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Post by Titchaz on Sept 27, 2011 3:36:01 GMT 3
Titchaz that moved me to tears... ...somehow, it seems God has been winding up the wrong time lives ...lately. Professor - tunaelekea huko sote - but you showed us how to spend the short time we have here meaningfully. ...Indeed a very touching video.Amen!
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Post by joblesscorner on Sept 27, 2011 6:54:27 GMT 3
THE LATE PROFESSOR WANGARI MAATHAI'S AWARDS- 2010: Earth Hall of Fame, Kyoto (Japan) 2009: Earth Hall of Fame, Kyoto (Japan) 2009: Humanity 4 Water Award for Outstanding Commitment 2 Action 2009: The Order of the Rising Sun, Japan 2009: Judge, 2009 Geotourism Challenge, National Geographic, USA 2009: NAACP Chairman's Award , USA 2008: Dignitas Humana Award, St John's School of Theology, USA 2008: Cinema Verite, Honorary President, France 2008: Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), Honorary Fellowship, UK 2007: The Nelson Mandela Award for Health & Human Rights, South Africa 2007: The Jawaharlal Nehru Award for International Understanding, India 2007: Cross of the Order of St Benedict, Benedictine College, Kansas, USA 2007: World Citizenship Award, World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts 2006: The Indira Gandhi International Award for Peace, Disarmament & Development, India 2006: Premio Defensa Medio Ambiente, Club Internacional De Prensa, Spain 2006: 6th in 100 Greatest Eco-Heroes of All Time, The Environment Agency, UK 2006: Medal for Distinguished Achievement, University of Pennsylvania, USA 2006: Woman of Achievement Award from the American Biographical Institute Inc., USA 2006: The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, Milele(Lifetime) Achievement Award 2006: Legion D'Honneur, Government of France 2006: The IAIA Global Environment Award, International Association for Impact Assessment, Norway 2006: Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund Award, USA 2006: World Citizenship Award 2005: New York Women's Century Award, New York Women's Foundation, USA 2005: One of the 100 Most Influential People in the World: Time magazine, USA 2005: One of the 100 Most Powerful Women in the World: Forbes magazine, USA 2004: Nobel Peace Prize, the Norwegian Nobel Committee, Norway 2004: Sophie Prize, the Sophie Foundation, Norway 2004: Elder of the Golden Heart, Republic of Kenya 2004: Petra Kelly Environment Prize, Heinrich Boell Foundation, Germany 2004: J. Sterling Morton Award, Arbor Day Foundation, USA 2004: Conservation Scientist Award, Center for Environmental Research and Conservation, Columbia University, USA 2003: Elder of the Burning Spear, Republic of Kenya 2003: WANGO Environment Award, World Association of Non-Governmental Organizations , USA 2002: Outstanding Vision and Commitment Award, Bridges to Community, USA 2001: Excellence Award, Kenyan Community Abroad, USA 2001: The Juliet Hollister Award, Temple of Understanding, USA 1997: One of 100 in the World Who've Made a Difference in the Environment: Earth Times, USA 1995: International Women's Hall of Fame, International Women's Forum Leadership Foundation, USA 1994: The Order of the Golden Ark Award, the Netherlands 1993: The Jane Addams Leadership Award, Jane Addams Conference, USA 1993: The Edinburgh Medal, Medical Research Council, Scotland 1991: The Hunger Project's Africa Prize for Leadership, United Nations, USA 1991: Global 500 Hall of Fame: United Nations Environment Programme, USA 1991: The Goldman Environmental Prize, the Goldman Foundation, USA 1990: The Offeramus Medal, Benedictine College, USA 1989: Women of the World Award, WomenAid, UK 1988: The Windstar Award for the Environment, Windstar Foundation, USA 1986: Better World Society Award, USA 1984: Right Livelihood Award, Sweden 1983: Woman of the Year Award
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Post by marikopolitico on Sept 27, 2011 20:38:00 GMT 3
Kenya has lost a legend and an Icon.The impact she made in our lives will not be forgotten. The best we as Kenyans can do to honor her memory is to continue her life's work. Kenya's environment is its greatest asset. Prof Maathai dedicated her life to protecting this great richness Kenya has-at the very least we should have a national day in her honour where we plant trees and clean up our cities.What say you wanajukwaa?
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Post by job on Sept 27, 2011 22:08:05 GMT 3
R.I.P. Prof. !!!!! A true icon of KenyaHere were her views on the ICC process nobelwomensinitiative.org/2010/06/wangari-maathai-why-the-icc-is-good-for-africa/International Criminal Court Belongs To Us Africans
By Wangari MaathaiEast African Standard May 24, 2010As the world gathers in Kampala, Uganda next Monday for the first Review Conference of the Rome Statute setting up the International Criminal Court, it is an important time to affirm Africa’s commitment to bringing an end to the impunity that prevails in too many countries on our continent. The lack of true justice prevents us from moving forward to a more stable, peaceful future. We have many conflicts in Africa, and many of these conflicts are actually incited, financed, and organised by leaders. These leaders mobilise their supporters, mostly from their communities, to go and kill and rape and destroy members of other communities. Eventually, as in Kenya, a shaky peace is achieved — but the same leaders who use violence against their own people remain in power and thereby make violence against humanity worthwhile. Surely such leaders who commit unspeakable acts of horror cannot be trusted to create peaceful societies? Not until those who perpetuate these gross violations of human rights are held accountable. In the aftermath of some of the most horrific conflicts in Africa in the 1990s — including Rwanda and Liberia — Africans were at the forefront of advocating for the creation of an international court. In fact, of the current 111 states parties to the Rome Statute that founded the International Criminal Court, 30 are African. One of the goals of the ICC is to encourage and stimulate local and national justice systems to reform and strengthen, so that in the future, national systems will be able to restore justice without the intervention of the ICC. A great strength of the Rome Statute is that it criminalises rape as a weapon of war, along with other atrocities that specifically target women and girls. On a continent where violence against women is practiced on a mind-boggling scale, the ICC offers a glimmer of hope. All of the current cases before the it — Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, and Sudan — include investigations of gross atrocities that target women. The process is as important as the outcome, because it provides the “space” for bringing into the open discussions about how sexual crimes and other gender violence destroy communities across Africa. But while the ICC is catalysing healthy debate across the continent, it will only truly work in bringing about accountability if Africans support its work. Take the case of Sudan. Those wanted by the ICC for war crimes and crimes against humanity are treated by many African leaders as though they were misunderstood heroes. If Africans are not ashamed of crimes against their own people, neither the ICC nor other governments can help them. Both at individual state level and at the level of the African Union, there is a need to maintain support for the ICC, while simultaneously continuing to engage in peace processes and encouraging judicial reforms continent-wide. The African Union Panel Report on Darfur (also known as the Mbeki Report for Thabo Mbeki’s leadership on the initiative) and the subsequent formation of a High Level Implementation Panel are good examples of how the African Union should proceed on issues of justice. Released in October last year, the Mbeki Report did not set out to help President Omar Hasan al-Bashir and others find a way out of the ICC indictment. Instead, it stressed the importance of justice and reconciliation in Darfur by proposing a combination of mechanisms to repair the damaged relations between Darfurians and the state. Further, the Mbeki Report emphasised the need to combat impunity for sexual crimes for building the confidence of the thousands of Darfuri victims. In my country, Kenya, there is a need for national and local justice mechanisms to help us come to terms with the horrific post-election violence. Sadly, those involved in the violence are still in the government. The Waki Commission, an international inquiry into the post-election violence, compiled lengthy documentation and produced a sealed list of those deemed most responsible.
Many are believed to be in senior leadership positions in Kenya. They precipitated the violence all for power. The opening of ICC investigations into Kenya’s post-election violence is therefore a welcome development that gives hope to the victims and may serve to prevent similar events in the future.I hope that it will not only serve as an example of justice, but that it will inspire our national leaders to build institutions that ensure that communities can expect justice from them. Many detractors of the ICC claim that it is only focusing on African countries. However, the ICC is actively engaged on other continents, and there are growing international calls for it to initiate a case on Burma. Atrocities such as genocide and rape as a weapon of war are not unique to Africa. Our leaders need to support the work of the ICC in Africa, as well as other countries – or we are not really fully participating in the global community and what positive benefits it brings in terms for the potential for realising justice.I call on African leaders to take this unique opportunity at the Review Conference that is being hosted in the heart of Africa, in Uganda, to affirm your support for the ICC. Let us work together to bring an end to the culture of impunity by holding those who commit such crimes to account. Impunity not only perpetuates crimes against women, children and other civilians, it teaches successive generations how to continue the violence.Let us seize this historic opportunity on our own continent to demonstrate our commitment to peace and justice.
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Post by kasuku on Sept 28, 2011 0:14:29 GMT 3
Titchaz that moved me to tears... ...somehow, it seems God has been winding up the wrong time lives ...lately. Professor - tunaelekea huko sote - but you showed us how to spend the short time we have here meaningfully. ...Indeed a very touching video.Amen! She is so beautiful. That smile just shows what a beautiful clean soul she was. Indeed she leaves a big gap in Kenya and the all world for that matter indeed. Just lately i have being asking myself where Wangari is, she is being so quiet. It's as if i have lost a good friend although i never met her. Sleep well my friend in heart
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Post by phil on Sept 28, 2011 16:58:27 GMT 3
Quick update: President Kibaki just announced the late Prof. Wangari Maathai will be accorded a State funeral, declares two days national morning and flags to fly half mast Thursday and Friday in her honour.
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Post by omundu on Sept 28, 2011 18:50:56 GMT 3
I would care to add my tribute by quoting the POTUS Obama :
" Focussing your life solely on making a buck shows a certain lack of ambition. It asks too little of yourself. Because its only when you hitch your wagon to something larger than yourself that you realize your true potential"
Her demise has brought to the fore the impact she has had in the world that will be sourly missed. Especially when measured against the power hungry and money grabbing folks (the Biwotts, Rutos et-al) that she fought against.
Ideas and ideals wrapped in the clothe of good and unselfish intention eventually prevail.
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Post by pranginya on Sept 28, 2011 18:54:25 GMT 3
Wangari Maathai-Kenya’s Best Face
By Wafula Buke
In 1998 while in Geneva for a conference, a black American spotted the five shilling coins I had in my palm and when he saw the engraved picture of Kenya’s first Head of State Mzee Jomo Kenyatta on it, he pleaded with me to sell them to him. “Sell five shillings?” I hesitated as I tried to internalize the strange business opportunity before me. “Jomo Kenyatta. Oh! Kenyatta! That man through the Mau Mau drove out the white man from Africa and put the black people back into the driving seat of history. This is the best face of a black man.” He handed me a hundred dollar note and added me a sound cassette recorder worth Ksh.20, 000 in exchange for the five shilling-coins. He said he needed them for their local black peoples’ museum in Washington. For a moment I basked in the glory of our national positive history.
The world famous Maumau uprising against white colonialism in the 50s is Kenya’s unrivalled highlight that compels those who care about a positive image to elevate its leaders to symbols of our moral identity. While every nation has its own face as projected from its respective history, only few historical personalities manage to be iconic and inspirational across nations.
It is in this context that I mourn and celebrate a person whose life, commitment, dreams for humanity and credentials in sacrifice for national good negate the popular values associated with the Kenyan image. The late Professor is truly the best face of our times. I have never recovered from the pleasurable experience of hearing an American film star proclaim the following about our Nelson Mandela on his birthday in London; “If we were asked to vote as humanity who our father should be, we would elect Mandiba as our father.”
Who among us has the brilliance and academic achievement yet heavily accented with her mother tongue like Wangare Maathai? Who can boast of width in global travel and yet demonstrate unimaginable touch with the downtrodden women of Kenya on the margins of our national life?
When I proclaim Prof. Wangare Maathai the “best face of Kenya” after Dedan Kimaathi, I know future generations will grant my motion unanimous endorsement as they start enjoying the fruits of a recovering environment, equitable society, responsible governance and participatory leadership in their times. Enemies, friends and rivals will in the coolness of night proclaim the late professor Wangare “The Very First Lady” without precedent in recent history. She was deeply educated but talked with the simplicity of a mother to a child to the lowly to execute the communication functions. She surrendered the practice of her chosen career, veterinary medicine, to concentrate on creating the necessary conditions for veterinary medicine and other professions to excel.
During the many times that I marched beside her, Prof. Wangari Maathai seemed to get possessed with a spirit with divine characteristics whenever she saw the human representation of state coercion directed at the people. I recall in the later part of the last decade when I was the Coordinator of the Kenya Debt Relief Network (KENDREN), we organized a demonstration to the World Bank offices in Upper Hill to demand for the cancellation of Kenya’s debt. When she saw the anti-riot police ahead, she shot from the crowd of demonstrators wearing a warrior’s face and marched ahead us in a sense presenting herself as the first potential casualty of Moi’s characteristic brutality. By the grace of her bravery, the police seemed to change plans and let us march up to parliament where she read our communiqué to the media. When she left us to proceed to the World Bank, we were attacked by the same antiriot police apparently due to the absence of the combative face-Wangari Maathai. Eighty six of us lodged in Central Police Station and got charged the following day in Makadara Courts with committing “Moi’s” idea of crimes. She followed us in all these stations and ensured that we were given bond by her Green Belt Movement.
A similar experience was replayed when my Advocacy Program at the KHRC approached her to join us in the raid on Karura. Her initial strategy was seeking court intervention. “If its Moi’s courts then I won’t join you Madam” I told her. The patient professor listened to my plan for the historic raid on Karura nodding at every step of the presentation. She offered to partner with us in the project but in the division of labor that followed, she assigned herself the production of the publicity materials e.g. banners, leaflets and official communication as Mugambi Kiai and I took up the critical mobilization task. She tactfully edged us out of leadership by omitting KHRC in the publicity materials. I was initially upset at the politics of ownership but bowed when she ran the full course of the campaign numerously shouldering the brutality of the state in our absence. Like all leaders whose visions have transcended that of their generation’s, she will lead us more from her grave like Kimaathi, Kwame Nkrumah and Jesus than she did in life. Behold the best president we rejected and best face of Kenya in a long time to come-Prof. Wangari Maathai.
bukewafula@yahoo.com
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Post by adongo23456 on Sept 28, 2011 22:48:07 GMT 3
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Post by destiny on Sept 29, 2011 11:47:12 GMT 3
That's great! A state funeral fit for a Queen. But will she ever know about it?
A small voice keeps telling me we should have honoured this iconic lady LOCALLY much more when she was alive than when she's now dead. Perhaps she should have been re-elected back to Bunge by Tetu voters who rejected her last time. Perhaps she should have been made a full cabinet minister by Kibaki when he took over instead of a lowly asst minister for environment.
What's wrong with us Kenyans? We seem to have forgotten true patriots and elected home guards and their sons to lord it over us. It's only recently we remembered Dedan Kimathi whose wife (Mukami) lives in some mud hut somewhere in Kinangop.
What about JM Kariuki? Pio Gama Pinto? Jaramogi? Matiba? It's great to see we are erecting Tom Mboya's statue near the Archives along Tom Mboya st. But we still have too many heroes and heroines who we have completely forgotten.
Someone like Mekatili wa Menza who resisted the British rule at the Coast long before there was Mau Mau. What about Geroge Nthenge who still sells curios at City Mkt? Kipchoge Keino? Joe Masiga? Ngugi wa Thiong'o? Ben Jipcho?. U catch my drift? But this will inevitably take us back to the old age swali of who is a hero?
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Post by destiny on Sept 29, 2011 11:59:16 GMT 3
.......Paul Tergat? Martin shikuku of "Kanu is dead fame!"...Tomothy Njoya.. And last but not least FIELD MARSHALL MUTHONI who commanded lots of Mau Mau men when they raided Wazungu's shambas to help fasten an end to their thieving ways?
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Post by mangai on Sept 29, 2011 12:37:27 GMT 3
In Kenya we recognise people in death. Bildad Kaggia was ailing in desolation without any government assistance.
When Kijana Wamalwa passed on, the amount of euologising that accompanied his death would have made one believe that he was the best president that Kenya never had. Yet this is the man who had stood for presidential elections in 1997 coming a distant 5th. He was accorded a state funeral.
Same to Jaramogi only that he was never accorded that state funeral during Moi's time.
Of what use is a state funeral when you didn't recognise this person during her lifetime? Did it have to be prompted by the Nobel Peace Prize for the Govt to realise that Wangari was a great person who deserved more than just being a mere assistant minister for environment? Even after the prompting, nothing tangible was done to recognise here locally.
Chelagat Mutai is ailing but the govt is not coming to her aid when she clearly needs it.
Why do i have this feeling that some people in government could be shedding crocodile tears?
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Post by roughrider on Sept 29, 2011 12:45:07 GMT 3
This is the truth, only the truth and nothing but the truth....
Mwai Kibaki hated Wangari Maathai. Now he sheds crocodile tears and showers honours in the uniquely Kenyan way after death: Oh ati she was a great this, a wonderful that and a legendary the other. Did we just realise? I remember clearly that Kibaki once even snubbed her at a UNEP function in Nairobi and like a spoilt child even refused to greet her. I wonder how far back Raila twisted Kibaki arms to wring out that state funeral!
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Post by adongo23456 on Sept 29, 2011 17:52:33 GMT 3
Oh yeah they despised her. But I am just happy the state funeral idea came from right here in Jukwaa and from yours truly. Let Kenyans celebrate the life of this patriot. Here is what I am talking about. Talk about twisting arms. Brave patriot. The family and freinds kept it very private. We didn't know what was going on and we haven't heard from her. Have they announced a state funeral? I cannot think of anybody else who deserves it more. Let the country honour her and her work. Her body should lie in state for a few days followed by a state function and a private burial if the family so wishes. Folk like this come once in a very long time! Some generations never even have them. We did. We walked the earth with her. How wonderful! She dignified the motherland with her presence and boy did she ever love that country. She put our country on the map in the global stage. A life well lived. Go in peace and travel safely. The work continues. Oh yes, it does.
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Post by job on Sept 29, 2011 17:59:11 GMT 3
Adongo,
Kudos! They listened to your plea! All Kenyans deserve to celebrate the life of Prof. Wangari Maathai.
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Post by akinyi2005 on Sept 29, 2011 23:53:59 GMT 3
Professor Maathai was revered the world over and yet treated like trash by our leadership. I imagine her burial whether state/family arranged would be attended by a large number of dignitaries and Kibaki is probably already aware of this hence his involvement (which we all know is not genuine).
Anyway thank God for the state funeral. at least everyone especially the visitors will be spared the embarassment of witnessing the usual crap from local politicians trying to cheapen and hijack such an important event.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 30, 2011 6:44:52 GMT 3
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Post by afrigun on Sept 30, 2011 13:34:48 GMT 3
When young we used to raid her Green Belt Movement compound near Huruma Chiefs camp for guavas, locquats (sp?) and Zambaraus (what do you call them in english?).
One evening, I think it was about 7'ish as it was already getting dark, we were caught by the watchman while still up the tree, and were preparing ourselves for a hiding, when she came up out of the blue and shouted - "washa watoto wakure matuda!!"
She then came over and helped us down the tree, allowed and helped us to take even more fruits, (our little pockets were already bulging!), and told the watchman never to bother us again!!
It was the first and only time I ever met her in person, and the last time I ever entered the compound, but the memory has stuck with me all these years.
I have over the years seen her assaulted, beaten and hurt, teargassed, at Freedom Corner, with the mothers of the political prisoners, getting the Nobel Peace Prize etc, but the overriding image in my mind has always been of her helping us down the tree and giving us fruits!! The kindest anyone has ever been to me - (save for one other gentleman, whom I also believe deserved a Nobel Peace Prize himself, but that"s another story).
Mama, rest in peace. You fought the good fight, you made the world a better place, and the whole world is proud of you.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 30, 2011 13:43:12 GMT 3
When young we used to raid her Green Belt Movement compound near Huruma Chiefs camp for guavas, locquats (sp?) and Zambaraus (what do you call them in english?). One evening, I think it was about 7'ish as it was already getting dark, we were caught by the watchman while still up the tree, and were preparing ourselves for a hiding, when she came up out of the blue and shouted - "washa watoto wakure matuda!!" She then came over and helped us down the tree, allowed and helped us to take even more fruits, (our little pockets were already bulging!), and told the watchman never to bother us again!! It was the first and only time I ever met her in person, and the last time I ever entered the compound, but the memory has stuck with me all these years. I have over the years seen her assaulted, beaten and hurt, teargassed, at Freedom Corner, with the mothers of the political prisoners, getting the Nobel Peace Prize etc, but the overriding image in my mind has always been of her helping us down the tree and giving us fruits!! The kindest anyone has ever been to me - (save for one other gentleman, whom I also believe deserved a Nobel Peace Prize himself, but that"s another story). Mama, rest in peace. You fought the good fight, you made the world a better place, and the whole world is proud of you. Afrigun,good morning! (it's morning here) what a sweet little story it made me remember this quote from Maya Angelou. I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. ~Maya Angelou
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Post by afrigun on Sept 30, 2011 13:54:59 GMT 3
When young we used to raid her Green Belt Movement compound near Huruma Chiefs camp for guavas, locquats (sp?) and Zambaraus (what do you call them in english?). One evening, I think it was about 7'ish as it was already getting dark, we were caught by the watchman while still up the tree, and were preparing ourselves for a hiding, when she came up out of the blue and shouted - "washa watoto wakure matuda!!" She then came over and helped us down the tree, allowed and helped us to take even more fruits, (our little pockets were already bulging!), and told the watchman never to bother us again!! It was the first and only time I ever met her in person, and the last time I ever entered the compound, but the memory has stuck with me all these years. I have over the years seen her assaulted, beaten and hurt, teargassed, at Freedom Corner, with the mothers of the political prisoners, getting the Nobel Peace Prize etc, but the overriding image in my mind has always been of her helping us down the tree and giving us fruits!! The kindest anyone has ever been to me - (save for one other gentleman, whom I also believe deserved a Nobel Peace Prize himself, but that"s another story). Mama, rest in peace. You fought the good fight, you made the world a better place, and the whole world is proud of you. Afrigun,good morning! (it's morning here) what a sweet little story it made me remember this quote from Maya Angelou. I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. ~Maya Angelou
True Kathure, that feeling of kindness always overcame me whenever I saw her on telly or in the papers, whetever the context!! And i have never been able to chastise any kid who climbs up my fruit trees either! hehehe! and do please have a good day!
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Post by danielwaweru on Sept 30, 2011 15:54:39 GMT 3
When young we used to raid her Green Belt Movement compound near Huruma Chiefs camp for guavas, locquats (sp?) and Zambaraus (what do you call them in english?). One evening, I think it was about 7'ish as it was already getting dark, we were caught by the watchman while still up the tree, and were preparing ourselves for a hiding, when she came up out of the blue and shouted - "washa watoto wakure matuda!!" She then came over and helped us down the tree, allowed and helped us to take even more fruits, (our little pockets were already bulging!), and told the watchman never to bother us again!! It was the first and only time I ever met her in person, and the last time I ever entered the compound, but the memory has stuck with me all these years. I have over the years seen her assaulted, beaten and hurt, teargassed, at Freedom Corner, with the mothers of the political prisoners, getting the Nobel Peace Prize etc, but the overriding image in my mind has always been of her helping us down the tree and giving us fruits!! The kindest anyone has ever been to me - (save for one other gentleman, whom I also believe deserved a Nobel Peace Prize himself, but that"s another story). Mama, rest in peace. You fought the good fight, you made the world a better place, and the whole world is proud of you. LOLest. Asante, that's a wonderful memory.
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Post by destiny on Sept 30, 2011 16:24:44 GMT 3
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Post by Onyango Oloo on Oct 1, 2011 22:09:48 GMT 3
From the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance. Keen observers may detect a Jukwaa connection: www.pacja.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=83:tribute-to-wangari-maathai-from-the-pan-african-climate-justice-alliance&catid=7:home Tribute to Wangari Maathai from the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance As the world mourns the death of Prof. Wangari Maathai, we choose to celebrate her life.
As millions shed tears of sadness at her passing, we lift our voices and sing her praises.Wangari Maathai, daughter of the soil from the lush savanna landscapes of Nyeri at the foot of the imposing heights of Mount Kenya was an ever green tree, suffused with the green of life, full of vim, vigor of effervescence. A Professor of the natural sciences, Wangari Maathai was the embodiment and epitome of the social activist. In Wangari Maathai’s milieu, there was no separation of the natural and social environment. As she planted trees to conserve the natural forests, she nurtured seedlings, which grew to saplings and then sturdy trees of human rights, of social justice, of peace building, of inter-community reconciliation. We celebrate Wangari Maathai the Kenyan, the African, the global citizen. How proud we all were, when at the end of 2004 she stood tall and proud as all progressive humankind feted her as the Nobel Peace laureate. She had been vilified, attacked, incarcerated and condemned by powerful local elites and derided by some in the international stage who tried to ignore her warnings about global warming, green house gases, encroaching deserts, negative climate change. But our sister had brothers and sisters from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe, Canada to Turkey, Burkina Faso to the Philippines, Switzerland to Swaziland, Uzbekistan to Tanzania and of course, her native Kenya. She was a humming bird for Mother Earth, a fierce leopard for human rights, an eagle for social justice and a dove for peace. The Pan African Climate Justice Alliance reveres and cherishes the fact that this Amazon for the environment is a product of our great continent and a gift to the entire globe. She lives in our hearts, in our spirits and in our indefatigable campaign to save the environment and roll back the devastating adverse effects of climate change. As our South African sisters and brothers say to their fallen, but unbowed comrades: Hamba Kahle Dada Wangari Maathai!The Pan African Climate Justice Alliance
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Post by subsaharanite on Oct 3, 2011 3:02:08 GMT 3
Instead of according her a state funeral, I believe Wangari's soul will be more happy to see 1 billion trees planted in Kenyan on her honor. That will be a true state funeral
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Post by phil on Oct 3, 2011 17:23:24 GMT 3
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