Mike Wooldridge of BBC interviews Muki (President)& the late Angel Wainaina(First lady, Vice president) of the Hiphop Parliament.
Download interview for future lis.
Muki Garang & BBC’s Mike Wooldridge 1-06-08_Hip_Hop_Parliament
The Birth of Wapi -Words & Pictures
Related article Africa Journal
By Muki Garang
Folks i have been on a quest since 2002 trying in various attempts to figure out how this should work. By -this, i mean how WE the youth can be a part of National development.
Before Maisha Yetu I worked extensively with the British Council Kenya- from February 2006 to July 2007, where I co-founded a program called WAPI (Words and Pictures). WAPI continues to provide a platform for exhibition of material from artists, including music, graffiti, poetry and dance.
Through WAPI, a large number of artists have found a platform to launch their careers, and have gone on to be successful entrepreneurs and artists in the public domain. The program ran monthly festivals actively in Nairobi, Dar-e-salaam, Kampala & Lagos. Continue reading
Maisha Yetu – Who we are
Maisha Yetu- Milestones Attained In Serving Hiphop Acclaim Youth Engage Talent Unveils.
Maisha Yetu is a Non-profit Organization that was registered in February 2006 by the NGO Co-ordinations Board in Kenya. Maisha Yetu’s goal is to empower Kenya’s youth through their talents.
Its involvement since infancy has targeted youth of Nairobi from all ethnic and economic backgrounds.
Maisha Yetu uses popular cultural expressions to disseminate its objectives in a creative fashion to the urban youth. Continue reading
Online shopping gone wrong
Whilst on a visit to India, i was privileged to meet with other peers from several countries engaged in community activities.
During my stay in Charndigarh i was amazed at how well the city was planned and actually a contributing factor to its booming e-commerce.
Having met these wonderful people we realized several strengths about each other that we could utilize.
Without saying much enjoy the short film,
Madiba in 3d -The Man,His life and Legacy
By Muki Garang
When South Africa held the first democratic elections on 27 April 1994, the ANC was the party of choice for the black majority. It was the party of the anti-apartheid struggle; it was the party of Nelson Mandela; it was the party of hope- The New African
With the South African election set for May 7th 2014 the 2nd episode of GPPODCAST covers a 3-Dimensional view of #Mandela ‘s life dubbed #Madibain3D .
My Co-host Blaque Torque from Kwa Zulu Natal is the main guest,who better to give us insight on #Mandela if not a grandson from the Eastern cape ?
Featured guests include EFF’s Commander in chief JuliusMalema, RobertMugabe & Desmond Tutu .
Recently described by the NewAfrican magazine as an Influential African. Every politician in the continent is keen to download the manual that Juju posseses in his political wit. EFF ‘s commander in Chief Julius Malema gives his insight on our 2nd episode of GPPODCAST.
According to Andile Mngxitama of EFF “Zimbabwe in regards to land reform policies is 300 years ahead of South Africa. The brave efforts of Robert Gabriel Mugabe has seen Zimbabweans to be the only blacks in the world who will be restored as the rightful owners of their land in the next 10 years.”.
As it is our tradition we are young people inspired by creativity. Therefore with this podcast we have #Hiphop mixes from Deejay B-Town an Alternative mix from AkiliBlaq and a Deep house mix by Dj Ensoul courtesy of House 22. Enjoy and spread the link for download it is FREE and meant to be shared.
Download ALL GP RADIO Episode 2 media
Download files separately
2) Kenya & SouthAfrica Hiphop mixtape by Deejay B-Town
3)Deep House Mix by Golden Boys from House 22, Pretoria SA
GPRADIO – The Kenyan Media Bill
H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta signed into law the Kenya Information and Communication (Amendment) Bill. The action baffled the fourth estate following the memorable yet cosy warm media breakfast at state house.
The media regulatory bodies in Kenya prior to the signing of the bill were unable to foresee the president’s move, the latter having fronted flawless camaraderie taming the media’s bark and consequently its bite.
So what is next for Kenyan media with such a bill in place? A very interesting turn of events may pan out.
In retrospect the late Comandante Hugo Chavez was a subject to Venezuelan media ridicule throughout his whole tenure. Irrespective of constant attacks from the media,the late Chavez embraced the fourth estate , even hosting his own show Aló Presidente -where he interacted with the public. So what makes Kenya so special compared to Venezuela? Continue reading
Gpr@dio -Your alternative frequency
@maishayetuKE @mukigarang @Deejay_Btown
GP Radio – General Principle
Contrary to the popular definition associated with General Principle i.e. that of Street fairness. Our definition embodies the quest for social justice. Abbreviated( GP) our application of this principle promotes a just society by challenging injustice, enabling communities to understand their right to equitable treatment, support for their human rights, and a fair allocation of community resources.
At GPradio we specialize in dissemination of credible information in the public domain towards informed debates. In addition we premier, promote and play different genres of music in an internet radio show that engages listeners in critical thinking and debate about their societies.
GPradio is a program of Maisha Yetu an organization that specializes in the creation of performance spaces for upcoming and established artists through programs such as WAPI and the Hiphop Parliament.
Music is a powerful tool that can be used to evoke awareness, debate and critical thinking around issues touching our population.
Gpr@dio provides a space for all sections of youths to come together and articulate their struggles and visions, individually and collectively. Through GPr@dio introspective dialogue creates inspired action to uplift Africa’s youth.
Our first episode will be released within a fortnight from now.
We will appreciate you comments and feedback from our social media platforms.
Maishayetu feat. Fally Ipupa Foundation
Muki Garang
Whilst growing up watching TV was a luxury because parents were strict on what you would watch and also the government controlled broadcasting schedule. Despite these restraints there were programmes i still got to enjoy such U.R.T.N.A.
URTNA was comprised of the national radio and television organizations of African states that were members of the OAU. Associate members were national radio and/or television organizations from non-African countries. URTNA was committed to the development of all aspects of broadcasting in Africa. It encouraged the exchange of indigenous programming via satellite.
Through such programs i got to learn alot about Africa. To be honest in my early teen life i would spend hours tuning in on AM frequencies trying to hear different languages i could catch on the radio. It excited me to know that there were different lands out there,where perhaps there were people who shared similar interests.
It is in this light that Maisha Yetu is working with Fally Ipupa Foundation for we both have the same love for Africa and to realize the dreams of its youth.
Sunray
By Muki Garang
From the deluxe version of A dollar a day produced by Akili Blaq of Dextraw Studios there are two additional tracks. Sunray by Handsaloof aka Attmatatva Das is one of the poems that i feel inclined to recently. The mind is an extremely strange place to wonder about and can be scary experience for those who’ve dared take trips. Using Das’ thoughts to traverse these cognitive spaces sheds sunrays to dark quarters in these parts. Let me not be cryptic, since Death be Das was then known as Angell whom i find resonance with his poetry. I don’t want to refer myself as a fan but rather, i have the utmost reverence and respect for Das’ poetry.
More than being my host in Gaborone we’ve bonded as brothers. For that reason i took the liberty to transcribe his lyrics from Sunray to share with you, these god sent poet’s clarity in articulating his imagination.
Sunray
The tricks to remain sober
Avoid these wondrous wavy wisps of dreary dreams
and things that blur when close
Weaves that lead you down
to wishing worlds were wildly colorful coned
like clouds with slow and their view
would stop to drink when the drought is close to over
prayer is the only reality here everything else is a lie
Healthy food for fear like someone with a lofty life to live
caught in the glare of a show of frivolous shadowy things
that swing and glisten in a fiery bling
asked the clone
zoned in a slur of a song we all sing
Yeha we are all bound to be found by the sun!!!
There where the blue rocks are
Out to shoot the milky mist with mama’s antique gun
Food of possibilities ploughed in auspicious nights
Filled with falling stars
fouled by the parts they play, fouled by the parts they play
You can familiarize yourself with Das’ work here;
@handsaloof
Who we work with to end poverty
On March 28th 2013 we posted blogs on our activities in the SADAC region of South Africa. Since we came back to Kenya about ten weeks back our blogging frequency has been wanting. Quite a busy ride for Staff and members. No excuse for the silence we’re back and continue to our efforts in meeting our obligations.
We pride ourselves to be a different type of NGO, creative! The 1,000 days of action for the eight anti-poverty targets known as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) – reduction of extreme poverty to halting the spread of HIV/AIDS and providing universal primary education, all by the target date of 2015 – was agreed to by all the world’s countries and all the world’s leading development institutions.
According to the UN News Centre 38 countries have met part of the first MDG which calls on Member States to halve by 2015 the proportion of people who suffer from hunger. Though Kenya doesn’t make the list, we at Maisha Yetu are working with with like-minded organizations to remind the government and peers in the civil society of our prerogative in attaining the MDGs.
In our creative ways these are the organizations we’ve worked with since the beginning of the year;
Organization City Contact
Dam Productions -Yaounde/Paris Madina Djobongue
Have Plenty Music – Namibia Nita
House 22 -Suncity, Pretoria Mpho Regalo
PAYT Africa – Mafikeng,South Africa Lerato Mosimane
Dextraw Multimedia -Mafikeng,South Africa Akili Mulinge
Mouth of Vigilance -Botswana Angell Nthoi
Africa Unbound -Washington, DC. Dr.Rahel Kassahun
Kentse Bardiwang’s #Behind the scenes photo shoot
Event: Launch of Kentse Bardiwang’s E-book Kattey’s Arrow.
Venue: Protea Hotel Mmabatho,Palms
Date and Time: 29th March 2013 6:30pm
After experiencing some of the worst things a girl child can encounter including multiple rape, depression, neglect and low self-esteem, her spirit relentlessly fought to keep searching for her truth. In her own words through interviews that capture her pre-launch moments ‘The Arrow that I was born with to guide me through the journey to my destiny, led and guided me out of situations good and bad; its golden sharp end served as a light in my darkest moments telling me that i was different but not less.’
PAYT our sister organizational trust in South Africa, has taken its milestones higher this year by publishing a talented writer Kentse Bardiwang, whose captivating story has been captured in an e-book titled Kattey’s Arrow.
In retrospect January of 2012 PAYT saw the publishing of our collaborative music project A Dollar a day. This year Kentse’s e-book that has been published as part of Lerato Mosimane’s ebook Collections http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/GuyPublishing1 is going live on the launch date today .
Here’s a little something about this book by my acquaintance Kentse Bardiwang whom I can tell you is quite a charming being. Despite all trials and tribulations in her life this burgeoning, bubbly, joyful Tswana girl, has defied the odds and stood tall. As I was speaking to Kentse during her photo shoot, she told me, “I have written this book over 3 years and during that period of time I found my healing.” I mentioned looking forward to her reading during the E-book launch, to which replied, “Tshepo I do not think I will be able to ready any excerpt from my book it, the pain is overwhelms me.”
The author continues to say, ‘After 37 years following the Arrow, it finally led me to my destiny Dikgabo Village, a place of remarkable creatures. Just like Tajewo left home with his brother’s Arrow from the village to become a warrior. My arrow is my Spirit.’
Let’s just say this is a bold step in empowering the confident African woman. Kudos PAYT!
Quiditty from Bots to hit KE sooner than you expected!
Every year Maisha Yetu makes a trip to the SADAC region to touch base with its peer organizations namely; Platinum Africa Youth Tourism (SA) and Mouth of Vigilance(Botswana). Run By Trustee Lerato Mosimane and Atmattatva Das respectively.
Quiddity is a magazine that is published in Botswana by Mouth of Vigilance. The man behind the scene is none other than the Soft spoken Attmatatva Das, Formerly known as Archanagel, Fullovit and also Angell.
Really I won’t be able to put a label or try to define Quiditty but with simple words that are within my reach I will say, Quiditty ‘Puts you on!’
Quiditty is a two pager that prints articles on events, artists blogs, and also services provided within this region. That means you could easily send a bio of yourself, a description of your services and a review of your event to angell.nthoi@gmail.com and you will be plugged on to readership across Africa.
In April Quiditty will hit Nairobi!
Who is Tshepo Tebogo?
As Maisha yetu staff, I have to admit this was meant to be a short vacation, am talking 3 days, but with a 30 day visa, it would be a waste not to put to in work for at least 3 weeks. Compared to last year I have done very little, that being said only one recording of my first single from my Solo album (Yet to be named) under my new identity Tshepo Tsebogo. You wanna ask why it is am changing my name? First it’s symbolism for giving up my definition as a citizen constrained by demarcations and borders. Am also excited to explore the suppressed personality of a jubilant outgoing, bold and outspoken Tshepo!
I am eager to be free from stereotypes that have bound me for years in my land of birth. Yes hoping calm prevails because from what i hear over this end, it’s hectic. Am just saying it’s only Tshepo that I can use to navigate through the constraints set by my native tongue! Tshepo Tebogo Sestswana for To Hope and to thank!
Lastly the role model tag has never augured well with me,i want to be free and am paying for my freedom by putting down my thoughts and 
feelings on MM3rd’s experimental, alternative Hiphop genre. Am talking a Black African rapper, spitting bars and hooks over a production such as EL_P’s Cancer for cure, you feel me?
So to execute this plan properly, am hoping to make it back here in September. Then work on my Solo album. If i play by Bebe Ketchupe’s bid, she could just see me through this project. Oh and by the way that’s Maisha Yetu’s main sponsor.
So yeha Tshepo … I think most won’t like him like they did Muki but you know.. ain’t nothing as stale as an artist or a country that doesn’t morph!
Maishayetu's Blog 