Tanzanians rejoice as it finally starts raining
Deo Simba, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania- It hasn't rained for months in Tanzania. The consequence was that the prices of sample food like rice, maize, beans and others rocketed beyond the reach of masses. In the coming weeks, the prices are expected to gradually drop. ‘The situation will be much better from May onward’, says a seller in the Kisutu market in Dar es Salaam. View the video

Kenya: Cobbler takes advantage of inflation
Neville Omondi, Nairobi, Kenya - As more and more Kenyans are unable to afford new pairs of shoes due to rampant inflation, cobblers in the capital Nairobi are making extra profit as old shoes are massively brought to them for mending. Silas Musyoka is cobbler working near Korogocho, one of the many urban slums in the Kenyan capital Nairobi. He has a wife and 3 children who depend entirely on his business. View the video

Showing authentic Africa

Olivier Nyirubugara-The supporters and lovers of the VoicesofAfrica will agree with me that mobile reporters have made considerable progress in recent months. Above all, they are projecting another image of the African continent, the true, authentic one of a working Africa. The philosophy behind the VoicesofAfrica has always been to push local talents to get inspiration from local events and initiatives that seem ordinary at first sight, and turn them into attractive stories. This March issue of the project’s newsletter exemplifies the above: Deo Simba reports not only about the crucial and central role rains play in everyday life, but also on the job opportunities created by the unprecedented expansion of Dar es Salaam. A few miles to the north, Abisae Maeda, draws our attention on the endangered environment, but also on its protection through the use of donkey and transport means. I should simply say: THAT IS AFRICA!

Ghanaians about ex-gratia for former president
Ameyaw Debrah, Accra, Ghana- The ex-gratia package suggested for former Ghana President, John Agyekum Kufuor has sparked a lot of public debate in Ghana and around the world. The recommendations agreed upon by the Chinery-Hesse Commission and approved by Parliament offers the former president a package that includes two houses; 18 months' salary for each year that he served as ex-gratia; and six chauffer driven cars including an all purpose one.View the video

Olivier Nyirubugara
Project Coordinator

Phone booth operator wins Mt Cameroon Race
Walter Nana Wilson, Buea, Cameroon - Ernest Voffo Momo, a mobile phone booth operator, came first in the 14th edition of the International Mount Cameroon Race of Hope. About 600 athletes from Cameroon, Rwanda, Kenya, USA, Japan, Germany and Switzerland took part in the 4100 metres Mount Cameroon fondly called The Chariots of the gods.View the video

Kenya: How to get the unaffordable
Neville Omondi, Nairobi, Kenya - With increasing poverty in Kenya, especially in the lower class, some inhabitants of the capital Nairobi and other cities have turned to illegal power supply as they can no longer afford official supply channels.Due to security reasons, no body wanted to speak to mobile reporter Neville Omondi, but the image show clearly how the system works and how dangerous it is. View the video

The Kilimanjaro inconvenient truth
Abisae Maeda, Arusha, Tanzania- The melting of legendry ice cap on top Kilimanjaro has itself become an attraction with tourists rushing to see the glaciers before they have completely melted. This short report shows the views of tourists expressing their views of that inconvenient truth.View the video

Deo Simba,
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Kenyan displaced: ICC remains sole option
Peris Wairimu, Meru, Kenya - Victims of the post poll chaos in Kenya have great fear that prominent people in the Government, suspected to be the architects of the violence would be be set free if a Kenyan tribunal will be established to try the suspects. Speaking to VoicesofAfrica in an interview, the victims, including the displaced, showed their deep mistrust in the Kenyan Government and the local tribunal.View the video

Dar es Salaam expansion creates jobs
Deo Simba, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania- Dar es Salaam is growing at a great pace. The population of the city now stands above 4 million people. Just 30 years back the population was less than a million people. Growth of Dar es Salaam just like that of any other city or town in other countries can be witnessed in different ways.View the video