Spellbinding. That’s what best describes Joshua “Josh” Nyaga’s large colourful canvas paintings that were set up in the open courtyard of the National Museums of Kenya. The artist had depicted a map of the world in vivid hues during the 2012 StoryMoja Hay Festival.

The lanky 23-year-old was clad in jeans, a T-shirt and a pair of sneakers. And he was there to pass a message of global integration to all and sundry. When a curious visitor asks why Africa was painted in blue and not the stereotypical black, he answered in an easy manner, “Africa is not black, it is colourful. The entire world is full of colour.” Further explaining that his themes revolve around issues of colour, diversity and human integration.

“I heard through a friend that [StoryMoja Hay Festival] was on and I knew it would be a splendid platform to showcase my ideas and abilities,” he explained. Though frequently turning to glance at everyone inquiring, he did not halt his work for a moment. His fingers deftly move up and down his painting seemingly “seeing” their way through the work. As his airbrush put the colour onto the canvas, a small electric compressor powered the entire system. Red, blue green and orange hues beautified the world map as he moved from Africa to Asia, Europe and America. Australia and other isolated regions of the globe were not spared in this colourful experience.

Josh studied International Relations at United States International University but felt a calling in art while in his second year. He cites American conceptual artist Dan “Adonihs” Luvisi as a role model that he looks up to. Working with younger sister, Susan Wanjiku, Josh has transcended the conventional art portfolio to include colourful branding of garments and shoes. “Most of the work I do for other people depends on the orders and deadlines I have been given,” he shares, “otherwise I do the rest for exhibition purposes.” Josh intimates that he has already received an invitation to the Yoga Studio in Kibera to showcase.

Back at the festival, bits of masking tape are seen suspending square cards on the paintings. A closer look reveals visitors comments on his theme. The variety of names, addresses and nationalities of the respondents on the cards attest to the fact that it is indeed a global audience. One inspiring message reads, “Imagine a world...peaceful and free from discrimination.” Imagine.

To contact Josh, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call +254712628718.

Born and raised in Zimbabwe, novelist NoViolet Bulawayo is an accomplished writer and lecturer as well as the winner of the 2011 Caine Prize for African Writing. You can meet her, and participate in her writer’s workshop, during the upcoming StoryMoja Hay Festival (September 13th -16th). In an email interview with UP, NoViolet shared her thoughts on her life as an author and gave us a few pointers for all the aspiring writers out there.

Who did you grow up reading?

I read British and local language literature but this doesn’t mean I had access to many books, or that I consider my early reading to have had a profound impact. What did it for me instead was orature. My people’s stories, and I was surrounded by tons. Serious reading came after this important foundation.

Have you always felt drawn to creative writing in its different forms?

Absolutely, I work across genres and I love how they feed off of each other. My dialogue in fiction benefits from my drama and screenwriting experience, my non-fiction is told through the same devices I use in fiction and so on. I think mastering different forms definitely makes one a richer writer and I encourage young writers to learn as many forms as they can. Did you have an “aha moment”?

At what point did you know that this was something you were good at and could pursue seriously?

When I began studying creative writing in college is when I became encouraged to take it very seriously and invest in learning the craft and reading in meaningful ways, which eventually led me to following my heart and applying to an MFA program instead of law school.

What does winning the 2011 Caine Prize mean to you?

The Caine is old for me now especially since I’ve spent all the money and there’s a new winner and all (ha-ha), but it was a very encouraging and humbling stamp of approval at a time when I really needed it as a young writer just trying to hustle. Let me say that it left me even more serious and focused, and to that end my debut novel, “We Need New Names” is coming out in the summer of 2013, and I’m already thinking about the next.

Is this your first trip to Nairobi?

It’s my first time yes but of course I’ve encountered Kenya through its writers. What are your expectations of the festival? StoryMoja is one of the leading literary festivals in Africa so I’m expecting to be blown away at every level. I’m especially looking forward to meeting great writers and thinkers, to insightful discussions, music, fun, just the whole shebang.

Will you conduct a workshop or give a talk at the Hay? If so, what should your fans (new and old) look forward to?

Yes. I’m excited to do a workshop and exchange ideas, and hopefully meet Kenya’s upcoming writers.

Is the global literary culture on the decline or rise?

It’s definitely facing competition from technology but it doesn’t mean it’s dying, if anything its finding ways to adapt and I think we’ll see interesting new genres and who knows, maybe increased reading as gadgets may make reading cool. We all grimaced with the coming of the kindle for example, but folks are carrying tons of books in their bags.

Does the author still have a place in society? Always, she is, after all, its product.

What words of encouragement would you give budding writers? This is not exactly encouragement, more like advice. Invest seriously in craft so you become an effective storyteller. Get your dialogue, setting, exposition, scene and other elements down and understand them. From working with young people not many are taking the time to do the craft like it needs to be done (and this was me in my early twenties too). I think with patience and focus these are things you can learn and master, and then you can talk about getting published.

In his debut performance in Kenya, DJ Cleo is ready to rock the masses with his catchy Kwaito beats. The so-called Kenyan winter is a summer breeze to the artist who says Kenya is lovely and doing pretty well as a country. As his name suggests, Cleo is a DJ and specializes is in Kwaito with a strong background in House. However, he’s also a successful singer whose hit song “Facebook”, from his eighth album Es’Khalimani, is a popular club banger in South Africa and the rest of the world.

“Kwaito has changed so much. The original Kwaito is dying but Kwaito will never die. It’s all about making people dance and making a memorable dance song so that it relevant. You want to talk about something that people want to sing about. A lot of people can relate to that,” he says of the genre that has brought him fame and fortune. The Mohawk-sporting, muscle-bound Cleo began his music career at the age of twelve in a gospel band, travelling with them as a keyboard player.He was part of major hits by South African artists Mzekezeke the Masked Man, Kabelo and Skwatta Kamp at the early stages of his career.

Hailed by a section of South African press as the “next African musical genius” who manages to turn every song he works on into a hit that has a cross-cultural following, Cleo has virtually changed the music industry in his home country. He’s also helpedKwaito as a genre rise from the underground as well as taken several new artists under his wing. “Respect, professionalism, and consistence,” says a member of dance crew The Teddy Bears of the lessons learnt from Cleo. Part of his Nairobi entourage, The Teddy Bears and DJ Soul T will also performat the concert this Saturday at Ngong Race Course. The main man himself promises to give an exiting performance all round as he personally endorsed his talented.

Fahrenheit Party starts at 6:30, while live performances start at 7:00 sharp. The party is expected to go on till 2am. Other acts include Camp Mulla, Just A Band, MaddTraxx, DJ Nruff and DJ Stylez.