Sunday, November 17, 2024
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Xena L

Corruption, the silent killer

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The word corruption is undoubtedly one of the biggest buzz words on our continent – even in our world. We tend to throw the ‘corruption’ word out so easily at anything we do not like. What is corruption anyway?  Who can be corrupted?  How do you know if you are corrupt and is there a cure for it?

Whenever we are angry about the way a country is being run, the way things are happening, the way they are NOT happening, the way someone got a job, the way someone benefited from something or anything that seems to be a bit shady we label it corrupt.

The police force: corrupt

The government: corrupt

The awarded tender: corrupt

The elections: corrupt

A pay rise, end of year bonus or a promotion of anyone else but you: corruption!

I recently became aware of a campaign called ‘EXPOSED – Shining a light on corruption’.

In one of their presentations they stated that corruption was any abuse of power. This includes secrecy, tax evasion, nepotism, bribery, cheating, money laundering, discrimination, extortion, prejudice, collusion or favoritism. So perhaps we are all corrupt in some way? Perhaps we should look into our own business, our own workings and our own communities to see if there is any abuse of power or any unjust dealings? Perhaps it is time we move from complaining about corruption to admitting it, EXPOSING it and fixing it?

 

Let us know your thoughts on this silent killer by commenting below.

Find out more information about ‘EXPOSED – Shining a light on corruption’ at http://www.micahchallenge.org/campaigns/exposed

 

All Access Africa Online After Party!

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Lady Lee and Xena would like to personally welcome you to the All Access Africa Online After Party!

Everyone is invited so why don’t you start getting in touch right now!

The Bad Mood Blues

The Bad Mood Blues

I have often been labelled as a melancholic, a person who has mood swings that are swift and ferocious. I am used to this categorization. I actually forewarn people before they have to experience it in action but actually, mostly, I am just like a grumpy dog that needs a good rub and some love to get back to normal.

How does one control these mood swings, these quick changes from love to hate, from appreciation and brotherly love to loathing and sarcasm?

Often my mood swings come when others aren’t being considerate, when someone complains that you ask them to do 20% of the workload when you have done 80% of the work, or when people try to tease you and get a rise out of you. [And they always seem to do it when you are feeling exhausted, drained and unloved]

Those are the times when I can’t be nice any more  when I have no ability to be a good neighbour  no ability to be an ambassador for my work, my faith or my family. I cannot be who I was designed to be: an up-lifter of others, a Christ-follower, a good spouse and friend, an ambassador for my continent and country, a declarer of hope and life. ALL I can manage to do is blow out, be rude and sulk away into a corner.

My question is: do we know how to get out of the corner? Do we know how to rise up again and be decent, happy people and valued members of society?

Maybe it is by listening to a great uplifting song or drinking a cup of sweet, sweet tea, or maybe it is thinking back to all the things that we can’t be when we are sulking in a corner: an ambassador for our work, our faith or our family. During episodes of Bad Mood Blues we cannot be who we were designed to be: up-lifters of others, Christ-followers, a good spouse and friend, an ambassador for our continent and country, a declarer of hope and life.

How do you get out the sulking corner? How do you get out of a bad mood?

What is your point of view? Let us know on the comments below or speak to us about it via text message.

 

CREDITS: http://www.desktopedia.com/wallpaper/Happy-and-Sad-Faces/

AAA kitchen Recipes: Beans and Sweet Potatoes

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Beans and Sweet Potatoes

Our featured cook: Gloria from the DRC 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ingredients:

250 g of dry Red kidney Beans

1 medium size sweet potato

Half an onion

1 fresh tomato

1 teaspoon of Tomato paste

Salt

1 clove of garlic

Cooking oil (preferably palm oil)

 

Sweet potato, onion, and garlic are to be pealed and rinsed in clean water. Beans and fresh tomato should also be rinsed.

You can add any spice of your choice to this dish like parsley, beef spice etc..

 

Method:

  1. Cook beans in water at a high temperature until soft (approximately 2 hours)
  2. Cut the sweet potato in small to medium pieces
  3. Chop onions, fresh tomato and garlic
  4. When beans are soft and ready, Pour 3-4 table spoons of oil in frying pan, when the oil has heated up, add the above chopped ingredients.
  5. Add 1 teaspoon of tomato paste and a dash of salt. Continue frying until all ingredients mix well.
  6. Add  in your diced pieces of sweet potatoes cook for 3-5 minutes
  7. Throw the above mix in your pot of cooked beans, add ½ cup of water and leave to cook for 15 minutes until sweet potatoes are soft and all ingredients mix well.

Enjoy!

 

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