Wednesday, 8 August 2012

My Quest to Map Harare & ZW on Google Map Maker

So I was thinking, the internet is here to stay and we are only going to become more and more dependent on it. Already people in developed nations use the internet more more in daily life, be it be for ordering a pizza or getting directions to somewhere they are going. Zimbabwe is going to be like this in not too distant a future!

I was having a look at Harare on Google Maps, which I regularly do when I am homesick, and I realized there is a lot we can do to the map of Harare as seen on Google Maps by the whole world, so that it is more informative. Harare is the most developed city in Southern Africa outside South Africa. Anyone can add information to the map of Harare based on their local knowledge of an area, using Google Map Maker.

It is simple, all you need is to sign in to your google account and then go to the website. Search for Harare, Zimbabwe and then zoom in to your area. Once you see a place you know that is of public importance click on Add New and a red pin will appear so you can indicate the place about which you are adding information on the map. Next just select the best description of the place, such as primary school, medical doctor, mall, shopping center etc, then type the name of the place. After that make sure the road indicated on the left pane is correct, and then click Save.



I have already mapped the Primary School I attended in Mabelreign, and two other places in a short space of time.

The last point is that you need to Review map edits done by other people, so that they may be approved. Simply click on Review (2nd button to the left of the red Add New button), and choose Harare Zimbabwe. Similarly your map edits will need to be reviewed by other people to be approved, so lets support each other!

JOIN ME IN MY QUEST TO MAP HARARE & THE REST OF ZIMBABWE!

Follow @gomushure on Twitter

Have fun! Wooo hooo

Sunday, 15 July 2012

Tabernacle of Worship Church in Seremban







Tabernacle of Worship Church in Seremban is a great church to go to. This is the Church I go to in Malaysia (though I have been to FIF ZAOGA, Christ Embassy, SIB - this is my home)

Visit www.towag.org

The English service is always a lively one with beautiful live worship music and a guest speaker usually from Australia, New Zealand, Cambodia or Phillipines.

The congregation consists of upper middle class families and young professionals - mainly Malaysians 90%, and a few Europeans.

This is one church I would recommend anyone who wants to go to a lively trendy pentecostal church where they can get the chance to interact with locals, to have the true Malaysian experience.

With our mentor Mr. Yap, just about to go in for lunch in A&W in Seremban before doing Bible Study with him. Thats me to the far left.

Recommended Book

THE DISCIPLESHIP SERIES - a comprehensive outline of Bible study notes by Taka Sande



Dowload Here


“The Discipleship Series is a wonderful teaching aid for every church leader.
Ideal for home group Bible study, church Bible study and general fellowship
discussion with family and friends.
The series is a complete message of the Bible simplified for easy
understanding and at the same time immensely enriching. Each Bible topic is
well explained to cater for both the young and the mature Christians.
Taka has made it very simple and exiting to study and teach the word of God
in this series. When I began to read I found myself in deep devotion, and
study at the same time.
The topics covered are all complete for those intending to grow in the
knowledge of the word of God seriously. This is a fantastic tool for daily
devotion.”

By: Dr Rodwell Jacha, Author, Minister, and Speaker


Thursday, 21 June 2012

Other music Zimbabweans listen to...


Zimbabweans' love affair with Jamaican Music

International music Zimbabweans really love is Jamaican music. Reggae/Ragga/Dancehall artists from Jamaica are popular and often have shows in Harare. These include Sean Paul, Sizzla, Beenie Man, Capleton, Mavado, Popcaan -

Popcaan - System

Perhaps Zimbabweans love affair with Jamaican music has its roots from the very day Zimbabwe was born - Bob Marley sang a song he wrote especially for the day at Zimbabwe's Independence Celebrations on 18 April 1980 - this song is called  Zimbabwe

Bob Marley - Zimbabwe

This Jamaican music culture resulted in a local Reggae/Ragga/Dancehall music industry which is very vibrant. The most popular artist of this local genre to date has been Winky D


 Winky D - Musarove Big Man

Zimbabweans love music from the region. In addition to local "Urban Grooves" (a local genre of hip hop) music which is widely popular amongst youths, House-Kwaito Music from Botswana and House Music from South Africa is also popular.


Slizer and Vee from Botswana.

 

House Music from South Africa - Popular DJs are DJ Cleo, Oskido who visit at regularly and DJ Tira, Big Nuz

Monday, 18 June 2012

Distinctly Zimbabwean Music


Oliver Mtukudzi - Mutorwa.
An example of the the most distinct sound of Zimbabwean Music. It has a strong acoustic guitar, mbira, ngoma (traditional drum) and hosho rhythm. It is a fusion of traditional instruments and modern instruments - the latter complementing the traditional rhythm.



Thomas Mapfumo Chimurenga Music
This is a genre of music that was very popular in Zimbabwe from the 1970s to early 90s. Its called Chimurenga (Liberation War) music, as it started at a time of Zimbabwe's liberation war from a white settler minority that ruled the country as Rhodesia. This music generally has political themes to its lyrics.

Oliver Mtukudzi, and Thomas Mapfumo are undeniably the two fathers of a distinctly Zimbabwean music sound. They have received recognition all over the world for their contribution in African music and the arts in general.

Saturday, 16 June 2012

Zimbabwe: A World of Wonders


Zimbabwe is the host of the 2013 United Nations World Tourism Summit. Zimbabwe recently launched its new international tourism campaign named Zimbabwe: A World of Wonders

Zimbabwe is back, and on the rise! Watch Video.

Monday, 21 May 2012

An international center of Tertiary Education... just like Australia or Malaysia

Malaysia is an international center of Tertiary Education. The Malaysian governement adopted policies which allowed the establishment of international universities in Malaysia, mainly from the US, UK and Australia...so in turn Malaysia could attract international students from all over the world ----> giving a strong kick to national bank account! Clever...

When these renowned international universities established branches in Malaysia, namely

other local universities, a huge list of them, where able to attract international students as well through twinning arrangement. Twinning arrangements are whereby local universities offer programs of a renowned university from overseas locally - the advantage is that they can offer a lower fee than actually doing the degree in the UK, or Australia...but the degree at the end will be from the university in the UK or Australia.

Students from all over Africa...from Sudan, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Botswana  and an even bigger number of students from China, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh...come to study in Malaysia pumping considerable dollar into the economy. Most international students attend the universities with the twinning arrangements.

Its an economic strategy...cant Zimbabwe do the same. It already has too many universities and a high number of unemployed academics ---> by becoming a regional (Southern Africa) center of Tertiary Education attracting students from Namibia, Botswana (who in fact consider Zimbabwe Tertiary Education in high regard),  Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia, Tanzania, Angola, Congo perhaps...through good branding, marketing and complimentary policies from Universities through to Gvt. level we can kill two birds with one stone--->boost income of our economy, employ a considerable number of graduates. 
Most of these students would have to do foundation year, whilst some would have to do English Language Courses before commencing on the program, increasing the amount of money which can be earned by the economy...just like Malaysia does it. Hehe!