reflections and gems

Home to breathtaking Victoria Falls and spectacular Safaris, Zimbabwe is an exotic country. It has incredible landscapes brimming with indigenous and unrestrained wildlife. Eastern Highlands, the Zambezi Valley, Hwange, and Matobo Hills stand representative of this nation. Its cosmopolitan cities, Harare, Bulawayo and Chitungwitza are home to wholehearted, hospitable people.

But regrettably, Zimbabwe’s reputation often precedes itself: it has been repeatedly highlighted in the media as a country that faced macroeconomic instability which led to unsustainable rates of inflation and ensuing famine that ravaged it, all while dictator Robert Mugabe exerted a tyrannical rampage.

Now, it is starting to emerge as a progressive, structured society that is certain to contribute to the quality of life of its people and the global community.

According to the US State Department’s website, the country’s political, social and economic situations are still unpredictable and could veer erratically. Its travel security warnings were in place for years, but have recently been dropped. The residents and travelers urge everyone to travel to Zimbabwe to experience the real African warmth and generosity, and assure that safety and security are among the highest in the region.

Its situation plunged from being Africa’s fastest growing economy in 1997 and supplying provisions for most of southern part of the continent, as well as having the continent’s highest literacy rate. Once known as the “Jewel of Africa”, a cradle of ferrule land and mineral deposits, it turned into a state that has for over a decade now been known in the international circle as an anarchistic demoralized nation.

In power since 1980, President Robert Mugabe was part of Rhodesia’s black resistance movement in the 60s. Leading the black guerrillas in the 70s, the movement forced 250,000 whites to surrender in a simulated peace accord. They forged democracy as he became the president, where he still remains, recognized as one of longest-reigning dictators in the history of the continent.

The neighboring South Africa’s apartheid altered its course and this once cooperative multiracial nation plundered into Mugabe’s greed for power and control. After suffering a defeat at a 2000 referendum, Mugabe lead a widespread occupation and expulsion of white farmers who did not offer their vote or show support. Regrettably, these land reforms lead to agricultural collapse and, consequently, drastic food shortages, scarcity and famine.

The resulting recession triggered widespread unemployment and exorbitant food prices. Wage earners found that the gains they had made in the early years of independence were soon eroded. In 2008, the humanitarian crisis as a result of Mugabe’s unrelenting grip in the office gave rise to riotous protests and resulted in a political and economic turmoil that damaged its already feeble social structure. Hyperinflation, along with the depreciation of the Zimbabwean dollar, bore the country to a new low.

In fact, there is no loose change in circulation here. The lowest accepted denomination of currency is one dollar, solidifying its eagerness for big changes. It has subsequently adopted the US dollar as its official market currency, as well as accepting the South African Rand due to popularity and trade, thus overcoming a roller coaster of its own currency devaluations. This step has made foreign investment and support easier.

Certainly, it will take time for the country to develop new infrastructure and upgrade the existing deteriorated facilities but the changes that are gradually re-shaping Zimbabwean society are valuable and long-term.

Where the real change is evident is in the people. The drive, however, is coming from Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai whose efforts have been acknowledged by the international community. Consequently, he was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2009. His accomplishments in social reconciliation, relative appeasement of a notoriously difficult Mugabe, and constraint on hyperinflation, have brought on fresh potentials and more financial aid.

Its real wealth lies in the fortuitous environmental sustainability due to the lack of tourism during in the past decade, and in particular, mass tourism.

Tour agencies and organizations operate Safaris that offer opportunities to observe and explore diverse and exotic wildlife in their native and undisturbed reserves. The people have realized the potential of their nation’s resources and their capacity, not only in making profit from their tourist offer, but revitalizing that offer to build its reputation and establish a standard by taking pride and respecting their environment and their territory’s assets and attributes.

On the whole, it has been observed that the country is more organized, and the people more optimistic and purposive. The re-establishment of social order has prompted the public to be more observant and adherent to laws and regulations. A restored regard and respect for a constructive and efficient social order and promising future generated new collective and individual ambitions.

Following that socio-political upheaval, the country faced a brief state of economic sanctions and national moratorium, which may have been a wake-up call as it has emerged stronger and refreshed. The newly shaped visions of the future have resurrected not only the country’s prospects but people’s inherent optimism, and that significantly reflects in their culture and cultural flair.

Like the country and its people, the cultural scene here exhibits an eclectic fusion and influence from many different artistic spheres and genres. What makes it unique is the resistance to mainstream, keeping to its authentic medium and an ability to call it all their own.

The Mbira and Shona music are a true Zimbabwean voice that engages traditional aboriginal instruments and tones. When Zimbabweans play it and hear it they feel a connection with their past. Their popularity extends past the region, in particular the fusion styles that incorporate it with Western pop and South African mbaquan’a, such as the sounds of singer/songwriter Oliver ‘Tuku’ Mtukudzi.

The music scene reflects a time-honored folk roots that people feel ties them to their heritage and spirituality. They tend to celebrate and reinforce their beliefs through communal connections that the music strengthens. Unfortunately, throughout the past decade of turmoil, artists and entire artistic pools of talent have been belittled - lost to emigration, change and resignation. But new optimism and resurrected potentials have brought back some promising talent.

Even renowned artists and performers like Chiwoniso Maraire were hushed by the government in their attempts to fight against oppression and many resettled due to difficulties they faced in their daily lives and art in pursuit of social progress. By their fans they were not seen as runaways or quitters, having simply realized that politico-economic frameworks need restructuring and strengthening before the socio-cultural forces can come into play.

Some of them have realized that in order to be able to produce music and contribute to the culture they need to temporarily relocate in order to obtain new vigor and a fresh outlook on life, and so they have returned with new energy, new compositions but still with their inimitable modern spirit and ancient soul intact.

They returned because they realized that they can bring something more to the community and their return has contributed to the reestablishment of culture. Many western travelers will appreciate the free spirit of Zimbabweans and their street scene where the warmth of people and the spirit of the community will be felt through music - its ability to unify and pacify people and create a positive attitude.

The lyrics and the tone of their music, although not political or radical, convey an important message of support and hope for people who have faced many misfortunes including violence, poverty and AIDS that have helped the public through a decade of hardship. It is an important element of native African music scene.

Ethnic tensions and racial inequality caused many woes during Mugabe’s regime, but the differences are patching up as the nation realizes that it must overcome its internal troubles in this age of the global village. Its wounds are healing, reunited in a collective hope and loyalty to a joint future.

May 22

For three days Eastern Market, a vibrant marketplace in downtown Detroit, was transformed into the epicenter of Tech Socialites. Hundreds of attendees including seasoned marketing professionals, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and digital creators. The marketing professionals frantically wrote notes in hopes to better understand the role of social in the new age of media. The venture Capitalists could be identified as the only attendees wearing either Dockers or suits. Digital creators swarmed around conference speakers to thank them for their work in their field. And entrepreneurs showed off their pride and joy.

The cause of all this ruckus can be directly linked to FutureMidwest. Coined “the largest digital business conference in the Midwest,” FutureMidwest has been in existence for only three years. The team of organizers would have you convinced they have been here longer with the level of professionalism they showcased on the weekend of April 28th, 2011.

Feb 22

The mechanics of Street Food

An enjoyable view of a city is the observations of life in its “spaces”. When you live in a heavily populated city, a culture erupts in these spaces. It could be the unique qualities of a burrow in NYC, the architecture flood after the Great Chicago Fire or the blue collar work ethic of those who work in Detroit.

If you look closer at how the everyday person uses spaces, you gain a perspective. The area of space I re-kindled my fascination with was Street Food in India. Street Food in its purest form is simple, fast food you can consume on the street. It is anything but that.

Street Food is encompassed in the “now”. The ingredients that make up the food are hand picked from the market on a daily basis. There are not hidden walls between you and the creation of the order. With all manners aside, you eat. Not politely waiting for your friends food to come out, forgetting about the sounds of the city that surrond you or the fact that more than half of your fingers are smothered with food.

Within this naked view of kitchen, you observe the mechanics of Street Food.

Nov 26

Past experiences taught me, taking pictures was a nusiance. To my untrained eye there were only two types of pictures: ”I was here” and group pictures. Thanks to my HTC Hero, that changed. The instant gratifcation of taking a dull picture and breathing life into it with an app (Vignette in my case), lowered the barrier to enter Photography. Vignettes camera options were so vast, it gave me the confidence to change manual options on a real camera.

In the midst of finding this confidence, I was planning my first vagabonding trip. To capture moments of my long term travel, I decided to upgrade from a water damaged Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FX7 to a Canon G12. Yes, I know I didn’t upgrade to a DSLR camera. The sheer thought of carrying around a DSLR made me cringe with thoughts of, “I’m over compensating”. I mean, did I really want to jump from Little League to the Majors? No.

Two days before my journey began, I received my G12 and bought a book to accompany my new found hobby.

Now aside from the technical jargon and techniques I have learned, my favorite part of the camera is the swivel LCD screen.

But, my favorite part is still the swivel LCD screen. It allows you to take self portrait and self timer pictures without “shooing in the dark”. And, now tough to reach angles become an arms length away. As I progress in my hobby I am certain I will appreciate the finer features of the G12, but as an “Amateur’s Amateur”, it’s the ability to take a easier pictures that trump additional functionality.

Nov 06

1 tip to stand out during Navaratri

The first time I witnessed a great dancer was at my cousins wedding in California. I was 8 years old and was eager to strut my no rhythm self on the dance floor.

At one point in the Reception, the circle was in full form and the DJ decided to play YMCA (a group dance song). The circle dissipated and everyone started to act like cheerleaders spelling letters with their hands. My attention was soon diverted to the stage as a YMCA performance was happening. Several people were performing the YMCA routine, but it was the guy in the middle that caught everyone’s attention.

A few weeks ago during Navaratri, I was in Kitale, Kenya. On the last night of the festival, my family informed me that there was going to be a Garba competition and I had to wear the traditional kehediyu outfit. Kitale is a small town, but they took pride in their Navaratri celebrations. Awards for best costume and dancers were going to be given out and the town did not disappoint. As the night progressed, the music intensified.

At one point in the night, I turned my head to see the crowd and noticed that I was the only one with my head up. Everyone was focusing on the ground while the rest of their body did the dancing. It appeared to me, that to them dancing consisted of moving your hands and feet. In an environment where the science of the steps is commonplace, the art is where you differentiate. That’s when I realized I was having a “YMCA” moment.

Sep 10

“Personalization allows for an increase in quality and quantity of content.”

Sep 01

Aug 07

“get listed” on a tumblr directory results

A couple of weeks ago, a blog my friend and I run decided to promote it on the Tumblr Humor Directory. Below are a few insights we calculated after the promotion.

Follower Increase
92.5% - Subscriber increase

Follower Traffic Conversation
20.9% conversion rate of unique visitors who then subscribed to our blog

Cost per Follower
<$0.10 - Cost to gain a subscriber

Accolades
0 - Recommendations
0 - Stickers
51 - Notes (combination of Reblogs and Likes)

Timing of Posts
Users visited our blog primarily at lunch and evening (till 9pm).

Take Away
“Directory Fatigue”
The steady traffic we received from www.tumblr.com/directory/humor infers that different people visit the humor directory every day.

The abysmal number of accolades means a couple of things
1. We don’t promote “recommend us” enough.
2. Our content was not “recommend worthy”

Jul 28

“Rework” by founders of 37signals

I recently finished reading “Rework” by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson and it has been a breath of fresh air in the world of learning about business.

Reading “Rework” while working on 37signals has redirected my development of hashtagd. Below I highlight two lessons from the book and how they affected hashtagd.

the goal of our company blog is to tell stories and educate users about hashtags. one community aspect of twitter is talking about a certain topic (a hashtag). people use hashtags for an array of uses; events, jokes, subjects…etc and we highlight these stories on our blog.

during the conception phases of hashtagd we ran into a decisive foe, thinking without constraints. as our discussion continued, our list of features and benefits spiraled out of focus. after throwing everything off the table and looking at our product in a fresh light we decided we wanted to create a product that “shows people the best tweets for non-news worthy hashtags”.