• Abstract and Figures
• Public Full-text

VOL. I, ISSUE II AUGUST 2017 NEWYour Somali current DALKA affairs and culture monthly Contents Letter from the Editor Another month, another issue of to representing the views of its Aren't we sick of Dalka. The overwhelmingly positive predecessor, the Dalka of the 1960s. experts?..........2 response to the inaugural issue has It was, and remains, editorially left us in no doubt as to the potential independent from it. In order to make this publication will enjoy. Letters to this distinction crystal clear and to avoid On Youth the Editor—some published in these any ambiguity, this publication will Development......2 pages—found their way to our henceforth be known as New Dalka. The mailbox from around the world. prefix of 'New' is particularly apt since Letters to the While the correspondence the Dalka of the 1960s was modelled on Editor...3 received was full of praise, we would the British weekly magazine of the left, have liked to see more (constructive) the New Statesman. criticism directed our way. What do What's in a The only (modest) claim we do you, our readers, want to see more of make is to revive the spirit of the free name?.........5 in future issues? What worked well press—brave, bold and fearless—in last time—and perhaps more which Dalka thrived. This spirit of course BBC Somali Service importantly, what didn't? was not limited to Dalka; competition for at 60: 'Codka That said, some readers did readers and space on the shelves of cabiran' or just take to certain websites to make their Somalia's bookshops came, in those competing with views heard. Some of these however days, from the Italian-language La Cairo?.....10 were deemed so digressive as to not Tribuna, which stayed the course, and even warrant a response, delving as other more short-lived publications. So they did into scurrilous diatribes. far, we have not heard of any rival Social media: On In Dalka, as opposed to other publications yet but in the interest of writing in English— quarters, it is ideas, not personalities, vitality, we would heartily welcome this. and not Somali!....12 which concern us most. We are It's worth repeating the usual therefore extending an olive branch disclaimer. New Dalka does not subscribe “Workers of to all those who wish to mend their to any political or ideological positions. Somaliweyn: Unite! ways and begin to challenge us on the We address each issue, in turn, on its plain of ideas. If they wish to engage own merits. All articles represent the Unite! Unite!”....13 with ideas, our pages will serve as views, not of the publication, but its their canvas. Unlike practically respective contributors. Nor is each Photo essay: anywhere else, even if someone wants contributor necessarily an affiliate of the the Sanaag to criticise our articles or features, we publication: they are simply using our region...15-18 will give them a spot in the Letters pages to reach our wide audience and page or even their own page spread. equally, to contribute to something Honouring Prof Lee The Editor dearly hopes they will avail which they feel is worthwhile and themselves of this opportunity. Cassanelli...18 exciting. For that, the Editor thanks But all clouds have a silver them. If anything, the Editor, the lining. Some of these comments made contributors and (hopefully!) you, our us realise the need for a clarification, readers, share in at least one conviction: Editor: which at the time we last went to the importance of free and fair debate, a Haroon Mohamoud press, seemed so obvious as to not free press and the conduct of discussions www.dalka-magazine.com need any mention. At no point did within the boundaries of respect and [email protected] this publication make any pretension common decency. NEW DALKA Your Somali current affairs and culture monthly 2 On Youth Aren't we sick Development AbdiWahab M. Ali of experts? We are doing “Youth sobriquet 'Tarsan', former NISA Two events in world politics, Development” wrong: The chief Bashir Jama and former which took place last year, culture of focusing on the presidential candidate, served as a warning sign to the symptoms. political elite. The first—the Mohamed Abdirizak, count themselves among them. referendum verdict delivered If you travel across in June for Britain to leave the Somalia, you will realise Interestingly, in its EU—was most unexpected. that the most common The reputation of report on these “experts”, approach of youth pollsters was yet again Radio Dalsan consulted development or fighting delivered a striking blow, “protocol experts”, who against unemployment when Donald Trump beat clear suggested that most used by many NGOs or favourite and former First Lady appointments were done to development agencies are: Hillary Clinton to the Oval settle political scores or reward skills development, Office chair, in November's political allegiance. vocational training, presidential election. awareness-raising or civic Some have read both Are these appointments a engagement etc. These these events as the rebellion of reflection of the short-lived ALONE—even if properly the marginalised against an terms of politicians? After all, delivered—wouldn't solve increasingly distant “elite”. most politicians serve in stints the many problems faced British politician Michael Gove, of a few years before finding by young people across the campaigning for a Leave vote themselves replaced by yet country. in the referendum campaign, another generation. Are the famously said in a live 'corridors of power' saturated This, because we have audience television interview with quasi-retirees, looking to allowed the symptom— that “people in this country make themselves 'useful'? unemployment or tahriib have had enough of experts”. The need to recruit the to be mistaken for the But this derided specie old guard might also be driven underlying systemic may well have found a new by practical considerations. Not problems: injustice, lease of life. so long ago, I heard a well- corruption, exclusion etc. Earlier this month, Radio placed source lament how very Dalsan, a Mogadishu-based little is methodically Symptom management broadcaster, reported that the documented for each will not tackle the source of current administration in generation of civil servants to the problems. Building Somalia has appointed the pass onto the next. Does stronger institutions that highest number of advisors in governance rely, not on the are capable of executing its Somali history. At present, files inherited and passed on, mandates would help us Villa Somalia—the president's but the on-hand oral come over the many office—and the Office of the recollection of “elder problems faced by this Prime have at forty advisors statesmen”, those politicians great nation. between them. Former who formerly ruled those Mogadishu mayor, known by hallowed corridors in which And this should be done by his childhood they now serve as advisors? none other than Somalis. NEW DALKA Your Somali current affairs and culture monthly 3 Letters to the Editor Every issue, we will try to publish a selection of letters and emails received over the last month. Here, readers from around the world react to the magazine's inaugural issue (July 2017). Dear Editor, It is with a glad heart that I read the first re- issue of Dalka Magazine, a Somali cultural Congratulations for reviving the legacy institution. With its revival, I am hopeful for of the magazine after 48 years, one of the the future of Somali culture. Keep up the pioneering magazines after independence. good work. Keep up the spirit of addressing all issues A.S., Hargeisa concerning Somalis. Editor, M. D., Mogadishu It is gratifying to see Dalka returning to the public after so long. Dear Editor, As a regular reader who enjoyed the magazine in the 60s, I cannot wait to get my As someone who read the original, copy. having been in Somalia when it was published, it has given me great pleasure to see this M. T., Rome relaunch of a forum that was once at the very forefront of its times. May it signal a return to Dear Sir, the optimism and unity of purpose that characterized the first years of Somali I am congratulating you for reviving independence. Somalia hanoolato! Dalka magazine. I remember very well when it was first published and my English G.T.W., language teacher (who was an Englishman) Oakland, California was very proud to see Somalis writing perfect English. I just know from your editorial that the Dear Sir, old issues had been republished in 1997. I did I'm extremely delighted to see the not know this before. I would be glad to know DALKA Magazine revived digitally after so where I can get a copy. many years. I would like to congratulate the DALKA Team for this great work. I look Warsame Dahir, Dubai forward to reading many interesting stories and refreshing articles about the history, politics and people of our great nation. It was good to see that Dalka had been Sincerely, revived after so long. The new generation Abdihakim M., Riyadh need to rediscover the intellectual fire that made this magazine relevant during the It is great to see this magazine re-emerge. I'm 1960s. The timing could not have been more sure the team will work to offer in-depth appropriate. analysis on current issues but also hold firmly to its history. All the best, Abshir, London S.A.S., Nairobi Do you have words of praise or (criticism!) for the magazine? Or do you want to tell us what you want to see more of in future issues? Direct all correspondence to: [email protected] NEW DALKA Your Somali current affairs and culture monthly 4 Around the world Kenya: A profitable ITALY: Somali election season? archives As the results of Kenya's as a profitable season, with general elections came in, accusations of corruption and restored elements of continuity could vote-rigging.

Load more

  21

Copy Link