AFRICAN ENTERTAINMENT NEWS.

Diouf Lists Okocha, Eto'o for Akon Concert
Senegalese striker El Hadji Diouf has invited former Super Eagles captain Austin Jay Jay Okocha to a musical concert and an exhibition match proposed for Dakar with the popular rap artist Akon as the rallying theme.

The list of high profile players on the invitation include the three-time African Footballer of the Year Samuel Eto' O, Nicolas Anelka, Abedi Pele and Bolton Wanderers manager Sam Allardyce.
The football match and concert, scheduled for Dakar on June 29 and June 30 respectively, is aimed to raise funds for hospitals as well as handicap and indigent children.


Kenya: East Africans May Be Stripped of the Kikoi
Kenyan activists are fighting to retain cultural designs that have been developed in East Africa but are being patented by companies in rich countries. After losing the kiondo basket trademark to Japan, the popular kikoi fabric design is currently at risk of being patented by a British company.
Cooperation for Fair Trade in Africa (COFTA), a Nairobi-based body of nongovernmental organisations, is taking on the Kikoy Company UK which has applied for registration as the sole trademark owner of kikoi.

Kikoi is a colourful cotton fabric historically worn by men and women along the East African coast. It is also used for making bags, hats and household items including curtains, rugs and bed covers. It has also proved popular in western countries.

This is the second time that a distinctly East African design is being claimed by foreigners. Kenyans have already lost ownership of the design of the traditional hand-woven sisal basket known as the kiondo. Last year the name kiondo was patented in Japan and other Asian countries.

The basket was first made by Kikuyu and Kamba women in Kenya's central and eastern regions.

Idol West Africa.

Seven of the Top 10 in the Idols West Africa are women, and maybe we should not be surprised. The last few reality shows on M-Net featuring music have been won by women, including Project Fame and Pop Idols.

But I'm hoping 26 years old Timi wins the competition. I think he's the most talented of the lot.

Botswana: Hollywood Movie to Be Shot in Country

The multi-million Pula Movie, No.1 Ladies Detective Agency, which is based on author Alexander McCcall Smith's book will be shot in the African country of Botswana in May 2007. Smith's best selling novel was set in Botswana. It will be the first time ever that a Hollywood movie would have been shot in the country. When will it happen in Nigeria? Soon I hope.

Various Musical Artists have come together to create music for children. Get the kids to learn Rhythm Africa!

Mama Africa - The Very Best of Miriam Makeba
She is arguably the best female African singer there is.This is the CD you will keep dancing around to. Great now and probably for many years to come. For all you Mariam Makeba fans...go get your own copy!