Inflight Magazine of Brussels Airlines

AFRICAN NEWS

Hotel with a view

Turtle Bay Beach Club, Kenya

Where is it?
Watamu National Marine Park, Kenya, 32003, www.turtlebay.co.ke

What’s the view?
The hotel is situated on the edge of the national park and looks out across the Indian Ocean.

What to expect?
Light, airy rooms decked out in cool blues and whites. You’ll get either a sea view or overlook the surrounding 10 acres of landscaped tropical gardens. There are also three restaurants, a fabulous pool and a children’s club that runs field trips for any little ones in tow.

What do you need to know?
The hotel is the first to be awarded the Silver eco-rating by EcoTourism Kenya. Turtle Bay is a nesting site for three endangered species of turtle, and guests get the opportunity to watch hatchings and turtle releases as they happen.

Why go there?
You can holiday at Turtle Bay with a clear conscience – the resort is renowned for its community initiatives and by staying there you’ll be able to help fund them. Watamu National Marine Park is one of the world’s most unspoilt conservation areas and a mecca for bird-watchers and diving enthusiasts.

What does it cost?
From €69 per person per night.

One to watch… Dobet Gnahoré

Already being compared with artists such as Marie Daulne of Zap Mama and Angelique Kidjo, Dobet Gnahoré has wowed critics across three continents. Music is in her blood – she’s the daughter of one of Village Ki-Yi M’Bock’s founding members and was raised in the Ivory Coast artistic enclave from the age of 12. There she met French guitarist Colin Laroche, with whom she forged a fruitful creative partnership.

Although the couple left for France with their child, the creative stamp of her upbringing is all over Gnahoré’s second album, Na Afriki (To Africa). Many of her lyrics cite the influence of Werewere Liking, the founder of Village Ki-Yi M’Bock, and the songs themselves are sung in seven African languages. “This mixture is a way to bring me back home,” Gnahoré says. “It brings back the diversity I held close there.” www.dobetgnahore.com

United he stands

In the wake of Time naming him one of 100 people transforming the world, Youssou N’Dour has revealed his plans to move into politics.

The Senegalese singer recently announced his ambition to lead the United States of Africa, the proposed political union between Africa’s component countries, currently the subject of much debate. Having just released a new album, Alsaama Day, and embarked on a worldwide tour, N’Dour is using the attendant media coverage to discuss the mooted union. “Everyone knows Africa’s biggest problems are health and education,” he says. “Our agenda will be fashioned according to this. For the moment, I’ll speak out on my candidacy and the benefit I could bring to the United States of Africa and its people.” www.youssou.com

Well oiled

Argan oil has swiftly found favour with the chattering classes, but until recently it was unheard of outside its native Morocco. The oil’s production is largely managed by all-women collectives and its high price reflects the fact that it can take 20 hours to produce one litre.

It has frequently been touted as an ethically unimpeachable alternative to olive oil, but its ever-growing popularity in Europe has brought with it unforeseen problems. European gangs have been sighted shaking trees and breaking off branches before shipping the nuts back to Europe to extract the oil mechanically, threatening the livelihood of rural producers. The Moroccan government is now in the process of passing new legislation aimed at protecting this ancient part of Berber life.

Leave a Reply