Sahaza's Blog

 Have you ever heard the saying, "Simple is best, but flavor is everything"? If not, then you’ve clearly never met Romazava, Madagascar’s iconic national dish. Romazava isn’t just food—it’s an experience, a tradition, and, dare I say, a lifestyle. This unassuming one-pot wonder has been the centerpiece of Malagasy kitchens for centuries, quietly showcasing the heart and soul of Malagasy cooking: fresh ingredients, bold yet balanced flavors, and the kind of comfort only a home-cooked meal can provide. So grab your plate (and maybe a spoon to slurp the broth), because we’re about to dive into the story of Romazava and the rich culinary traditions that make Malagasy cuisine worth savoring. What Exactly is Romazava? At its core, Romazava is a meat and greens stew. It’s deceptively simple: tender cuts of beef, pork, or chicken simmered with a medley of greens and seasoned with ginger, onions, garlic, and salt. But the magic lies in the addition of brèdes —Malagasy leafy greens li...

When the Malagasy president recently called for diplomatic bags to be scanned, the announcement hit the public like a thunderclap on a clear day—sudden, jarring, and impossible to ignore. The context? An embarrassing gold trafficking scandal that has left the nation’s reputation a little tarnished—quite literally. But this proposal has sparked heated debates on everything from corruption to international law. Let’s break it down. The Case for Scanning Diplomatic Bags On the surface, the idea of scanning diplomatic bags seems like a bold move to clean up corruption. Supporters argue it’s about time Madagascar takes decisive action to restore trust, both at home and abroad. Here’s what they’re saying: Fighting Abuse Diplomatic bags are meant for sensitive documents, not smuggling gold bars. Misusing them is a clear breach of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. By scanning these bags, the government can send a clear message: not even the highest offices are above scrutiny. Reas...

Let me start with a confession: I’ve been one of the lucky ones. When I submitted my Schengen visa application through TLSContact, everything went smoothly. My passport came back within a few days, and I had no complaints. But I can’t say the same for many others—friends, colleagues, even young talents representing Madagascar on international stages. Their experiences range from nerve-wracking delays to outright heartbreak. It’s a rollercoaster, and not the fun kind. Let’s take a closer look at this all-too-familiar journey for Malagasy travelers, peppered with tales of dashed hopes and a system in dire need of reform. The Cost of Dreams: Paperwork and Expenses Galore The first hurdle for any Schengen visa applicant? The sheer cost. It’s no secret that the fees are a heavy blow to the average Malagasy wallet. Then there’s the mountain of paperwork: bank statements, proof of moral conduct, travel itineraries, and more. Even after meticulously gathering everything, there’s no guarantee t...

Picture this: a retired high-ranking official, suited up, charmingly nostalgic, seated before an international TV anchor. The question? “What is the state of Madagascar today?” His answer? Traffic jams and supermarket trolleys. Not potholes or poverty, not the deforestation or the wealth of biodiversity hanging by a thread. No, prosperity, he says, is proven by our busy streets and full caddies. Let that sink in. For a country where 80% of the population depends on subsistence farming, where nearly 75% of people live on less than $1.90 a day, this is either audacious optimism or a dangerous case of rose-tinted glasses. But let’s unpack the “logic” of it—humor me, if you will. The Traffic Jam Economy Sure, Antananarivo’s streets are clogged. A gridlock of Renault 4s, second-hand Toyotas, and an increasing number of those fancy SUVs that barely fit on our charmingly chaotic streets. On the surface, more cars might suggest a growing middle class, more consumer power. But here’s the truth:...

When you think of Madagascar, images of baobabs, lemurs, and a pristine coastline might come to mind. But beyond its natural marvels, Madagascar is home to a vibrant creative community that is reshaping the island's cultural identity and propelling it onto the global stage. From art to music, design to dance, Malagasy creatives are redefining what it means to be an artist in a rapidly changing world. Here are some of the genius minds at the heart of this renaissance. Hakanto Contemporary: A Nexus for Malagasy Art In the bustling streets of Antananarivo stands Hakanto Contemporary , Madagascar’s first contemporary art center. Opened in February 2020 under the visionary leadership of Joël Andrianomearisoa , this non-profit organization is a sanctuary for Malagasy art. Hakanto provides artists with a space to experiment, exhibit, and foster dialogue with local and international audiences. Joël, a celebrated artist himself, is no stranger to the global stage. His thought-provoking text...

When you think of Madagascar, you might picture an animated lemur singing "Move It, Move It." But this vibrant island is so much more than a cartoon backdrop. It’s a living masterpiece, sculpted by evolution into a wonderland of bizarre flora and fauna. With its ancient baobab “dancing trees” and cheeky lemurs, Madagascar feels like nature’s playground—quirky, sassy, and utterly captivating. A Symphony of Isolation Separated from mainland Africa over 88 million years ago, Madagascar became a secluded laboratory of evolution. Here, life took some whimsical detours, resulting in a staggering 90% of the island's species being found nowhere else on Earth. It’s like stepping into a parallel universe, where trees defy gravity, and primates come with an extra dose of personality. The ‘Dancing’ Trees: Madagascar’s Baobabs Imagine walking along a dirt road, flanked by towering baobabs that look like upside-down trees, their roots seemingly reaching for the sky. This is the Avenue ...

Picture this: Madagascar, already a buzzing hub for call centers, steps into the ring with a revolutionary contender—phone bot farming. AI-powered voice agents are shaking up the customer service world, offering a sleek alternative to the human-centered call center model. But is this tech-powered phenomenon a threat or a golden opportunity for the Red Island? Let’s dive into how phone bot farming could complement Madagascar’s thriving call center industry while tackling the potential challenges head-on. What is Phone Bot Farming? At its core, phone bot farming deploys AI-driven voice bots to manage customer interactions. These bots use advanced natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning to handle tasks like answering FAQs, setting up appointments, and even qualifying sales leads—all without human intervention. Key Benefits of Phone Bots : 24/7 Availability : They never sleep, ensuring customers are always attended to. Unlimited Scalability : Whether it's 10 calls or 10,...

Imagine stepping into a time machine that can take you back a thousand years. Now, picture that time machine not as a sleek piece of futuristic technology but as a tree — a towering, ancient giant with a bulbous trunk and spindly branches that seem to reach for the stars. Welcome to Madagascar’s baobabs: nature’s coolest, most unassuming time machines. These incredible trees are more than just a photographer's dream. They are living, breathing archives of history, biodiversity hotspots, and cultural icons. Let’s dive into why these majestic giants deserve their title as the coolest time machines on the planet. Ancient Sentinels of Time Baobabs are old. And by old, I mean really, really old. Some of these trees have been standing for over 2,500 years, quietly observing the rise and fall of empires, the ebb and flow of civilizations, and the dance of Madagascar's ever-changing landscape. But it’s not just their age that makes them fascinating. Like tree-rings in other species, th...

Madagascar is a land of striking contrasts. It’s a place where the old world doesn’t just meet the new—it dances with it, weaving together a narrative of resilience, tradition, and innovation. If you’ve ever found yourself on a dusty road, watching a zebu cart trundle along under the tropical sun, and then stepped into a bustling innovation hub humming with the energy of young tech enthusiasts, you’ve witnessed this beautiful duality firsthand. Let me take you on a journey from the humble zebu cart to the cutting-edge innovation hubs, two worlds that coexist in a way that feels almost poetic. Zebu Carts: The Beating Heart of Rural Madagascar In the countryside, zebu carts, or sarety , are more than just transportation—they’re lifelines. Picture this: early morning mist hugging the rice paddies, a farmer loading freshly harvested vanilla pods or lychee onto a wooden cart pulled by a pair of majestic zebu, their horns glinting in the first rays of sunlight. This scene isn’t just pictures...