标签： Africa

In an extraordinary departure from tradition, hundreds of Dubai’s migrant workers experienced an unprecedented New Year’s Eve celebration hosted by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in Al Quoz. Instead of working through the holiday as typically required, these essential workers enjoyed a night of entertainment, luxury prizes, and heartfelt recognition.

The event transformed an open ground into a vibrant festival space where workers arrived in groups, some directly from their shifts still in work attire. They gathered on mats and elevated podiums, capturing moments on their phones to share with families abroad while immersing themselves in live Bollywood performances.

Celebrity performers including Poonam Pandey, Tanya Desai, Snehal Upadhyay, and Indian Idol vocalist Ankush Bhardwaj delivered continuous entertainment with popular Hindi tracks that had the audience clapping, dancing, and singing along. The celebration incorporated a generous raffle system distributing substantial prizes: mobile devices, gold coins weighing 1 gram, and most significantly, ten flydubai airline tickets enabling winners to visit their home countries.

Shubham, a laborer from Rajasthan, India, expressed astonishment at winning one such ticket, stating it would allow him to attend an upcoming family event he otherwise might have missed. The atmosphere resonated with gratitude as workers like Mushtaq and Naushad Ali highlighted the unusual experience of being celebrated rather than working through holidays. Irfan Khan, a plumber with several years in Dubai, emphasized the profound sense of respect conveyed by the gesture, noting that workers typically feel overlooked during citywide celebrations.

Throughout the evening, complimentary food distribution operated smoothly with orderly queues, while the closing performance by actress Zareen Khan capped a night that blended musical excitement with emotional significance. The initiative demonstrated a meaningful investment in worker welfare, providing not just entertainment but tangible assets and travel opportunities that reinforced their valued contribution to Dubai’s development.

As the clock struck midnight on December 31, 2025, Downtown Dubai transformed into a global stage for New Year’s Eve celebrations, showcasing two distinct yet equally compelling experiences. While first-time visitors gazed in awe at the Burj Khalifa’s legendary fireworks display, long-term residents created intimate celebrations from their homes with panoramic views of the spectacle.

For newcomers like Philippines nationals Jaimee Manio and Paola Melendez Reyes, along with Puerto Rican colleague Gianelli Guimoc, the evening marked their inaugural encounter with Dubai’s iconic skyline. “People travel from all over the world to see this, and we are lucky enough to call Dubai our home now,” expressed Jaimee, capturing the sentiment of many recent arrivals. Gianelli noted the city’s remarkable cultural diversity, emphasizing how the celebration brought together global citizens in shared appreciation.

Indian tourist Meena Kalra, experiencing her first Dubai New Year, praised the city’s meticulous organization: “From field hospitals to free viewing areas, there’s so much happening. I have celebrated New Year’s in various countries but never been as impressed.”

The resident experience revealed a different dimension of the celebration. British expats Vasudha and Vivek Khandeparkar, residing in Southridge with clear views of the Burj Khalifa, have established a tradition of hosting friends and family. “I see it everyday, 365 days a year and never get tired of it. It is an unmatched beauty,” Vasudha remarked, highlighting how residents cherish the spectacle from their private spaces.

Farah Sarfraz, a six-year Downtown resident, described NYE as her favorite time of year precisely because it encourages staying home: “This gives us time to slow down and spend quality time with our friends and family. We see people of all backgrounds and cultures come together like no other time.”

At the Southridge public viewing area, families created festive campgrounds with tents, chairs, and picnic mats, some arriving as early as noon to secure prime viewing spots. Volunteers like Indian expat Ali Amjad ensured family-friendly environments by monitoring for prohibited activities, demonstrating the community’s collective effort to maintain the celebration’s spirit.

In the outskirts of Nairobi, a remarkable barbering phenomenon is captivating social media audiences across Kenya. Safari Martins, known professionally as Chief Safro, has transformed a modest roadside shack in Kiambu into an unlikely grooming destination where traditional barbering converges with digital content creation.

Martins’ unconventional approach involves replacing standard barbering equipment with sharpened shovels, agricultural shears, and iron tools to execute precise haircuts. His client Ian Njenga recently experienced this unique service, describing the results as both surprisingly clean and confidence-building. “When I get shaved here I get very comfortable,” Njenga remarked. “While walking in the streets I get very confident.”

The barber’s journey began in 2018 using borrowed clippers in school dormitories before evolving into his current distinctive style. What distinguishes Martins from typical viral sensations is his deliberate incorporation of African cultural elements. He increasingly weaves traditional folk tales into his video narrations, drawing inspiration from his Rwandan heritage and Kenyan upbringing. “I’m motivated by African culture, by African stories,” Martins explains, noting that some tools receive blessings from village elders.

His digital presence has exploded with approximately one million followers each on Instagram and TikTok, reflecting Kenya’s broader social media expansion. Market research indicates the country’s social media user base grew nearly 50% from 10.6 million in January 2023 to 15.1 million by January 2025.

Despite charging premium rates of 1,500 Kenyan shillings (approximately $12) per cut—significantly above Nairobi’s typical barbering prices—clients willingly pay for both the unique experience and potential social media exposure. The Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis reports that around 15% of Kenyan content creators rely on online work as their primary income source.

However, Martins highlights an industry disparity: while barber-creators achieve viral visibility, they often receive less monetization than creators in gaming, education, or lifestyle categories. “Barbers get viral on social media but I feel like they are not respected,” he notes. “You are not paid as a content creator, even though you have the views, even if you have the engagement.”