MASS MAIL 31 JANUARY 2006 - COMMUNICATION

FOUNDATION FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF AFRICA
"Participation Builds Unity"

"MADE IN AFRICA - FOR AFRICA"

FDA NEWSLETTER

MASS MAIL
31 JANUARY 2006
COMMUNICATION - A PRIORITY FOR AFRICA
(All)

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The FOUNDATION FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF AFRICA proudly presents you with the following information that may add value to Africa's development. Please direct any correspondence to: info@isupportafrica.com

COMMUNICATION - A PRIORITY FOR AFRICA
I was recently confronted as to why, in my opinion, 'participation' heads up the list of priorities facing Africa. My response was simple "Unless we ALL take hands in our endeavors to develop Africa, we will not succeed"

Participation is the one essential requirement when it comes to addressing any of Africa's priorities - more so communication. So many of us have tried to communicate with the likes of the NEPAD Secretariat, to no avail, unless the NEPAD Secretariat is willing to participate with mere mortals like you and I, all efforts of communiqué will be rendered useless, placing a damper on enthusiasm and therefore possibly jeopardizing efforts that just may have added so much value to Africa's development.

The only solution available (to us mortals) when one is blatantly excluded from certain processes, as we have learnt from the past, is to continue with what we do best and then never give up, knowing that out there, somewhere, there are people like you and I, that truly care about Africa's development, notwithstanding all the negative issues hampering her progress.

It is said, that all too often, we seek solutions elsewhere - when the solution is right in front of us. Over the next few days we will address a few of these 'blatant communication problems' facing Africa.

These 'problems' will include:
EMAIL CORRESPONDENCE
WEBSITE DESIGN AND WEB DEVELOPMENT
TELEPHONE NUMBERS
COMMON NAME and FAMILY NAME

EMAIL CORRESPONDENCE
Ever so often I am criticized for sending out 'bland or lifeless' emails. This is due to the fact that our emails are created in 'text format'. I am told that technology has developed sufficiently to allow for very attractive email styles and formats with colors and type-styles to make emails look funky and 'with-it'. "What's the point" I argue, when only a small 'select few' have access to this email format - the majority of our FDA contacts throughout the rest of Africa have a major problem with lack of bandwidth resulting in limited access to the Internet, therefore rendering these fancy emails as worthless.

WEBSITE DESIGN AND WEB DEVELOPMENT
I have recently acquired an ADSL (Telkom South Africa) service allowing me permanent access to the Internet. This reminded me of days' gone bye without the fax machine or the cell-phone - I had no idea what life changing aspects were associated with this ADSL technology. Having access to this ADSL service has opened a whole new perspective to the Internet (something that is taken for granted in the developed world).

Access to Websites with moving, scrolling, flashing letters; butterflies making their way across the screen; spinning coins; revolving earth-balls and all these other 'attractive' features used by ignorant web-designers unaware of the limitations throughout Africa, suddenly became available to me. I could now download a 2000KB plus email with attachment without having to wait 20-25 minutes for the download - wonderful - all this thanks to latest technology availability. However I do know that this luxury is only available to a very, very small percentage of Internet users throughout Africa.

When designing your website one has to weigh up the options - access to everyone - or a pretty site only accessible to a select few.

Let's consider those who have limited access to the Internet - Let's keep our emails text based and our websites accessible. Web designers know exactly what I am referring to - selling a 'pretty' website with all the 'bells and whistles' is much easier than selling a 'text-base' website with no flashing lights.

Next - TELEPHONE NUMBERS and NAMES

Please visit and scrutinise our PRODUCTS AND SERVICES SERVING AFRICA - We are on our way to assemble the biggest database of products and service available to Africa - see:
http://www.fdapartners.net/products_services/index.htm
This section has now achieved recognition and is featured alongside our FDA FINANCE SECTION in the top spot when searching for "products services serving africa" on www.google.com, this from some 10,700,000 WebPages.

It may be in your interest to participate as a FDA PARTNER - see why:
http://www.fdapartners.net/com/why_participate.htm
We need you to support our efforts - please participate:
http://www.foundation-development-africa.org/fda_info/how_then_can_i_support_fda_africa.htm

Please add your name to a growing list of names proclaiming - "YES! I support Africa" - see:
http://www.isupportafrica.com/isagen/names/index.htm

Take care

COMMENTS RECEIVED

07 February 2006
Good morning Peter,
Long time no see but I try and keep up with you via your e-mails.
Just to say that I agree and I am part of the "mortals" who just get ignored by "Nepad".
Best regards,
Nico.
Nico VAN LOGGERENBERG
The Banking Council (South Africa)
South Africa

03 February 2006
Hi P
This really does outline that each one of us has something to offer, and with collective effort, we all could reach new heights.
Our society needs to take responsibility and not leave it to the next person, it is all up to people like you and i - the caring and sharing.
Thank you for the fantastic information you are supplying, and as always thank you for your continued support and commitment.
God Bless,
Addi
Addi LANG
Return to Roots
South Africa

01 February 2006
Dear Peter,
Thanks for the article.
I totally agree that communication remains one major key challenge within the African continent.
What strategies can we adopt?
Any lessons from other region?
Grace ONGILE (Dr) (CEO)
NEPAD KENYA
Kenya

01 February 2006
Hi Peter
I have a minimum of 20 emails a day to deal with (excluding SPAM) - and I can only agree with your sentiments 100%
To many people send emails which are just full of rubbish (pictures and the like) which I do not want or see etc - just takes time and money to download them.
I also agree with your comments re website designs - in many cases you spend time and money downloading rubbish.
Regards
Gerry
Gerry BARNBY
Sizanani Advisory Services
South Africa

01 February 2006
Hi P.
I agree with the vitality of participation, however there needs to be regular follow-up that is outcomes-based.
Regards
Tonny Sauls
Gauteng Film Office
South Africa

01 February 2006
Peter,
I could not agree less with you that the answer to the problem is for the few concerned individuals and groups to keep trying and not give up. You and I have shared the same feelings and concerns about the NEPAD Secretariat's failure to open its doors to all stakeholders for their participation and contributions .
I stand to confirm that my bitter experience with the organization continues even with the recent changes and the big defence its functionaries put up in public forums. I believe someday we will achieve the much needed breakthrough.
Meanwhile, keep up the pressure from your side using your style while some of us continue ours from our own stand points.
Regards
Prof. Francis Nwonwu
Africa Institute of South Africa
South Africa

01 February 2006
Dear Peter,
You could never be more right. We face a nightmare in this continent when it comes to a simple management tool like communication.
Unfortunately but equally sad, the disease has caught up with the NEPAD Secretariat so fast.
Who will hear this cry for NEPAD and other African organs to start communicating with their people?
Can some big voice raise this issue at the next AU meeting?
Pan Africanist
Kenya

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