🇲🇺MauritiusEast Africa
Suraiya Johnson's resilient journey from Vacoas to Arizona
via Le Mauricien6 min read
Suraiya Johnson, 55, born in Vacoas, Mauritius, has navigated two immigrations, harassment, and French television sets before reinventing herself in the American desert. Her journey began when she left her native island at eight for France, where she experienced both the wonder of the Paris Metro and the harsh reality of racism. Later, on the French Riviera, her parents' employment with a count led to encounters with Frank Sinatra. Johnson's own career started in French audiovisuals, including the show Pyramide. Following a divorce and personal reconstruction, she moved to Arizona with her second husband 17 years ago, falling in love with the vast landscapes and local kindness. Her innovative security product was inspired by a vital need she observed during hikes in isolated Arizona areas. Recognizing that cell phones were useless without network coverage during accidents, Johnson designed a simple, essential prevention notepad. This tool allows users to leave crucial information, such as location and contacts, in their vehicle before venturing into nature, thereby assisting rescue services. Her company now acts as an umbrella for other creative projects, including poetry and culinary show concepts. Johnson faced administrative challenges, including navigating American bureaucracy, complex English forms, and obtaining "Small Business" certification. Working alone, she prospects across the United States, from Los Angeles to Oregon. Her appearance in Scottsdale magazine validat
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Le Mauricien.
Andre Viljoen, the new Chief Executive Officer of Air Mauritius, has taken charge of the national airline. Through two social media posts, Viljoen provided a frank and unflattering assessment of the company's internal situation.
Must ReadPublic Services Minister Patrick Assirvaden has described the water situation in Mauritius as critical, following a visit to the Mare-aux-Vacoas reservoir. He noted the reservoir's extremely low level, stating the drought is worse than anticipated and has not been observed in over 120 years. The minister attributed the crisis to climate change, highlighting a significant rainfall deficit of 30% to 40% this year, equating to a shortage of 10 to 14 million cubic meters of water. Assirvaden has requested Lormus Jugoo of the Water Resources Commission to prepare an emergency plan, with water restrictions expected soon. Without intervention, reservoir levels could drop to between 22% and 23% by mid-June. He urged the public, farmers, and businesses to reduce water consumption. Mare-aux-Vacoas supplies approximately 80,000 subscribers in Vacoas and Plaines-Wilhems. Structural measures under consideration include increasing boreholes, exploiting groundwater, and studying desalination projects, particularly in the North, with a dam project at Rivière-des-Anguilles also being explored for 2029. Assirvaden emphasized the need for immediate action to prevent a more severe crisis and mentioned a new desalination plant in Rodrigues, set to produce 4,500 cubic meters of water, indicating a shift away from rain dependence.
Must ReadA Private Notice Question PNQ will be put to the Prime Minister during the National Assembly session on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at 11:30 AM. The Leader of the Opposition, Joe Lesjongard, will raise questions concerning the transfer of sovereignty of the Chagos archipelago to the Republic of Mauritius. The Prime Minister will be asked to provide an update on the situation and to table the latest official communications exchanged between the governments of the Republic of Mauritius and the United Kingdom regarding this matter. The PNQ will also address the international and local legal advisors appointed by the government since December 2024, as well as the costs incurred, including fees, airfare, and daily allowances, particularly concerning the Attorney General.
Must ReadThe Mauritius Institute of Education MIE and the Mauritius Examinations Syndicate MES have completed the syllabus and specimen papers for Kreol Morisien KM as a principal subject for the Higher School Certificate HSC exams. These official documents will guide teachers, following the Ministry of Education's decision to introduce KM as a Main/A Level subject. The MES distributed the documents to school heads last week, enabling educators to prepare for the second term, which begins on Monday. The KM A Level curriculum is designed for three years, aligning with other Cambridge International Examinations subjects, covering academic tests for 2027, 2028, and 2029. It mirrors Cambridge's language examination model, particularly for French. Candidates for KM Main will undertake four papers. Paper 1, lasting two hours, focuses on writing, with two exercises argumentative and narrative/descriptive accounting for 30% of the total score. Paper 2, also two hours, assesses reading comprehension with two texts informative and narrative, contributing 30% of the total. Paper 3 is a one-hour translation exercise from English to KM and French to KM, making up 10% of the score. Paper 4, lasting 2.5 hours, is literature-focused, with three questions on three distinct literary styles chosen by the MES, representing 30% of the final grade. The literature component includes twelve poems by Mauritian authors from "Enn antolozi poezi an kreol morisien," the novel "Lamarel Lavi" by Alain Fanchon, and