Table of contents for Issue 172 - April-May 2022 in Msafiri

Welcome to the April–May 2022 issue of msafiri. This edition coincides with the 10th Aviation Stakeholders Conference in May, which we are proud to be hosting in partnership with the African Airlines Association (AFRAA). Taking place in Nairobi, at the Emara Ole-Sereni Hotel, this key event in the aviation calendar is an opportunity to exchange ideas, information and experiences among high-level policy makers, air transport regulators, industry representatives, aviation professionals and other stakeholders from all over the world. It presents an important opportunity for driving the speedy recovery of the aviation sector as we strive to emerge from the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic. Our membership of the SkyTeam Alliance – 19 airlines working together across an extensive global network of 1036 destinations in 170 countries – is also fundamental…

next time you turn your nose up at seaweed, consider this: the wiffy marine algae is now an eco-friendly cash crop. If successful, seaweed farming has the potential to diversify coastal economies along the East African coast, supporting sustainable community livelihoods and environmental conservation projects – as well as tackling the impacts of climate change in the region. Furthermore, it empowers women – who are employed to undertake most of the seaweed farming. With impacts such as declines in fish production, environmental degradation, climate change, ocean acidification, overfishing and marine pollution, seaweed is a crop for all seasons that promises a win-win for the Blue Economy. If optimally explored, seaweed farming has the potential to provide sustainable climate change adaptation. Being autotrophic plants, seaweeds take carbon dioxide from the air…

Q What is your advice for being an effective leader? Leadership is about selfless service to others. An effective leader should endeavour to be decisive, accountable, a team player and flexible in adapting to the constantly changing operating environment. Harnessing stronger networks and deepening collaboration with stakeholders is also critical. Q What has Covid-19 taught you? Collective responsibility on the Q health and wellbeing of others is critical. We need to establish an early warning system for future crises. Digital access must be seen as a utility with investment focused on improving the digital economy. Q During the pandemic, numerous companies failed. What should those that are still struggling do? In the pursuit of success, preparation for failure should be factored in, with leaders being open to adapting new strategies to…

Q You seem to have a love affair with the kitchen? Yes. I have spent 24 years in the kitchen in several parts of the world, including the UAE, Qatar, Oman and the United Kingdom. And I have clocked 10 years at NAS Servair. Preparing tasty and healthy meals is in my DNA. Q You must be busy preparing meals for the national carrier? We cater for 30 international flights requiring 3800 meals daily and 300 meals for 11 domestic flights. Pre-covid, we were catering for 54 international flights and 14 domestic flights that required 9000 and 600 daily meals respectively. The kitchen team of 85 that handles inflight catering needs is quite busy. Q And you still manage to keep calm? We trust the systems in place. For example, we can access…

IMAGES COURTESY OF KUZI…

“I love to farm,” says Levis, an independent gardener working in Nairobi. “Back home in the village, I grow sweet potatoes and other food crops on my farm. I learned the skill of gardening from my friend a few years ago. He has a gardening business so he trained me.” Like most Kenyans in the countryside, Levis already knew how to cultivate crops, but gardening is a different skill. In the city, he maintains the yards of several clients. Levis feels that the best way to learn about growing plants is simply through experience. “Start small,” he cautions. “One client bought a huge haul of plants and didn’t know how to take care of them – in under two months they were all dead.” He advises working with a professional who…

Kenya Airways has announced plans to review its route network as it continues its recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic. As a result, some destinations will see frequency increments; others a reduction. There will also be some schedule changes, along with route suspensions and postponements of route openings. The changes affect both domestic and international routes. Adjustments will continue to be made as the world opens up and growth opportunities present themselves. The first round of changes includes the following: → A frequency increase on the London route throughout winter, from five times a week to daily. → A day change for the Juba-Khartoum frequency, which will now operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. → A reduction off lights between Nairobi and Kisumu over low season, from 26 times to 17…

Kenya Airways launched its voluntary carbon offsetting tool in 2011. The initiative provides a channel for KQ customers to contribute towards reducing the effect of carbon emissions through supporting environmental sustainability initiatives. Under the initiative, developed in co-operation with the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the airline offers passengers the opportunity to pay an additional amount during the booking process to directly offset the carbon dioxide emissions related to their flight. Carbon offsetting is not in itself a solution to climate change. However, high-quality offsetting can reduce the impact of our actions and also help fund projects in developing countries that address both climate change and wider sustainability challenges, such as cleaner energy and improved management of natural resources. HOW DOES CARBON OFFSET WORK? • Book your ticket on www.kenya-airways.com •…

Q Why did you want to become a pilot? Aeroplanes always fascinated me as a young girl growing up, but my interest was heightened by close friends who were training to be pilots. One orientation flight and I was hooked! Career discovered. Q What to you makes Kenya Airways ‘The Pride of Africa’? For me, Kenya Airways’ exemplary service sets us apart from the rest. In particular, our in-flight service and standards are noteworthy. Q Which is your favourite KQ aircraft and why? Without a doubt it is the Boeing 787-8 – the ‘Dreamliner’, as it is aptly named. Its upgraded and modern systems make it a sheer pleasure to fly. With its smoother ride and long-haul capabilities, the Dreamliner covers a wide range of destinations with ease. Q What’s…

PICK OF THE FLICKS DUNE DRAMA Directed by Denis Villeneuve, Dune is an epic science-fiction movie. It is the first instalment of the two-part adaptation of Frank Herbert’s 1965 novel of the same name. The movie features a stunning cast, including Timothée Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson and Oscar Isaac. Acclaimed composer Hans Zimmer adds a beautiful score, which helps build the world in which the action takes place and captures the essence of the story. Set in the very distant future, this political space saga follows Paul Atreides, the son of a noble family who are tasked with ruling the desert planet Arrakis. A cunning political play by the Emperor forces the Atreides and their enemies, the Harkonnens, into a war against each other over a valuable resource called ‘the spice’.…

1 KNOW WHAT’S NEEDED Depending on where you are going, you might require a Covid test before you fly and proof of your vaccination status or Covid recovery for your destination. Head to SkyTeam.com and you can find out exactly what’s required. 2 CHECK IN ONLINE If available, checking in digitally ensures you’ll have your boarding pass at the ready before you even arrive at the airport. Flying on more than one SkyTeam airline? New technology is rolling out across all SkyTeam members this year that enables you to check in and get boarding passes for all flights in your itinerary via a single airline’s app or website. You can then go directly to security without needing to use a kiosk or see an agent, offering a faster, touchless airport…

Q HOW IS THE SEAWEED FARMED? Seaweed is planted from local seeds suspended on ropes hung on wooden pegs that are hammered into the seabed. Juvenile seaweeds are then sorted and tied to the ropes parallel to one another at a distance of 0.5m. Q HOW LONG DOES SEAWEED TAKE TO GROW BEFORE IT CAN BE HARVESTED? The plants take about six weeks to mature. Using scissors or garden clippers, farmers cut off no more than half of a given plant so that it can continue to photosynthesise. Alternatively, they go to the beach after a big storm and harvest the piles of fresh seaweed that have just washed ashore. Seaweed is harvested every 45 days by removing all the seaweed from the rope and transporting it by boats, or even on…

Refiloe Masekela was born in 1974, in Soekmekaar, a rural village in Limpopo, South Africa. Her education began in Empangeni primary school which, like all government schools for black children at the time, offered Bantu education. This was an education system imposed by the apartheid government of South Africa to ensure that black people had just enough education to provide manual labour for the white population. However, Refiloe’s parents – both teachers – were well aware of this shortcoming, so for secondary school they enrolled her in St Marks College, a private Anglican school. In her second year, Refiloe’s good grades earned her a bursary that fully funded the rest of her secondary education. “At St Marks, we were exposed to this powerful message that we could be whatever we…

in the past five years, there has been a more pronounced emergence of the gaming industry in Africa, denoted by the popularity of professional gamers who make a living out of Esports. But independent gaming companies have been instrumental in pushing the industry further by creating world-class, homegrown games that represent the best of Africa’s creativity. In South Africa, this has been in the making since the 1990s when Celestial Games’ Toxic Bunny became the first game in the country to sell over 100,000 copies. Kenya, Cameroon, Morocco and Ghana are also emerging as leading players in Africa’s gaming industry. A 2021 Mordor Intelligence Africa Gaming Market report indicated that gaming in Africa will grow by 12 per cent annually until 2026. On the continent, the number of video game…

Well, it has long been the policy of Kenya Airways to adhere to sustainable business practices, including proper waste management. Isaac Kibet, the manager in charge of environment, health and safety at NAS Servair, says both the company and the airline have developed safe procedures for handling organic waste from aircraft in line with the government’s legal requirements and international safety standards. What happens, then, when the trolleys and waste bags are offloaded from the aircraft? “First, anything that is returned with the seal intact is reused if safe to do so. Other forms of waste are dropped in the chute and sorted according to type,” says Kibet. Through local recycling companies, organic cabin waste is used to make insect feed that is then turned into organic fertiliser. Cartons are…

Q Why the sudden interest in houseplants? I think plants inherently give people hope. During the depths of Covid, which were pretty miserable, if you saw a new leaf grow, it gave you a high. When you saw your plant doing well, that felt amazing. It was a welcome diversion when people were stuck at home. Some Kuzi customers have said to me, “I had zero plants when I began – now I have 40.” They really get a thrill when they are surrounded by new life and growth. Q What are the basic principles for beginners? Every plant will have its own unique care needs in terms of light and water. Generally, as a rule, if you get your light right then everything else comes into place. If you…

PONGCHART B/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM Guess where… The Bubble Tram – the world’s highest Ferris wheel – sits some 460m up the second-tallest TV tower in the world. It comprises 16 transparent pods, which take around 20 minutes to traverse an elliptical track around the tower, affording unparalleled views over the city. At 600m tall, the tower also boasts the world’s highest outdoor observation deck, at 488m, and the planet’s longest spiral staircase – 1096 stairs climbing 166m over a length of 1km. But in which of KQ’s destinations will you find it? TURN TO PAGE 91 FOR THE ANSWERI…

Being a member of the Flying Blue frequent flyer programme allows you to earn reward Miles every time you fly with KQ and our partner airlines. And what’s more, it’s free to join. You can redeem your Miles for flights, upgrade your seat, or pay for your accommodation or car rental Your Miles are valid for Life as long as you take an eligible flight at least once every two years. The more you travel, the more Experience Points you receive-earning you greater numbers of Miles and benefits. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON FLYING BLUE, GO TO FLYINGBLUE.COM…

Kipendacho moyo dawa (SWAHILI PROVERB) What one’s (heart) loves acts like medicine 01 LOVE YOURSELF FIRST Think of the five people you love most in the world. Are you on that list? If yes, you are on the right track. If not, you have to go back to your love drawing board. Without self-love, you will not know how you want to be loved. How will you know how you want your partner, friend or family member to love you if you do not know how to love yourself? Have you ever severed a relationship or friendship without knowing why you did so? Only to regret the decision later? Chances are, you had not internalised what it means to love you. This can only happen when you love yourself and…

Kick up the heat! Sunshine and sunlight are medicine. Since most of us cannot lie on the beach all day, an infrared sauna is arguably the next best thing. Unlike a traditional sauna that heats up the air within it, infrared saunas use light therapy to heat you up while the air stays cool. Each colour emitted provides different health benefits. You can choose from blue, purple, yellow, green and red rays for a variety of effects. Among the benefits listed are improved immunity, muscle relaxation, better sleep, increased energy and pain relief. Infrared saunas are becoming increasingly popular, with franchises offering 40-minute sessions in private sauna rooms for as little as US$20. Ashley Kloxin, Perspire Sauna Studio co-owner, says, “It can help with seasonal affective disorder, anxiety and depression.”…

1 Source your indoor plants from someone who understands houseplants, not just someone who is trying to sell you plants. Describe your space, and ask for recommendations on the best indoor plants to suit your environment. 2 A popular myth is to start with cacti. However, we don’t recommend these prickly customers for beginners. They need lots of bright light which most houses don’t have, and they are incredibly easy to kill from overwatering. 3 Very few plants actually like ‘low light.’ For most plants that are marketed as low-light, it simply means they will die more slowly. Most plants, even those that can survive in low light, will grow much happier in brighter light. My advice is if you have a dimly lit spot, buy two and swap them…

Kenya Airways was the official airline partner for the Magical Kenya Open Golf Championship, held at Muthaiga Golf Club in Nairobi on 3-6 March. As part of its sponsorship, the airline flew in the Professional Golfers Association (PGA) officials, who supervised the tournament, and will fly Kenya Open Golf Ltd (KOGL) officials later in the year for the 2023 championship’s preparatory meeting. KQ also offered discounted rates to professional golfers and enthusiasts participating in the tournament. Allan Kilavuka, Kenya Airways’ CEO and group managing director, said: “Our in-kind support to the Magical Kenya Open is testament to our long history of supporting sports across the continent and the next generation of talent. We have been working collaboratively with the government and other partners to position Kenya on the global map…

Kenya Airways has signed a memorandum of understanding [MOU) for landing gear exchange services with US manufacturer Boeing. Under the agreement, Boeing will guarantee availability of nine landing gear ship sets wherever and whenever needed to support KQ’s 787 Dreamliner fleet, enabling more efficient and cost-effective maintenance operations. Evans Kihara, technical director at KQ, said: "This programme will help us continue to offer world-class customer service, as it will safeguard our operations and minimise disruption to our guests. This allows us to plan our cash outflow in advance and enables us to work with Boeing to ensure that our network schedule integrity is achieved."…

KQ was proud to be the official airline partner for the seventh running of the world’s fastest-growing road race, the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, held in February. Jacinta Gathoni, marketing manager-Africa at Kenya Airways, noted the importance of such partnerships: "We continue to partner on initiatives that have similar values as Kenya Airways and allow us to grow our revenues and create brand awareness and loyalty, while safeguarding our financial position by having more in-kind partnerships." Ethiopians Geleta Ulfata and Dagne Siranesh Virga claimed the men’s and women’s titles respectively, while David Barmasai and Emmanuel Naibei of Kenya completed the men’s podium. Kenya’s Naomi Maiyo was the third female home. The marathon allows Nigeria to showcase itself to the world and promote a healthy living culture. KQ started flying…

… to see our full range of duty free products. GIVENCHY L'INTERDIT EAU DE PARFUM 5OML L’interdit, a tribute to bold femininity. Forbid yourself nothing. Allow no rules. An invitation to defy convention and embrace your singularity. A white floral cut through with dark notes, unleashing a bold luminosity that flirts with obscurity. The shocking side of chic that invites you to discover the thrill of the forbidden. With fragrance notes of orange blossom, jasmine, tuberose, vetiver and patchouli, this eau de parfum is unforgettable, intense, addictive and fearlessly elegant. AJMAL OATH FOR HIM EAU DE PARFUM 1OOML Oath, a fragrance from Ajmal for men, takes you on afresh, summery journey. Floral citrus top notes blend perfectly with a floral chypre heart and a woody, ambery, powdery base. Fragrance notes…