Sama Miguel is not just a name, but a brand. A brand that stands for excellence, elegance and innovation in the world of fashion. He is the founder and creative director of SM Class, a reputable fashion house that showcases the beauty and diversity of African culture through stunning designs and fabrics.

Born Ayatou Tita Sama on March 20th, 1997, in a Muslim-Christian family from the North West of Cameroon, he discovered his passion for fashion at a tender age. He was always fascinated by African fabrics and locally tailored dresses, and he experimented with different styles and ideas to express his personality and creativity.

His first design was a hand-painted kaftan outfit that depicted a lady carrying a basket and a hoe, as a tribute to his grandmother who influenced his childhood. From this humble beginning, he has grown to become one of the most sought-after and acclaimed fashion designers in Cameroon and beyond.

His vision is to tell African stories through fashion, and to add value and class to African fashion. He pays attention to the rich cultural heritage and diversity of Cameroon, and incorporates them into his designs. He also uses modern techniques and trends to create unique and avant-garde pieces that appeal to a global audience.

He launched his first collection, the Luxury Collection, in 2020, followed by the Elegant Collection in 2021. In the same year, he officially launched the SM Class Fashion House, which has become a household name in the fashion industry. In 2022, he unveiled the Danshiki Revolution, which was a huge success and received rave reviews.

He has dressed many celebrities, both local and international, such as Epule Jeffrey, Grand Lawrenzo, Kwoh ELonge (Auntie Felicia), Ndamo Damaris, Zack Orji, IK Ogbonna, Triky T and Ramsey Noah. He has also won several awards, such as Best Fashion Designer at the Enysem Golden Award (EGACAM) 2021, Best Fashion Designer at CAMYE Awards 2022, Best Emerging Fashion Designer at Heritage Awards and Fashion Designer of the Year at the New Breed Awards 2023.

He has also participated in several international fashion events, such as the Katiti Seychelles Fashion Week, the Africa Fashion Week Nigeria and the Fashion Talk and Seminar in Dubai. He has impressed the world with his talent and skill, and has earned recognition and respect from his peers and mentors, such as Mai Atafo, Deji & Kola, Seyi Vodi and Yomi casual.

One of his most remarkable designs was the blazer with Toghu embroidery and knitted cowries on the sleeves that he wore at the Cameroon International Film Festival in 2023. It was a masterpiece that went viral on social media and showcased his ingenuity and originality. He continues to break new grounds and set new standards in fashion designing, and he is on his way to becoming one of the top African designers.

He recently released a new collection where he transforms the popular Toghu fabric into an urban classic suit. The fabric details and finishing are impeccable and professional. He proves once again that he is a master of his craft and a visionary of his art.

North Africa Reels From Environmental Disasters: A DeadlyEarthquake and Crippling Flood, Thousands Dead

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Yongka Micheal Mbidzenyuy

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September 15, 2023

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North Africa is grappling with catastrophic environmental disasters that have left thousands dead and many more displaced. The region, still reeling from the death of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, is now facing a new crisis: thedeadliest earthquake since 1960 and a flood that has claimedover 20,000 lives.

On Friday, September 8, 2023, a devastating earthquake witha magnitude of 6.8 struck Morocco, killing nearly 3,000 people. The earthquake, which hit the Atlas Mountains ofMarrakech, has been described by news outlet Al Jazeera asthe deadliest since 1960.

The quake originated from a geological phenomenon known as a reverse fault, an occurrence when tectonic plates collide, causing the earth’s crust to thicken. According to estimates by Morocco’s National Institute of Geographics and the USA Geological Survey, the depth of the quake was between 8 km and 26 km. The earthquake struck around 11:11 pm local time, leaving thousands hospitalized and many more displaced.

Questions have arisen over the lack of forecasting for thisdevastating event. Were there no signs, no indicators thatcould have warned of the impending disaster?

If that wasn’t enough, another disaster was looming. Over the weekend of September 9, 2023, Mediterranean storm Daniel swept through eastern Libya, dropping torrential rain and causing widespread flooding. Two dams collapsed under the deluge, exacerbating the situation by inundatingalready flood-stricken areas.

The city of Derna, home to over 120,000 people, wasparticularly hard hit. The deputy mayor of Derna told AlJazeera on September 12, “At least 20% of Derna city hasbeen destroyed.”

As of September 15, over 25,000 people are confirmed dead,with over 20,000 missing and more than 40,000 displaced. Environmentalists suggest that the flooding was due to poorinfrastructure maintenance.

Malak Atlaeb, an environmental expert, in an interview with Al Jazeera stated that “Libya is ill- prepared to handle the effects of climate change and extreme weather.” Most Libyans live in coastal areas at risk of flooding as sea levels rise. Libya has been a regular victim of severe flooding for many decades and the problems are only becoming more severe.

Is this a sign of divine intervention, or is nature attempting to restore balance to a self- perpetuating ecosystem? Should we simply accept that such disasters will occur from time totime, or is there something more Africa could be doing to mitigate such catastrophes? While there is no atonementequivalent to a lost soul, we can only hope and worktowards an Africa that is better prepared, better equipped,and more resilient in the face of adversity.

Cynthia Ngum