Shazana Raja

At the age of 12 years I started my first business, selling sweets and biltong from a table outside my grandparents’ shop in Namibia. More than a decade later, I started The Strategic Economy to use my political and development background to help connect UK businesses with Africa. I was honoured to be invited by the United Nations Global Compact Network Nigeria and the Milken Institute to a CEO Roundtable on the side lines of the United Nations General Assembly. The theme of the roundtable: Galvanizing Africa to Move Forward Faster on the SDGs. Gender equality was one of the areas discussed and I highlighted the importance of looking at all aspects of your business to support your values. For me, that means I buy Kawah Coffee Ltd from Rwanda, a company owned by Michaelle Kubwimana. Kawah employs and empowers majority women in a market dominated by men. Over the next 25 years the population of Africa will double, and a quarter of the world’s population will be African. This presents a huge opportunity but also comes with its challenges. We must drive development, but not any development, sustainable development that sees all Africans benefit. #ForwardFasterAfrica #ForwardFaster #ForwardFaster2030

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Running a small business is tough enough—your digital marketing doesn’t have to be. With Lea by Yups, you can enjoy stress-free social media management. Seamlessly schedule and post across all your platforms while we handle the strategy and content creation. No more worrying about the best times to post or dealing with tech headaches—Lea makes it easy and effective. Focus on what you do best, and let Lea take care of the rest. #yups #SocialMedia #LeaSocialMediaManager #DigitalMarketing  #StressFreeMarketing #LeaByYups #SmallBusinessSupport #DigitalSuccess

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How lovely to take part in a session on niche journalism at the Africa Media Perspectives Conference in Stellenbosch over the weekend along with Ododoola Oyewo of the Nigerian-based business reporting agency, MSME Africa; Tayo Fagbule, the editor of Business Day Nigeria; and Catherine Gicheru from Kenya, who heads up the Africa Women Journalism Project.   Three Bhekisisa Centre for Health Journalism lessons I shared about strategies that have worked best for us to foster audience engagement and loyalty: 1. WE'RE, WELL, ADDICTED TO DATA We use historical Google Analytics and social media platform data, as well as newsletter opening and click-through rates to decide when to post a story, how to frame it and which headline to use. We’re donor-funded, which requires us to track impact, so we keep track of who retweets/ReX us, what they say, what happened after a story and how often which type of story is amplified on radio or TV. That data is incredibly useful; we don’t track impact to please donors, we track it to collect meaningful information that informs our future decisions. 2. WE SPEND RESOURCES ON BRANDING If you’re a smallish organisation (we’re 14 full-time and 6 part-time people), you can’t just file and syndicate your stories and think all will be fine. You need to promote yourself, so people know what you stand for and why you do what you do. We, for example, spend time on newsletters (we don’t just talk about stories; we tell subscribers what else we’ve been up to, publish our audience feedback and tell them what else we like reading or watching). We make videos of impact, of staff members and of our publishing partners speaking about why they use our stories and circulate these on social media. 3. WE REPACKAGE CONTENT   We have a monthly 23-minute TV programme, Health Beat. We chop it up and write print stories on parts of it, along with a link to the interview we’re referring to. It gives the TV programme a much wider audience, and increases the shelflife of the programme, as well as our chances of  impact. We also produce different IG and TikTok versions of stories and X threads. Thank you Ivor Price and Kobus Louwrens from Food for Mzansi for hosting me!

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Unlock Your Marketing Potential with our Marketing Development Programme! Ready to kick start your marketing career? We're thrilled to introduce this programme—your gateway to the skills, mentorship and resources you need to thrive. What’s in it for you? ⏹ Cutting-Edge Training: Stay ahead of the curve with the latest marketing strategies and tools. ⏹ Practical Experience: Gain hands-on experience that you can apply immediately in your role. ⏹ Expert Mentorship: Learn from top industry leaders who’ve been where you want to go. ⏹ Vibrant Community: Connect with fellow marketers, share ideas, and grow together. Why wait? Learn more and secure your spot: https://lnkd.in/ehBAH85f And the best part? It’s fully funded by the Marketing Skills Trust  — meaning no barriers, just pure opportunity. Whether you're seeking your first job or aiming to advance your career after a few years of experience, we're here to support you every step of the way on your journey to success. #MarketingMastery #CareerBoost #SkillsTrustProgramme #ProfessionalGrowth #DMA

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How do you feel about AI influencing the media industry? Myself, Donovan Marsh and Josephine (Jo) Eyre took to the stage at FAME Week Africa to discuss this. The general consensus? Fear and concern. It’s changing everything, and change is scary. From the the way we consume content, to the way we create and distribute it. So how do we fight that fear? Adapt and change with the technology. Human creativity is essential to the creation of any AI developed content. Integrating AI into your workflow now is a sure way of staying ahead. Resisting AI will not slow its progress. Embrace it and move forward.

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Brands - Trademarks and Trade Secrets The mystery of Naija Fanta and Fanta in other countries. Fanta in Nigeria tastes 😋 different from the same Fanta in the UK. Its not a case of Fanta is Fanta. The are claims that Nigerian Fanta is the best tasting in the world 🌎 😋 Really? Syrupy, thick and less sparkly are terms used for it. I love Fanta regardless of where I am but truth be told. Naija Fanta no dey carry last. Truly satisfying I must say. Is it a case of brands catering for different tastes across countries? The recipes appear different, are they differently protected by trade secrets or are the tastes protected by trademarks?

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Amidst the uproar over the contentious "Safety of Rwanda" Bill, a divisive decision by the British government has sparked international concern. This move, to deport immigrants and asylum seekers to Rwanda, has raised profound questions about human rights, democratic principles, and the true safety of those being relocated. At the heart of this controversy lies a troubling reality: the United Kingdom's decision to transfer immigrants, many of whom embarked on perilous journeys across the English Channel, numbering approximately 52,000, to Rwanda. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's confirmation of the imminent program, set to commence within the next 10 to 12 weeks, has sent shockwaves through diplomatic circles. The UK's rationale behind this move is to deter further immigration attempts and dissuade individuals from risking their lives by undertaking dangerous boat journeys. By designating Rwanda as a destination, the UK government hopes to instil fear among migrants, effectively discouraging them from seeking refuge in the UK. However, this approach has been met with staunch opposition from international humanitarian organizations. Moreover, the decision to choose Rwanda as the receiving country has faced scrutiny on multiple fronts. While various African nations have refused to accept these immigrants, citing concerns about depriving Africans of opportunities for development, Rwanda has surprisingly agreed to take them in. However, this decision was made without due process, bypassing legislative scrutiny and public consultation. The lack of transparency surrounding Rwanda's involvement raises serious questions about the government's motives and the potential consequences for both the immigrants and Rwandan citizens. Furthermore, the absence of input from the Rwandan populace underscores a concerning disregard for democratic principles and the rule of law. Filippo Grandi condemned the legislation, stating, "The new legislation marks a further step away from the UK’s long tradition of providing refuge to those in need, in breach of the Refugee Convention." He emphasized the importance of all countries upholding their obligations to protect refugees, regardless of their geographical location. Volker Türk echoed these sentiments, expressing grave concern that the legislation would undermine the rule of law in the UK and set a dangerous precedent globally. He emphasized the need for strict compliance with international human rights and refugee law in all deportation decisions. The partnership between the UK and Rwanda in addressing immigration is fraught with ethical and legal dilemmas. It is incumbent upon both nations to heed the calls for accountability, transparency, and adherence to international standards. Anything less would be a disservice to those seeking refuge and a betrayal of the principles of justice and compassion. #RwandaImmigrationDeal #HumanRightsDebate #UKMigrationPolicy #DiplomaticDilemma #RwandaUKPartnership

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Elevating your businesses online presence through effective branding involves several strategic steps. Start by defining a clear and compelling brand identity that resonates with your target audience. Consistency across all digital platforms, including your website and social media, helps establish a recognisable and trustworthy brand image. Utilise engaging content that aligns with your brand’s voice to build a strong connection with your audience. Incorporating visual elements like logos, colour schemes, and typography consistently enhances brand recall and recognition. Leveraging these branding practises will not only improve your online visibility but also foster stronger customer relationships and loyalty. Get in touch with us now! https://lnkd.in/e9aDJaDB #Branding #DigitalMarketing #OnlinePresence #BrandIdentity #ContentMarketing #VisualBranding #SocialMediaStrategy #BrandRecognition #CustomerEngagement #DigitalStrategy To book a free website review visit https://lnkd.in/e9aDJaDB

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The current state of the Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) is disheartening. Once known for its lively competitions and strong teams, CECAFA has now become ineffective and irrelevant. This decline is glaringly obvious when we see Kenya's U23 team participating in the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) tournament, highlighting the stark difference in the management of the two bodies. It’s time for CECAFA's leadership to take responsibility and make significant changes. COSAFA continues to thrive despite facing challenges of its own. It regularly organizes tournaments, provides platforms for young talent, and maintains a strong football culture in Southern Africa. The inclusion of a team from the CECAFA region in COSAFA’s competition speaks volumes about COSAFA’s effective management and commitment to football development. In contrast, CECAFA’s failure to organise proper tournaments like before exposes its inefficiencies and lack of proper governance. CECAFA has been plagued by poor management, lack of transparency, and misallocation of resources. The stagnation of its activities is not only a disservice to footballers and fans but also a betrayal of the region's rich football heritage. Why has CECAFA failed to organize regular tournaments? These are questions that need urgent answers. The current leadership must acknowledge their role in this decline and take immediate action to address these issues. The football federations in the CECAFA region need to collaborate and set aside personal interests to revitalize the body. There should be a clear strategy for developing football that includes regular competitions, investment in grassroots programmes, and partnerships with successful football organisations. Transparency in financial matters and professional management are crucial for restoring CECAFA’s credibility. For the sake of the players, fans, and the region's football legacy, it is imperative for CECAFA to reclaim its position as a leading force in African football. It's time for CECAFA football bosses to wake up and take responsibility. The contrast with COSAFA’s vibrancy is a stark reminder of what can be achieved with proper management and dedication. East African football deserves better. Let’s push for the revival of football in our region.

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About a week ago, we got a distress call from a very revered connection of mine in the United Kingdom regarding his Masters' dissertation. A quick background to this; aside from what we do generally at GoLoko Diaries, book writing and publishing, I quite handle a gazillion other projects on the side especially revolving around writing. So, last year, I had set up a team to assist with the writing, research and compilation of the dissertation of this very revered connection of mine and it's been a very smooth process. By the time the final review from the supervisor came in, he was shaken really and quite frankly, it felt like we were going to have to start the project all over again despite having just a few more days to final submission. However, upon deliberate considerations, myself and the team figured out the points made by the supervisor, did some tweaks and eventually my revered connection submitted finally. At the end of the whole thing, he was cleared with the supervisor being largely satisfied by the dissertation delivered by my team and my revered connection and he was cleared for his Masters in great delight. Receiving his update about the clearance some days later and his comment about my personality on the project was so heartwarming; as myself and the team did not fret through the whole back and forth and simply went to work. Anyways, I'm glad to make this official note on LinkedIn in a more fully fledged way, this service of project writing assistance, as well as full project writing, is now being offered by my company, GoLoko Diaries. After some in-house estimations and analysis, we realised that many people are in need of assistance with meeting career and academic goals and do not largely have the luxury to do so themselves because they are largely doubling up with work, especially in such an age as we have now. It's my belief that we must strive for excellence in all things whatsoever we are divided across and one way to thrive is by understanding leverage and delegation. In matters like this, with just the idea in your mind of what it should be that you come up with, you can have your thoughts translated into beautiful writings and submissions for whatever thing it is you're trying to achieve. To this end, I introduce you to GoLoko Diaries Angelwriting Services; where your thoughts find wings with angelic words. You can always reach out to us for your needs of; Content writing, academic projects, proposals, grant writing, books, scripts, transcriptions, Assignments, etc., anything writing to save the day! Chat us up at GoLoko Diaries to get started, God has blessed you! #denubon #DreamDareDo #10101070rule

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I was privileged to be a panelist at the Motsepe Foundation Youth tech Expo. I got to share the stage with an amazing panel that included Luthando Madhlopa Madhlopa, Mixo Ngoveni and Mark Harris What does future readiness for youth look like, in the context of the world being consumed by tech? The Youth labour markets have seen enormous changes in the last decade. While young people are typically more digitally capable than older generations, the current employment prospects for young women and men are extremely challenging. The ‘tech + innovation + talent’ equation is evolving fast, and the definition of ‘future-ready’ already looks different than it did a few years ago. Harnessing ideas of the younger generation, and innovation driven planning and implementation systems are important to let youth thrive. Business leaders must embrace intergenerational leadership. As multiple generations coexist in the workforce, organizations must be able to harness the benefits of this diversity and the energy of youth inclusively and give them enough space to showcase their innate talents to enhance productivity and competitiveness. Young startups and innovators have developed breakthrough ideas and platforms that have created globally successful business models and significantly improved operating efficiencies around the world. There are rising numbers of young entrepreneurs taking the path less traveled and setting out to change the world while making an impact. In a hyperconnected digital world, youth are the passionate advocates of change and global shapers. Youth have to play a game changing role in advancing the goal of sustainable and inclusive development by developing innovation led scalable solutions for people, planet and profit. Youth must take the lead in doing cutting edge research in the tech space which fosters innovation and develops products and solutions for the larger benefit of humanity.

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