POCHI TAMBA NSOH: The African Woman is strong but needs to believe more in herself.

Who is Pochi TAMBA NSOH?
 
That is not an easy question. Friends call me Porsche, like the car but I am Pochi Tamba Nsoh. Passionate about making our society and world a live-able place with origins from Bambalang, a village in Ndop Sub-Division in the Ngoketunjia Division of the North West Region of Cameroon, I am a journalist. I have always wished to be a remarkable journalist, so I chip in my little bits daily to add value to lives in my Country. I also write and I am very involved in civil society activities that bring forth the rights and issues of people on the margin of society, such as the less privileged.

What drives Pochi?

  

I love giving and receiving smiles. I am very inquisitive and I enjoy being part of things happening around me. I am fueled by the love for humanity to keep lost values alive?.

What is your greatest influence?

I would not know that for sure. But let me rather share with you two things I do which have given a lot of depth and definition to my life, and for which I am proud. Since 2007, I have been working to keep some vulnerable children from dropping out of school by providing fees and other needs. Today, we can count over 60 of such. I have also been part of varied initiatives to sensitize communities on different social issues like rape, sex education, Family challenges, etc. I have no idea how much these actions have been, but I am definitely proud of myself each time I am able to add one step to this particular civil society advocacy journey. 

Also, in 2007, I started the Network of African Youths for Development (www.nayd.org) . 

It is today one of the greatest online meeting places (with thousands of youths and NGOs across over 40 countries as members) of African youths around the globe who believe in what they are doing and are working hard for a better tomorrow. 

Who are your top three role models? 

My models vary and change as the case may be. I greatly admire people who beat challenges or who are not afraid to go against the waves. I am a huge fan of Mother Teresa of Calcutta who left her people and her continent to go serve the poor in land that had nothing in common with hers, Christian Cardinal Tumi who till date is the simplest and most straightforward person I have ever met and  Whitney Houston whom God blessed with a voice that none has, and an inspiration that is rare to find.

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?

Still working hard as a journalist, and stealing some time off that passion to go do other things that my heart runs after. More time with communities and much more with family.

What are the challenges faced by African Women?

A decade + ago, African women had reasons to expect change following a much-heralded global conference that set ambitious targets to transform the lives of women across the world. This year marks the 22nd anniversary of that milestone event, the Fourth World Conference on Women, held in Beijing, China, in 1995, but like their counterparts elsewhere, African women are taking stock of progress and asking to what extent promised reforms have been implemented. They are also examining why progress has been limited in many countries and are seeking ways to overcome the obstacles.

In Africa specifically, women have made significant strides in the political arena over the past few years. The continental political body, the African Union (AU), took a major step by promoting gender parity in its top decision-making positions. In 2003 five women and five men were elected as AU commissioners. The following year, Ms. Gertrude Mongella was chosen to head the AU’s Pan-African Parliament, where women make up 25 per cent of members.

In Africa specifically, women have made significant strides in the political arena over the past few years. The continental political body, the African Union (AU), took a major step by promoting gender parity in its top decision-making positions. In 2003 five women and five men were elected as AU commissioners. The following year, Ms. Gertrude Mongella was chosen to head the AU’s Pan-African Parliament, where women make up 25 per cent of members.

In Africa specifically, women have made significant strides in the political arena over the past few years. The continental political body, the African Union (AU), took a major step by promoting gender parity in its top decision-making positions. In 2003 five women and five men were elected as AU commissioners. The following year, Ms. Gertrude Mongella was chosen to head the AU’s Pan-African Parliament, where women make up 25 per cent of members.

In Africa specifically, women have made significant strides in the political arena over the past few years. The continental political body, the African Union (AU), took a major step by promoting gender parity in its top decision-making positions. In 2003 five women and five men were elected as AU commissioners. The following year, Ms. Gertrude Mongella was chosen to head the AU’s Pan-African Parliament, where women make up 25 per cent of members.

The African Woman has made a number of signs of improvement in the last 3 decades Amy, but she is neither being heard nor understood, talk less of her being accepted as a different piece of beauty.
It is true some UN Special Advisers on Gender Issues and Advancement of Women  have been making moves to implement the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), a UN protocol, as well as the development of new policies and guidelines and creation of networks of gender experts, but a lot more is needed as the African woman continues to face not only widespread poverty, she also bears heavy labour burdens.

African women continue to face not only widespread poverty, but also heavy labour burdens.

 

What does Pochi do to relax herself?

I sing and listen to music. I also dance. I swim and I take long walks.

What is your ICE vision? 

I guess this is where I tell you that I inspired by anything that breaks a barrier and charts a new way forward. I celebrate such brains and I am of course empowered by that experience.

Any Plans for the African Union? 

It is true that many African women are still denied education and employment, and still have limited opportunities in trade, industry and government, but I have no plans yet for the AU.

We are all aware that despite achievements and progress made, African women face major challenges and obstacles,” says Dr. Farkhonda Hassan, chair of the UN Economic Commission for Africa’s Committee on Women and Development. For example, she says, the primary development policies in many countries, known as poverty reduction strategies, still do not take into account differences in income and power between men and women, hampering efforts to finance programmes that reduce inequality. In addition, she says, the majority of African women are still denied education and employment, and have limited opportunities in trade, industry and government.

African women have also successfully promoted agreements that advance their rights. By the end of last year, 51 of the 53 AU member countries had ratified CEDAW, adopted in 1979 by the UN General Assembly and often described as the international bill of rights for women. And in 2003 activists succeeded in persuading their heads of state to adopt a protocol on the rights of women. They are now lobbying states to take the final step and ratify the protocol to make it enforceable

Any advice for the African Woman?

Everybody seems to know better than an African woman, but ladies, do not let that bother you. It is because few come close enough to ever know that if they had your life, they will need ten pairs of hands to keep it  together. You are already strong, so no need saying you should be. Just believe more in yourself, and in something bigger than you. Also celebrate yourself, because each woman is a wonder of nature. And never stop celebrating all your little successes because one by one, they take you there.

MammyAfrika opens up on her unique and creative abilities that inspire the African woman to stand up, do things and create the difference.

Who is  MammyAfrika?

 Silvia BIH Asongwe AKA MammyAfrika, so passionate about creative pieces that make the man, giving an identity to the African woman, is a passion-driven young female entrepreneur who produces​ Eco-friendly accessories and Craft items for trendy, suburban lovers of creative pieces of art and beauty.

She is a single mother with roots in Mankon ntinkag, somewhere in the grass fields of the North West Region of Cameroon. As an "ex-geekess" (feminine for geek) who worked as Cisco Network/Systems Engineer in Uganda, where she juggled work along side handcraft work, she says it is easy to judge fashion and style as an unnecessary extension of our social needs, but fashion is not a figment of a bored, rich housewife's imagination, It’s about something else that comes from within you.

Growing up as a kid, MammyAfrika was exposed to parents who made lots of items and food products at home. In her early childhood, she had no idea what bread bought from a store tasted like because her dad baked everything the family needed. And as fashion is the subject of so many memorable passionate sartorial things  - from designers to models and actresses - MammyAfrika developed the habit of musing on her favourite. Naturally, being surrounded by such creative people automatically stirred up her desire to use her hands. This was expressed in her obsession in rearranging the living room over and over again, making and pasting Wall decorations, drawing, cutting out shapes from cardboards etc.

MammyAffrika's Love for Craft made her see Style (like Bill Blass) as primarily a matter of instinct. Everyone can be fashionable she admits, for fashion does not mean you try to be someone else. You can be fashionable regardless of age, shape, or profession. MammyAfrika holds strongly to the inspiration to be fashionable without spending beyond your budget. This gives her customers a deep sense of satisfaction who in their usual quest to have new and unique crafted designs,  make themselves.


 Motivated by a sister who loved doing necklaces, MammyAfrika decided to create something new, different and unique which will be loved by everyone.

As Lord Chesterfield said, When a person is in fashion, all they do is rght, MammyAfrika's fashionable pieces take everyone into consideration. Men like Women, yuppie, boys, girls and babies find beautiful unisex accessories( principally necklace sets) decorated clothes, shoes, purses and cozy Craft items for interior home decoration, crochet woven dining set chairs, side stools, tables and beautiful articles designed for office space. All African styled .

Being a small business owner in​ Cameroon has been very challenging for MammyAfrika who finds the environment difficult to break, given the lack of facilities and tools needed to speed up production. Another challenge she faces daily is the mindset of different people toward the consumption of home-made products. The limited consumption of local products hinders the producers and slows down purchase. MammyAfrika also thinks there's also a huge lack of a good understanding of our roots, and the need to embrace our culture​ to promote the Craft men and women who make  these items. MammyAfrika therefore looks forward to becoming a future household brand which will provide a Cameroonian-African identity we can all be proud of.

While in Uganda MammyAfrika had her first crazy hectic experience of a runway event for the contest of Miss Nkumba University. She was asked to dress up the contestants with her accessories. This got her distracted until she chose to starve her distraction with her focus with the projection of her beautiful and unique products. And like Anthony Burgess said: 'Women thrive on novelty and are easy meat for the commerce of fashion', the zest in the beauty of her fashionable and elegant products attracted so much much appreciation and screams from the audience that she got exhausted. She almost reconsidered what she was doing if it involved such hectic schedules.  For a long while as a stay-at-home mother, fashion weeks didn't fit well into her crazy schedules. One of the challenges she faced raising kids as a single mom.

Somehow, the challenge only made her more resilient and equal to the task despite the key low times. It became hard to concentrate on a piece of handwork when many cute little faces pulled her from every direction, demanding attention or making what suddenly seemed like buzzing sounds from a bee hive in her ears.

Since 2014 after a Louis Fame clothing line runway showcase, MammyAfrika has bee part of exhibitions at a movie festival and the FIAFA Fashion event,  exhibitions at bold and beautiful Camer Ladies, with one of  her role models Anrette Ngafor, exhibitions as a Fako Craft member at the  FESTAC  cultural festivals which take place every year in Limbe . She has also been in partial hibernation doing more ground work and determined to soar soon.

What drives MammyAfrika?

 I'm driven by the vastness of my imaginative ability and fueled by passion instilled by what my eyes see when I look at my surroundings and the pattern of nature around me and it's positive impact on mankind. Makes me feel a surge of oneness with it that helps me to also express what's in-built inside of me with ease or naturally.

  

What is your greatest influence? 

My greatest influence is my God consciousness. It's prove that anything we set our minds to is possible. Helps me go in search of why I'm here and what role I'm to play to give back to my community.

Who are your top three role models?

  

Hmm.... Top three???? I  didn't think this was going to be a tough one because I have quite a number of people who support and encourage me to take the path of hardwork, ingenuity, creativity and difference.  

Interesting enough, Father's day just went by and I did a Facebook post for my Father who is my number one role model. My father planted the natural flow of my creative abilities within and this groomed me to become who I am today. 

2. Irene MANGEM is my second role model . She's a lady I Love and respect deeply, who has (and is still impacting ) created much change and impact in my life with her positive attitude and energy.  And I'm not sure if there's a law about role models being people who must be much older than I am. Is there? She simply deposits a heart of Love and compassion for others in my community and nation at large in to me each time I listen to her.  I call her " Sunshine everywhere". I admire how much of a resilient, driven and above all Loving person she is and it sets a pace for me too.

3. Thirdly, as I scanned my list of models I also found an icon who though is of late, made a mark in history.  His creative, determined and passionate ways of doing things, besides the heart of gold he has,  made me strive to work hard to attain excellence. 'Heal the World' and 'Man in the Mirror' are songs  late Michael Jackson moved the globe with.

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?

 

 Empowering communities through creative projects. Encouraging and fostering  young talented  entrepreneurs in Cameroon and Africa.

What are the challenges faced by African Women?

I'd say mental bondage. It's a whole lot of aspects all together in these two words​. But it all begins in the mind. The power you give to anything is what will have control over you. In the case of the African woman, she needs to rise up above the challenges the society has programmed and engineered her in to and educate her mind positively to the point where she is an exact reflection (by way of manifestation) of productivity at all levels. No limits!

What do you do to relax?

Exercise, music and nostalgic meditation is relaxing to my mind.

What is your ICE inspiration?

  

I'm inspired by nature so I look forward to contributing to the health of my environment and our planet.  The reason  why  most of my products are Eco friendly from recycled material.  A perfect example of an environment friendly commodity I manufacture and market, is the trending pyramid necklace. 

I celebrate child likeness and my vision is to contribute positively in nurturing the minds of young children .

Lastly, I'm empowered by the simple fact of being a woman and amazed at my make up and it's capabilities, which if well trained, and put in to use, makes me visualize impacting other women who are still struggling with who they really are and how we can together exercise wholeness of body, soul and spirit for the betterment of our society.

Any Plans for the African Union?

 Honestly I never thought about this, but now that I'm thinking about it, I sure won't mind being part of the panel that channels the problems faced by African women in the sector of handcraft, for example, the lack of industrial facilities and how we can lobby for best practice solutions.

Any advice for the African Woman?

  

The African woman must find that place in between the too many responsibilities and challenges she faces daily where she can truly maintain a sound mind and be able to listen to the still small voice within which always speaks the truth about who she is. I call that place, BALANCE.

IT IS ALREADY 25 YEARS SINCE MUEMA MEOMBO INITIATED ME INTO BROADCAST JOURNALISM

 

T Snowsel Ano-Ebie·Tuesday, 13 June 2017 

 

 https://www.facebook.com/notes/t-snowsel-ano-ebie/it-is-already-25-years-since-muema-meombo-initiated-me-into-broadcast-journalism/10154572328971932/

 

It is often said that only a mother can say who the true father of her child is. That should be in the everyday world because in the professional milieu, only the child can tell you who his/her true parents are. Once we encounter a finished product, we may not imagine how it germinated, or was nurtured and molded into shape.

In my case, it all began in 1992 when the late Aunty Becky Ndive became the first woman to head a CRTV station. As the new station manager of CRTV South West in Buea, she introduced the "Holiday Workshop" programme, and decided that the first edition should be anchored by two gentlemen; Muema Meombo, popularly known as MM, and Theologien Mafira. In order to advertise the new concept and attract the adherence of listeners the CRTV Buea Chief of Service for Programmes at the time, Jean Pierre Nkuipo organized a programme with other colleagues.

I had just graduated from Government Secondary School Buea in Bokwango where I was not only a pioneer student but had served as the pioneer Social and Information Prefect.

Listening to Jean Pierre Nkuipo discuss the “Holiday Workshop” programme concept with Jean-Marie Nwefo and Theologien Mafira, the idea appealed to me so much that I immediately went to the radio station and offered to be part of the programme.

That's when I met MM for the first time. He asked me what I could do on the programme and without a second thought, I opted to present the news. He advised me to look for other young people and constitute a news team. The first person I got hold of, was a neighbor from Small Soppo Wonganga in the person of Bossiomo Etoga Fabrice of Lycee Bilingue, BGS Molyko. We co-presented the bilingual “Workshop News”. The news content included stories on holiday activities like youth cultural weeks which are usually organized during the summer holidays, holiday classes, and holiday football tournaments. The end of one programme edition meant running around town gathering information for the next newscast.

When other youngmen like Mbameg Marcellus Tezo, Monangai John Monangai, Harry McYemti and Abel Akara Ticha, joined the news team, Muema Meombo permitted me to serve as the main presenter of the “Holiday Workshop” programme. The form five student still awaiting GCE Ordinary level results was given the privilege to co-present a radio programme with veteran CRTV staff Theologien Mafira and at times Jean-Marie Nwefo. That is how for many people, I became known simply as "Uncle Snowsel", but thanks to the confidence and encouragement from Muema Meombo, I became a child of the corporation and grew up to become a CRTV member of staff and official in my own right.

It has already been 25 years and Mola Muema Meombo is now enjoying his retirement in Limbe. But many people do not know this radio monument who started as a teacher and later studied Television Journalism in Egypt.

Born in October 1950, the gentleman who from time to time serves as a resource person in Njomo Kevin's “Grapevine” slot on “Cameroon Calling”, was a pioneer to assist the Limbe City Council communicate on the maiden edition of the Limbe Festival of Arts and Culture. Like the late Aunty Becky Ndive, MM is an ASOBEXS, Soppo Baptist ex-student from what is today known as Baptist High School Buea, but which started as the Baptist Teachers Training College before being transformed into the Baptist Boys Secondary School. The fair-complexion gentleman with a baritone voice and an excellent command of the Queen’s English was a pleasant radio host like many journalists of his time. Even as a Service Head for Programmes, he did not take anything for granted. He took time to prepare every segment of his programmes even if it meant spending several hours in the music library to select songs whose lyrics tied with the themes and issues covered.

Everything MM does sounds interesting, be it a newscast, the Newsreel, a music Request Show, a Radio production, or a Television documentary. Some contemporaries with this rare quality of being all-round are Linda Bonglack Binda, Albert Njie Mbonde, and Moki Edwin Kindzeka. You can say these are people with the Midas touch, turning everything they lay their hands on into gold.

That is the kind of person that welcomed me on the radio with open arms, gave me a chance to prove myself, and put me into his own shoes to present a programme when I was still a form five student.

Even as a high school pure science student in GHS Mbengwi where I studied Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics, MM still encouraged me to spend my holidays at the radio. He said many people with the Advanced level certificate in science subjects have ended up as journalists.

That high school experience in Mbengwi was quite an eye-opener for me. This is when I read my first Journalism textbook, the "Handbook for African Journalists" by Callix Udofia. I got a copy from a certain Tassang Wilfred who was training at ENS Bambili to become a French language teacher but was writing critical commentaries and opinion pieces in newspapers like “Cameroon Post”. It was Tassang Wilfred who introduced me to the publisher of “Our People” newspaper Fobeneh Christopher Anu, whom we met at a Full Gospel crusade at the Bamenda stadium. Christopher Anu who had written the only available book on "The Man Ni John Fru Ndi", offered me my first reporting job, to write for “Our People” newspaper from Mbengwi. It was also in high school that I joined the Society of Journalism SOJO, a school club founded by Peter Ngu Tayong in 1986. My SOJO president in 1992 was John Mbah Akuroh while Akoh Charles Atud was editor-in-chief. The following year, I served as the editor-in-chief, with Amboh Tangyie Gordon as the club president.

Later on in 1997 when I was doing my field work for the University of Buea at CRTV Buea, Muema Meombo was the Service Head for Programmes and consequently served as my field supervisor, while Dr. Stella Nana-Fabu was the academic supervisor. MM gave me all the assistance I could get, and with his intervention, I could open all the doors at the station and gather the appropriate data for my academic report.

In 1999, I passed the competitive entrance examination into the Institute for Demographic Training and Research, IFORD Yaoundé, to do a Masters degree in Population Studies. For some reason that year, the successful candidates were required to look for their own funding because the United Nations was no longer providing sponsorship to all the students. In the process of applying to international organizations and Western embassies in Yaoundé, I visited CRTV Mballa Two, and met for the first time with the Director of Information the late Luke Ananga. He listened to my story and informed me that the CRTV will soon recruit broadcast staff for the newly created Mount Cameroon FM in Buea. Mr. Ananga advised that if by then I had not yet secured funding for the IFORD training, I should apply, given my initial interest in the radio. That was inside advice from the director of information but it did not mean much to me even when the recruitment was finally launched. It was only when word came from Buea that MM was looking for me to apply for that Mount Cameroon FM job that I reluctantly traveled back to the South West and dropped in my application on the last day, just to please my friends at Radio Buea that I too had applied.

I was eventually successful in the recruitment that attracted more than one thousand candidates for the written examination at the Police College in Mutengene, and 160 finalists for the audition test at the studios of the PCC Communication Department. The jury led by Daniel Anicet Noah as president and Peter Essoka as vice president, certainly had a herculean task coming up with the final list of 27 successful candidates.

The rest as they say, “is history”. I was trained at the CRTV Television Training Centre in Ekounou Yaoundé, posted to the Programmes Department of CRTV National Station where I worked under the supervision of Kenneth Assobo, was transferred to FM 105 in Douala where I was privileged to bring my own touch to two Programmes, "FM Calling" and "Hi Di Hi", initially presented by Tricia Oben. The late Emmanuel Ayile, and the current Director of Communication at the Port Authority of Douala, Nchechuma Banla encouraged me to participate in the CRTV Littoral programme "This Week in The News" which they anchored. I also served as Service Head for News and Programmes at the FM station in Douala, before being re-assigned to the News Department of the CRTV National Station in Yaoundé in 2011 where I work under a talented professional like Ful Peter, the English language editor-in-chief. In spite of the demanding environment at the Central Newsdesk, Ful Peter gave me the recommendation to study for the MA in Political Journalism at the Yaounde Advanced School of Mass Communication, ASMAC. I also owe my 2015 First Prize in Investigative Journalism sponsored by the British High Commission to Pa Ful and to the entire "Cameroon Calling" team led by Samson Websi.

The story has continued at the management level with the strategic promotion to the CRTV Marketing and Communication Agency CMCA in January 2016 where my official title is Team Leader for Communication and Public Relations, but my latent assignment has been to study the management style of Wongibe Emmanuel -how to turn a limping advertising agency into a “cash cow”.

The CRTV may not be through with me yet but that is my story and that is where I am coming from. Muema Meombo laid the foundation on which others have had to build a bungalow, a monument or an edifice.

I once had a professional debate with a colleague who argued that she could not be wrong because she had been trained by the best. Then I turned around and looked at my own professional teachers: Muema Meombo, Kenneth Assobo, Tricia Oben, Ful Peter, and Wongibe Emmanuel. I do not see them as the best anymore, I see them as the finest. My conclusion? Snowsel Ano-Ebie has been trained by the finest. And to them, I am eternally grateful, as well as to all those colleagues, schoolmates, and apprentice or student journalists with whom I have shared professional space all these years. #

 

YAOUNDE, JUNE 13, 2017.

Dr. Maureen TONG: I hope the AU will invest in developing young African leaders, especially women to take the continent forward.

Who is Dr. Maureen TONG?

Dr. Maureen TONG is the CEO of CoachCompanion South Africa. Dr. Maureen TONG has worked in leadership development for many years, including establishing the Thabo Mbeki African Leadership Institute  (TMAL) and the Thabo Mbeki Presidential Library  ( TMP) both of which are partnerships between the Thabo Mbeki Foundation and the University of South Africa  (UNISA).
She is an international lawyer by training and has worked in the human rights and development space for several years. I am now in business, building an international coaching company among other things.

She has served in the following Leadership roles:

 

- She is Chairwoman of the Board of InvesTong Group, which hosted the Inaugural  Women in IT  (WiIT) Summit in 2015. 

 

- She is Executive Chairwoman of Kutlwelo Resources. 

 

- Chairperson of the Board of the Formation of the YWBN Co-operative Bank;

-Chairperson of the Board of the Health Systems Trust  (HST)

- Project Manager for the establishment of the Thabo Mbeki Presidential Library (TMPL)

-Founding Head of the Thabo Mbeki Leadership Institute  (TMALI)

- Chief of Staff at the Ministry for Agriculture and Land Affairs

- Chief Operations Officer at the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform

- Operations Manager at UNDP

- Project Officer for Botswana; DRC; Namibia and South Africa at the African Management Services Company  (AMSCO); a project of the World Bank; IMF; UNDP; and African Development Bank

- Deputy Director of the Centre of Human Rights

What drives Maureen TONG?

I am driven by empowering others and making a positive impact on other people's lives. My faith in God is the win is the wind beneath my wings

What is your greatest influence

My ability to connect with people from across all works of life; cultures; languages; countries and continents. I have never felt restricted by boundaries

Who is  your role model?

Mrs Zanele Mbeki, with whom I have worked on several ground breaking projetcts including TMALI and TMPL. I am impressed by how she founded and built  the Women’s Development Bank  (WDB) Trust, with its own investment company called  WDB Investment Holdings  (WDH IH). She has pioneered developmental micro finance in South Africa  - using the Grameen Bank model from Bangladesh  - and weathered many storms to remain standing while many other similar organizations folded in South Africa. WDB Trust celebrated 25 years of existence in 2016. WDB IH has done very well over the years and outperforms many similar companies in terms of Net Asset Value (NAV)

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?

My plan is to build  my company CoachCompanion South Africa into a  highly successful international company with a presence in a  number of African countries

I want to see the growth of the coaching industry in Africa; using Afrucan philosophy and values to propel a number of individuals and companies to achieve their objectives

I also see myself growing in banking sector  - I was the Founding Chairperson of theBoard of the Formation of the YWBN Co-operative Bank, which is a majority women-owned corporative bank in South Africa. We are currently looking into becoming a Mutual Bank

I want my other business ideas growing and becoming successful businesses. I will tell you more about that later when I have made progress

I plan to continue making a contribution to knowledge production; including continuing to teach at Wits Business School and other institutions of higher learning. I plan to continue  academic research and writing in accredited academic journals and publications

What are the challenges faced by African Women?

Women from across the world face challenges due to the system of patriarchy which does not value women's contribution to society. Social systems accross the world, including religion and education often undermine women's ability to grow to their true potential especially in the area of leadership and corporate advancement. In the African context this is exacerbated by our culture and traditions

Despite these challenges I  am very impressed by the many strides that African women have made in the areas of leadership and business

What do you do to relax?

I love traveling to tropical island destinations to enjoy the peace and tranquility that nature, especially the sea provides. I have taken up golf, which allows me to relax my mind and just spend hours following the golf ball around the golf course. I also like walking, which clears the mind and provides a good exercise at the same time.

Any Plans for the African Union?

Our very own Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma has just completed her term as Chairperson of the African Union Commission. I hope the AU will invest in developing young African leaders, especially women to take the continent forward.  I remain hopeful that Africa will claim the 21st century and use the abundant mineral  wealth and relatively young human capital  that it has to benefits its people.

Dr Maureen Tong

Unleashing the Power Within
Tel: +27 82 577 5565 / +27 81 321 5866

Tessa BAKS calls on African Women to believe in themselves for they have all it takes within to make the difference.

Who is Tessa BAKS?

Tessa baks is a Cameroonian television personality, producer, businesswoman, actress, author, former model and tourism promoter. Born in Cameroon, she began her career in her early twenties with the 'Get Busy' team moderated by Mireille TEGHA on Spectrum Television. 

In the early 2000s, Baks created and began presenting the long-running tourism and culture oriented production 'Afrikultures' which she executive produced and presented for the first twenty-two seasons for broadcast on the state run media, the CRTV. Tessa Baks is the co-creator of a Beauty Pageant bringing women considered to be too fat to the limelight and celebrating the art and talent in them.  Afrikultures which airs on The CRTV for many years now has won many awards for Tessa BAK's   Outstanding Talk Show Informative pieces. She co-hosted the IMA 'Inspiring Moments with Amy' silver edition on coaching in Douala wherein she brought out the best of her panelists in terms of coaching and will most likely will replace none but her original personality and  she has taken time to build for growth.

What fuels Tessa BAKS?

 I am fueled by the notion that if  I have been given another day by God, its clear I must make good use of it. Africa has been my inspiration, my strength, and its the best motivation every true African has. When you feel low, think of life and its beauty, forget all negative ideas, think of love, send love and love will be your motto.

I love my life and I am grateful to GOD for it.

I am also fueled by the void created in my continent and I am determined through my work to make things great for my people, nation and continent. 

What is your greatest influence? 

My influence comes from the success of other nations. I  know Africa can make it. I just learn to copy from the best.

Where do see yourself in five years?

 I see myself heading a communication agency employing my fellow brothers and guiding them. 

I also see myself being an inspiring model and heading projects for a better Africa.

Who are your top three models?

- Denis EPOTE:  Her voice was different but special, her looks were very professional and she was always beautiful and appealing to every sight;

- Aretha Louis Mbango: Her cultural program 'accords majuscule' on Crtv Littoral inspired and guided me to become;

- Oprah Winfrey: She showed me media could be done on a private basis without the help of a second party. 

What is the African Woman's challenge?

 The challenge of the African woman is the lack of self belief. She has to believe in herself, be conscious of her potential and capacities because the real problem is not from the environment.  The African woman has to demonstrate her abilities. Most of the dynamic African women don't want to make efforts, so they stay like dolls back home.

What do you do to relax yourself?

I unwind the tension when I get into a venture of discovering new spaces, reading and watching television.

I am also inspired by the talks of Bob proctor from the Gallagher foundation, putting aside all the negative ideas, and calling on all to stay positive and believe in God.

Do you have plans for the African Union? 

The African union needs to work more closely on promoting a positive Africa. This will be a great step to end multiple useless deaths at sea.

What is your advice to the African woman reading your profile?

African women believe in yourselves, take the bold step, for fear is the obstacle and it comes from us. No one can stop you from making it, except you. Only you have got the power and when you fail, blame no one else but yourself.

Most of all, learn to accept auto criticism and move forward.

Roshani Shenazz Nadirshah inspires women across the globe to discover their gifts and talents and live to fulfill purpose

1. Who is Roshani Shenazz Nadirshah?     

I believe I am a child of God endeavoring to serve HIM and HIS Creation through my inborn gifts, talents and skill sets. 

Roshani Shenazz is an approved Therapist by the IPHM (International Practitioners of Holistic Medicine). She is a best selling Author of her 1st book Angels Speak and is a Holistic Living Spiritual Coach, Mentor and Empowerment Model, who conducts Spiritual Growth Workshops, Seminars, Book Readings, Meditations, Retreats etc., through self Founded, Spiritual Holistic Living Center “Sparkling Angels Holistic Living & Holistic Healing.” In the second innings of her inspirational life, Roshani Shenazz conducts Spiritual Growth/Inner Potential Workshops, Seminars, Retreats, Meditations, and Sessions, in India and across the World. Her Angel Soul Therapy Practitioner and other Integrated Healing and Transformational workshops are deep rooted intensive work done at a core level. A dynamic 23 years in media and films, where she worked for some of the biggest names in TV and the Indian Film Industry was interrupted by an unfortunate prolonged illness compounded by sheer medical negligence during 2005-2006, which got her temporarily immobilized waist downwards. Financially broke and living with her then 85 years old Father, she later sold her home to repay medical debts. 

Many other closures of her life, followed thereafter. What stayed with her were implicit faith, fortitude, courage and determination to rise above it all. Interactions with two faith healers during her seeming illness and later an Angel book from a friend and the Charles Virtue Angel workshop in 2010, made Roshani more cognizant of the intervention of these powerful beings in human lives. Trusting her intuition despite financial obstacles, she quit a dream job to embark on her spiritual journey to inspire people unveil their own divine potential and recognize the same in others. Transformation followed and still continues with Roshani inspiring many lives across the Globe.

Roshani Shenazz is also the Founder of Meher Roshani Foundation, Mumbai. She has served as a Sr. Faculty – Producing, and is affiliated with The Whistling Woods International, the premium world acclaimed Film School in Mumbai, India. She is also affiliated with Institutions like; The Thadomal Shahani Centre for Management, and the Institutions under the HSNC Board, The Rotary Club (City Chapters), The REX Global Fellowship and and the REX Speakers Bureau. She is the UN ICongo REX Global Fellow and Karmaveer Bronze and Silver Chakra Awardee; Inspiring Women Leaders of Tomorrow Awardee, a Member at the – Unity in Diversity World Civil Society (UNAOC) – India Chapter and Global Dialogue Foundation and Mentee at – The Cherie Blaire Foundation, besides many other prestigious associations and collaborations.

 What fuels Roshani? 

   

Happiness of others. To wake up each day and see messages or get calls on how someone somewhere has been healed, got the job, met the right person or healed themselves through challenges and transcended them. The humility of this gratitude of being used as a divine instrument fuels me to serve more and more each day.

                 

 What is your greatest influence? 

 

Life itself. Each breath and moment has influenced me. If we simply look around in our own lives and appreciate the learning, our life shall be our biggest influence and that for others.

Who are your top three models?   

  

I never had idols or models. I have appreciated loved and respected quotes or messages from many people across the span of life. But the two people who were virtual influence at the onset of my healing and then spiritual path were – Doreen Virtue and Louis Hay and then stepped in my Eternal Master, God, Beloved the Everything for me – Avatar Meher Baba (He is no more alive and has dropped His body in January 1969).

There is no special why.. my life itself is a living example of the WHY.

 Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?  

Next 5 years I endeavour to have a full support system of Human Visionaries who would support me to travel every part of the Globe to empower and enthuse millions of people helping them to recognize their own uniqueness, potential and divinity and thus of others. I believe every person empowered is a society empowered and thus the world at large. I want to reach the grassroots and empower the seemingly lowest common denominator of human existence and help them rise above their situations, beliefs and existence. When this happens we shall live the dream of the New Humanity of oneness, brotherhood, harmony, abundance and equality. I want to and I believe I can be one of the key contributors to this New Humanity.

                

 What is the African's woman challenge?   

   

I am not exactly aware of an African woman’s challenge, but to what I see from our special group of entrepreneurs in the Global Entrepreneurs #FiresideChat Group is, challenges to fight discrimination, racism, raising funds for projects and the platforms and outreach of their visions into the world.  I am sure there would be more of basic needs challenges too that they may be facing.

 What do you do to relax yourself? 

 

By doing just nothing at times and being with myself without any thoughts, planning or thinking. I also meditate, be with my family and specially around and with children I can totally relax even if I have to meet a child in midst of a serious meeting. Children have a different effect on me. I always dreamed of having a kindergarten and relaxing amidst their madness, fun and nurturing them. Now I am focusing on my NGO dream of nurturing, empowering and upliftment of underprivileged children and an orphanage for the ones who are left alone on this journey of life. These thoughts daily relax my entire being telling me “all is well and all shall be more well”

Do you have any plans for the African Union?     

I am looking forward to be invited to Africa real soon. I hope there is a great opportunity that arises and later many more to follow.

What is your ICE vision?   

My life in each moment and day and how I live it, is my inspiration, celebration and empowerment.

What is your advice to the woman of this age?   

I would rather say it as a humble share and suggestion not an advice - I believe it is our responsibility how to live this gap between birth and death and how well we spend that time by impacting the world and leaving it in a better shape than when we got in. If I am able to do that then, I would have lived my inspiration, celebration and empowerment all in one lifetime. 

My Mantras are:

- Do your best and leave the rest.

- To Be who you want to be first Believe it then Live it

- Never Give up come what may

- To give back from what we have got.

- All is well, All shall be more well

Love and Blessings to the World

Roshani Shenazz Nadirshah

IPHM Approved Therapist
Wholeistic Living Empowerist, Keynote Speaker, Best-selling Author, Spiritual/Transformational Leadership Mentor and Coach | UN ICongo REX Global Fellow and Karmaveer Chakra and Inpiring Women Leaders of Tomorrow Awardee | Member - Unity in Diversity World Civil Society (UNAOC) - India Chapter and Global Dialogue Foundation | Mentee - Cherie Blaire Foundation | Honorary Life Member - ALL Ladies League (ALL) / WEF (Women Economic Forum - Yearly Forum of ALL)

For daily empowerment and knowing more about Roshani Shenazz follow her on:

W ~ www.sahh444.in
Subscribe on YouTube ~ www.youtube.com/RoshaniShenazzNadirshah338899
FB ~ www.facebook.com/RoshaniShenazz  and www.facebook.com/SAHH444
Enriching Blogs ~ www.roshanishenazz.blogspot.in
Twitter / Instagram ~ @roshanishenazz | @roshanishenazz
NGO ~ www.meherroshanifoundation.org & @MeherRoshani

Regina HUBER invites the African woman to stand out with her unique distinctiveness

Regina Huber
Founder and CEO of Transform Your Performance www.transformyourperformance.com

Who is Regina Huber?
 
I am an eclectic “Enfant de la Terre” with a passion for Dance, Diversity and Co-Creation.
Professionally speaking, I am a Transformational Leadership Coach for Business Women, Power Shifter and Career Accelerator, Diversity & Co-Creation Advocate, Speaker with a Passion for Dance, and Author of Speak up, Stand out and Shine – Speak Powerfully in Any Situation, as seen on The Huffington Post. More details about me here: www.transformyourperformance.com/about.



What fuels Regina HUBER?
 
The beauty of Diversity in all: humans, Nature, culture, talents, music, dance… The brilliance in people. My idealistic vision of more freedom, abundance and co-creation. Dancing. Movement. Travel. Experiencing different cultures.

What is your greatest influence?
 
This is a tough question to answer. I believe it’s a combination of the urge of my soul being to keep moving forward, my life purpose, the world that surrounds me, the people I interact with, the collective unconscious, and my subconscious programming.

Who are your top 3 role models?
 
This is always the hardest question. I don’t have any specific role models although I admire a lot of people. My aspiration is to model the best in the people I meet and I admire leaders who pursue more peace, freedom and equality without use of violence or threat.

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
 
My ideal vision is for me to be inspiring women around the globe, and specifically in Africa, the Caribbean and Latin America to step into their power and into their full potential so we can achieve greater balance in leadership; and to inspire both women and men to partner up in this mission so we can all come together and co-create an abundance of wealth, freedom and peace for all. How will I do this? Frankly, I’m still working on that part. For now, it is an ideal vision which serves as my GPS. Any mile I can move forward on this path towards the destination of my GPS, is valuable, and I know that my progress will greatly depend on the people I encounter on my way and whether they are willing to support me in this endeavor.
In the next few years, I am also driving my business forward in the United States to teach more workshops and reach more women with my message through my teaching and coaching. In 5 years’ time, I see myself with an effective team that allows me to fully focus on what I love doing most in my business: supporting my clients and inspiring women.

What is the African woman’s challenge?
 
I will not pretend to speak for African women (although I’m sure I was one in one or more past or parallel lives), so I’ll leave this question to the contemporary African women who are the current experts.
The challenge of most women on this planet is that we have been made believe that we depend on others to empower us. The truth is: We are already powerful. We all must learn to connect to the power that’s already inside of us, our inner power so we can feel it at any given moment. Yes, we need external resources (just like men), such as: respect, freedom, access to education and decent jobs, financial and digital inclusion and more. These all support our empowerment, but ultimately, we can only truly empower ourselves.


What do you do to relax?
 
I dance, preferably to African, Latin and Caribbean music.
I love music, and if I had more time, I’d love to play the drums again (djembe and congas, which I started playing in the past but now forgot all about). The sound of the drums grounds me; it connects me to the heartbeat of the Earth.

I walk a lot. Walking is like meditation to me. I also listen to guided meditations, e.g. chakra meditations.
When I am stressed out, my breath becomes shallow. Going back to deep breathing helps tranquillize a stressed mind.
Looking out over the ocean relaxes me, especially when combined with the soothing sound of waves washing up the beach, but this has become a luxury since I moved away from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Taking a moment to be grateful for the simple luxuries, like a comfortable bed, beautiful flowers or a warm summer night can have a calming effect.
Singing would bring me relaxing joy as well if I didn’t have to worry about the neighbors. 😊
The list goes on… depending on the day and options available. But dancing is my favorite tranquillizer.

What is your ICE vision?
 
These three concepts can only exist together. I can’t see any way they could function on their own.
My ICE vision is to keep my levels of all three high at all times or as much as I am able to, through the people I surround myself with, the books I read, the activities I pursue, the thoughts I think… The latter is often a challenge. My vision includes a state of mind, where I can be the master of my thoughts and therefore of my emotions. In a way, this is the basis for continued inspiration, self-empowerment and therefore celebration.
 

Do you have any plans for the African Union?
 
As a German-born who lived and worked in Spain (also worked a lot in Portugal), Argentina, Brazil and the US, Africa is HUGE on my list. It’s a big part of my vision, and I am currently exploring ways to support the African Union, with first speaking and teaching engagements in Ghana and South Africa this summer. Super thrilled about it!

What is your advice to the woman of this age?
 
Always remember how powerful you really are. When you dare stand in your power, listen to your heart and to your intuition, and do the work to discover and follow your true calling, that’s when you can make the most meaningful contribution for your community and for the world. That’s also when you feel the most fulfilled.

While it is key to set our GPS so we know in which direction we’re moving, it is also important to remember that it is about the path, not about the destination. It is not only our right but our responsibility to enjoy every single moment of it.

Yes, education is important. But education is only potential power. A self-empowering mindset is critical for success, and when you add your “heart-set” and your emotional intelligence to it, things start flowing.

Sending love to all who took the time to read this, Regina invites you to transform your performance with a visit to her life transforming website www.transformyourperformance.co