Talk to Al Jazeera - Joyce Banda: 'Malawians deserve better'

Advancing Women Leaders in Africa: Dr. Joyce Banda, Former President of ...

Brookings Institution innovating development strategies in Africa

Q+A at The Brookings Institution today about innovating development strategies in Africa with my colleague Landry Signé, Albert Zeufack, Chief Economist of the World Bank Africa, Brahima Coulibaly of The Brookings InstitutionAfrica Growth Initiative, and Professor Carl LeVan of American University

Joyce Banda

Soca Valley Slovenia

The Soca is a river 136 km long that descends quickly from its source in Trenta towards the sea.

Its typical green-blue colour does not fade away completely even in Friuli, as if it would tell us that its heart belongs to the mountains and that is where it reveals itself in all its beauty, childhood liveliness and original purity.

Already its birth is turbulent and picturesque; it springs crystal clear from a dark karst crevice below Velika Dnina and after a short time it descends in a 15 m high waterfall, which breaks at the steep foot and then continues unbridled along its steep way to the valley.

On its journey towards the south over the millennia, the Soca has broken through the rocky obstacles that were in its way and in some areas created deep gorges that are so narrow in some places that it is impossible to jump across them.

  

One such gorge can even be seen from the road just before the village Soca (10 km from Bovec), when one gets the impression that the river has at once sunk into the rocks.

From the wooden footbridge across the river, there is a beautiful view into the valley and it is difficult to decide which of the two things is more admirable:
- the play of colours in the water which pours through the gorge or
- the smooth and curved arabesque walls of the gorge which the natural elements carved so patiently.

Another such gorge is at Krsovec (immediately after the village Kal-Koritnica, there is a sign that marks the entrance to Triglav National Park and there is a pathway branches off descending steeply to the riverbed), which is just as interesting, if not even more so than the first, just that it is a little farther.

For people who live by the Soca, this river has a symbolic meaning - somewhere deep within the human spirit it occupies the place of an immortal memorial, representing natural perfection.

One could measure the depth of its straits and the breadth of its pools; one can talk about its shades of colours, about its numerous rapids and waterfalls; but it is difficult to capture in rigid and unmoving words its total presence, which is not represented only by the flow of the water, but by its natural environment as well.

We can simply write that the Soca is beautiful, untouched, pure and perfect in its mountain current.

Visitors have to find out the rest by themselves from wherever they approach the river, be it by kayak or as hikers or observers, or even with the intention of capturing one of its famous Soca trout; visitors should always bear in mind that they are discovering a part of nature which was given to us to protect and which we have managed to preserve in almost the same state as it was in ancient times.

Gorongosa National Park is at the south

Gorongosa National Park is at the southern end of the Great African Rift Valley in the heart of central Mozambique. The over 4,000 square km park includes the valley floor and parts of surrounding plateaus. Rivers originating on nearby 1863-m Mount Gorongosa water the plain.

Seasonal flooding and waterlogging of the valley, which is composed of a mosaic of different soil types, creates a variety of distinct ecosystems. Grasslands are dotted with patches of acacia trees, savannah, dry forest on sands and seasonally rain-filled pans and termite hill thickets. The plateaus contain miombo and montane forests and a spectacular rain forest at the base of a series of limestone gorges.

 

This combination of unique features at one time supported some of the densest wildlife populations in all of Africa, including charismatic carnivores, herbivores and over 500 bird species. But large mammal numbers were reduced by as much as 95% and ecosystems stressed during Mozambique's long civil conflict at the end of the 20th century.

The Carr Foundation/Gorongosa Restoration Project, a U.S. not-for-profit organization, has teamed with the Government of Mozambique to protect and restore the ecosystem of Gorongosa National Park and to develop an ecotourism industry to benefit local communities.

Hiking to the Seven Rila Lakes

The cirque of the Seven Rila Lakes is the largest in all of Rila Mountain. It is located East of Haidyta Peak and South of the steep rock slopes of Razdela Ridge and Otovishka Peak,

found to the West of the peak directly above Kidney Lake. The cirque opens to the North and feeds the German River, which is a main source of the Stryma River. The lakes of the cirque are found at differing altitudes and appear like large footprints or steps leading up the mountain. 

 

They are the most picturesque and visited group of lakes in Rila Mountain. They all have names according to their shapes and officially numbered from the top to the bottom. The entire area is maintained within the boundaries of Rila National Park.

The first lake - '"The Tear '" is the highest of the Rila Lakes. It is found at 2535 meters above sea level and has an area of .7 hectares. It is 4.5 meters at its deepest. The 2nd - '"The Eye'" is found at 2440 meters above sea level and has an area of 6.8 hectares. It is the deepest of the lakes with a depth of 37.5 meters. The 3rd - '"The Kidney'" is at an altitude of 2282 meters above sea level and has an area of 8.5 hectares. It is 28 meters at its deepest. The 4th - '"The Twins'" are actually one lake nearly split into two. It is located at 2243 meters above sea level and is the largest and longest of the lakes. It has an area of 9.1 hectares and a depth of 27.5 meters. The 5th - '"Three-Lobed Lake'" has an irregular shape and steep banks and is found at 2216 meters above sea level. It is 6.5 meters deep and has a total area of 2.6 hectares. The 6th - '"The Fish Lake'" is found at 2184 meters above sea level and has an area of 3.5 hectares. It is the shallowest of the lakes at 2.5 meters. The 7 Lakes Lodge is found at its most Northern bank. The 7th - '"The Low Lake'" is at 2095 meters above sea level, has an area of 5.9 hectares and is 11 meters deep.

Seven Rila Lakes, Bugaria tourist attraction, Largest lake, Rila National Park, Bulgaria seven lakes, Seven lakes hike, Seven Rila Lakes Tour

Birla Mandir: Temple in Delhi by Mzondi Lungu

Laxmi Narayan Temple, also known as Birla Mandir, is one of Delhi's major temples and a major tourist attraction. Built by the industrialst Sh. J.K. Birla in 1939, this beautiful temple is located in the west of Connaught Place.

The temple is dedicated to Laxmi (the goddess of prosperity) and Narayana (The preserver). The temple was inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi on the condition that people of all castes will be allowed to enter the temple.

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Lotus Temple: Best Tourist Place in Delhi by Mzondi Lungu

East of Nehru place, this temple is built in the shape of a lotus flower and is the last of seven Major Bahai's temples built around the world. Completed in1986 it is set among the lush green landscaped gardens.

The structure is made up of pure white marble The architect Furiburz Sabha chose the lotus as the symbol common to Hinduism, Buddhism,

Jainism and Islam. Adherents of any faith are free to visit the temple and pray or meditate.

Around the blooming petals there are nine pools of water, which light up, in natural light. It looks spectacular at dusk when it is flood lit.

Qutub Minar: India Tourist Place by Mzondi Lungu

Qutub Minar is a soaring, 73 m-high tower of victory, built in 1193 by Qutab-ud-din Aibak immediately after the defeat of Delhi's last Hindu kingdom. The tower has five distinct storeys, each marked by a projecting balcony and tapers from a 15 m diameter at the base to just 2.5 m at the top. The first three storeys are made of red sandstone; the fourth and fifth storeys are of marble and sandstone. At the foot of the tower is the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque, the first mosque to be built in India. An inscription over its eastern gate provocatively informs that it was built with material obtained from demolishing '27 Hindu temples'. A 7 m-high iron pillar stands in the courtyard of the mosque. It is said that if you can encircle it with your hands while standing with your back to it your wish will be fulfilled.

The origins of Qutab Minar are shrouded in controversy. Some believe it was erected as a tower of victory to signify the beginning of the Muslim rule in India. Others say it served as a minaret to the muezzins to call the faithful to prayer.

No one can, however, dispute that the tower is not only one of the finest monuments in India, but also in the world. Qutab-ud-din Aibak, the first Muslim ruler of Delhi, commenced the construction of the Qutab Minar in 1200 AD, but could only finish the basement. His successor, Iltutmush, added three more storeys, and in 1368, Firoz Shah Tughlak constructed the fifth and the last storey.

The development of architectural styles from Aibak to Tughlak is quite evident in the minar. The relief work and even the materials used for construction differ. The 238 feet Qutab Minar is 47 feet at the base and tapers to nine feet at the apex. The tower is ornamented by bands of inscriptions and by four projecting balconies supported by elaborately decorated brackets. Even though in ruins, the Quwwat Ui Islam (Light of Islam) Mosque in the Qutab complex is one of the most magnificent structures in the world. Qutab-ud-din Aibak started its construction in 1193 and the mosque was completed in 1197.

Iltutmush in 1230 and Alla-ud-din Khilji in 1315 made additions to the building. The main mosque comprises of an inner and outer courtyard,decorated with shafts and surrounded by piller. Most of these shafts are from the 27 Hindu temples, which were plundered to construct the mosque. It is, therefore, not surprising that the Muslim mosque has typical Hindu ornamentation. Close to the mosque is one of Delhi's most curious antiques, the Iron Pillar.

Red Fort Tourist Place in India by Mzondi Lungu

The Red sandstone walls of the massive Red Fort (Lal Qila) rise 33-m above the clamour of Old Delhi as a reminder of the magnificent power and pomp of the Mughal emperors. The walls, built in 1638, were designed to keep out invaders, now they mainly keep out the noise and confusion of the city.

The main gate, Lahore Gate, is one of the emotional and symbolic focal points of the modern Indian nation and attracts a major crowd on each Independence Day.

The vaulted arcade of Chatta Chowk, a bazaar selling tourist trinkets, leads into the huge fort compound. Inside is a veritable treasure trove of buildings, including the Drum House, the Hall of Public Audiences, the white marble Hall of Private Audiences, the Pearl Mosque, Royal Baths and Palace of Color.

An evening sound and light show re-creates events in India's history connected with the fort.

The Taj Mahal: Top Tourist Attraction in India by Mzondi Lungu

The Taj Mahal is the epitome of Mughal art and one of the most famous buildings in the world. The Taj is the most beautiful monument built by the Mughals, the Muslim rulers of India. Taj Mahal is built entirely of white marble. Its stunning architectural beauty is beyond adequate description, particularly at dawn and sunset. The Taj seems to glow in the light of the full moon. On a foggy morning, the visitors experience the Taj as if suspended when viewed from across the Jamuna river. The construction documents show that its master architect was Ustad ‘Isa, the renowned Islamic architect of his time. The documents contain names of those employed and the inventory of construction materials and their origin. Expert craftsmen from Delhi, Qannauj, Lahore, and Multan were employed. In addition, many renowned Muslim craftsmen from Baghdad, Shiraz and Bukhara worked on many specialized tasks. It is one top tourist attractions of the world. Throughout the year thousands of tourists from different parts of the world visit Taj Mahal.

The tomb is the representation of the house of the queen in Paradise, and  its setting was based on the palace gardens of the great nobles. Taj Mahal was built by a Muslim, Emperor Shah Jahan (died 1666 C.E.) in the memory of his dear wife and queen Mumtaz Mahal at Agra, India. It is an "elegy in marble" or some say an expression of a "dream." Taj Mahal (meaning Crown Palace) is a Mausoleum that houses the grave of queen Mumtaz Mahal at the lower chamber. The grave of Shah Jahan was added to it later. The queen’s real name was Arjumand Banu. In the tradition of the Mughals, important ladies of the royal family were given another name at their marriage or at some other significant event in their lives, and that new name was commonly used by the public. Shah Jahan's real name was Shahab-ud-din, and he was known as Prince Khurram before ascending to the throne in 1628.

 

The Taj has some wonderful specimens of polychrome inlay art both in the interior and exterior on the dados, on cenotaphs and on the marble jhajjhari (jali-screen) around them. The mausoleum is a part of a vast complex comprising of a main gateway, an elaborate garden, a mosque (to the left), a guest house (to the right), and several other palatial buildings. The Taj is at the farthest end of this complex, with the river Jamuna behind it. The large garden contains four reflecting pools dividing it at the center. Each of these four sections is further subdivided into four sections and then each into yet another four sections. Like the Taj, the garden elements serve like Arabesque, standing on their own and also constituting the whole.

 

Where it is

The Taj Mahal is located in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India. The Taj is at the farthest end of this complex, with the river Jamuna behind it. The mausoleum is located on the right bank of the river Jamuna at a point where it takes a sharp turn and flows eastwards.

How to reach

Agra is 200 km southeast from Delhi and is one of the points of the tourist's Golden Triangle of Agra-Delhi-Jaipur. Agra is also very well connected via rail and road with other nearby cities and tourist destinations. Close to 20 trains connect Delhi and Agra each day with journey times varying from 2 hours to 5 hours. Service to Agra's Kheria Airport is seasonal.

 

TUM applauds Joyce Banda over teachers’ promotion

The Teachers Union of Malawi (TUM) on Monday applauded President Joyce Banda for promoting over 16, 000 teachers across the country.
Speaking to journalists at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe on the sidelines of audience TUM members had with President Banda, TUM President Dennis Kalekeni expressed gratitude to the  President for considering teachers’ welfare, saying promotions motivate employees resulting in good service delivery among teachers.
“As you might be aware, TUM held a number of meetings with the President personally regarding a number of issues concerning teachers’ welfare.

TUM Executive board members meet with President Dr. Joyce Banda for thanksgiving at Kamuzu Palace

“It is pleasing that as we came here today to meet the President, a number of issues that were raised for her attention and intervention have actually been addressed to the satisfaction of the Union’s leadership as well as teachers out there,” Kalekeni said.
Kalekeni further explained that government so far has also raised hardship allowance meant for rural teachers from K5, 000 to K10, 000, saying this would help rural schools in having required number of qualified teachers as they would be willing to teach there with the monetary motivation.
“Let me also expressed my gratitude to government for increasing the hardship allowance from K5, 000 to K10, 000 to enable those that are teaching in rural areas to be motivated as well and deliver good services,” he explained.
He, however, asked government to do more in terms of rectifying some of the problems encountered by teachers in the country such as paying teachers on time, settle their outstanding arrears and remittances to Saccos, micro-finance as well as TUM should be done in time.
Minister of Education, Science and Technology, Dr. Lucious Kanyumba, hailed TUM for their initiative to meet the President and voice out their grievances, saying round table discussions help in resolving problems at hand.
Kanyumba explained that some of the problems TUM raised during subsequent meetings they had with the President were looked into, saying the remaining ones would soon be resolved as well citing constriction of teachers’ houses, school-blocks and teachers training colleges (TTC) among others.
“It was a fruitful meeting between TUM members and the President and they thanked State President for her timely interventions to address some of the challenges met by teachers in the country.
“Government and TUM are happy with the strides made so far in addressing these problems to ensure that teachers’ welfare is taken into account in order to deliver good services,” Kanyumba explained.

Frankfurt in Germany by Mzondi Lungu

Frankfurt, long considered strictly a financial capital and major travel hub, used to land on the culturati map once a year, during its annual book fair. A recent boom of restaurants and clubs, though, makes the case for permanent placement. Leading the city’s transformation is its fast-evolving red light district, where spots like Maxie Eisen, a deli-style cafe by day and a speakeasy-inspired bar by night, offer a sexiness that isn’t unseemly.

In the city center, a buzzy pan-Asian restaurant called Moriki was just opened by the Berlin-based chef Duc Ngo with a menu that includes envelope-pushing courses like sushi pizza; and the new sleek Lamoraga, a modern Spanish restaurant, is pulling in the shopping crowds for lunch. By the end of next year, the developer Ardi Goldman plans to reinvent and reopen the famed King Kamehameha Club, which had its original heyday in the 1990s and 2000s. And growth extends to the art world: The 32,000-square-foot underground extension at the Städel Museum earned accolades from around the globe when it opened last year.

Taiwan Travel Place by Mzondi Lungu

The traveler who wants to do it all should consider Taiwan. This island, roughly the size of the Netherlands, has an easy-to-navigate public transport network that links a cosmopolitan capital with a bounty of natural and man-made wonders. Taipei, whose robust art scene recently earned its selection as the World Design Capital for 2016, will soon have more places to lay your head: In the coming months the Mandarin Oriental and a boutique hotel from the homegrown bookstore chain Eslite will join the recent arrivals Le Meridien and W.

 All of these should be a convenient base from which to do some sightseeing on 17 bike trails along the shores of Taipei’s many rivers and inlets or to take a foray into the city’s vibrant street food scene with a nightcap at the reservations-only bespoke bar Alchemy, which opened in 2012 to much acclaim. Four hours south by high-speed rail and bus, 70-square-mile Kenting National Park is home to wetlands, white sands, fishing villages and, starting this year, a ferry point for the deep sea fishing and diving paradise of Orchid Island. Up north in Keelung, a new National Museum of Marine Science and Technology opens this month, part of a revitalization project at Badouzi Harbor, which is linked to nearby headlands by color-coded walking routes. And it all becomes cheaper to get to later this year, with the launch of budget carriers from China Airlines and TransAsia Airways.

Taj Mahal in Agra by Mzondi Lungu

Taj Mahal is regarded as one of the eight wonders of the world. It is located in Agra, India. It was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Its architectural style is a combine of Persian, Turkish and Indian architecture

Niagara Falls in Ontario and New York by Mzondi Lungu

A nature beauty. Niagara Falls are massive waterfalls on the Niagara River, straddling the international border separating the Canadian province of Ontario and the U.S. state of New York. The Falls make a tremendous sound as the water goes over and lands at the bottom.

Mzondi Lungu favorite Place Sultan Ahmed Mosque in Istanbul

World’s most amazing Mosque.An architecture miracle! The Blue Mosque was commissioned by Sultan Ahmet I as a rival to Hagia Sophia and designed by architect Mehmet Aga. Construction on the Blue Mosque began in 1609 and took 7 years. If you visit Istanbul one day, you should definitely see Sultan Ahmed Mosque Too.

Big Ben in London by Mzondi Lungu

One of the most famous clock tower on earth is Big Ben in London. The clock tower holds the largest four-faced chiming clock in the world and is the third-tallest free-standing clock tower. Today Big Ben is the icon for London.

Pyramids of Giza in Cairo by Mzondi Lungu

The Great Pyramid (Pyramids of Giza) was the tallest historical man-made structure in the world for over 3,800 years. It is 146.5 metres long. It is believed the pyramid was built as a tomb for fourth dynasty Egyptian pharaoh Khufu and was constructed over a 20 year period. Definitely you shouldn’t die before visiting Pyramids of Giza.

Favorite Lake in Malawi of Mzondi Lungu

The Malawi Lake is the 9th largest lake on Earth and has the biggest diversity of exotic fish species of all freshwater lakes. Discovered by Livingston in one of his expeditions in the 19th century, it was first called Nyasa, which means the lake of stars, because of the way its water surface sparkles. The basin covers approximately one fifth of Malawi's territory and stands between three countries. With a length of 365 miles and a width of 52 miles, and the fact that it is fed by 12 rivers, it is often referred to as the Calendar Lake. An intriguing fact is that there are no settlements on the shores, yet there are always crowds of people. With its rich flora and fauna, this park is part of the World Heritage List and is extremely important for studying the evolution of the species on our planet. Lastly, since the soils of the region are exceptionally barren, the only occupation that the locals can pursuit is fishing, thus the lake is the only source of food and living.