simple entourées de mes proches. Mon voeux le plus cher pour cette année c'est d'épouser l'homme que j'aime et d'être heureuse. Développer Lady Soül Rebel et être présente pr ma famille et mes amis. Avoir des enfants, des jumeaux, j'adorerais!

13. Who are some of your fav' artists?
Salif Keita, Mickaël Jackson, Bob Marley, Dwélé, Musiq Soulchild, Aïssate ( artiste haalpulaar et amie ), Jill Scott, Youssou N'Dour, Baaba Maal...
14.Have you a chance yet to travel through Africa, and what countries would you like to visit?
No I haven't had that chance yet, but I would love to visit Mali, Mauritania, Kenya, South Africa...and many others!
Non, je n'ai pas encore eu cette chance, mais j'adorerais : le mali, la mauritanie, le kenya, l'Afrique du Sud...et tellement d'autres !

15. What is the quote or saying you live by?
I would say to try 2 remain the same and since it's not always easy I would say: "everything that happens, good or bad to take it and run with it...God is the one that decides everything."
Rester soi-même, mais comme c'est pas tjrs évident, je dirais : Tt ce qui t'arrive, de bon ou mauvais, prends le...ça vient de Dieu et t'y peux rien.

16. Why is Africa the future?
Africa has always been the future, but unfortunately with slavery, colonization, we are jut a bit late however I believe that Africa is the leader of the pack and it is up to us to make it happen otherwise who will do it for us?
Africa is the future: je pense que ça l'a tjrs été en réalité, c'est juste que , avec tt ce ki s'est passé, esclavage, colonisation, on a pris du retard ! Je crois en l'Afrique qui mène la danse ! C'est aussi une façon de dire, c'est à nous de la faire avancer, sinon ki le fera ?
17. What's the best advice your mama ever gave you?
Mum often tells me "Ren Hoorema" which means "be careful and remenber who you are" basically be careful at what you do and how you act.
Ma maman me dit souvent " Ren hoorema !" en peuhl ça signifie " Fais attention à toi, n'oublies pas qui tu es " donc en gros, fais attention à tes actes et à ton comportement.

18. Can you share with us some of your beauty essentials, come on sis les secrets ..les secrets lol?
I can't live without my Nivea creme, shea butter and balm and khol for my eyes . I also use Nuxe handcream, it's great
Je ne peux pas me passer de ma crème Nivea, de beurre de karité et de baume à lèvres et aussi de khôl pr les yeux lol
Je mets aussi de la crème pr les mains de la marque Nuxe, très efficace !

19.How important is spirituality to you?
I am Muslim and I try to live my life in respect with my religion. I believe that it makes me a better person
Spiritualité: Islam, je suis musulmane, j'essaye d'être pieuse ds ma vie et ds mes actes. Je pense que cette belle religion fais de moi une personne meilleure.

20- What are you sure about in life?
That God is the Allmighty
You can view more of her work, on this video:
If you would like to be in touch with her, here's her information:

Dielle, I'm so proud of your work, the sweet way you carry yourself, wish you the best with "Lady Soul Rebel" and can't wait to Inch'Allah visit the store..go on with your bad self:)
Djaaa my Senegalese sistas sont graveeeeee:)
Eyeee Wayee:)

VICKIE REMOE DOHERTY, DI BIGGEST SWIT MOT NA SALONE!





Get your talk'on Salone gal ,Mrs Vickie Remoe Doherty
Love to see a proud Fabulafricana pursuing her dreams and doing it
Well you know "she gots to keep her pretty'on"
Love reading about young ladies like this, coming up with an idea , putting it through reality in our sweet Africa.
She studied in America and returned home in 2007, there she decided to use her gift for talking and turn into something positive. She came up with the idea of creating her own talk show which is called "The Vickie Remoe Show".
Of course as any fresh entrepreneur,money was an issue but her parents chipped in and little by little she's walking her walk.
The show airs every friday at 10:30 PM on SLBSTV on Salone TV. It must be an awesome feeling for to see the labor of her work shaping up. She reminds a bit of Jenn Hudson. I was going through some of her work on youtube and I find her energy contagious, I love that she wears a lot of dresses with african influence ect...bref I like this Salone gal. Apart from her TV show, she's also a local radio personality and a magazine director for CANOE Magazine.
Here's her webbie:
Oh She's a blogger as well:
You can view some of her previous shows ,HERE
Djaaa our Salone gals sont dedans:)
Eyeee Wayeee:)

KAKENYA NTAIYA GIVES BACK THROUGH HER GIRLS ACADEMY!




Kakenya and her girls at her Girls Academy
Photo by Kate Cummings

Kakenya's girls and their school bags
Sometimes all that a little girl needs is a bit of attention:)

It took a while for the girs to receive their uniforms which in Kenya officially means among their peers that "they are representing" for their school

Photo by Kate Cummings

La petite a gauche fait son malin deee , lol

Good morning guys:)
Hope everyone is doing great, and ready to take on this day, be productive & hopeful:)
Let's go!

Kakenya Ntaiya ..Kakenya , just another extraordinary woman!
She is of the Masai tribe and belongs to the Enoosaen village, she grew up in a lovely family of 8 children. At the age of 5 years old, when some of us were playing with our dolls,she was engased set to be married at the age of 13.
While some of us were being spoiled rotten little girls, she was helping her mother in the farm, learning already how to be responsible.
While attending primary school she saw a glimpse of what hapipness could be like through her teachers; the way they were dressed, their knowledge..this was it! She wanted to become a teacher !
Her mother years ago wasn't so lucky, she dropped out of school to be a full time mother and wife, she sometimes suffered through the violent hands of her husband but always encouraged her children to be all that they could be.
Don't be fooled by the calm nature of Kakenya, behind her sweet smile, is wood determination, & strength. In order to pursue her studies,she knew that in her tribe she neeeded to receive the approval of the men . There's a tradition within her community that says that if someone come ask you for anything very early in the morning before the sunrise you have to agree and say yes. This is how she received the approval of every male member of her tribe and upon receiving an American scholarship, she was on her way to America with some financial donation from her village.
In America, she applied herself academically and is today pursuing a PHD in International education. I've noticed that education and women empowerement are 2 big things in Kenya, this is not the first time on this blog that I talk about individuals and ONG's efforts to resolve those social issues within the Kenyan society..that's awesome:)
Kakenya has built in her village the Kakenya Excellence center, a school academy for girls to encourage them and empower them so that they will become leaders themselves one day.
She's working closely with the teachers, the 63 students, the parents and the local government and sponsors that are helping her with this project. Her goal after finishing her studies, would be to return to her lovely village and help out as much as she can her girls.The girl academy teaches girls traditional subjects such as math, geography, english, swahili,but what impressed me the most is that they are adding health classes to teach these young girls about their bodies, their menstrual cycles,their sexuality . They are also taught not to forget their culture and summer leadership workshops are also set to take place in 2011..
Way to go Kakenya:)
Here's their official webbie:
Great interview, HERE
You can also make some donations, HERE
Djaa my Kenyan sistas sont dedans:)
Eyeee Wayeee:)