I can’t believe we are even having this conversation (on the question of ICC suspects Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto gunning for the presidency of Kenya). The answer is an unequivocal, emphatic no. How can people who are charged with crimes against humanity – killing, pillaging and rape - contemplate occupying the highest office in the land? In what civilised country would such a thing happen?– Prof. Makau Mutua, Buffalo Law School, State University of New York in a commentary

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It appears that you have coughed out your cancer. Congratulations  – A consultant in Coventry, UK, after Claire Osborne, a 37-year old mother of 6, coughed out a  inchtumour that left her cancer-free.

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If there’s no 11th-hour surprise…this race ( for the US Presidency) is looking right now like its over – Brad Coker, the pollster who conducted the Miami Herald survey of 800 Florida voters

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Malawians are like chickens, they cry over simple issues. Are you telling me that the only problems they can cry about are fuel and forex? We have challenges of climate change, but where are the “opposition” NGOs? – Bingu wa Mutharika, Malawi President.

“There are those who are saying the referendum cannot be conducted before the demarcation of the borders. This is a very big lie,” Sudan leader Salva Kiir, in response to President Omar al-Bashir’s party pronouncement that the referendum on whether Southern Sudan should secede cannot take place until the internal border is decided

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“I want to consolidate the achievements made during the last years. That is what I promised, that is what we’ll achieve,” President Paul Kagame, after his landslide win in last month’s election

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“The EU stands ready to continue supporting Kenya in the implementation of the new constitution and the overall reform agenda, building on the progress already made,” Catherine Ashton, the high representative for foreign affairs, security and policy in the European Union

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“The pictures we see coming out of Pakistan are painful images of human suffering at its worst. In surveying the lives and landscape affected by this disaster, we see brothers and sisters; mothers and fathers; daughters and sons. We see 20 million members of the human family in desperate need of help. This is a defining moment - not only for Pakistan, but for all of us,” Hillary Clinton, the US Secretary of State, speaking after the Department of State established a Pakistan Relief Fund

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It’s really amazing. You plant a seed; it germinates and looking so fragile, and within a very short time it becomes a huge tree. It gives you shade and if it’s a fruit tree it gives you fruit if it is timber it gives you timber you are able to build your houses…it  transforms lives of the very women who planted the trees… We want to see many Africans really demonstrating their commitment to their region by planting trees. There is absolutely no excuse to stop desertification because this is something that is doable and cheap.

It is very important for young people not to be afraid of engaging in areas that are not common to the youth. Get involved in local activities, get involved in local initiatives, be involved in leadership positions because you can’t learn unless you are involved. And if you make mistakes, that’s alright, too, because we all make mistakes and we learn from those mistakes. You gain confidence from learning, failing and rising again.

We’re constantly being bombarded by problems that we face and sometimes we can get completely overwhelmed.  We should always feel like a hummingbird. I may feel insignificant, but I don’t want to be like the other animals watching the planet go down the drain. I’ll be a hummingbird, I’ll do the best I can.

In a few decades, the relationship between the environment, resources and conflict may seem almost as obvious as the connection we see today between human rights, democracy and peace.

It is important to nurture any new ideas and initiatives which can make a difference for Africa.

Quotes by Prof Wangari Maathai

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Celebrate your culture everyday through music, art and books which bring you the beautiful stories of your people – it is the ultimate self-love – Hugh Masekela, SA jazz icon while on a musical concert in Nairobi.

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There are some things that we talk about at the kitchen table that stay at the kitchen table –Bristol, daughter of US Presidential contender, Sarah Palin, on whether her mother is in the race this time round too.

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“My genuine intention has been betrayed and have had to search long and hard for the meaning of this well-choreographed drama that has now been hijacked to cause political damage on my person and character. This relationship has been irretrievable damaged to a point where marriage is now inconceivable,” – Zimbabwe Premier, Morgan Tsvangirai, 59, of his alleged 12-day “marriage” to 39-year old LorcadiaKarimatsengaTembo.

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“We have to realise that the law makes a difference between the soldier or terrorist or a policeman or criminal. There is a difference!”– FatouBensouda, the International Criminal Court (ICC) Deputy Chief Prosecutor, who is tipped to take over from Moreno Ocampo.

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“I am not dead. Maybe my coffin is on the way, maybe I have forgotten it at the airport,”– BinguwaMutharika, Malawi President, after a three-week disappearance in Macau, China for a “holiday”.

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“I think he’s come back for good, because this is the fourth month now, and it is a long time he has been requesting to be brought back here,”– ZimsileGamakulu, Leader of Walks, Nelson Mandela Museum, speaking at Mandela’s childhood home, Qunu.

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