Cassava Tuesdays: Ugali meet Kimchi!“Can Kenya Soft Power extend pass Econmics in South Korea?”

Have some tea or coffee! Let's talk Kenyan....(Yes, people actually ask Kenyans "Do you speak Kenyan?")

THE REPUBLIC OF KENYA

Now you know!!

Flag and Map of Kenya

Capital: Nairobi
Population: + 48 million people
Official Language Spoken: Swahili (KiSwahili) and English
Religion: Diverse Religions are practiced from Christianity, Islam, Baha'i, Buddhism, Hinduism and Judiasim
Currency: Shilling
President: Uhuru Kenyatta
Vice President: William Ruto

Kenyan Currency-Shilling

“Soft Power must be a fluid relationship, “I find you attractive and the other person says, me too!””

— Water & Cassava

THE PAST: THE TALE OF BOTH R.O. K’s

WAR & COLONIALISM: ABOVE THE EQUATOR LINE AND BELOW IT..

Both countries have experienced the brutality of colonialism. There are opinions, that view Japan to South Korea vs. Great Britain to Kenya as "different". This kind of thinking, which places hierarchy in the experiences of the severity in colonialism as “countries above the equator line” very bad but “countries below the equator line” it was not really….

It also promotes a form of “rationalize and marginalize” in the discussions of colonialism that allows for this space of the imaginary grey, I will call memory of the colonized. This colonized memory must also go through the process of decolonization otherwise it will just handicap and agitate the “modernization, growth and security” of these unique spaces as they interact with each other and the “global north spaces” promoters of “globalization, human rights and democracy”.  

Pali-Pali-(빨리빨리) meet Kwa Haraka

Education in South Korea just like working is 빨리빨리. This phrase in Korea makes up the very cells that hold this country together. It means more than hurry, like your very next breath depends on you carrying out the task at hand. Students in Korea have a school schedule that resembles an overworked professional in the country. It is beyond 8 hours and there is no such thing as paid overtime or after school extracurricular activities. This rigorous approach to education and competitiveness in getting into fields of technology and sciences play a huge factor to the differences between South Korea and Kenya.

Kwa Haraka (Kiswahili for Hurry )

In the case of Kenya there is no Kwa Haraka on the conversations of developing the brilliant young minds of Kenya. For so long similar regional or tribal backgrounds were the only qualifiers needed for employment. This blatant oversight will cripple Kenya and starve the growth and development of a country that as many other countries in Africa, suffers from brain drain.

Side bar

South Korea is also driven with sticking to certain cliques, that if young graduates are not from the S.K.Y universities, it is extremely difficult or impossible to work for certain companies.
Seoul National University
Korea University
Yonsei University

Despite such rapid development in many sectors of society, South Korea still struggles with diversity inclusion. In the conversations of Africa & South Korea, it is also the responsibility of African states to promote their brand and educate the Korean public. 

Sidebar: This is why ESE & SEGYE is greatly needed, like the chili paste to the 떡볶이 떡 (Tteok-bokki)

“Just explaining, the story of two students that attended the same primary and secondary school. Their approach to higher education, saw one working 40+ hours, interning 20 hours, and graduating on time! This allowed for the enjoyment of their fruits of hard labor, after graduation. The other underestimated such a rigorous schedule and now must work thrice as hard to enjoy the fruits of their labor.”

— Water & Cassava

“Did you know: Kenya had a higher GDP than South Korea in 1962. In 1963, Kenya gave out a $10,000 loan and relief food to South Korea.”

— Ugali Diplomacy (Water & Cassava)

Both countries have strong economies but lack career opportunities for the younger generation. Current President Kenyatta and Moon have expressed passionate pleas to change this dilemma. We shall all see!

However, this 빨리빨리 mentality of Koreans, has propelled a poor G-77 country to the incredible nation that is the Republic of South Korea.  The R.O.K is a member of G-20, N-11, OECD and APEC. This 빨리빨리 mentality will introduce the world to Kimchi Diplomacy!.

UGALI DIPLOMACY

This is Ugali- This also means love. 

UGALI ECONOMICS SOFTPOWER-
KENYA & SOUTH KOREA 2016

Soft Power has many faces, for the country of Kenya it is stable economic policies. It is clear from our videos below, Korea loves ugali! Kenya keeps hegemony throughout the East Africa Region and plays the role of peace promoter and advocate for open markets. 
Kenya is a major player in regional bodies such as: Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), East Africa Community(EAC), WTO (World Trade Organization) and so many other organizations that contribute to shaping out ugali economics soft power. 

Kenya could teach a thing or two to African leaders that enjoy the glory of visiting foreign nations and those foreign leaders visiting their countries but does nothing for their image. 

Regional & Neighborly Stage of Diplomacy

“July 2015, Kenya played host to U.S President Barack Obama(Superpower state) during the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) in Nairobi. ”

— Pres. Kenyatta making use of Ugali Diplomacy (Middle Power State Diplomacy) Water & Cassava

To understand more on the importancec of the Global Entreprenuership Summit:

Global Stage of Diplomacy (On

You must always lend a helping hand to those that have nothing, this is middle power state diplomacy at work, notice Kenya is the only African country on the list. I told you Ugali is love!

한-케냐 정상회담.. 한국형 산업단지, KAIST 수출된다 We begin in Nairobi where President Park Geun-hye is slowly wrapping up her tour of the African continent. Today, she sat down with her Kenyan counterpart where the two leaders agreed to cooperate on Kenya's massive infrastructure projects especially in the energy sector.

한-케냐 경제교류 The president's trip to Kenya is also expected to elevate their economic cooperation to the next level. For more on the potential of the Kenyan market and where the two countries stand in terms of economic relations, Kim Min-ji reports. Kenya is East Africa's economic heavyweight.

Rand Merchant Bank’s (RMB) seventh edition of Where to Invest in Africa was released September of this year and Kenya was #6. 

UGALI SAY HI TO KIMCHI, 안녕

Kenya fails in the section of branding towards South Korea and for that matter Asia! I mean Koreans drink Kenyan coffee and that is it. I am afraid Kenya underestimates the power of a brand and the role it can play in preserving "ugali soft power".  

Here are some soft power tools available for Kenya towards Korea.

1. Tusker Beer
The beer's slogan is "Bia yangu, Nchi yangu" means "My beer, My country" in Kiswahili. Look at you, reading it in Kiswahili! 
Easy promotion with this here, you don't even have to try! The way Koreans enjoy a beer, I think this could even be used as a bridge to build on inter-cultural relationships between the two. 
Did you know: You can buy Tusker in the U.K. Yup at Sainsbury's, I swear you can honestly find anything at a local Sainsbury's

Kenyan Beer-Tusker

It would be criminal not to post this very famous Tusker commerical! Don't you just want to get on a Kenyan Airways flight? 

Tusker Beer

2. The Giraffe Manor
You are welcome!
 

Giraffe Manor, Gogo Falls Road, Nairobi, Kenya

3. Gastrodiplomacy
Perharps a Kenyan Pub that offers Nyamachoma in Seoul? 

Nyamachoma- Very popular dish in Kenya (roasted beef)

Mandazi, you have not tried this? Poor you. (Pub Food and everyday food here)

4. Beach Tourism 

The Sands at Nomad offers you the ultimate beach getaway. A combination of discretion, tranquility and warmth with the privilege of Kenya's best beach. Nestled into 26 Acres of pristine coastal forest The Sands at Nomad steps away from the traditional block hotel concept, into an atmosphere of space, freedom and personal care.

5. Safari Tourism
Partnering up with local universities... Nah, that is why you should contact our mother company, ESE & SEGYE. 

Wildlife expert Saba Douglas-Hamilton and family move to the romantic Samburu National Reserve in northern Kenya to run a safari lodge for the first time. This wild, remote and rugged region is on the frontline of conservation and the battle to protect Africa's big five from poachers is heating up.

6.Kenyan Airways
Unfortunately, Kenya has still not grasped the power in this tool

Considering visiting Kenya? Only one way to fly!

See you next Cassava Tuesday!