Table of contents for Issue 173 - June-July 2022 in Msafiri

Welcome to the June–July 2022 issue of msafiri. During May, in partnership with the African Airlines Association, we were proud to host over 500 delegates from 47 countries at the 10th Aviation Stakeholders Convention. This is one of Africa’s major forums for air transport, which provided a platform to exchange knowledge, showcase innovations, discuss business trends and forge new partnerships. As a preamble to the Convention, we had a chance to mentor the next generation of aviators at a corporate social responsibility event that had over 130 students in attendance. Over the past couple of years, Covid-19 has posed a severe threat to the aviation sector, but we have remained resilient as an industry. Planes have continued to fly, delivering tonnes of freight, bringing our people home from overseas and…

1 Use light to boost your youth If dull skin and fine lines are cramping your style, the solution could well be at your fingertips. LED light therapy has been touted by dermatologists as a simple solution for everyday skincare. LED skincare devices are similar in appearance to small, hand-held massagers. They emit coloured light waves that penetrate your skin and can treat a range of skincare issues. Blue light is used to keep acne at bay, red stimulates collagen and elasticity, while yellow is anti-inflammatory to help with skin rejuvenation. It’s simple to use: apply oil or serum on clean skin, turn on your desired setting and let this painless device glide on your face for 10 minutes. 2 Hack your habits Biohacking is a cool buzzword that simply…

Kenya’s magnificent Tsavo East National Park (dubbed the ‘Theatre of the Wild’), together with Tsavo West National Park (‘Ancient Land of Lions and Lava’), forms one of Africa’s most important biodiversity hotspots. But it’s also part of an even larger ecosystem that includes Mkomazi National Park in northern Tanzania. We talked to Jacob Kipongoso, executive chair of the Tsavo Heritage Foundation, about efforts to protect this vast but threatened wilderness. Q What is the mission of the Foundation? The Foundation hopes to innovatively restore and conserve the Tsavo-Mkomazi ecosystem and dispersal areas for sustainable community livelihoods. Q Of the many wildlife-rich areas in East Africa, what makes Tsavo-Mkomazi ecosystem outstanding? The ecosystem is a transboundary landscape astride Kenya and Tanzania. It’s rich in biodiversity and is the largest wildlife protected…

ALSO KNOWN AS: LONDINIUM, LONDON TOWN, THE SWINGING CITY, THE BIG SMOKE, THE GREAT WEN FOUNDED BY: THE ROMANS POPULATION: 9 MILLION LANGUAGE: ENGLISH, ALONG WITH ANOTHER 300-ODD LANGUAGES SPOKEN BY VARIOUS ETHNIC GROUPS ACROSS THE CITY TWO-DAY ACTION PLAN You can barely scrape the surface of London in two days, but the following itineraries give a good overview of the city and introduce many of its most famous sights. DAY 01 Start at London’s landmark Trafalgar Square, home to Nelson’s Column and the superb National Gallery (nationalgallery.org.uk), one of the world’s greatest art collections. Walk south down Whitehall, past the home of the British prime minister at 10 Downing Street to the stately Houses of Parliament (parliament.uk/visiting) and historic Westminster Abbey (westminster-abbey.org), last resting place of many British monarchs…

In March, Kenya Airways flew Mike Kendrick and his wife from Wild Shots Outreach to Kenya to deliver a four-day residential programme at Lewa Wildlife Conservancy for 16 Kenyan students, aged 9 to 17. Wild Shots, an NGO based in South Africa, engages young Africans in wildlife and conservation through photography. The NGO prioritises government high school students and unemployed youngsters living adjacent to Africa’s Protected Areas. Despite living within a few kilometres of such places, the majority of these young people have never visited a wilderness area before. For one student, 17-year-old Byron Bombale, this was the first time he had ever seen a rhino. “I have only seen rhinos on TV – and I do not understand why rich people want their horns. It hurts me that human…

connections INCREASED FREQUENCY TO DR CONGO Over the coming months, you can expect to see an increase in the number of flights to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Following the DRC’s formal induction to the East African Community regional block and the resulting removal of trade barriers, KQ anticipates an increased demand for seats from both business and leisure customers. Consequently, the airline is formulating plans to operate 10-12 flights per week between Nairobi and Kinshasa within 3 to 4 months, along with daily flights to Lubumbashi by October 2022. BEST PRICE GUARANTEE Kenya Airways has launched a guaranteed price match scheme, dubbed ‘Best Price Guarantee’. The initiative promises that should you find a lower KQ fare on another platform compared to its own website, the airline will…

TO SEE OUR FULL RANGE OF DUTY FREE PRODUCTS LADIES FRAGRANCES GIORGIO ARMANI MY WAY EAU DE PARFUM, 50ML Discover My Way, the new feminine fragrance by Giorgio Armani. My Way is an invitation to broaden your horizons and have meaningful encounters around the globe. A bright-white floral bouquet is encapsulated in a talisman bottle, a metaphor for the world. Fragrance notes: citrus – floral. MEN'S FRAGRANCES MONTBLANC EXPLORER EAU DE PARFUM, 100ML Montblanc Explorer takes you on an unforgettable journey to virgin territories with an unconventional woody-aromatic-leather fragrance. Get ready to discover new horizons! Fragrance notes: woody – aromatic. VERSACE POUR HOMME OUD NOIR EAU DE PARFUM, 100ML The seduction of a desert sunset with a warm breeze in the air giving a…

Hundreds of new technology products hit the market every month, but only the best make it onto our Top Tech page. So, whether you need the latest travel gadget, something to make life easy or just fancy some cool tech, you came to the right place! This issue, we’re highlighting the best Father’s Day gifts. From a multitool worthy of James Bond to the ultimate Lego kit, you’re bound to find something he’ll love… POLK MAGNIFI MINI AX Seeking the perfect gift for a movie-loving dad? Try this ultra-compact soundbar. Despite measuring just 37cm wide, it pumps out blockbuster-worthy 360-degree Dolby Atmos surround sound and packs a huge sonic punch thanks to its powerful downward-firing subwoofer. US$499, POLKAUDIO.COM DIGIMON X BANDAI Always wanted a pet but don’t have time to…

Dr Modupe (Mo) Adefeso-Olateju and her five siblings were brought up in Lagos. Their father was a caterer who ran industrial kitchens for a living, while their mother retired from nursing at 50 and started a school. “Every dish my dad made had to be perfect. He codified everything,” says Mo. “My mother, on the other hand, loved the children in her school. I was keen to work with children like mum, with my dad’s approach to perfection.” Mo studied Educational Administration at the University of Lagos. During teaching practice, she worked in a state school close to the university. “I was trying to bring my dad’s precision into a room full of Grade 7 children that I could not help because they were so many, and the resources were…

kusafiri This ‘spaghetti junction’ leads to a 1.5km-long, arrow-straight viaduct that connects the northern and southern districts of this city. It was the third bridge to be built across the lagoon that divides this de facto capital, and is named after a former president of the French-speaking country – Henri Konan Bédié. The interchange itself comprises three levels – the centre of which resembles an eye when viewed from above. But in which of Kenya Airways’ destinations will you find it? Guess where answer : Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire Starting at an interchange on Boulevard François Mitterrand, the Henri Konan Bédié Bridge crosses the Ebrié Lagoon, linking the Abidjan districts of Riviera and Marcory. It took three years to build and is credited with saving 1.8 million hours of congestion per…

connections In May, Kenya Airways, together with the African Airlines Association (Afraa), hosted the 10th Aviation Stakeholders Convention at the Emara Ole-Sereni Hotel in Nairobi. The two-day convention, under the banner of ‘Beyond the Crisis’, saw key industry players discuss a roadmap for recovery for African aviation following the coronavirus pandemic. The event also provided a platform for participants to showcase new developments and innovations in aviation, discuss industry business trends, network and forge new partnerships. Some 500 delegates from 47 countries – including 12 airline CEOs and representing 34 African airlines – attended. Speaking at the event, Allan Kilavuka, KQ’s group managing director and CEO, emphasised the importance of exchanging knowledge to inspire a sustainable and resilient industry. He said: “Covid-19 posed the greatest risk to the aviation sector,…

Tell us about your journey to KQ. I have been with KQ for two years. I joined from IBM where I was the regional security manager, serving East and Central Africa. Prior to that I served in the military, retiring with the rank of Major. I am a certified security management professional. I want to work in an environment that is inspiring and, more importantly, know that I am making a difference What is your role and what are your key responsibilities? I am responsible for the overall security of the airline’s employees, customers and property. It is a culture of ‘by the people and for the people’ to serve our customers with the highest level of standards, both locally and abroad. What is your favourite thing about the job?…

Q Why did you want to become a pilot? The thrill of being in the sky. I was mesmerised by aeroplanes and their complexities. Q What, to you, makes Kenya Airways ‘The Pride of Africa’? It's the Pride of Africa because we package the journey in an African way – with the African food, African crew, African hospitality and connections based from Africa. It makes African travellers feel at home and gives visitors a precursor of African hospitality. Q What is your favourite KQ aircraft, and why? It has to be the Dreamliner. What a modern aircraft it is. The ergonomics in the cabin and flight deck are revolutionary. It leaves a mark on pilots and passengers alike. Come to think of it, it's the only plane with a dream…

PICK OF THE FLICKS THE BATMAN ACTION The Batman, directed and co-written (with Peter Craig) by Matt Reeves, is a 2022 superhero movie based on the DC Comics character Batman. The film stars Robert Pattinson as Batman, Zoë Kravitz as Catwoman, Colin Farrell as the Penguin and Paul Dano as the infamous villain the Riddler. When the Riddler begins murdering key political figures in Gotham, Batman is forced to investigate the city’s hidden corruption, but what he finds leads him to question his own family’s involvement in crime. This movie re-imagines Batman as more of a gritty, 1970s crime thriller. As a result, Reeves’ version feels fresh and alive – exploring the darker side of Bruce Wayne and his past. The film makes good use of grand spectacle, cunning villains…

being a father means taking the leadership position. I’ll confess that we’re not always on-point at this job. We’re constantly undergoing on-the-job training and retraining, and a flurry of reviews. Leadership is tough. Ask any African president who’s hung on to the job longer than he’s supposed to. Just like this equally loved and loathed lot, we don’t like asking for directions when, for instance, we’re in the driver’s seat. The benevolent dictator in us asserts that we know our destination, although our GPS and passengers lost their last nerve 97.5 kilometres ago. Being a father means fumbling seemingly simple tasks. Unless you’re tech-daddy, being a father in 2022 means being taught tough lessons by our bemused kids, because we can’t get the basics of the very gadget we’ve spent…

NINJA CM401 SPECIALTY 10-CUP COFFEE MAKER HARDWORKING DADS CAN GET THEIR COFFEE FIX WITH THIS CLEVER GADGET, WHICH MAKES BOTH HOT AND ICED COFFEE. US$160, NINJAKITCHEN.COM HAMILTON BEACH PERSONAL BLENDER HEALTHY DADS CAN WHIZZ UP A NUTRITIOUS FRUIT SMOOTHIE USING THIS PORTABLE DEVICE. IT EVEN COMES WITH A 14OZ TRAVEL CUP. US$20, AMAZON.COM BEERMKR PARTY-LOVING DADS CAN BREW (AND SAMPLE) THEIR OWN CRAFT BEER WITH THE WORLD’S FIRST FULLY AUTOMATED PERSONAL BREWING SYSTEM. US$650, BEERMKR.COM…

Chelewa chelewa utapata mwana sio wako (SWAHILI PROVERB) IF YOU KEEP BEING LATE OR POSTPONING ACTIVITIES, ONE DAY YOU WILL DISCOVER THAT THE ‘CHILD’ IS NOT YOURS. 01 TIME MANAGEMENT IS KEY TO ACHIEVING YOUR POTENTIAL We are all born with great potential to make a powerful impact in different areas of the world. What then makes the difference between similarly talented, educated, exposed individuals when they are placed on the same platform? While there is never a straightforward answer to this commonly asked question, time management is definitely near the top of the list. It enjoys a front seat in all elements attributed to setting aside achievers from mediocrity. It is the silent but essential seasoning in every plate that has a serving of grit, effectiveness, leadership,…

Africa’s leisure tourism industry is bouncing back in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. As airlines, hotels, tour operators and other travel businesses recover, there is a crop of inspiring content creators and influencers who are doing their bit by actively promoting the continent. By sharing their breathtaking experiences on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram and other social media platforms, they play a key role in marketing their home countries as well as the places they visit across Africa. msafiri spoke to five leading travel influencers to find out more about what motivates them. WINNIE RIOBA KENYA @justrioba Rioba is one of the most prolific travel influencers in Kenya. Widely travelled, she has come to love London (one of Kenya Airways’ most popular European destinations). As well as an exciting place to…

ENVIRONMENT Aviation has long been identified as having a direct impact on the environment and society. Although the extent of its impact is open to debate, KQ – and the industry as a whole – has taken great strides to reduce its footprint. Its strategy includes developing, establishing and promoting technologies that enable the environment and economy to coexist harmoniously, and to build close and co-operative relationships with those involved in environmental preservation. The airline has also committed to investing in aircraft that are quieter and that have significantly lower fuel consumption and carbon emissions. IN ACTION CARBON OFFSETTING This initiative enables passengers to negate the carbon dioxide emissions related to their flights by choosing to make a ‘calculated donation’ to environmental sustainability projects when buying a ticket.…