How to say Merry Christmas in 25 African languages

African women singing Christmas songs — Photo Credit: Afro Tourism

Africa is blessed with over a thousand major languages spoken by millions of people in the continent’s 54 countries. Some languages are mutually intelligible as they share similar words and cross-national boundaries due to inter-marriages and similar geographical locations.

Christmas is not an African festival but it was adopted into many cultures after the European invasion by former colonial masters Portugal, the Netherlands, and Britain who imposed the Christian religion on the traditional people.

December 25 is marked as the birthday of Jesus Christ by Christians and it comes with the greeting Merry Christmas. The greeting has been Africanized and here are 25 ways of saying Merry Christmas in Africa as documented by whychristmas.com.

  1. Afrikaans (South Africa, Namibia) – Geseënde Kersfees
  2. Akan (Ghana, Ivory Coast, Benin) – Afishapa
  3. Amharic (Ethiopia) – Melikam Gena! (መልካም ገና!)
  4. Ashanti/Asante/Asante Twi (Ghana) – afehyia pa
  5. Chewa (Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe) – Moni Wa Chikondwelero Cha Kristmasi
  6. Dagbani (Ghana) – Ni ti Burunya Chou
  7. Edo (Nigeria) – Iselogbe
  8. Ewe (Ghana, Togo) – Blunya na wo
  9. Fula/Fulani (Niger, Nigeria, Benin, Cameroon, Chad, Sudan, Togo, Guinea, Sierra Leone) – Jabbama be salla Kirismati
  10. Hausa (Niger, Nigeria, Ghana, Benin, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Togo) – barka dà Kirsìmatì
  11. Ibibio (Nigeria) – Idara ukapade isua
  12. Igbo/Igo (Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea) – E keresimesi Oma
  13. Kinyarwanda (Rwanda, Uganda, DR Congo) – Noheli nziza
  14. Lingala (DR Congo, Rep Congo, Central African Republic, Angola) – Mbotama Malamu
  15. Luganda (Uganda) – Seku Kulu
  16. Ndebele (Zimbabwe, South Africa) – Izilokotho Ezihle Zamaholdeni
  17. Shona (Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Botswana) – Muve neKisimusi
  18. Soga/Lasoga (Uganda) – Mwisuka Sekukulu
  19. Somali (Somalia, Djibouti) – Kirismas Wacan
  20. Sotho (Lesotho, South Africa) – Le be le keresemese e monate
  21. Swahili (Tanzania, Kenya, DR Congo, Uganda) – Krismasi Njema / Heri ya Krismasi
  22. Tigrinya (Ethiopia and Eritrea) – Ruhus Beal Lidet
  23. Xhosa/isiXhosa (South Africa, Zimbabwe, Lesotho) – Krismesi emnandi
  24. Yoruba (Nigeria, Benin) – E ku odun, e ku iye’dun
  25. Zulu (South Africa, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Swaziland) – UKhisimusi omuhle

This article by Ismail Akwei was first published on face2faceafrica.com

Holiday gift guide, African style!

Fabric necklace by Etsy and Boubou by Akosua Vee

The holiday season has just started and gift-giving is an integral part of the Christmas and New Year spirit. The gesture is not only reserved for Westerners; Africans also exchange gifts including special food in some cases, to tighten the bond of friendship, partnership, and familial relations.

The stress involved in finding the ideal gift for a loved one cannot be underrated. We go the length to make it a little simpler for you to spoil your family and friends.

Below are ideal gift ideas you can consider buying for your loved ones during this festive season.

Jewelry/ Fashion Accessories

A lot of people prefer gifts that can last longer and always remind the receiver of the kind gesture of the giver. An ideal gift of that kind is jewelry and fashion accessories. Pieces of jewelry are always worn on special occasions and are well kept by both men and women.

A quality leather or silver watch, gold bracelet, necklace, earrings, brooches, depending on the amount of money you are ready to spend, will spend a long time in your loved one’s possession. You will get the Africanized versions of these pieces of jewelry and accessories from many shops in Africa and some designer shops in the U.S. and Europe.

There are necklaces, earrings, and bracelets made of colorful African beads and fabrics. Men equally appreciate jewelry like watches, necklaces, and rings which add to their style and status.  You can get customized jewelry from shops offering discount sales this season, therefore, seek a better deal.

Tech gadgets

What is better than getting the new iPhone from a loved one or a new blue-tooth enabled speaker to compliment this fun season? Tech-savvy people deserve tech gadgets as gifts since that is what they live for. Be sure you don’t buy what the person already has to avoid an unappreciative gesture.

Men are mostly interested in cool tech gadgets while a few women love them. For the men, you can get a smartphone you can afford and buy a phone case or cover branded with an African design.

Clothes

Clothes are popular gift items that can be purchased in the final days of the holiday season. The plethora of African designers have stocked shops with clothes made from African print fabrics (Ankara) and traditionally woven fabrics.

For men, you have options including the Grand boubou, Dashiki, Senegalese kaftan, the kanzu (worn by Swahili-speaking men), Ethiopian Suit, Khamis (worn in Somalia), Ghana’s Kente shirts, and Fugu (smock) among many other traditional African clothes.

For women, consider the Ankara skirts and dresses, traditional clothes like the Kente, embroidered Dashikis, and many others. Clothes can be found online as well and there are varieties to choose from.

Vacation package

Everyone deserves a vacation at some point in their life and you can be the one to fulfill a loved one’s dream this holiday season — if you can afford it.

An all-paid vacation to Seychelles, Zanzibar, Madagascar, Botswana, and all the beautiful places away from home can be a rejuvenating experience ahead of the new year. Think about it, you might need one for yourself to start the year on a fresh note.

Candlelight Dinner

It is equally memorable when you host friends and family for a candlelight dinner at a serene restaurant. It will cost much less than the vacation package but can have almost the same value if the right restaurant is chosen. There are many world-class restaurants and plush venues in every African country where this gift can be served.

This article by Ismail Akwei was first published on face2faceafrica.com

South African man hand-builds replica of 1967 Ford Mustang entirely out of wire

Wire 1967 Ford Mustang

The classic 1967 Ford Mustang GT500 alone is a beauty, how about the same car made entirely out of wire including its engine and seats? This work of art was made by a South African-based wire artist from Lesotho who is an ardent car lover.

Conty Fonane spent seven months and R180,000 ($14,137) in a Johannesburg showroom to complete the life-sized 1967 classic Mustang – nicknamed “Eleanor”- almost entirely out of wire, reports South African automotive news portal Wheels 24.

His 400kg wire car is made of stainless steel wire, aluminum tubes, and real rubber tires. It has a V8 engine made of wire, pistons, gearbox, brakes, clutch, working hinges on the doors, seats you can sit in, and even a steering wheel that can turn, Wheels 24 gave a vivid description of the work of art.

Photo Credit: Ford SA

This magnificent creation was featured by Ford South Africa in its #MyFordStory series which documents people’s experiences with Ford cars.

“I remember my father talking about cars almost every day. He would show me pictures, and tell me about the engineering, and explain how cars were hand-built. This inspired me,” he said about his childhood and love for cars.

“When I started making these wire cars, I thought that I’m just trying to sell them to make money so that I can find myself working in a car company, or being a car designer. But it continued until it started being a business,” he added.

The wire artist said he works alone and makes a living out of the miniature cars he builds for car dealers.

His dream, however, is to have his “comfortable” and “fun” 1967 Ford Mustang GT500 wire car displayed at the Ford car museum.

Photo Credit: Ford SA

“Every angle of this car was quite challenging. The car wanted to fight back telling me ‘Conty you can’t make me’. But I told the car that ‘I will make you because I am in love with you’. That’s how it worked … If Ford company would appreciate and display this car in their museum, that’s my number one wish,” he said.

This article by Ismail Akwei was first published on face2faceafrica.com

Malawian pastor buys $125,000 luxury car as birthday gift for 5-year-old daughter

Prophet Bushiri’s daughter in front of her new car

South Africa-based Malawian preacher has bought a new Maserati Levante luxury car for his daughter who is turning five on Christmas day.

The controversial prophet Shepherd Bushiri on Wednesday shared photos of the gift on Instagram and Facebook with a moving message for his daughter Israella Bushiri.

“I always count myself blessed during this time of the year because I get the honor to celebrate, not only one but two God-given gifts in my life. I celebrate the birth of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and also the birth of our first daughter, Israella Bushiri.

“It seems like just yesterday when her little palms held my forefinger. It seems like only a while ago when I celebrated that finally I could lift her up and allow her to rest on my shoulders. It’s been a joy and heavens honor to watch her grow from being a baby to being the strong and brave child that she is today. I count myself blessed because not only did she give me a reason to smile but she gave me the opportunity to be called a Dad.

“My sweet little daughter, my pride and joy. May God’s loving-kindness always shine on your beautiful face. I prophesy long life! You shall be great and yours shall be a life that heaven celebrates. Happy birthday my princess!” the wealthy self-named prophet wrote.

The pictures show the little girl posing with a brand-new car decorated with ribbons.

The four-wheeled gift is estimated by South African auto news portal Wheels24 to cost around $125,760 in South Africa. This has sent chills down the spines of social media users who believe it is wrong especially when members of his church cannot afford a three-square meal a day.

Below are some of the reactions.

Church goers kids with their cars and Prophet Bushiri’s daughter with her car pic.twitter.com/aBNPNaVU2S

— The Instigator (@AmBlujay) December 21, 2017

also take a good look at the reverend’s car and priests cars, also the president’s, and mp’s car, your friend’s goals also don’t forget your dream car: is there a difference?

— Ivan Baguma (@i_baguma) December 21, 2017

This article by Ismail Akwei was first published on face2faceafrica.com

7 African teachers among top 50 finalists for $1 million Global Teacher Prize

The Global Teacher Prize finalists from Africa — Photo Credit: The Global Teacher Prize

Seven teachers from Ghana, Uganda, Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa have been shortlisted for the 2018 Global Teacher Prize awarded annually to an exceptional teacher who has made an impact in the profession.

A $1 million-dollar prize is presented to the best teacher by the Varkey Foundation, a not-for-profit organization set up to improve the standards of education for underprivileged children worldwide.

The African nominees for the fourth edition of the awards are Professor Sitsophe Anku (Ghana), Catherine Nakabugo (Uganda), Abdikadir Ismail (Kenya), Todo Anthony (Nigeria), Ayodele Odeogbola (Nigeria), Marjorie Brown (South Africa), and Wendy Horn (South Africa).

The winner will be chosen in March by the Global Teacher Prize Academy which includes head-teachers, educational experts, commentators, journalists, public officials, tech entrepreneurs, company directors, and scientists from around the world.

Professor Sitsophe Enyonam Anku – Ghana

He is a nationally and internationally renowned maths expert and educator. He promotes practical mathematics as a way to overcome the fear of mathematics and help students appreciate its real-life applications. He set up the Meagasa Mathematics Academy in his own home to support children aged between 6 and 18 in mathematics. He also founded the Ghana Mathematics Society.

Itodo Anthony – Nigeria

He is a teacher at Gateway Excel College Otukpa, Benue State. In May 2017,  Itodo founded a community-based organization for youths – New Frontiers Youth Forum. This organization welcomes membership from 13-35-year-olds, and the aim is to raise an army of young leaders who will act as positive change agents within the community. In October 2017, The Forum commissioned a community library.

Wendy Horn – South Africa

She is a teacher and principal of the Protea Heights Academy started in 2015. Seven of the ten educators were beginner teachers and, through her mentoring and guidance, many of them have taken on expanded responsibilities. Wendy also assists with schools in underprivileged areas, where learners come from impoverished areas and backgrounds, and with teachers who do not have the same resources as her school, to improve their Grade 12 Physical Science results.

Marjorie Brown – South Africa

She teaches at the Roedean School. Marjorie is a former human rights activist, teaching history to girls in South Africa and encouraging critical thinking and global citizenship. Her students have gone on to represent South Africa at youth forums, the Paris Climate Talks, and various Ivy League universities. She started and still leads the Kids Lit in SA program, and popularised the Kids’ Lit Quiz in South Africa.

Abdikadir Ismail – Kenya

He is a teacher at the Mwangaza Muslim Mixed Day School. After university, Abdikadir returned to teach in Baragoi, a nomadic, pastoral community in rural Kenya plagued by poverty, high murder rates, and cattle rustling. Abdikadir partnered with a variety of organizations to implement projects to help children and the community, including organizing scholarships to keep students coming to school.

Catherine Nakabugo – Uganda

She teaches math and science at the St.Andrew Kaggwa Gombe High School in Kampala. In 2014, her district won a National Science competition with her project of Pythagoras’s chair. Also in 2015, under her guidance, the school won a regional science and mathematics competition. Catherine is passionate about girls’ education.

As a member of the National Menstrual Hygiene Committee in 2016, she was able to organise the International Menstrual Hygiene Day at her school. The day brought together over 15 partners dealing in WASH issues in the country and the Ministry of Education. Every girl at her school was given free kits of 500 pads by an organization called Afripads, which deals in reusable pads.

Ayodele Odeogbola – Nigeria

He is a teacher at the Abeokuta Grammar School. He teaches STEM Education and Global Studies to 11-15-year-olds. He uses collaboration, critical thinking, creativity, and communication, combined with innovation and new technology to transform learning.

In class he has chosen gifted students as leaders to head groups and review every learning activity – many of these have gone on to become leaders in higher education. Rather than teach the same thing in the same way to all, Ayodele seeks to match the different needs, potentials, and learning paths of each child.

This article by Ismail Akwei was first published on face2faceafrica.com