EXCLUSIVE JULY 2016
Imagine that
BUSINESS Unlocking Opportunities in Africa
+
THE INTERNET OF THINGS
and what it holds for Agriculture
LIFESTYLE GET RID OF BLACK SPOTS
FASHION FACE
13
ways to adorn the rebel
Natascha Nyaguthie
FOR GOOD
THANK YOU
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RED IS BOLD and so are you banza youtube
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12
stay positive
keep the faith
we made it Banza Magazine | November 2016 | 7
meet our awesome ladies
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and the crazy gents
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Editor’s Note
when I am most alive Joseph Rutakangwa is a dreamer. If you don’t know who Joseph Rutakangwa is (you need some real conversation and a shot of Pernod Ricard's Jameson), I will make mention of his finesse. On Friday, October 9th, 2015 at 08:50 AM, I received an email that invited me to listen to the dreamer talking about his dream. A few days later, I, alongside others, attended a meeting with the dreamer to listen to his dream. And from there, Banza was born In many ways, a man is more alive in his dreams. And as James Allen said, “The dreamers are the saviours of the world.” Banza is what it is today because Joseph Rutakangwa cherished his dreams. You can be what you will to be if you choose to cherish your dreams. I would like to thank you for your continued support to seeing the Banza Dream become a reality in the world stage. But most importantly, I would like to challenge you to “Cherish your visions, cherish your ideals, cherish the music that stirs in your mind, the loveliness that drapes your purest thoughts, for out of them will grow all delightful conditions, all heavenly environment; of these, if you remain true to them, your world will at last be built.” Imagine that. Happy reading
Editor-in-Chief Eric Maingi
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THE CREW CEO Joseph Rutakangwa Editor-in-Chief Eric Maingi Lead Desginer Ermias Mehari Asst Graphic Designer Ebenezer Graham Creative Director Elsa Yeboah-Boateng Photography Jo Che Sookara Akshee
this is JULY 2016
Guest Writer Kevin Omondi
Imagine that
Columnists Business Kabo Madigele Mohamed Maalainine Fashion Face Hawi Tiyo Linda Admassu Mary Mang’eni Meklit Baye Lifestyle Hawi Tiyo Joseph Rutakangwa Featured One Pusumane Natascha Nyaguthie Wangui Kibera Mary Adhiambo
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CONTENTS
8 INSIDE BANZA 06
Banza Social
12
Editor’s Note
13
Meet the Crew
FASHION FACE 20
Cover Girl Natascha Nyaguthie rocks 13 different outfits, with Mary and Jo Che
48
60 Seconds Meet Wangui Kibera in her best self yet
70
20
BUSINESS 52 56
Success Learn how to maintain good relationships with your customer
62
Guest Writer The internet of things and the role it has in boosting agriculture in Africa today
Feature Africa is unlocking new opportunities for entrepreneurship. This is how
LIFESTYLE 68
Living A simple thank you will do
74
18 Beyoutiful you How to get rid of black spots once and for all
78 Reviews Movie and Music Releases
PEOPLE Just breathe One Pusumane shares her heart on anniversaries
76 Model Profile Meet Mary Adhiambo
Just Breathe my Love
by One Pusumane
I can never have too many anniversaries. I sometimes find mine just when the sky is about to kiss the sky goodnight. Moments when darkness is ready to slit daylight so as to unveil the beauty found in dead sunsets. I am reminded that the battle Between good and evil will never end. I guess that’s why I wait a year to celebrate my life because the passage between birth and death manifests itself as a labyrinth I could never escape from. I can never recount how many words I have killed. Their screams are forever haunting me as they bleed through white sheets. White sheets, empty and consuming thus, reminding me that sometimes emptiness isn’t so empty after all. I have never heard Cupid's footsteps and I guess that's why I keep a lock over my heart because the little rascal always outsmarts me. She cripples me with hope because then I will be busy waiting on love and to be French kissed under the moonlight by a caramel skinned devil who is worthy to die for. I am stuck in world that beats me down in the name of love. So I guess I am still the 12-year-old who thinks the guys who shoved me around in the playground was busy loving me. I mean cupids shoot with deadly arrows. Isn’t that love? Acceptance and love are delusions I forgot a long time ago when time left time because baby girl, time doesn't heal all wounds. The wounds become the time. They are like reminders. No wonder why I need anniversaries to remind me that God sent angels to guard over us. We are like monsters. Such a beautiful mess. Like the turmoil I am in when I crash into you. I yearn to drown in arms who are like nests which I call home on random days when I can't find solace at the bottom of Hennessy bottle. On most days a beating heart is my anniversary. Aren’t we all trying to navigate the shattered pieces of ourselves? Holding each piece carefully so we don’t bleed out and mess the white spaces we occupy? Just breathe my love. Breathe and know that you are enough.
FASHION FACE A woman can be overdressed but not over elegant. This month, be an expert in adorning your killer body with 13 wardrobe favourites and let loose the rebel in you by MARY MANG’ENI
Model Natascha Nyaguthie Photographer Joe Che Fashion Directors Hawi Tiyo Linda Admassu
Black Strapless hi-low dress, Red double -sole heels
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Red Strapless hi-low dress,Black suede ankle boots
Black Laced Bodycon Dress, Pink Double-sole heels
Black Spaghetti Strapped bodycon Dress, Red leather boots
Upcycled Bob Marley circle skirt and top, Gladiator Sandals
White Laced Crop top and skirt
White Sleeveless Scoop Neck Dress, White Blazer, Black suede ankle boots
Long Ankara jacket, White and yellow striped vest and short, Red wedge Sneakers
Black & white striped Crop top, Denim booty shorts, White wedge Sneakers
Long Red Skater Dress, Blue Double-sole heels with black and gold detail
Little Black Dress (LBD), Luminous green wet look heels
Long Floral jumpsuit, Black Nike Dunk High Heels
60
seconds with Meklit Baye
Why do you like your fashion? It’s fun and spontaneous most of the time Who do you look up to when it comes to fashion? I like the element of Abstract in everything I do. Because of that, I admire people who think outside the box when it comes to fashion such as Yetunde Sarumi. Why do you think your style is unique? It expresses who I am, and I am very unique! Do you consider yourself a trend-setter? No, I don’t. A trendsetter leads the way in fashion, and I don’t see myself as one. Where do you see yourself in the future when it comes to fashion? Still rocking my fun and at times abstract style! Any last comments or advice for our readers You should be comfortable and confident in whatever you wear!
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a r e b i K i u g n a W
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How to Maintain Good Relationships with your stakeholders
By Mohamed Maalainine
Have you ever wondered why some entrepreneurs with great ideas fail whereas those with average ideas succeed? By now you understand that ideas are cheap. But there is more to it. Your stakeholders play a major role in your survival in the competitive startup scene. Investors, suppliers, employees and consumers are the fuel of your company; without them, you don’t exist. Although, on the face value they sound as if they fall into different buckets, they all, in essence, share the same thing; they are humans. Managing your relationships with them ought to be human. And this is how you will triumph with them in the competitive scene:
Be Grateful Never forget to say "thank you" when it is due --which is all the time. Whether you are getting negative feedback from your customer or being pressured by your board, always thank them for the effort they are making so that you develop yourself and succeed.
Appreciate Humans love to feel appreciated. Now the difference between being grateful and being appreciative is that in the latter you need to be specific.
Deliver Deliver whatever promise you make. Otherwise, don't make any. It's either you are up for the challenge, or you are not. In that case, leave another startup or person to lead the way.
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Surprise By far this is probably the best way to sustain a good relationship with your stakeholders. In fact, this combined with the others might and surely will take that relationship from the good to great. Remember, good is the enemy of great! In the pursuit of greatness, try your hardest to always surprise your stakeholders by either delivering more than what you promised or by sending out gifts. Kids love gifts; adults too! When choosing a gift for someone, remember that you are buying it for them, not you. This is a common mistake. Ensure the gift suits the individuals’ interests. Talk to the person and find out what they like. Even though you talk to the person on a regular basis, always assume that you are John Snow—you know nothing. If you are afraid to receive responses like, ‘We have been together for two years and you still don't know what I like?!’ ask them what they consider to be a good gift. At worst, if you want to avoid all this you can either buy a gift basket or a gift voucher or a coupon. It works like magic!
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In the pursuit of greatness, try your hardest to always surprise your stakeholders by delivering more than what you promised
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How Africa is Unlocking Opp
BY KABO
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portunities for Entrepreneurs
O MADIGELE
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T
The turbulence that emanated caused by the 2008 financial crisis has created mixed feelings and scepticism about the future of the African economy. Is it really rising? Despite that, experts are continually painting an optimistic picture of Africa’s economic prospects. Recently released EY’s Africa attractiveness program 2016 and McKinsey Global Institute’s LIONS ON THE MOVE II: REALIZING THE POTENTIAL OF AFRICA’S ECONOMIES, are revealing very positive trends in the African economy. The turbulence that emanated from caused by the 2008 financial crisis has created mixed feelings and scepticism about the future of the African economy. Is it really rising?
According to them, we are yet to see resounding economic success stories. But that is possibly only if relevant authorities and governments deliberately make the much needed reforms to catalyse business development and growth. It is not a secret that bureaucracy, red tape and all forms of unhealthy practices have somehow defined and become an identity of Africa’s business fabric. It is not only imperative that governments step up, entrepreneurs should also exploit business opportunities and reforms as they unbundle. So that begs the question, what are those opportunities and what do they mean to you as an entrepreneur?
in summary
• Africa is yet to see resounding economic success stories
• Ease of doing business, technological breakthroughs, internet and mobile penetration as well as population bursts are great opportunities of growth
• It is imperative that governments step up their reforms
Ease of doing business
Operational costs are being reduced, especially utilities like electricity. Kenya, Senegal, Togo and Uganda have improved the power sector by reducing the costs of electricity installation as well as the delays caused by very long application and installation processes. Intra-Africa trade has always been very difficult and costly both financially and time-wise. Countries are now forming alliances to overhaul infrastructure such as rail lines that will ease the movement of goods between them. Although movement of people within the continent is still a challenge, progress is being made, Currently 13 African countries allow entry without advance visas, and an all-Africa Passport was recently launched, permitting free access to all African states oncethey have been distributed to all Africans by 2020.
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Several countries are instituting reforms that are improving the business environment on many fronts. Tight strings being slowly loosened, when it comes to registering new businesses, obtaining relevant trading licences, paying tax, obtaining Visas and work permits. This year alone, Sub-Saharan Africa accounted close to 30 % of the most imperative reforms in the ease of doing business. Angola, Benin, Kenya, Rwanda, Senegal and Uganda have reduced the costs, time and processes required to incorporate new companies, chiefly by employing digital technology.
relevant authorities and governments deliberately [need to] make the much needed reforms to catalyse business development and growth.
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Technology
African countries are getting connected to each other and to the rest of the world. That is being made possible via social media; a platform which doubles up as one of the most powerful marketing tools for most companies. Businesses can make targeted adverts at a fraction of the cost (or even at zero cost) of traditional advertising media. As of now, Africa accounts for 9.3 % of the 1.7 billion Facebook users, while a recent study revealed that about 77 % of African Twitter users use English. This offers a vast opportunity for companies to reach African customers, who speak over 3000 languages.
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High mobile & Internet Penetration
Mobile phones are proving to be a widely preferred and effective means of building and disseminating digital services. A fast increasing number of tech start-ups of all sizes are being founded around mobile solutions, symbolising a burgeoning growth of the sector. Over the last five years, the mobile internet subscriptions tripled to 300 million, and projected to increase by 250 million by 2020. Moreover, McKinsey forecasts internet penetration to reach 50 % by 2020. These developments are already delivering game-changing transformations in many economic sectors. For instance, the mobile money service MPesa has offered financial inclusion
to unbanked communities making it seamless to foot utility bills, employee salaries, taxi fares and flight tickets in the countries it operates in. It recently reached a 25 million customer milestone.
Fastest Growing Population
With the global population expected to surge to 11.2 billion by 2100, Africa is going to contribute the largest share. This is a huge market opportunity due to the growing middle class and consumer spending. The African workforce is becoming increasingly young, as opposed to ageing populations in developed economies. By 2034, Africa’s working-age population is projected to surpass that of the world’s largest populations, India and China. This means that Africa will have an increased productive potential. These and many other positive trends in Africa present a plethora of business opportunities for entrepreneurs to create and invent. They also present a perfect landscape for innovations in the sharing economy (global value to be $335 billion by 2025, which is still at an infant stage in Africa.
what the numbers say
13
countries that have a free entry to thier territory without advance visa
3K
number of languages spoken in Africa
300 mn
number of mobile internet subscriptions in Africa
350 bn
projected growth of sharing economic sectors in USD by 2025
The Internet of Things(IoT) and how it could Impact Agriculture by Kevin Omondi
Welcome to the internet of things. IoT creates a scenario where devices with an on/off button can easily and effectively communicate with each other. Taking you back to the advent of the computer, which has seen revolutionary changes in the way we conduct business, processes were slow and less efficient. Today the introduction of newer technologies has impacted the way businesses store and disseminate information. Initially, this storage and dissemination was done on diskettes and flash drives that even though economical, still had their shortfalls as far as security was concerned. Then came a new technology dubbed “cloud computing� (that eliminates physical storage of data) which saw an even more radical approach to the way businesses interact with their stakeholders. As more and more technologies are introduced at a rather fast pace, one stands to wonder what the next big thing is and what it means to businesses.
Technological changes serve to make the effort put into carrying out tasks minimal but more efficient, enhancing human and natural resource utilization and utility. IoT is one of the hottest technological inventions so far that promises to cause so many disruptions to almost all industries. Smart Home technologies that could see one control home appliances remotely on a phone are already being used.
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I
Imagine a world where devices communicate with each other without relying on human input. This could be your smartphone sounding an alarm to wake you up while at the same time communicating to your toaster and coffee maker to prepare breakfast. In addition, it checks for the best route and communicates to your car on what route to use to be on time for a certain meeting scheduled in your calendar.
Why this Article is about IoT and Agriculture
As more and more technologies are introduced at a rather fast pace, one stands to wonder what the next big thing is and what it means to businesses.
Sensors in cars and other motors have made it possible for companies such as Google and Tesla to come up with self-driving vehicles that are amazingly efficient. In contrast, the application of IoT in agriculture (smart farming) is rather minimal. In fact, other agricultural related activities such as Smart Supply Chain and Smart Retail are marginally applied (about 2% application.) Keeping in mind how important agriculture is, the application of this technology is not optimally used to satisfy human food supply.
Did you know
70% of Africans make a living from agriculture although it only accounts for 33% of the continent’s gross domestic product. This means that 70% of Africans make their living from agriculture – but not in a way that helps economies grow. Only 8/54 countries in Africa have kept promises to invest more in Agriculture. This is because not enough African governments are investing in agriculture programs.
How can we leverage IoT in Agriculture?
The realisation of better irrigation, farming equipment, storage, market access and optimum land rights could mean brighter futures for most African farmers and consumers alike. With the advent of IoT, agriculture could be the prime focus. IoT should not follow the same trend. It would be more sustainable if IoT impacted agriculture and its related activities the most.
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Growth in Agriculture is 11 times more effective at reducing poverty in Africa than growth in other sectors. Other sectors like mining and utilities accrue wealth for just a privileged few. Most technologies impact agriculture in minimal scales whilst impacting other sectors such as finance in such huge scales. Taking this African perspective would warrant questioning why the application of technological solutions to farming is on the low yet agriculture is one of the most important parts of African economies.
Growth in Agriculture is 11 times more effective at reducing poverty in Africa than growth in other sectors
What IoT could promise Agriculture 1. Connected field-specific weather stations and soil moisture sensors could inform you of the important weather and soil data that would for example alert you when conditions warrant a fungicide application. 2. Performance and yield data can already be transferred wirelessly from many forms of farm equipment. This would greatly improve the feedback loop and enable efficient farm maintenance. 3. Bio-monitoring devices that track temperature, heart rate, respiration and movement on sentinel animals in livestock herds will provide an early warning for animal health stressors. 4. Appropriate feed adjustments could be initiated automatically or remotely. 5. Connected sensors will automatically monitor inventories of all descriptions. 6. The farmer can manage his finances more appropriately through IoT-enabled record keeping devices.
Conclusion
The great responsibility of feeding the fast changing world population lies in the way we will innovate agricultural processes. With the ever increasing population, the lack of arable land and low farm productivity, it is more promising if we leverage technologies like IoT to change the way we grow our food. IoT is in its infancy but the possibilities it possesses would give us way more power. We should be careful not to acquire all the right technology for all the wrong reasons.
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The Banza Business Team would like to express its heartfelt gratitude in your uninterrupted support through reading and enjoying our articles every month. It has been a long and rewarding journey which began by taking a leap of faith and believing that we have something different to offer the world. We have discovered a lot and learned many lessons that are growing us tremendously. As in our previous publications, we feature rising young African entrepreneurs. Our mission is to inspire the world with their stories, showcase their work and connect them to the world. Over and above, we want to tell their stories, the African story, in an authentic way. We solicit your feedback, as it is indispensable in delivering work that is not only exceptional but aligned to you, our reader’s needs. Thank You.
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A Simple ‘Thank You’ to These Things Will Do By Joseph Rutakangwa
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1. Your body The first physical thing that became yours. Your body is uniquely designed for you, equipped to keep you alive throughout your lifetime. Take care of yourself and be thankful to have that body.
2. Your name It’s your first identity. It’s cool. Just look up your name’s origin, what it means and what it means for you. You’ll be thankful you have that name.
3. Your Papa and Ma Our first role models. Our first teachers. Our first everything. Even if they’re flawed, you’re lucky to have them.
4. Family Before you became a known hairstylist, you made your sibling’s hair. Before you became a great engineer, you fixed things with your siblings at home and broke some. Before you became a known athlete, you played with your siblings. As the first society you joined, you should be grateful to have your family.
5. A place you call home It can be a studio, a penthouse, a cave or a manor – it’s your home. Be grateful for it.
6. Your bed Airport layovers remind me of how lucky I am to have a bed. We usually take it for granted, until we don’t have one.
7. That cold side of the pillow There’s a thing about it that brings us satisfaction.
8. Sleep Sleep is one of those things that we assume are there by default until we can’t sleep.
9. Laughter For those seconds or minutes when you’re laughing, life balances out.
10. Fresh air The fact that you can inhale and exhale fresh air is something to be thankful for.
11. Weekends Can you imagine not having weekends? I can’t. A special shout out to Friday – a day we look forward to every Monday morning.
12. Music Lifts your soul when you’re feeling down; motivates you when you’re working, and fills you when you’re happy. Music is always there for you.
13. Your education If you’re reading this, you got so much to be thankful for. It looks like everyone can read and write nowadays – it’s no longer a big deal, right? Nope. According to UNESCO, almost 1 billion people are still illiterate.
14. The internet You would have to walk to a store to get your copy of Banza, but the internet brings it to your screen within seconds after release. You no longer have
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to spend a fortune on education and entertainment. Thanks to the internet.
15. Your finances Maybe you’re not on Forbes rich list, but you surely are ahead of at least a billion people on earth. I know you think I made a typo – I didn’t. Go to Global Rich List and see where you stand.
16. Your imagination Sometimes reality is ugly. It’s times like these we find ourselves living in the future through our imagination. It’s time like these we imagine ways to make improve our reality. And this is how we develop new products, get better at our jobs, build relationships, and become happier. Thanks to imagination.
17. The life you have Maybe your life is so messed up, but guess what? You can dream. To be able to dream is a gift we have from life.
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Be-you-tiful 101
by Hawi Tiyo
Dark spots
What are dark spots and why do we get them? Dark spots are basically caused due to overproduction of melanin, a substance which protects us against UV and UVB radiations from the sun. It’s excess production occurs due to too much exposure to sun, pimples, acnes, hyperpigmentation by hormonal imbalances) and medical conditions. Every dark spot you see on our body might not be as a result of similar causes. Melasma, which is caused due to hormonal disorders due to pregnancy, Lentigines, which are caused by too much exposure to sunlight, Pimple marks, which are scars formed when you pop a pimple can be some examples. Here are some natural remedies that will help get rid of the spots for good:
Turmeric
Aloe Vera
Applying a paste of Turmeric powder, milk and lemon juice on skin and rinsing after 20 minutes will help to remove your dark spots. Turmeric is a natural skin whitening agent because of an ingredient it contains called Curcumin, which has powerful anti-inflammatory effects and is a very strong antioxidant.
Applying aloe Vera gel directly on your dark spots is proven to be helpful. Aloe Vera has a healing effect on our skin due to the hormones it contains, namely Auxin and Gibberellins, which provide anti-inflammatory properties that reduce skin inflammation.
Honey Applying honey after washing your face lukewarm water and rinsing after 10-15 minutes is proven to give phenomenal results in getting rid of black spots. Honey being a usual semi-acidic antibiotic, it gets rid of the bacteria that leads to black spots.
Lemon Putting some lemon juice on a cotton and subbing your dark spots once a day is proving to help remove black spots due to its acidity. It can cause inflammation to sensitive skins so you should be careful in avoiding the side effects and
• The treatments should be continued daily for at least two weeks.
For prevention Avoid too much exposure to the sunlight and use sunscreen when spending time in sunlight since sunburn is one of the main causes for dark spots and skin hyperpigmentation. Also be careful while choosing skin care products and cosmetics because some may contain harsh ingredients such as lead and hydroquinone, which may cause skin burn and dark spots.
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meet
Mary Adhiambo Age 19
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Aspirations To run a blog that captures experiences from as many colourful themes as possible, especially the coastal theme. The beach, hotels and historical features are fascinating.
Motivation Sites and Buildings; they give me ideas for shoots. Future Ambition To have clothes and designs from cultures all over the world. And Sneakers! I love Sneakers.
Fashion Driver Comfortability. I love comfort when it comes to dressing and there are so many ways to stay comfortable while rocking chic clothes.
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RECOMMENDED
MUSIC RECOMMENDATION
24K Magic
“
It’s groovy with a new sound; a blend of R&B from the 70s and 80s. Definitely the best choice when you’re on a dance-floor.
”
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NEW ALBUM RELEASES NOVEMBER 2016
Here
Starboy
Black America Again
Alicia Keys
The Weeknd
Common
Hardwired…To Self-Destruct Metallica
A Seat at the Table
You Want It Darker
Solange
Leonard Cohen
Running Out of Love
Front Row Seat to Earth
Being No One,
The Radio Dept.
Weyes Blood
Going Nowhere STRFKR
RECOMMENDED
MOVIE RECOMMENDATION
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
“
J.K. Rowling’s opuses are more pertinent to screen than page and Fantastic Beasts proves just that.
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NOVEMBER MOVIE RELEASES
Doctor Strange Genre: Superhero Release Date: 04/11/2016
Trolls Genre: Animation Release Date: 04/11/2016
Arrival Genre: Sci-Fi Release Date: 11/11/2016
Almost Christmas Genre: Holiday Release Date: 11/11/2016
Friend Request Genre: Horror Release Date: 18/11/2016
Bleed for This Genre: Sports Release Date: 18/11/2016
Moana Genre: Animation Release Date: 23/11/2016
Rules Don’t Apply Genre: Romance Release Date: 23/11/2016
Allied Genre: Spy Release Date: 23/11/2016
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that's IT
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