Obama's Half Brother Mark Ndesandjo Performs in China (and will attend Inauguration)

[DeepModem Mom]

NYT/AP: Obama's Half Brother Performs in China
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: January 16, 2009

SHENZHEN, China (AP) -- The news release didn't say who Mark Ndesandjo was. Nor did the posters and e-mails promoting the concert Friday in this southern Chinese boomtown where he played piano to raise money for orphans. But the 200 or so people who showed up for the fundraiser at a posh hotel resort knew the man in a Chinese-style brown silk shirt was the half brother of President-elect Barack Obama. They had a rare encounter with Ndesandjo, who has been dodging the media since his family ties were made public last summer.

For the past seven years, Ndesandjo has been living in Shenzhen, a freewheeling city just across the border from Hong Kong. The announcement for his piano concert identified him as a strategic marketing consultant. He also helped start a chain of eateries in China called Cabin BBQ.

Ndesandjo has a thin mustache, shaved head and a gold stud in his left earlobe. He slightly resembles his half brother, and shares the same trim, athletic physique. He speaks Mandarin, is a vegetarian and practices Chinese calligraphy. And he said Friday that he has just finished a novel called ''Nairobi to Shenzhen,'' but as yet has no publisher.

Ndesandjo apparently wants a low-key life separate from Obama. No one mentioned his family when he was introduced at the charity concert and cocktail party sponsored by the American Chamber of Commerce in South China.

During brief remarks on stage, Ndesandjo mentioned that he would visit the U.S. in a couple days, apparently to attend Tuesday's presidential inauguration. He said if he didn't make the trip in time, he would embarrass his family. And he told the crowd that chamber president, Harley Seyedin, was fond of the president-elect. Ndesandjo added, ''I like my president, too!'' That was the closest he came to mentioning Barack Obama....

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/01/16/world/AP-AS-China-Obama-Half-Brother.html

[polichick]

1. I'd love to see a picture of him - have there been any published?

[DeepModem Mom]

2. I haven't seen one. If I run across a photo, I'll post. nt

[SteppingRazor]

3. I think this is him:

http://paper.sznews.com/szdaily/20080729/ca2900310.htm

[DeepModem Mom]

4. No doubt! And some interesting info, too. Thanks, SR!!! nt

[polichick]

6. THANKS! :)

[Cha]

22. Thanks Stepping..Multi talented,

modest, and very unique. A vegetarian who is a Chinese speaking American, living in Shenzhen , teaching piano and helps out with charity work..oh, and his half bro just got elected President of the USA.

[OnceUponTimeOnTheNet]

9. A couple on Yahoo today, here's one.

Mark Ndesandjo, the intensely private half-brother of President-elect Barack Obama, attends the charity concert in Shenzhen, Southern city in China, Friday, Jan. 16, 2009. The press release

[polichick]

12. Thank-you! There is a resemblance - wonder how they get along.

[cali]

13. I read an article somewhere

that said that although they don't know each other well, there's some stress between them. Maybe not if he's going to the inauguration.

[polichick]

19. Hope we get to see them together, at least in a photo.

[EraOfResponsibility]

5. Is this the brother that Obama's father had by the other white woman?

What's he doing singing in China? I thought he was a lawyer or something.

[DeepModem Mom]

7. I'm wondering if he doesn't play professionally -- this was a fundraiser that was reported. nt

[Number23]

17. What other white woman?? How in the world did I miss that???

I just saw the picture of the brother in another post and he doesn't look bi-racial but you know that doesn't mean much...

[ecstatic]

20. lol @ your phrasing nt

[TTUBatfan2008]

8. Sounds like he is brilliant just like his brother...

Masters in Physics. Wow!

[kennetha]

10. Anybody know Obama's total family tree?

He has to have one of the most diverse and far flung extended families of just about anybody I know of.

[TTUBatfan2008]

11. Yep...

His family is a microcosm of what America is all about. A true melting pot.

[ecstatic]

21. Yeah. It's amazing!

A perspective very few people have.

[FrenchieCat]

14. I have noticed that Obama has always thanked his "Brothers and Sisters"

in every major acceptance speech he has made.

I know that he is closest to his sister who shares the same mother because they grew up together,
but he is also close to his 1/2 sister on his father's side who currently lives in Germany, and whom he first had contact with while he was attending Columbia in New York.

From reading his first book, I know that Obama also did have, apart from older brothers and sisters from his father's first marriage, two younger 1/2 brothers from his father's 3rd marriage to a White woman by the name of Ruth. The one who was supposed to be the most promising, died while a rebellious teenager, after Obama had visited his father's home country, and this must be the other brother.

[Number23]

15. Arrgh!! No picture!

[FrenchieCat]

16. His pic is in post #9!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=8094597&mesg_id=8094882

[Number23]

18. Just saw it, madame! Merci!