03
You’ll find yourself Imagine you have an owner’s manual that shows how YOU tick? Finding out about yourself is usually a long-term experiment. You can reduce the errors by tuning into how you behave and respond in various circumstances. What triggers defensiveness in you? Will you diffuse bothering and abstain from going ballistic? What drives your enthusiasm? Knowing your habits, responses, qualities, and shortcomings prepare you to explore work circumstances and social connections quickly.
06
the tea
CEO Joseph Rutakangwa
Editor-in-chief Derrick Kamulegeya
Creative Director Gilbert Kafuuma
Business Columnist Charles Msilanga
Entertainment Columnist Morris Walla
Features May Joy Namu, Writers Guild Kenya, Gift Ngoepe
08
content
Gift Ngoepe Visual Conversation Featured Fashion Writers Giuld Kenya Music Video Music Awards
12 16 26 35 47 48
10
Africa’s First Baseball Player
Gift Ngoepe
12
A Career
Visual Conversation
Photography is a compelling art and science. A picture may appear simple, but if it captures the essence and communicates a clear message, one nails it. Before I delved seriously into photography, every time I took pictures I strived to get the best regarding composition, creativity among other aspects. Also, every time I saw someone passing with a camera, it gave me shivers. An unexplainable sensitivity rushed through my spine, and I longed to own a camera. Photography was burning within me but expressing it was difficult. I began working at a monthly student publication, Involvement Newspaper, at Daystar University-Kenya and this is where I learned that photography is in my bloodstream. It was ablaze inside and was waiting for the opportune moment to express itself. While at Involvement, I would take photos for stories and replace poor quality images because I was in the business of perfecting my skill.
I also learned and improved other skills like management, leadership, writing and realized that there is a thin line between photography and design. At one point or the other, a photographer has to create artwork, edit pictures and all this are components of graphics design. At Involvement, I got an award, photographer of the year 2015/2016 due to quality, creativity, and timeliness in the submission of photos. Purchasing a camera is the best thing I have ever done for myself. It's because there was no more borrowing and renting. I attained closure and practice frequently. Every time I take pictures, I seek to tell a story of my subject in the form of an emotion, a feeling, an environment and something hidden deep within them. I believe that a single picture is capable and powerful enough to stand on its own and communicate effectively. From that, I started posting my artwork on my Instagram account and sharing them on my facebook page (May Joy Namu Photography), Twitter handle and Tumblr blog. continued on pg 23
16
You’ll meet your ride or die friend -YOUA solid self-relationship develops when you completely embrace yourself, warts and what not. In a deep relationship, a lady can detect and will tenderly touch her partner to calm him down amid a warmed dialog with somebody. A man will defensively put himself between his partner and a threatening outsider. When you are your best friend, you won't place yourself in circumstances which cause you outrage, dread, or bitterness. You recognize your shortcomings; however, you likewise work at, decreasing or changing over those weaknesses. Acknowledgment and exertion bring a sense of pride. You will appreciate yourself.
18
19
You’ll be nice to yourself You wear many caps in life. You have a job, a friend, a partner, a brother, a sister, driver, mentor, volunteer, and so on. Many people rely on you, however you can't always deliver. Since you are your own bestie, you will be pardoning of our weaknesses. You'll take mix ups as lessons for growth areas and victories as approval of abilities. Both will be open doors for self-nurturing. Treating yourself to some tranquil time alone or celebrating with a fun gathering will turn out to be second nature and virtuous. You know it is merited.
co
nti
nu
ati
on
fro
m
pg 16
My photography style is diverse and since human beings are the center of attraction in the universe their stories matter. My photographs are portraits accompanied by descriptive captions and quotes that tell a background story on someone or the something. I interact with my subjects and interview them to form a connection between the picture and words. In this day and age, the market is oversaturated with photographers. Many people purchase DSLRs with the aim of making money through this art. Youngsters are in a hurry for speedy handouts and do not mind quality and excellence in pieces.
In this day and age, the market is oversaturated with photographers. He believes that by doing Many people purchase DSLRs with the aim of making money so, he connects with his through this art. Youngsters are in a hurry for speedy handouts subjects more since he does not and do not mind quality and excellence in pieces. I get have the opportunity to look at the inspiration to progress gradually from Platon images taken. The fact that Platon Antoniou. Platon is an exact definition of has photographed both prominent contemporary meeting vintage in this and ordinary people globally is a clear digital era. He uses a film strip to indication that photography is an art that take his photographs that grows as the year's progress. He also capture one's spends years planning and doing his attention at first projects that eventually make it big. glance.
My hope and prayer are to become one of the best female photographers in the world, focusing on humanitarian documentaries that tell the stories of the ordinary individuals extraordinarily. With mentoring and practice, I believe that this is possible and I encourage more women to take up such paths since camerawork is a male dominated field, and there are many opportunities awaiting women that follow this lane.
22
You will fear nothing Inferiority surfaces in correlation with peers. Developmental psychologist Erik Erikson states that the idea of mediocrity starts at school age in the classroom. Peer pressure is most grounded amid pre-adulthood because of the time spent with scores of similarly-aged groups and the high significance youngsters put on their peers’ opinions. How does knowing this help you? You can salute yourself for transitioning from that challenging time. On the off chance that you acknowledge your weaknesses, you are less vulnerable to another person’s judgment.
A shadow, you will never be Little children emulate their parents and young people get affected by their friends' selection of colleges to go to. This is part of learning self-concept. A female intern will take after the dress style of female supervisor and a male student will emulate the definitive voice of his guide. This is a characteristic piece of adjusting to the work culture. When you grasp who you truly are, you have a steady self-idea. You know about your identity qualities, what you look like and sound, your values, convictions, objectives and aptitudes. Also, you value your uniqueness. Duplicate someone else's character? That is improbable on the grounds that you are open to being you.
24
26
28
30
32
COLOUR DEFINES LIFE
Writers Guild Kenya A Content Creation Hub that grows talent from Scratch
36
Writers Guild Kenya is an incubation Centre for Writers based at The Writers Centre, Nairobi. Started off as a students’ club in Kenyatta University in 2014, and later outgrew to the level it is, the incubation Centre has received great accolades and recognition for the work they do in nurturing writing and making the field lucrative again in Africa. At the helm of the organization is a young man, Gabriel Dinda, who from the looks is more of a banker. But looks can be deceiving. This is the man who now is joyfully referred to as the ‘father of writers’. A father? At 24?.. The Banza Magazine sort to know more.
38
Who is Gabriel Dinda? Gabriel Dinda is a writer by passion, a co-author of two books. I am a trained Economist and an Accountant. However, Writing married me and I have since forgotten the other two When and how did you realize you have a talent in writing? It was a pure act of trial and error, when one day I wrote an article and submitted to one for the departments for evaluation. They liked it and gave me a chance to be an Editor of a Magazine. That is how the whole journey started What inspired you to Start Writers Guild Kenya and what is it about? In doing my duties as the Editor of Career Focus Magazine, I met a number of Writers who innocently gave me their articles and asked me if they ‘ were good enough’. Because within a very short time, I had gotten to serve in other magazines within Kenyatta University. It was around that time when I used to submit a lot of my articles to the Mainstream Media(mostly the opinion columns). Sometimes they would publish, sometimes they wouldn’t. But never ever did they even acknowledge the receipt of such articles. Not even an automated response. With this I asked myself these questions: Is there a platform which can give feedback to a writer on whether their article is good or not? Is there a platform which publishes writers work? Is there a platform which grows young writers regardless of the course they do? And do I have a moral authority to tell a writer whether their article is good or not? The answers to these questions pointed out to lack of such a platform. I decided to create it.
Where did you start? We started as a students’ club, however, progressively, we have moved to be a profit making enterprise providing content for companies and individuals. As an Incubation Centre our activities are divided into three: Incubation(where we grow the ‘small’ writers from Scratch), Writing & Reading Advocacy(here we have a number of programs to promote reading and writing across the country) & Enterprise(here we offer Writing Services to Companies and Individuals. Assume for instance you would want your autobiography done for you. We will do it through our Enterprise, and guess what, the writer will be one of these young incubated Writers because they specialize in different areas. So, that way, we create employment opportunities to many writers. That is why Prof. Tom Odhiambo, from University of Nairobi once referred to us as ‘Creators of Careers out of nothing’ Are you comfortable with social entrepreneurship or it is so much for you? Imagine how comfortable you would be if you got what you want in life, a house of your dream, total peace of mind in Christ, Joyful children and a happy future ‘thereafter’. That is what I feel. And I greatly thank God for using me to help fulfill the ambitions of many young people. We are very comfortable and for the job offers which have come our way, we humbly let other people take the chances, because really this is bigger than any of us can imagine.
40
How does it feel to be a CEO and Founder of Writers Guild Kenya at this tender age? I do not consider myself as a CEO but a manager of God’s project. It feels good to be trusted by my Father in Heaven to implement His Project here on Earth. This I believe is the reason for which He created me and in all we do, glory goes to Him. Very soon, we will change the world through this platform (do not forget this statement). In your opinion what do you think should be done to improve the current state of writing, performing arts and poetry in our schools? Creating platforms to help them express their talents, this can be done during graduation, culture weeks, asking them to perform during cerebrations and instead of getting people from outside to perform in the university cerebrations we engage our students who I believe are talented and only need that platform. What initiatives do you have in place to encourage writers and leaders to develop interest in writing and poems and to revive it in our country as a form entertainment and platform for learning? Every platform we have inspires Writers. You can best understand this when you become one of us. We have chapters in various universities: Kenyatta University; Nairobi and Mombasa campuses, Masinde Muliro University, Moi University and Makini School. We visit them after three months and do a writing expedition.
When we meet we always review our own works, we donate books to schools and encourage young people to write, guide them through. All chapters have their everyday activities and we have ‘ Writers Ekklesia’ every Friday at I and M Building, 9th Floor. This is where established Writers meet young ones. We teach our writers about social life and good morals as well. Writer Guild Kenya’s greatest wish is; one day writing will be a course on its own in the university and our Centre, The Writers Centre, Nairobi will be the biggest and most effective Writers Center in the world. What are some of your plans for Writers Guild Kenya for the next 5 Years? This is our Vision: To be an Internationally Recognized Centre for Writers offering Quality Writing and Related Services. This is all we want to achieve, and we will achieve it, before you realize. We are currently working on our systems and digitizing most of our operations in line with our strategy to ensure we remain competitive in this virgin industry.
Advice for the upcoming writers and poets out there who are stuck with no idea where to start and how to express themselves in wring and poems? Recognize writing, poetry and encourage them to see writing as a career where you can earn a living and live happily, we need to change writers’ perspectives by knowing writing is a goldmine waiting to be mined. Just contact us and we will show you how. Last word….. We, as young people have a great chance to change the things we would wish changed. How offending it will be to sneak through life, do nothing and die with nothing to show. We have a chance to do so, through serving the purpose for which we were created. Gabriel Dinda is available at The Writers Guild Kenya offices in ICEA Building, 17th Floor, Nairobi and through email: gdinda@writersguildke.com
Advice you can give to youths out there who are frustrated after completing their study and are jobless? Everyone has a purpose. We are struggling to fit in other people’s arrangements. Ask God the purpose for which he created you. Once you get your purpose, you wouldn’t struggle. Frustration will not be your portion. 42
COLOUR sets the mood
You’ll build meaningful relationships People get their signal from the way you carry on and treat yourself. On the off chance that your conduct is consistent with your convictions and qualities, they will perceive a man who is comparable or not quite the same as them yet who is, of course, a person, with his or her set of convictions and qualities. They won't misread your actions. You know what you deserve and are happy asking nicely for it. You don't give others a chance to force their beliefs on you, and you withhold judging them. When you live your life for you, you will pull in other authentic people who respect, support, and value you.
You’ll graduate from “maybes” and “what ifs” What if I apply for a managerial position and get rejected? What if I tell this girl I like her and she snickers at my face? What if I invest in that business and it goes bankrupt? Possibly I ought to simply agree to where I am presently. Over-examining and stressing over negative outcomes comes from self-question, which is simply the opposite of certainty. A man with great confidence has a better than average perception of self. You know your aptitudes, are guided by your qualities and convictions; learn from slip-ups, and proudly enjoy your triumphs. Self-learning and thankfulness drive out self-question.
46
VIDEO OF THE YEAR Kendrick Lamar – “HUMBLE.” (TDE/Aftermath/Interscope) Bruno Mars – “24K Magic” (Atlantic Records) Alessia Cara – “Scars To Your Beautiful” (Def Jam) DJ Khaled ft. Rihanna & Bryson Tiller – “Wild Thoughts” (Epic Records/We The Best) The Weeknd – “Reminder” (XO/Republic Records) ARTIST OF THE YEAR Bruno Mars (Atlantic Records) Kendrick Lamar (TDE/Aftermath/Interscope) Ed Sheeran (Atlantic Records) Ariana Grande (Republic Records) The Weeknd (XO/Republic Records) Lorde (Republic Records) BEST NEW ARTIST (Presented by Taco Bell®) Khalid (RCA Records) Kodak Black (Atlantic Records) SZA (TDE/RCA Records) Young M.A (3D) Julia Michaels (Republic Records) Noah Cyrus (Records) BEST COLLABORATION Charlie Puth ft. Selena Gomez – “We Don’t Talk Anymore” (Atlantic Records) DJ Khaled ft. Rihanna & Bryson Tiller – “Wild Thoughts” (Epic Records/We The Best) D.R.A.M. ft. Lil Yachty – “Broccoli” (Atlantic Records) The Chainsmokers ft. Halsey – “Closer” (Disruptor Records/Columbia Records) Calvin Harris ft. Pharrell Williams, Katy Perry & Big Sean – “Feels” (Columbia Records) Zayn & Taylor Swift – “I Don’t Wanna Live Forever (Fifty Shades Darker)” (Republic Records)
46
BEST POP Shawn Mendes – “Treat You Better” (Island Records) Ed Sheeran – “Shape of You” (Asylum/Atlantic Records) Harry Styles – “Sign Of The Times” (Columbia Records) Fifth Harmony ft. Gucci Mane – “Down” (Syco Music/Epic Records) Katy Perry ft. Skip Marley – “Chained To The Rhythm” (Capitol Records) Miley Cyrus – “Malibu” (RCA Records)
48
BEST HIP HOP Kendrick Lamar – “HUMBLE.” (TDE/Aftermath/Interscope) Big Sean – “Bounce Back” (Def Jam) Chance the Rapper – “Same Drugs” (Chance the Rapper LLC) D.R.A.M. ft. Lil Yachty – “Broccoli” (Atlantic Records) Migos ft. Lil Uzi Vert – “Bad & Boujee” (300 Entertainment) DJ Khaled ft. Justin Bieber, Quavo, Chance the Rapper & Lil Wayne – “I’m The One” (Epic Records/We The Best) BEST DANCE Zedd and Alessia Cara – “Stay” (Interscope) Kygo x Selena Gomez – “It Ain’t Me” (Ultra/Interscope) Calvin Harris – “My Way” (Columbia Records) Major Lazer ft. Justin Bieber and Mø – “Cold Water” (Mad Decent) Afrojack ft. Ty Dolla $ign – “Gone” (Wall Recordings/Latium/RCA Records) BEST ROCK Coldplay – “A Head Full of Dreams” (Parlophone/Atlantic Records) Fall Out Boy – “Young And Menace” (Island) Twenty One Pilots – “Heavydirtysoul” (Fueled by Ramen/Atlantic Records) Green Day – “Bang Bang” (Warner Bros. Records) Foo Fighters – “Run” (RCA Records) BEST FIGHT AGAINST THE SYSTEM Logic ft. Damian Lemar Hudson – “Black SpiderMan” (Def Jam) The Hamilton Mixtape – “Immigrants (We Get the Job Done)” (Atlantic Records) Big Sean – “Light” (Def Jam) Alessia Cara – “Scars To Your Beautiful” (Def Jam) Taboo ft. Shailene Woodley – “Stand Up / Stand N Rock #NoDAPL” John Legend – “Surefire” (Columbia Records) BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY Kendrick Lamar – “HUMBLE.” (TDE/Aftermath/Interscope) (Scott Cunningham) Imagine Dragons – “Thunder” (KIDinaKORNER/Interscope) (Matthew Wise) Ed Sheeran – “Castle On The Hill” (Asylum/Atlantic Records) (Steve Annis) DJ Shadow ft. Run The Jewels – “Nobody Speak” (Mass Appeal Records LLC) (David Proctor) Halsey – “Now or Never” (Astralwerks/Capitol) (Kristof Brandl) BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY Kendrick Lamar – “HUMBLE.” (TDE/Aftermath/Interscope) (Scott Cunningham) Imagine Dragons – “Thunder” (KIDinaKORNER/Interscope) (Matthew Wise) Ed Sheeran – “Castle On The Hill” (Asylum/Atlantic Records) (Steve Annis) DJ Shadow ft. Run The Jewels – “Nobody Speak” (Mass Appeal Records LLC) (David Proctor) Halsey – “Now or Never” (Astralwerks/Capitol) (Kristof Brandl)
BEST DIRECTION Kendrick Lamar – “HUMBLE.” (TDE/Aftermath/Interscope) (Dave Meyers & the little homies) Katy Perry ft. Skip Marley – “Chained To The Rhythm” (Capitol Records) (Mathew Cullen) Bruno Mars – “24K Magic” (Atlantic Records) (Cameron Duddy & Bruno Mars) Alessia Cara – “Scars To Your Beautiful” (Def Jam) (Aaron A) The Weeknd – “Reminder” (XO/Republic Records) (Glenn Michael) BEST ART DIRECTION Kendrick Lamar – “HUMBLE.” (TDE/Aftermath/Interscope) (Spencer Graves) Bruno Mars – “24K Magic” (Atlantic Records) (Alex Delgado) Katy Perry ft. Migos – “Bon Appetit” (Capitol Records) (Natalie Groce) DJ Khaled ft. Rihanna & Bryson Tiller – “Wild Thoughts” (Epic Records/We The Best) (Damian Fyffe) The Weeknd – “Reminder” (XO/Republic Records) (Creative Director: Lamar C Taylor / Co-creative Director: Christo Anesti) BEST VISUAL EFFECTS Kendrick Lamar – “HUMBLE.” (TDE/Aftermath/Interscope) (Company: Timber/Lead: Jonah Hall) A Tribe Called Quest – “Dis Generation” (Epic Records) (Company: Bemo/Lead: Brandon Hirzel) KYLE ft. Lil Yachty – “iSpy” (Atlantic Records) (Company: Gloria FX/Leads: Max Colt & Tomash Kuzmytskyi) Katy Perry ft. Skip Marley – “Chained To The Rhythm” (Capitol Records) (Company: MIRADA) Harry Styles – “Sign Of The Times” (Columbia Records) (Company: ONE MORE/Lead: Cédric Nivoliez) BEST CHOREOGRAPHY Kanye West – “Fade” (Def Jam) (Teyana Taylor, Guapo, Jae Blaze & Derek ‘Bentley’ Watkins) Ariana Grande ft. Nicki Minaj – “Side To Side” (Republic Records) (Brian & Scott Nicholson) Kendrick Lamar – “HUMBLE.” (TDE/Aftermath/Interscope) (Dave Meyers) Sia – “The Greatest” (Monkey Puzzle Records/RCA Records) (Ryan Heffington) Fifth Harmony ft. Gucci Mane – “Down” (Syco Music/Epic Records) (Sean Bankhead) BEST EDITING Future – “Mask Off” (Epic Records/Freebandz/A1) (Vinnie Hobbs of VHPost) Young Thug – “Wyclef Jean” (300 Entertainment/Atlantic Records) (Ryan Staake & Eric Degliomini) Lorde – “Green Light” (Republic Records) (Nate Gross of Exile Edit) The Chainsmokers ft. Halsey – “Closer” (Disruptor Records/Columbia Records) (Jennifer Kennedy) The Weeknd – “Reminder” (XO/Republic Records) (Red Barbaza)
50