Athanase, Nenesse and Albert complete advanced sports management course

Athanase, Nenesse and Albert complete advanced sports management course - 29.02.2012 Monique Athanase, Gretel Nenesse and Philip Albert have successfully completed their diploma in advanced sports management and they received their certificates last Friday. The certificates presentation ceremony was held at the Seychelles Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association (Socga) headquarters at Roche Caïman, Socga president Antonio Gopal and course director Bernard Denis presented the certificates to the three successful candidates in the presence of National Sports Council (NSC) chief executive Alain Volcère, other NSC officials, and Socga executive committee members. The advanced sports management course offers those who took part the opportunity to reach the diploma in sports management – a standard between the Masters degree (Memos) and certificate in sports management offered by the International Olympic Committee and supervised by the Olympic Solidarity. During the course, the students followed six modules, exploring different topics and situations as well as look for solutions and answers to issues and problems based on the theories and concepts they have understood. The methods by which the theories and concepts are dissected come in three main strategies: presentations by the course director and course facilitators; extensive reading by the students; and studying case studies and students developing own case studies to be presented to fellow students. No formal examination was carried out but the students had to work on six case studies – two of which should have been extensively developed and finally one was chosen by the student and the course director to be sent to the Olympic Solidarity in Lausanne for final evaluation. Twenty-five individuals from 10 sports federations and associations started the course and six completed. But only three prepared their final case studies and presented them to a panel before finally sending them to the Olympic Solidarity. In his address, Socga president Gopal asked all sports federations and associations to grasp all the opportunities being offered to provide them knowledge which will then play a vital role towards the management of their sports and the achievement of good results. He also noted that it is never too late for anyone to follow higher education. For his part, Mr Denis congratulated Monique Athanase, Gretel Nenesse and Philip Albert on overcoming the final hurdle. He congratulated them for showing determination and their will to learn and understand the theories and concepts. Mr Denis added that the fast-changing world needs innovative people as very soon the theory of ‘business as usual’ will no longer be valid. On behalf of fellow graduates, Ms Athanase talked about the benefits of the course, saying it has given them more than sufficient knowledge about how to improve existing strategies, prepare and implement new strategies which could bring success to their respective sports federations. She stressed on the necessity to build solid, effective and efficient human resources as this is the most important component of any organisation. Ms Athanase also thanked the Socga, the International Olympic Committee, the NSC, the course director and the resource persons who helped them during the course. The course was launched by Socga president Gopal in April 2010 with the aim of getting sports administrators to acquire much-needed experience. A second course is expected to start in June and will be open to all sports federations and associations and other sports institutions.

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Football: Africa Cup of Nations 2013 – first-round qualifier

Football: Africa Cup of Nations 2013 – first-round qualifier - 29.02.2012 
Seychelles to host the Congolese Leopards today

The Seychelles national selection will host the Leopards from the Democratic Republic of Congo today at Stad Linite in the first round qualifier of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (Can).

Seychelles won a bye into the first round against DR Congo after its initial opponents Swaziland pulled out of the qualifiers, due to lack of sufficient funds for the team’s trip to Seychelles.

The winners of the Seychelles/Democratic Republic of Congo clash will move to the second round of the qualifiers together with the other 13 first-round winners.

Coach Gavin Jeanne, who has taken over the responsibility of the national selection from Ralph ‘Tiapout’ Jean-Louis, who led the team to winning last year’s Indian Ocean Island Games gold medal, told Sports Nation he is all about performance, rather than results.

He explained that it is not easy to put a team together and he thanked the players for their commitment and willingness to defend the country’s flag.

He also said most of the players are young with very little or no international experience at all.
AS for the team’s preparation, coach Jeanne said it has been very difficult as it is not easy to get all the players for most sessions.

The hardest part, he said, was to select the players as it was during the off-season. Another major difficulty encountered was with some of the local clubs who refused to release their players for training.

Coach Jeanne said his side played several test matches against local clubs and added that his young team are ready for the test.

As for the Congolese selection under the leadership of Frenchman Claude Leroy, they polished their preparation with a recent training camp in Oman, where they played against the host country’s nation side and a local club
The 2013 Africa Cup of Nations will be the 29th Africa Cup of Nations organised by the Confederation of African Football (Caf).

 It was scheduled to be hosted by Libya, but Caf then took the decision to move the competition to South Africa.
Today’s qualifier will kick off at 5.30pm and tickets are already sale at R35 and R25.

By the time of going to press, coach Jeanne had not revealed his squad, but DR Congo have come with a 30-player squad.
The RDC selection:

Dibuluna Guelord (DCMP), Kidiaba Muteba (TP. Mazembe), Issama Mpeko (AS V.Club), Kasusula Kiritcho (TP Mazembe), Kimwaki Joël (TP Mazembe), Mampuya Lema (AS V.Club), Mutombo Kazadi (AS V.Club), Lema Mabidi (AS V.Club), Ilunga Kayanda (TP Mazembe), Kanda Déo (TP Mazembe), Mputu Mabi (TP Mazembe), Angani Kayiba (FC Système), Nseka Felly (DCMP), Botayi Pierre (AS V.Club), Ngoy Emomo (AS V.Club), Basilua Jeremie (AS V.Club), Ngandu Junior (DCMP), Kabulo (US Tshinkunku), Thierry Bolongo (Interclube/Angola),Ruffi Mandanda (Tarbes/France), Bokese Gladys (Etoile du Sahel/Tunisie), Cédric Mongungu (Evian TG/France), Mulongoti Assany (Dusseldorf/Germany), Landry Mulemo (Courtrai/Belgium), Fwanda Kinkela (Ajaccio/France), Cédric Makiadi (Fribourg/Germany), Tshiolola Tshinyama (Lokeren/Belgium), Kaluyitukadioko Alain (Al Alhli/Qatar), Trésor Lualua (Blackpool/England) and Matumona Zola (Mons/Belgium).

R. D.

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Shaun Andriamaro participera au tournoi de Saint Leu Le tennis seychellois sera représenté par Damien Laporte et Theo Barois au prochain Open des Pirates à La Réunion en mars prochain.

Shaun Andriamaro participera au tournoi de Saint Leu

Le tennis seychellois sera représenté par Damien Laporte et Theo Barois au prochain Open des Pirates à La Réunion en mars prochain. 

Le tournoi aura lieu du 5 au 11 mars. Plus gros tournoi des moins de dix ans de la zone Océan Indien, garçons et filles de l'île Maurice, Mayotte, Madagascar, La Réunion seront présents. Il y aura aussi plusieurs ligues de France qui viendront tenter de remporter ce trophée. Les années précédentes 3 ligues sont ainsi venues participer – Paris, Seine et Marne et Midi Pyrénées.

Tournoi appelé Multi chances car chaque joueur joue 5 matches et termine avec un classement entre 1 et 32. Avec ce système il est important de gagner les premiers matches pour ne pas se retrouver à jouer des matches de classement trop tôt. En effet, en perdant le premier match mais en gagnant tous les autres derrière le joueur terminerait 17ème! Si on gagne au contraire le premier match on est sûr de terminer dans les 16 premiers même en perdant les 4 autres matches.

Damien Laporte et Theo Barois ont déjà participé à cet Open l'année dernière et les objectifs sont clairs cette année.

Theo essaiera de gagner l'un des deux premiers matchs pour assurer un classement meilleur que celui de l'année dernière où il avait fini 31ème. Quant à Damien, qui avait terminé 9ème l'année dernière, il visera une place en demi-finale et pourquoi ne pas chercher à ramener le titre aux Seychelles.

L'entraîneur Frédéric Canale accompagnera les joueurs et se montre assez confiant dans la bonne tenue de ses joueurs. Théo a bien travaillé et son niveau est bien meilleur que celui de l'année dernière. Idem pour Damien qui propose un tennis de qualité depuis quelques semaines. Il semble être en forme en ce moment comme le prouve sa victoire le dimanche 19 février à l'Open de Cerf Island.

Maintenant, le tirage au sort aura une importance significative. L'année dernière, Damien avait du jouer contre la tête de série N1 dès le deuxième tour ce qui explique son classement. Espérons que Damien soit lui-même retenu comme tête de série mais malgré son classement Français (30/1) qui est le meilleur classement de France pour les 10 ans, rien n'est sûr. Le niveau sera relevé cette année.

Shaun Andriamaro sera aussi de la partie pour disputer le tournoi de Saint Leu. Âgé de 11 ans, Shaun ne peut plus participer à l'Open des Pirates. Cependant, la famille du joueur ainsi que l’Association seychelloise de tennis ont accepté le projet proposé par l'entraîneur en début d'année et ont su trouver l'argent nécessaire pour le faire.

L'entraîneur espère, en effet, que l'effet de groupe puisse être bénéfique pour les trois joueurs. A l'étranger, avoir des visages connus derrière le grillage peut aider à se surpasser. Par ailleurs, Shaun pourra une nouvelle fois se mesurer à d'autres jeunes joueurs et continuer ainsi sa progression.

Le départ aura lieu le dimanche 4 mars en soirée pour un retour le 13 mars.

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Forex rate hike calls for growth target review

Forex rate hike calls for growth target review - 29.02.2012 The government might take the opportunity to negotiate a minor adjustment in the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme since the exchange rate is a bit higher than earlier expected when former targets were set.  The principal secretary for Finance Ahmed Afif yesterday said: “The exchange rate has fluctuated and risen slightly above what had been focused and we require a slight review in our expenditure levels so that the targets reflect an achievable and realistic primary physical target.” Mr Afif said the growth target had been set at 4.7% of gross domestic product estimating the exchange rate would be R13 to the US dollar but it is now trading at around R14. He said this in an interview yesterday when an IMF mission started its fifth review under the three-year Extended Fund Facility, which was approved by the fund’s executive board on December 18, 2009. Besides this area, every other aspect of the programme has remained on track, said Mr Afif. “We have passed the primary surplus target set for December, we have not exceeded the debt level ceilings that have been set, or accumulated any arrears, and we believe the Central Bank of Seychelles has also met the reserve money targets as well as the international net reserve goals.” Seychelles delegation at the review launch talks was led by Finance Minister, Vice-President Danny Faure, and the IMF team was led by mission head Jean Le Dem. The IMF does such reviews every six months looking at the targets set, including the physical and the monetary, for example those to do with primary surplus of government while the monetary targets are about the country’s reserve levels. On the debt side the mission will also check that the government has not contracted debts above set limits and no arrears have been accumulated either in normal operations or on debts. “These are the parameters they will measure. They also take this opportunity once in Seychelles to review the current economic performance which may have changed given the dynamics of a lot of what happens around us, for example changes in exchange rates, visitor arrival numbers and how fisheries is doing,” said Mr Afif.

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Ledikasyon Konsonmater

Ledikasyon Konsonmater - 29.02.2012 
Lalang maternel

Konsonmater Seselwa i fyer pour annan en lalang ki kapab kominik byen pour pas byen lenformasyon e pli enportan pour konpran byen lenformasyon ki’n ganny pase.

Kominik dan en langaz senp e kler i ede kontribye pour swiv bann lenstriksyon ki permet ariv a en bon rezilta.

Sesel nou sanse pour annan trwa lalang nasyonal, enn ladan i nou lalang maternel kreol. Sa i fer ki konsonmater i devret annan swa dan konpreansyon ek lektir. I selman en pe malere parler ki pa tou konsonmater ki kapab lir e konpran bann letiket lo prodwi ek bann formalite ofisyel e prive akoz laplipar pa pe ganny ekri dan lalang maternel ki osi enn nou lalang nasyonal.

Parfwa i annan serten zofisye piblik ki pa menm oule kominik an kreol avek sa menm konsonmater ki annan sa bann difikilte.

Lalang maternel i nou premye langaz ki ganny kominike avek nou menm avan nou nesans. Nou devret fyer e valoriz nou kreol. Konsonmater pa devret zis konn koz kreol me osi fer en zefor pour kapab ekrir kreol.

Natcof, sa lorganizasyon ki protez drwa konsonmater, pe profit sa lokazyon pour ankouraz tou konsonmater pour aprann lir e ekrir kreol pour zot kapab omwen lir en paz ki swa dan zournal oubyen en liv toulezour.

Natcof pe osi lans en lapel avek tou sa ki konsernen pour osi ekrir bann dokiman ofisyel ki konsern konsonmater osi an kreol -- sa i enkli bann kontra ek lagreman, form laplikasyon pour bann servis, sirtou bann servis labank.

Sa i ava kontribye dan promosyon lalang maternel dan tou son dimansyon e ki konsonmater a kapab pran en pli bon desizyon dan zot lavi toulezour.

En kontribisyon Natcof

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Seychellois learns more about efforts to fight human trafficking

Seychellois learns more about efforts to fight human trafficking - 29.02.2012 Michelle Marguerite, senior research officer at the Ministry of Social Development and Culture, has been selected to take part in a programme aimed at examining efforts being done to combat trafficking in persons. The International Visitors Leadership Programme (IVLP) under the theme of Trafficking in Persons (TIP) started on Saturday and will run until March 10 in the US. This TIP programme is aimed at examining US, local, national and international efforts to combat trafficking in persons; presenting innovative law enforcement strategies for preventing, investigating and prosecuting trafficking crimes; exploring US policy initiatives and discussing awareness and education efforts and international cooperation in combating TIP. During her visit, Mrs Marguerite will have working sessions in Washington D.C. and Denver, Colorado. In the US capital, she will benefit from a presentation on counter trafficking efforts worldwide by Ann Jordan, of the American University. Delegates will also have the opportunity to exchange information with colleagues of the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (G/TIP) of the US Department of State. Meetings will also be conducted at the US Department of Labor and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) In Denver, visitors will observe how local issues and public perception have influenced the state's response to human trafficking.  Visitors will have the opportunity to meet with regional representatives from the Federal Bureau of Investigation to discuss how they work together with state and local law enforcement authorities addressing the unique trafficking concerns of each region. The role of NGOs in supporting law enforcement, educating the public and assisting victims will be underscored through discussions at organisations such as the Colorado Organisation for Victims Assistance. The IVLP is the US Department of State’s professional exchange programme. It seeks to build mutual understanding between the United States and other nations through carefully designed short-term visits to the United States. Over 4,000 international visitors come to the United States from all over the world each year.

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Stakeholders discuss impacts of piracy on Indian Ocean fisheries

Stakeholders discuss impacts of piracy on Indian Ocean fisheries - 29.02.2012 Piracy has become chronic and the damages being incurred are having far-reaching implications to our way of life -- from artisanal to industrial fishery and potential development of this sector. This was said by the Minister for Investment, Natural Resources and Industry, Peter Sinon, while opening a conference yesterday on the impacts of piracy on fisheries in the Indian Ocean. Addressing stakeholders, he said licenced vessels have left the Indian Ocean to fish in other safer oceans, and many of our Asian partners no longer take licences to fish in our exclusive economic zones (EEZ), further eroding resource rent from abundant tuna in our waters. “At its zenith, when the supply of landed fish came to an all time low, the related fish processing industries that export fish from our waters were reassessing their company strategies related to the viability of continuing operations in port Victoria,” said Mr Sinon. The conference at the Ephelia Resort has been organised by the European Bureau for Conservation and Development in collaboration with the South West Indian Ocean Fisheries Project. The first of its kind, the meeting is being held just in the aftermath of a major conference on Somalia hosted by Britain, which was attended by President James Michel and a high level delegation. Mr Sinon said piracy activities have undermined our social as well as our economic fabric. He noted that the most extreme impact has been the hijacking of our local fishing vessels and capture of fishermen and sailors. Two of our fishermen are still being held hostage in Somalia. “While we have been successful in freeing several of our local fishing vessels from the grasp of pirates, many fishers have been and continue to be concerned for their safety,” he said. He noted that until the more focussed, reassuring and effective safety precautions are installed, fishing expeditions are practically stalled. Listing the numerous effects of piracy activities in our EEZ, Mr Sinon said Seychelles must now bear the burden of anti-piracy surveillance and deterrence costs in addition to combatting illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. He also mentioned fisheries research, which he said has been curtailed as we can no longer conduct offshore research surveys – for much of the year our research vessel is now tied up in port. Wishing the experts a fruitful deliberation and looking forward to their recommendations to sustain our treasured fisheries industry, Mr Sinon expressed profound gratitude and unwavering support and appreciation to all the forces behind the fight against piracy for their tireless work. He made special mention to the commander-in-chief of the Seychelles People’s Defence Forces, President James Michel, and his men in uniform. “His accomplishments are highly appreciated by stakeholders at the national, regional and global level, placing Seychelles firmly in regional leadership position to bring back security in our ocean. He made special mention of the “London Conference on Somalia” which sought to ensure that as many stakeholders as possible are engaged and that piracy always remains among the urgent international issues calling for world attention. The conference heard some 30 speakers, including several fisheries experts from Seychelles, and also watched a film documentary on piracy. Before then, the secretary general of the Commission de l’Ocean Indien (COI), Callixte D’Offay, said piracy has definitely a direct negative impact on the fisheries sector which constitutes the economic backbones of the countries of the region. It damages one of the vital interests with far-reaching consequences. He said that according to some reports, tuna catches in the Indian Ocean fell by 30% in 2008 and this had a major impact on countries like Seychelles, that relies on the fishing industry for up to 40% of its earnings. Kenya and Tanzania have also seen a significant  drop in vessels’ port calls and in the number of licences taken to fish in their waters.  Besides Seychelles, the conference was attended by official representatives or experts from Mauritius, Madagascar, Comoros, Reunion, Kenya, Tanzania and Mozambique. Countries enjoying fisheries partnerships with Seychelles, such as the European Union (EU) France, Spain, Japan and the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) were also present, some of them making presentations on various aspects of fisheries.

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Stricken Costa cruise ship towed to Port Victoria

Stricken Costa cruise ship towed to Port Victoria - 29.02.2012 The Costa cruise ship which caught fire in our waters on Monday is expected to reach Port Victoria today with the help of two tug boats from the Seychelles Ports Authority.   This was said by the Transport Minister Joel Morgan during a press conference yesterday evening after meeting an emergency committee to finalise the arrangements for the arrival of the Costa Allegra and its passengers here. He added that the committee is made up of representatives from the Maritime Safety Administration, the Seychelles Coast Guard (SCG) as well as the Seychelles Ports Authority and the Island Development Company. The executive president of the Costa Cruise Norbert Stiekema was also present at the meeting. Mr Morgan said that SCG vessel Andromanche is also providing protection to the cruise ship and the two tug boats during their journey towards Seychelles and upon arrival of the vessel medical officials will be on the port to give any assistance. “Then the over 600 passengers and 400 crew members will be temporarily placed in hotels where they can freshen up and have a meal.” He added they will ensure that the tourists get all the comfort and assistance when they get here after this traumatic experience as since Tuesday they have been without power. “Costa Allegra also got help from a French vessel which was in that area and the Seychelles People’s Defence Forces air wing also got on the scene to ensure that the ship and passengers were safe.” Mr Morgan said the Costa Cruise is bearing the cost of all logistics and that Air Seychelles and Blue Panorama have been chartered to repatriate the passengers to their country. Mr Stiekema thanked Seychelles for the support adding that he is grateful to the government. He said engineers are also here and as soon as the Costa Allegra gets to the port they will try to find out the cause of the fire. The Costa Allegra is a sister ship to the Costa Concordia, which partly sank in January after striking rocks in Italy. It was apparently sailing from Madagascar to Seychelles when the fire broke out in an electric generator room. The photo shows the Costa Allegra as taken by the Indian Navy Dornier Plane on Monday afternoon following its distress call.

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Delegates discuss open schooling and its successes

Delegates discuss open schooling and its successes - 28.02.2012 Delegates from more than 20 countries of the Commonwealth Open Schooling Association (Comosa) are in Seychelles for their annual general meeting. The official opening ceremony of the meeting and a series of workshops on open schooling related issues was held yesterday at the Berjaya Beau Vallon Bay Resort & Casino. Present at the gathering were the Minister for Education, Employment and Human Resources Macsuzy Mondon, principal secretary Merida Delcy, president of Comosa Dr Sitansu Jena, education specialist for open schooling for Commonwealth of Learning (COL) Frances Ferreira. Others attending the ceremony were vice-chairperson of Comosa Fancy Amey, COL focal point Marie-Reine Confait, head of UniSey’s School of Education, Alex Souffe, and members of Comosa. Addressing those present, Mrs Delcy thanked all national educators who have been actively involved in the open schooling project. COL, in collaboration with William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, brought new technologies and collaborative tools to teachers in six developing countries. These Comosa members with the support of the COL have developed 18 print courses and nine online courses. “I hope that this achievement will urge more countries to join the project and continue to develop such courses,” she said. The COL Open Schooling initiative will launch the Open Educational Resources (OER) for open schools on Friday. The organisation also plans to collaborate to develop further online courses, beginning with technical and vocational courses in 2012. During the week, the delegates will also discuss an OER policy for Commonwealth countries.  OER resources are materials offered freely ad openly for people and institutions to use and adapt for teaching and learning, and research. Development and re-use of OER in the last 10 years has shown their potential benefits in expanding and improving education training and learning. The OER launch on March 2 will also coincide with the opening of the Virtual University for Small States of the Commonwealth (VUSSC) for a two-week workshop on the development of a degree course in environmental science. From February 27-28, Comosa members will report on achievements in open schooling in their countries. They will also take part in a workshop which will enable them to understand organisational e-learning capacity, the e-learning Maturity Model (eMM) tool, eMM assessment and to make an informed decision about taking part in an eMM pilot. At the end of the ceremony, Dr Jena presented a small token to Mrs Mondon, Mrs Delcy and Dr Hoareau. Also addressing those present were Mr Souffe who welcomed the delegates, Dr Jena who gave an overview of Comosa, Mrs Ferreira and Mrs Amey. In an interview Mr Souffe said one of the aims for Seychelles to take part in the project is to help in instances where there is a lack of teachers. Open schooling is seen as a solution to the lack of teachers in developing countries and is defined by two aspects. First, the physical separation of the school-level learner from the teacher, and secondly the use of alternative information and communication technologies to bridge the separation and provide education and training.

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Athletics: Fifth Seychelles Eco-Friendly Marathon

Athletics: Fifth Seychelles Eco-Friendly Marathon - 28.02.2012 
No record for Zapha, mix-up in results

The Seychelles Eco-Friendly Marathon promotes the country in the sports tourism field, allowing visitors to appreciate the pristine environment and the beauty of our islands, sports minister Vincent Meriton has said.

He was addressing guests on Sunday night at the Berjaya Beau Vallon Bay resort during the traditional Korean gala dinner which officially marked the end of the marathon followed by the prize-giving ceremony.

Social Development and Culture Minister Bernard Shamlaye, Investment, Natural Resources and Industry Minister Peter Sinon, secretary of state Barry Faure who is also the chairman of the Seychelles Tourism Board (STB), chief executive of the STB Alain St Ange, Seychelles honorary consul in Korea and chairman of the Seychelles Eco-Friendly Marathon Dong Chang Jeong were among the guests at the event which also promotes the Seychelles - Korea friendly ties.

Minister Meriton, who along with Messrs Sinon, Shamlaye and Faure took part in the marathon, said the event also gives visitors the chance to experience the warmth and friendliness of the Seychellois people.

He added that the main objectives of the marathon are to ensure that local as well as international runners put their talents and abilities to the test and also to promote cultural exchanges.

He also said the event is the perfect way to bring families together and to promote a healthy lifestyle.

For his part, Mr Jeong, who initiated the event, said he was very happy the fifth marathon was a great success.

He explained that the main idea behind introducing the event was to boost the country’s tourism development and also to strengthen the unity between the two people.

Mr Jeong also promised to continue in his effort to promote Seychelles worldwide through the event.

He also thanked all those who took part as well as those who worked on the technical side to make it happen.

On behalf of the STB, Mr St Ange thanked all those who helped in a way or another to make the event a success.

He described the marathon as an example of how Seychelles is making full use of its many attributes to raise the profile of the islands and build a bridge linking to other cultures for mutual benefits.

He added that the event also  emphasises the theme of  ‘the melting pot of cultures’ as it brings together people of many different nationalities and demonstrates the solidarity and friendship that today’s fractured world needs so badly.

Mr St Ange emphasised that the marathon illustrates how Seychelles is still looking to further define itself and the word of a Seychelles holiday experience by constantly exploring possibilities of new activities.

This year’s Seychelles Eco-Friendly Marathon attracted 745 runners aged between five and 77 years.
Other than the top finishers, race director Giovanna Rousseau was also rewarded for her continuous dedication and commitment towards the event since it started in 2008.

R. D.

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Earth Society & Carnavalesques

Earth Society & Carnavalesques - 28.02.2012 La photographie à l’honneur à Victoria L’Alliance française des Seychelles accueille ces jours-ci en résidence le photographe Fatch en provenance de La Réunion pour la mise en œuvre de deux projets distincts.  D’une part la présentation au public seychellois de l’exposition Earth Society qui sera accrochée sur les façades de l’Alliance Française à compter du 29 février et, d’autre part l’animation d’un atelier de perfectionnement au portrait qui sera organisé au profit de huit photographes seychellois amateurs, trouvant son aboutissement avec l’exposition Carnavalesques. Earth Society est une exposition itinérante présentée sous la forme de grands portraits imprimés sur bâches (1,30m x 1,30 m) et dont le thème est la célébration de la diversité des visages humains. Sujets connus (Johnny Clegg, Aznavour) ou moins connus, ces portraits saisis frontalement par Fatch constituent ensemble un cocktail de photos où la mixité ethnique et culturelle ainsi que la dimension esthétique fonctionnent ensemble pour composer une ode humaniste au fort impact. L’exposition Earth Society, qui a déjà été offerte aux regards de nombreux publics (La Réunion, Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Amsterdam, Bruxelles), sera visible à compter de demain, le mercredi du 29 février jusqu’au 09 mars. En avant première… et pour mettre votre regard en appétit, découvrez ci-dessous, la réalisation virtuelle de l’exposition Earth Society sur la façade d’entrée de l’Alliance Française des Seychelles. Du 1er au 6 mars, Fatch animera un atelier de perfectionnement à la prise de vue photographique en studio mobile. Cette formation, soutenue par le Conseil National des Arts et par le Ministère du Développement Social et de la Culture, s’adressera à huit jeunes photographes seychellois amateurs. Cette initiative, à travers ses applications pratiques, est appelée à s’intégrer au plus près à l’événement festif du moment, le Carnaval de Victoria. En effet, se joignant à l’ambiance effervescente du Carnaval, les photographes invitent toute personne intéressée à venir se faire photographier, seule ou à plusieurs, à l’Alliance Française, de 13h00 à 16h00 le vendredi 2 mars. Maquillé ou déguisé, vous êtes bienvenu pour vous faire « tirer le portrait », lequel, avec votre autorisation pourra être exposé quelques jours plus tard. Le lendemain, le samedi 3 mars, les photographes se mêleront aux acteurs et aux spectateurs du grand défilé du Carnaval de Victoria pour saisir sur le vif de nouveaux portraits. Ces diverses photos feront l’objet d’une sélection en vue de constituer la chair de l’exposition Carnavalesques, c’est-à-dire une restitution « à chaud » des meilleurs portraits réalisés les 2 et 3 mars. L’exposition Carnavalesques sera présentée sous la forme de tirages de moyen format qui seront exposés dès le mardi 6 mars en différents lieux à Victoria (Alliance Française, bureau d’information du Seychelles Tourism Board, Centre Culturel National), afin de partager avec un large public, les témoignages de l’ambiance générée par le Carnaval de Victoria.

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Eastern African states plan how to deal with crises

Eastern African states plan how to deal with crises - 28.02.2012 

Representatives of nine countries of Eastern Africa are meeting in Seychelles to discuss a training strategy to respond to crises, such as conflicts that continue to derail development.

The conference, which opened yesterday at Le Meridien Barbarons hotel, is being attended by senior police and military officers from Seychelles, Sudan, Djibouti, Somalia, Rwanda, Burundi, Comoros, Ethiopia and Kenya.

The Seychelles People’s Defence Forces (SPDF) Chief of Staff, Colonel Clifford Roseline, recalled that the meeting has been convened at the request  of the Council of Ministers of Defence and Security of Eastern African Region, during a gathering held in Seychelles on September 17, 2011.

Colonel Roseline said training is a core activity of this institution and as such the documents the delegates will be discussing are crucial towards achieving the full operational capability of the institution.

“As we all know, the intention of the African Union is to develop a continental capability to respond to crises, such as conflicts and disaster that continue to affect development and this cannot be possible without the presence of training institutions in our region,” he said.

The workshop included a site visit at the Seychelles Police Academy during the afternoon.
Two other training centres of excellence in the eastern Africa region are to be identified during the meeting, which will last until Friday.

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En drol loder i fer serten manm piblik raport klinik

| En drol loder i fer serten manm piblik raport klinik - 28.02.2012 Plizyer manm piblik ti bezwen raport sant lasante Rivière Anglaise yer bomaten apre ki zot ti’n ganny afekte par en drol loder dan en parti batiman Orion Mall. An rezilta sa loder ensiportab, tou laboutik ek lofis dan bout batiman Orion Mall ki trouve obor Grocer’s Supermarket ti bezwen fermen yer bomaten. Sef zofisye Lazans Servis Tenny Dife ek Sovtaz, André Morel, ti dir ki apre ki zot ti’n ganny alerte lo sa lensidan, zot ti al laba ansanm avek bann zofisye lanvironnman ek lasante e zot ti dekouver ki sa loder annwiyan ti sorti anler dan Orion Mall. “Sete dan en bout sa batiman kot en zimnaz pe ganny konstrir ki nou ti war bann travayer en lakonpannyen konstriksyon Sinwan pe servi en sibstans pour pas lo dibwa. » Touzour dapre Msye Morel zot pa ti kapab detekte sa prodwi akoz son non ek lezot lenstriksyon ti an langaz Sinwan. I ti dir ki zofisye lanvironnman in pran lesantiyon e zot ti fer sir ki tou sa dibwa ki’n ganny penn osi byen ki sa bann sibstans i ganny zete. Dapre en zofisye lasante piblik, Nicholas Shamlaye, i annan dimoun ki’n raport casualty Rivière Anglaise avek bann iritasyon lapo osi byen ki respiratwar. I ti fer resorti ki lesantiyon sa sibstans in ganny anvoye kot Biro Standar Sesel e antretan Orion Mall pou reste fermen ziska ler zot konn konteni sa sibstans. Tou lesey pour ganny komanter en zofisye lanvironnman lo sa lensidan ti anven.

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SAWOP members discuss strategies

SAWOP members discuss strategies - 28.02.2012 The Seychelles Association of Professional Women (Sawop) held a one-day networking workshop on Saturday.  The event, which took place at the Seychelles Institute of Management (SIM) at Ma Joie, was attended by Sawop members including its patron, Simone De Comarmond, and chairperson Sandra Crewe. Mrs Crewe said the main aim of the workshop was to bring Sawop members together for networking as well as resituate themselves as an association. Another objective was to inform members of recent developments in gender, both nationally and internationally, as well as develop a framework for a strategy based on members’ feedback. Among some of the topics discussed was the potential for partnerships between Sawop and the education system in Seychelles which was brought to the fore by a member of the association, Fiona Ernesta. Mrs Ernesta brought to the table a number of ideas in which education and Sawop could partner which included the replicating of their mother association’s gender responsive interventions programme and the consideration of transforming a nominated school into a centre of excellence. Another point brought forward was addressing gender related challenges in education and the need to educate teachers and school managers on gender responsive issues affecting schools, to name a few. Other projects discussed included the drafting of a national gender policy brought forward by Tessa Siu, also a member of the association. Ms Siu said that the policy, if agreed on, would be the first national gender policy in Seychelles and the first SADC national gender policy aligned to the SADC gender and development protocol. She went on to explain that despite “a high level of social development and the elimination of blatant discrimination against women, challenges still exist” and need to be addressed. Sawop members also discussed different ways to improve leadership skills amongst themselves by adopting the toastmasters club – a non-profit educational organisation that teaches public speaking and leadership skills. Mrs Crewe explained that the club is typically made up of 20 to 30 people who meet twice a month and where members get the opportunity to conduct meetings, give impromptu speeches, present prepared speeches and offer constructive evaluation. Mrs Crewe said she is happy with the level of participation and input by Sawop members.

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Up Close … with Anthony Chow AKA DJ Antonius

Up Close … with Anthony Chow AKA DJ Antonius - 28.02.2012 
‘Music has always been a part of my life’

‘Mellow’ is what I would use to describe Anthony. Mellow and thoughtful; understated terms when associated with a renowned DJ career both at national and international level. 

Anthony Chow, born April 7, 1987, said his chosen passion in the field of House music literally saved his life.

“I was going through a really tough period at one point and had become quite emotionally unbalanced. That’s when I discovered House music. In my opinion House brings out love and spiritual emotion in people and I think that’s what touched me and eventually changed me.

“If I didn’t have music I think I would have been lost by now. You see, it has always been a part of my life and I intend to keep it that way,” he smiled.

Childhood and education
As a youngster Anthony was just as outgoing and upbeat as he is now.

“I was a good kid though. Never got in trouble and had lots of friends. I remember when we used to live on Lodge Street near the school and I would constantly be hanging out with a multitude of friends,” he said.

“I was – and still am – very energetic and outgoing. I’ve always loved sports, playing football, swimming and athletics – I was on the national team in fact – and I’ve also been a member of the Kyokushin Karate club.”

Anthony’s primary years were spent at La Rosière school after which he joined Belonie school to finish his secondary education.

“After that I joined ITC – now SIT – where I studied motor vehicle engineering. I wanted to become a plane engineer at one point,” he laughed.

“I came out top of my class that year.”

I love my Life!
“I have to say this ... I love my life,” said Anthony with a cheeky smile. “I’m working and happy – how many people can say they adore their jobs? Basically my job description begs me to connect with large crowds and spread love around,” he laughed.
Makes us all want to jump over a bridge doesn’t it?

Training
“I won’t lie to you. A lot of people think if you can work a computer you can become a DJ. It’s discouraging but simply not the case,” he said.

“It took me years of dedication and trying to perfect my skills to get to where I am now and I’m still not where I would like to be.

“There are basically four levels of DJs – the novice (or what we also call a bedroom DJ) – they pretty much play anything and everything. The party DJ (you need a pretty vast collection of songs), Radio DJ which speaks for itself and finally a professional club DJ, at which level a DJ has already decided on his or her style of music to expertise in.”

However, despite a lot of dedication and hard work that some DJs invest into their work, Anthony said he is still disappointed with how hard it is for many of them to get properly paid here.

Alter egos and future plans
“I’m really different at home compared to when I’m deejaying,” said Anthony.
“Like now, talking to you I feel more like Anthony,” he said laughing.
“As opposed to whom?” I asked.

“DJ Antonius. Anthony is more relaxed whereas Antonius is a bit of a crazy person – they meet in a balanced place though,” he laughed.

“My life is pretty hectic,” he continued. “So kids are definitely off the agenda for now and it really is not easy trying to form and maintain relationships either. Unless the person is in the industry she won’t really be able to catch up with me, you know. For me it’s usually meet someone, date for a brief time and then it’s over ... not by choice of course, it just happens that way at times.”

Anthony said in five years’ time he should be fully established internationally.
“It’s definitely what I aspire to. I want to be up there with the Big Boys and I’m getting there slowly. “Right now you could say I’m internationally known, nationally recognised and locally accepted,” he laughed.

Luxury and travelling
Anthony said the international music scene is very financially rewarding.
“I won’t lie – international professional DJs get paid a lot of money,” he said. “Just look at David Guetta who is earning $80,000 for just one gig!”

Anthony said he travels a lot.
“I love travelling and I do it all the time,” he said. “I get bookings quite often and travel to places like Ghana and West Africa, Dubai and Mauritius and very soon I’ll be including a tour of Europe to my travels. Seriously,” he added at my expression.

“I’ll be going with a fellow DJ and after that we’re going to Ibiza! Yeh, that’s the place to be,” he laughed.
In fact, Anthony left for Ibiza two days after our interview.
“I’ve recently been recruited by a DJ booking agency called Aravanza and just recently I stayed up late waiting to hear one of my mixed tapes which played at 3am on Ibiza Dance Time (a radio station).

On being a DJ and upcoming projects“It’s fun...but it’s tough, no kidding. There is a lot of responsibility in trying to keep the crowd alive and kicking and you need a lot of guts to be up there. It’s not an easy job reading people’s moods,” he said.
“I would advise anyone venturing in that direction to have a target. Know what you want to achieve and expect a number of sacrifices in terms of the job taking over your life,” he laughed. “And you got to be ok with that. Other things you will need are good timing and a good ear for music. Find your calling and your own style and you’re set.”

Inspiration
“My all time inspiration would have to be Eric Morillo who is part Colombian and part American and one of the highest paid DJs in the world.”

I looked at him blankly.
“You know the soundtrack to Madagascar, ‘I like to move it’?...yes, that’s his music.”
I was impressed.
Aside from that, I would just like to announce that my new CD Dream Session ¬– which also happens to be my brand name – is out and can only be bought at Ray’s music room,” he said laughing.

Credentials
Anthony has been around the block and then some!
He’s played and promoted music in places such as Tequila Boom (2009), Wakiki Nightclub (oldest club in Ghana 2010),Tantra Nightclub (2010), Bella Roma (Italian Lounge & Restaurant) 2010, Rhapsody's (South African Franchise 2010), Vienna City (Austrian franchise) 2010, Achimota Golf Club (2010), Kahuna Nightclub(Ghana - 2010) plus The Underwater festival SUBIOS in 2010 on Beau Vallon Beach (Seychelles).

He was also approached by WorldTopDjs Agency and personally invited by the director, Nadeem Y. Chaudhary, to judge the 10th Middle East DJ challenge which took place in April last year. This found him alongside professionals such as DJ Drager (No.1 Electro DJ in the USA), DJ Teekay (No.2 DJ in Germany) & spinning with the DJ Juicy M (the No.1 Female DJ in Ukraine).

Recently DJ Antonius won an award for his Johnny Walker Keep Walking Party mix recorded live at Tequila Boom.
Quite a number of achievements for the young Seychellois.
Before he left, Anthony told me he eventually wants to open his own club.
“It’s a big dream but it’s definitely in the pipeline.”

By Rebecca Chang-Tave

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Seychelles remains high on the list of honeymooners

Image from Seychelles Tourism Board

Feb 27, 2012

A recent article in the Huffington post about honeymoon travel to Africa, written by the known and highly-respected, Chike Nwobu, for the Munaluchi Bridal Magazine, was entitled “Why not honeymoon in Africa?” and speaks of “pure white sands, turquoise seas, stunning vistas, stunning romance.”

“Considered one of the most beautiful islands, Seychelles is the perfect African getaway if you’re looking for a dreamy and stylish beach setting. Couples have the option of enjoying all that a private secluded private island has to offer or coupling the trip with a Kenyan Safari,” Chike Nwobu wrote.

Chike Nwobu is from Moorestown, New Jersey, in the USA. His article can be seen at:http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jacqueline-nwobu/why-not-honeymoon-in-afri... .

Alain St.Ange, CEO of the Seychelles Tourism Board, said that he was delighted to see another article by Mr. Chike Nwobu published in the USA. “We believe that there exists a potential market for Seychelles in the Americas, this is why we launched a year ago the from the “Big Five… to the Best Five” slogan to tie up the African Big Five Safari to the Seychelles’ best beaches holiday packages,” Alain St.Ange said.

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German press arrives in Seychelles

Photo from Seychelles Tourism Board

Feb 27, 2012

A group of ten members of the German press landed in Seychelles yesterday (Monday) just ahead of the official launch of the island’s 2012 Carnaval International de Victoria. The group of German press is in the Seychelles as part of the support for the carnival in Seychelles by DERTOUR, the big German tour operator.

This year, the carnival is jointly being organized by Seychelles and La Reunion. Both these islands form part of the Indian Ocean Vanilla Islands and both value the German market for their respective tourism industries. Seychelles and La Reunion are both recording increases in visitor arrival numbers from Germany.

It must be noted that Germany also has a 54-member delegation from the Dusseldorf Carnival arriving in Seychelles this week to be part of the carnival procession on Saturday, March 3.

Seychelles is seeing carnival delegations arrive by every plane landing this week at the International Airport of these mid-ocean islands. Their annual carnival is set for March 2-4.

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La Reunion and Seychelles cooperate on hosting of 2012 Carnival

Photo from Seychelles Tourism Board

Feb 24, 2012

The two Indian Ocean Vanilla Islands of Seychelles and La Reunion decided to cooperate to co-host the 2012 “Carnaval International de Victoria” that is held annually in the Seychelles. Today, analysts are assessing the merit of such a partnership, and most agree that it is a win-win for both islands.

Seychelles and La Reunion have been able to put the Indian Ocean Vanilla Islands on the tourism map, and they have both benefited by increased visibility for their islands in the four corners of the world.

A dedicated full page carnival advert in full color in the Emirates in-flight magazine for the month of February alone, showing the destination logos of Seychelles and La Reunion, is worth more than anyone can imagine. This is only one such PR coup that these two tropical islands have benefited from. Emirates is the partner airline for the “Carnaval International de Victoria” and they have themselves been actively promoting the Indian Ocean Vanilla islands Carnival through their worldwide network.

The debate last week by analysts on the merit for co-hosting such big events agreed that unity was strength and that the pulling of resources brought more to the individual countries than can be imagined.

The Emirates in-flight magazine is one PR coup where Seychelles and La Reunion have seen their destination logos pushed forward, but this is not all. The massive press reviews that have been seen across the world for weeks announcing the coming of that unique carnival in the mid-ocean islands of the Seychelles has showcased that twinning of Seychelles and La Reunion as twin-center holiday possibilities. One can well imagine the write ups, and radio and TV coverage that will follow the carnival next week, now that both Seychelles and La Reunion will be in the news as tropical island destinations.

A summing up statement aired that RETOSA members, the COI, and the East African Countries, all in the Southern Africa zone, should sit and see how to pull together for different events in that part of the world, which would benefit everyone and the region as a whole.

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London Conference provides Seychelles meetings with high-level government officials

Feb 26, 2012

The Seychelles President, Mr. James Michel, has met with the United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, at a meeting in the margins of the London Conference on Somalia.

PHOTO: James Michel with Ban Ki-moon, Hillary Clinton & Kamalesh Sharma, respectively

Mr. Ban Ki-moon expressed deep appreciation for the efforts Seychelles is making in the fight against piracy and recognized the significant contribution of Seychelles despite its size and limited resources.

President Michel thanked the United Nations for the support of its agencies, such as the UNODC, in building capacity for the fight against piracy in Seychelles and the region.

The President and the Secretary General discussed the opportunities for Somalia to develop its economy and for its youth to be empowered in various economic activity in order to deter them from becoming involved in piracy activity.

President Michel reiterated the necessity for law and order to be restored in Somalia in order to develop the country and for peace and stability to be established, and expressed hope that the recent UN resolution to increase AMISOM peacekeeping troops to a 17,500 strong force, would aid this process. President Michel had written to the UN Secretary General and world leaders in December 2011 to ask for, among other strategic actions, the reinforcement of the peace-keeping troops in Somalia, and expressed satisfaction that concrete actions were taking place.

“We are deeply grateful for the role the United Nations is playing in the fight against piracy, and we urge the organization to consider the need for continued support to Seychelles in order to build our capacity to bring pirates to justice. We have many constraints related to our size, and because we want to do more in this important anti-piracy mission, the continued support of the UN is invaluable,” said President Michel.

President James Michel also met with the United States Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, during a bilateral meeting in the margins of the conference.

Mrs. Clinton thanked President Michel for the appeal he had made to President Obama in December 2011, concerning the need to address the Somali crisis and the threat of piracy, and said that the United States would be committed to addressing this.

The US Secretary of State thanked Seychelles for support given to the US Armed Forces in Seychelles, in the counter piracy surveillance program, and also commended the Seychelles for its excellent efforts in the fight against piracy.
President Michel expressed the readiness of Seychelles to continue providing the support as the anti-piracy hub of the region, and outlined the necessary assistance that is needed to build the Seychelles capacity to prosecute pirates.

“We have excellent relations between United States and Seychelles, and this meeting has further reinforced our willingness to further develop these relations in various areas of cooperation,” said the President.

Earlier in the week, President James Michel held talks with the Commonwealth Secretary General, Kamalesh Sharma. Discussions centered on cooperation between the Commonwealth and Seychelles, plans for future projects, as well as a review of recent work accomplished.

President Michel briefed the Secretary General on the process for electoral reforms that are taking place in Seychelles, following the recommendations made by the Commonwealth observer groups last year.

Secretary General Sharma noted that many reforms had already taken place and that the Commonwealth is following closely the progress made.

Mr. Sharma also said that the Commonwealth would be sending a technical team to review the Seychelles health system, as had been requested by the Seychelles government.

They also discussed projects for the development of the petroleum sector, youth programs, legislative drafting, as well as the support needed for the Seychelles’ fight against piracy and the establishment of the rule of law in Somalia.

“We are deeply appreciative of the role the Commonwealth is playing in the development of our democratic system, as well as the improvement of our mechanisms for good governance and accountability. We continue to seek assistance for capacity building as the expertise from the Commonwealth is crucial to our progress and sustainable development,” said the President.

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