March Issue 17 by AfriQan Times

Australia’s Premier Monthly African Magazine BRISBANE • PERTH • MELBOURNE • SYDNEY • ADELAIDE

March • Issue 17

INSIDE

Africa’s Rocket Man: Awe Kludze

Read all about the African Scientist who commands a NASA spacecrafts

African Fashion: Vlisco “Silent Empire” Vlisco launches its new Silent Empire collection in February 2012. The inspiration for the collection comes from the hidden secrets and gentle formality of a distant place

Octavia’s Oscar Moment Meet the latest African American Actress to win an Academy Award

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IN THIS ISSUE 04

To Our readers

Moments:

Events Afriqan Times could not pass by in February

Confounding the Stereotypes: Andile Ndlovu

Yes, I Am Afro-Aussie

Afriqan & Distinguished:

Africa’s Rocket Man – Awe Kludze

My Africa: Ghana

Phenomenal Woman:

Fashion:

Vlisca Silent Empire

Entertainment:

Octavia’s Oscar Moments

Good Deeds’ signals a New Direction for Tyler Perry

Movies:

Top movies from Nollywood we recommend you watch this month and major Australian premiers

Obsessions:

Top 6 gadgets you should put on your your wish list… and mail it to your wealthy friends and relatives. Or one of our Afrillionnaires.

Lena Kozak-Fretwell Afriqan Times Editor

Celebrating Women

Who said that it should only be the 8th of March when we celebrate women? Let’s do it every day. At least this month. And of course, I am not being bias in suggesting so. It’s hard to overestimate the role of women in African culture, their immense contribution to economic growth, education and science. Do you recognise these names: Wangari Maathai (first African woman to win Nobel Peace Prize), Mae Jemison (first African female astronaut), Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (Africa’s first female president)? This is just to get you started. And then there are actresses, singers, scientists, presidents of corporations and associations, war heroes, artists, writers and the list goes on. And then, there is my mum, who is the best mum in the world to me, and my sister who is my best friend. How about the important women in your life? Every country celebrates International Women’s Day differently, although the gist remains the same – to commemorate the outstanding merits of women, their heroism and selflessness and the great contribution to strengthening friendship between peoples, and the struggle for peace.

So, here is to us and the great men, who make us feel special every day.

MARCH 2012 | AFRIQAN TIMES MAGAZINE 3

DISTRIBUTION LIST

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4 AFRIQAN TIMES MAGAZINE | MARCH 2012

Founders Circa 2009 • Emmanuel K Solomon, Gabriel Gomado

The Afriqan Times welcomes comments and suggestions, as well as information about errors that call for corrections. We are committed to presenting information fairly and accurately. The Afriqan Times Level 28, AMP Tower 140 St Georges Terrace Perth WA 6000 P. O . Box 445, South Perth 6951, Tel: 1300 A TIMES (1300 2 84637) Fax: +61 8 9463 6232 Feedback: info@afriqantimes.com - News inquiries: editor@afriqantimes.com Advertising inquiries: len.fretwell@afriqantimes.com • Mobile: 0417 001 080 Editor : Lena Kozak-Fretwell - Writers: Rumbidzai Chekeche, Ernerst Nuro Guest Writers: Ireen Pedro, Davies Chibale, Mark Treacey, Samantha Ofole-Prince, Roseana Special Features by: Abigail Damoah Creative Consultant: Tamu Mnangwa Graphics: Elvin Wong Photography: Mark Treacey, Tim Leslie Subscription: www.afriqantimes.com/temp/subscribe Publishing Information: The Afriqan Times is Australian owned and operated. Afriqan Times Pty Ltd ABN: 521 386 161 09 / ACN: 138 616 109.

It’s a fact; when we remind people of the power they have to help police convict criminals, they respond. An ad like this, along with our current tv commercial, will result in calls – and if you’ve committed a crime, it’s a very real possibility that you will get caught. It’s the anonymous crime-ﬁghters that will do you in.

Those who care enough about their community’s safety to pick up the phone and tell us what they’ve seen. And believe us, they are

out there in greater numbers than you can imagine.

Worried yet? Well it gets worse. The facts we

gather from anonymous callers often

combine to give us a bigger

picture, linking crimes

and perpetrators, which helps police to

join the dots. So you may be starting

to wonder whether now would be a

good time to ﬁnd somewhere to hide?

The thing is though,

you never know who’s

watching. There are many vigilant you know if you have been seen?

people out there, so how would And

you

might curse those who call us,

thinking they’re do-gooders or

busy-bodies, but remember

this; when you cause pain in our community,

you deserve to be punished. And the undaunted

anonymous callers you look down on are more

heroic than you’ll ever be. And you? You are

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SEPTEMBER 2011 | AFRIQAN TIMES MAGAZINE 5

Moments

Academy Winners

Moments:

6 AFRIQAN TIMES MAGAZINE | MARCH 2012

Academy Winners

MARCH 2012 | AFRIQAN TIMES MAGAZINE 7

C onfounding th E

Stereotypes

ndile Ndlovu is one of South Africa’s most prominent young ballet dancers, an international performer and award winner both at home and overseas. But for Ndlovu to be accepted into the rarefied world of classical dance -- which in South Africa is traditionally seen as an elitist and a predominantly white preserve -- the boy from the rough Soweto townships says he had to overcome outdated stereotypes. “I used to be picked upon for the way I walk and the way I act or carry myself,” he says of his time at school, where he became disparagingly known as “the dude who did ballet.” He even recalls his closest friends teasing him about the tights, shoes, underwear and sparkly clothes that he would have to wear during practice and on stage. But by remaining focused, diligent and passionate about dance, the young Ndlovu never let the jibes get him down and he continued to practice obsessively. In late 2008, this perseverance was rewarded as he was offered a place at The Washington Ballet, one of the most prestigious dance companies in the United States. That year he shot to fame in a production of Don Quixote by the South Africa Ballet Theater. 8 AFRIQAN TIMES MAGAZINE | MARCH 2012

Now 23, Ndlovu has gone on to win awards at the Boston and Cape Town International Ballet competitions, as well as securing prominent roles in numerous ballet productions across the world. This success, he hopes, will eventually enable him to change conventionally held views not only of black dancers but male ballet dancers in general. “What I wanted was to change people’s minds in South Africa about black ballet dancers. I wanted to change that view, because everybody used to put it in a category for the elite people or, you know, it’s only for a certain racial group,” he says. “I wanted to set the bar for anybody else that’s coming, that’s growing up, that’s coming behind, and they will learn from my actions and what I do and hopefully I become a role model for them, especially South Africans,” he adds. By Robyn Curnow and Eoghan Macguire - CNN

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Yes, I am Afro Aussie

Yes, I Am Afro Aussie

10 AFRIQAN TIMES MAGAZINE | MARCH 2012

SEPTEMBER 2011 | AFRIQAN TIMES MAGAZINE 11

12 AFRIQAN TIMES MAGAZINE | SEPTEMBER 2011

African & Distinguished

Africa’s

Rocket Man SEPTEMBER 2011 | AFRIQAN TIMES MAGAZINE 13

African & Distinguished

Africa’s Rock Awe Kludze never imagined he would command a Nasa spacecraft

n the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin’s birth, BBC News asks one of Africa’s pioneering scientists, Dr Ave Kludze, of the US space agency Nasa what inspired his stellar career and what he thinks of the standard of science teaching in Africa today.

As a young boy I was always very curious. My parents didn’t like to leave me at home alone, because they knew I would dismantle the radio. Even at my friends’ houses, I would try to take the television apart, to find out how it worked. I never imagined I would have the opportunity to work for Nasa. Not with my background But my life changed the first time I went to the airport in Accra. I saw an airplane landing and taking off. I knew then that I wanted to be pilot. From that day, everything I read was scientific. At school, I read science subjects. My father wanted me to be a lawyer. But he supported my ambitions.. So I was lucky.

“I think the younger generation today has more opportunities than I did to become scientists. ” 14 AFRIQAN TIMES MAGAZINE | MARCH 2012

African & Distinguished

et Man But then, when I was 17, I found out that I could not fulfill my dream. I could not become a pilot. The reason was that my brother, my father and my mother all wore glasses. This implied that, one-day, I would wear glasses too. And indeed I do, was very disappointed. I decided to channel my energy elsewhere - into engineering.

Nasa is not only concerned with space. We develop technologies and our way of developing systems applies to all kinds of engineering projects.

I studied electrical engineering in the US, at Rutgers University, New Jersey where the Calipso satellite, developed with Dr Kludze’s help, launched in 2006. My intention was to return to Ghana, so I started to focus my mind on using solar energy to power appliances: Solar fridges, solar fans, solar freezers - solar everything. The sun is for free, so I believe we have to use it in Africa. We have to work with the resources we have. But instead of working on solar panels in Ghana, I got a job with Nasa, developing and flying spacecraft.

I first saw a computer in the USA. Today, the younger generations have access to the Internet - they can get any information they want. The education I received in Ghana was very sound - it served me remarkably well at Rutgers.

Now many years later, I have worked at Nasa headquarters, in Washington, as a requirements manager. I help Nasa to take strategic decisions. President [George] Bush outlined his vision that Nasa would go back to the Moon by 2020, so the agency is working towards that.

I think the younger generation today has more opportunities than I did to become scientists.

I admired people like Albert Einstein. I was amazed that he could be on our planet and yet he could tell us about different planets. But today I know many successful African scientists. People like my friend Dr Ohene Frempong, of the Children’s Hospital of Pennsylvania (CHOP). He works on sickle cell anaemia and there are many more. I don’t plan to go into space. I will leave that to the younger generation.

People ask me: What has Nasa done for Africans? But many of them have cell phones - which were developed with Nasa technology. The cars they drive and the glasses they wear - all of these have benefited from Nasa technology. It trickles down to the ordinary man. MARCH 2012 | AFRIQAN TIMES MAGAZINE 15

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Applause

Esquire wins

2012 African Distributor Award Afriqan Times congratulates Esquire Technologies for winning the African Distributor of the Year Award at the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;EMEA Channel Academy: 2012 Awardsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; ceremony that was attended by over 1000 senior executives from vendors, distributors, retailers and e-tailers operating in the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region. The awards took place during a Gala Dinner at the Salle des Etoiles in Monaco on Thursday 9th February 2012.

We will love to applaud African Australians who in their various endeavours are scaling the ladder of excellence. Email us at info@afriqantimes.com with Name Award Won, Awarding Organisation, Name of Award winner, Photo (min.500kB) From primary school to Industry awards, we welcome ALL.

My Africa: Ghana Kenya

Fort William, Ghana - Centre Piece of the SlaveTrade

18â&#x20AC;&#x192; AFRIQAN TIMES MAGAZINE | MARCH 2012

Capital: Accra Region: West Africa Population: 24 million (2011 est.) Currency: Ghana Cedi, GHS[1AUD = 1.7GHS] Language: English GDP: US$90.3 billion (2011 est.) Calling code: +233 Tourist Attractions: Castles, Bui National Park, Ashanti kingdom, Du Boise Center, National Museum

MARCH 2012 | AFRIQAN TIMES MAGAZINEâ&#x20AC;&#x192; 19

20 AFRIQAN TIMES MAGAZINE | FEBRUARY 2012

SEPTEMBER 2011 | AFRIQAN TIMES MAGAZINE 21

The African Professional By: Davies Chibale

have said this before, however, let me say it again: Taking an honest look at what is working and what is not working in our lives is an indication that we want to do better.

I started writing “Who Cares, I will do it anyway” on 8th October 2011, three days after it ‘clicked’ that it was VERY POSSIBLE, and I MEAN REALLY POSSIBLE to have whatever I wanted in life and in WHAT EVER TIME FRAME I SET. As a matter of fact, I started writing this book eight (8) days after I launched my first book, “Engineered for Success – How to achieve your dreams by harnessing the power of your mind”. The PHILOSOPHY behind –“Who cares? I will do it anyway” swept me off my feet and I decided to take action there and then! For many years I knew that EXTRAORDINARY things happen to human beings, but UNTIL 5th October 2011, I didn’t THINK, FEEL and “REALLY SEE” that IT WAS ACTUALLY VERY POSSIBLE FOR EXTRAORDINARY THINGS could happen to me as well. I am talking about EXTRAORDINARY THINGS happening to others and me.

• attaining inner peace and tranquility or • attaining any outcome you desire whether internally at spiritual, emotional and personal level or manifesting any external circumstance and • ATTAINING FINANCIAL FREEDOM

I wrote about the power of the mind in my first book and I knew the fact that it was possible to achieve success in whatever form you defined success:

Yet for 25 years I had lived on earth, this was all too good and seemed very possible for OTHERS. I had not yet fully realized that it was ACTUALLY VERY POSSIBLE FOR ME AS WELL. I had settled for a “career” for far too long......... Look out for “Who cares, I will do it anyway”.

• having excellent relationships • living a life of your dreams, having a dream job (doing what you LOVE) with fantastic income • having excellent health and living long

“… Do it anyway”. 22 AFRIQAN TIMES MAGAZINE | MARCH 2012

Phenomenal Woman

Octavia’s

Oscar Moment

The African American Actress wins an Academy Award By Samantha Ofole-Prince

Phenomenal Woman

a FEBRUARY 2012 | AFRIQAN TIMES MAGAZINE 23

Phenomenal Woman

Actress Octavia Spencer is the 13th African American to win an acting related Oscar. Spencer, 39, who completed her sweep through awards season by winning the Best Supporting Actress award at last month’s Academy Awards, is one of just a half-dozen black actors to have won an Oscar in the awards’ 84-year history. The actress joins Hattie McDaniel, the first African American to win an Oscar in 1940, Sidney Poitier, Denzel Washington, Halle Berry, Jamie Foxx, Forest Whitaker, Morgan Freeman, Louis Gossett Jr, Whoopi Goldberg, Cuba Gooding Jr., Jennifer Hudson and Mo’Nique, who won in 2010 for the movie “Precious.”

24 AFRIQAN TIMES MAGAZINE | MARCH 2012

learly overwhelmed and emotional, Spencer, who won the accolade for her scene-stealing turn as the sassy Southern maid, Minny Jackson, in the box office hit “The Help,” clutched her trophy and euphorically stumbled her way through her acceptance speech. “Thank you, academy, for putting me with the hottest guy in the room,” a tearful Spencer said, referring to last year’s supporting-actor winner Christian Bale, who presented her Oscar. Spencer also expressed gratitude to her family, her colleagues from the movie and her native “state of Alabama.” “I’m actually going to have a quarter of a glass of champagne and hang out with friends,” Spencer told AQT backstage on how she would celebrate her win. Meryl Streep beat out favorite to win, Viola Davis, for the Best actress Oscar for her uncanny portrayal of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in “The Iron Lady” and received a standing ovation once her name was called. I thought I was so old and jaded, but they call your name, and you just go into sort of a — I

don’t know, a white light,” Streep told reporters backstage. “It was just thrilling. It was like I was a kid again. I was a kid when I won this, like, 30 years ago. Two of the nominees were not even conceived. So, you know, it was great,” said the actress who previously won Oscars for “Kramer vs Kramer” and “Sophie’s Choice.” The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences also bestowed the most Oscars on two films that pay homage to the early days of cinema. “The Artist,” the silent movie that offers a glimpse of Hollywood during its transition to the “talkies” won for best picture, best director, best original score and best costume design. “Hugo,” Martin Scorsese’s heartfelt love letter to filmmaking, earned five awards including best art direction, visual effects as well as several technical Oscars. Jean Dujardin was awarded the best actor Oscar and said he had fun making “The Artist.” “I watched a lot of movies. Douglas Fairbanks movies, Gene Kelly movies. I had fun pretending to be a movie star in 1920s,” said the actor.

Christopher Plummer made history by becoming the oldest actor at 82 to win an award. Plummer received the supporting actor Oscar for “The Beginners,” but told reporters backstage Charlie Chaplin was indeed the oldest actor to receive an Oscar.” Honorary Oscars were given to James Earl Jones and Oprah Winfrey, who was recognized for her philanthropic efforts. Morgan Freeman, Jennifer Lopez and Cameron Diaz were presenters at the Academy Awards, which was hosted by Billy Crystal and marked his ninth time hosting the show.

Samantha Ofole-Prince is an entertainment journalist who covers industry-specific news that includes television and film. She can be reached on sofole@gmail.com

Afrillionaires

Affrillionaires

South African The Rupert Legacy Lives On By Abigail Damoah

ohann Rupert, the executive president of the world’s second biggest luxury goods company is the first son of business mogul Anton Rupert. Dr Anthony Edward Rupert was an Afrikaner billionaire, born and raised in a small town called Graaf-Reinet in South Africa. He moved to Stellenbosch after dropping out of medical school due to a lack of funds, and went on to earn a Chemistry Degree from the University of Pretoria. Rupert had a sixty year career in business. His global empire began in 1941with an investment of £10 and two other investors; they began to manufacture cigarettes in his garage which later became the Rembrandt Group. He died at the age of 89 in his sleep at his home in Stellenbosch. In 2010 he was listed on the Forbes 500 worldwide wealthiest families list. Johann Rupert was raised in Stellenbosch, a town in South Africa where he attended Paul Roos Gymnasium; he then went on to study Company Law and Economics at the University of Stellenbosch. He left before completing the course to embark on a business career; however he was rewarded with an Honorary Doctorate in Economics by Stellenbosch University in 2004. Prior to becoming a part of the Rembrandt Empire he was employed by Chase Manhattan in New York; he went back to South Africa and set up the multinational branch of the Rand Merchant Bank. Since becoming a part of the family enterprise Rupert has expanded Rembrandt into foreign markets, this expansion led to the formation of

26 AFRIQAN TIMES MAGAZINE | MARCH 2012

Compagnie Financiere Richemont; he became the managing director in 1988. Rupert was assigned the position of Vice Chairman of the Rembrandt Group in 1989. In 1990 he was elected as the business leader of the year by “Die Burger” newspaper. He also founded the Vendome Luxury Group SA. He became the Rembrandt Groups chairman in 1991; in 1992 the World Economic Forum in Switzerland voted him one of the 200 “Global Leaders of Tomorrow” Rupert has a number of other interests, including cricket, rugby and golf. He supervises The Rupert & Rothschild and the Ormarins, two of the most well known wine estates in South Africa, taken over by himself after the death of his brother in 2001. He also owns one of the most aristocratic golf clubs in the country. Anton Rupert was the co-founder and president of the WWF, one of the world’s largest independent conservation organisations, dedicated to eliminating the degeneration of the earth’s natural resources. The Rupert family provided South Africa with a 20,000 hectare reserve providing a school to educate ecotourism guides of the future.

African Fashion...

Vlisco“Silent Empire” Vlisco launches its new Silent Empire collection in February 2012. The inspiration for the collection comes from the hidden secrets and gentle formality of a distant place, in line with Vlisco’s aim of meeting different cultures and incorporating various surprising elements from around the world into its designs in 2012. photograph by Miep Jukkema

Entertainment

Fashion

African Fashion... Bold patterns, muted colours The fabric designs of the Silent Empire collection feature daring graphic patterns, toned down by a colour palette of muted earth tones. The careful use of bright blue and lime green touches bring the designs to life. Foreign influences show themselves in the intricate layering of details in the patterns, adding a touch of playfulness.

Communications campaign The communications campaign, shows a serene environment in powdery white shades, with a foreign-looking skyline in the background. In the campaign, the model is wearing avant garde fashions made with Silent Empire fabrics. The clothing and styling used in the campaign clearly show that the rangeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cultural roots lie in a far-away world.

Cultural inspiration The Silent Empire collection was inspired by a culture that is both hauntingly familiar and incredibly foreign. Imagine the quiet drama of a frozen opera. A world with fading colours and gentle blossoms, with silent temples and soft whispers. Where clothing often features formal tailoring and plenty of pleats. Reinterpreted for Vlisco, this creates a witty new world, a tempered storm, where exaggerated touches and bold designs are beautifully balanced through the power of subtleness.

photograph by Miep Jukkema

Vlisco“Silent Empire”

Luxury Editions, fashion and accessories The fabric collection also comes in various Luxury Editions. These fabrics are embellished with exclusive details, such as intricate embroidery, shimmering gold thread, sophisticated sequins and sparkly Swarovski crystals, adding a touch of extravagance to any outfit. The Silent Empire Luxury Editions and a range of fashion and accessories based on the Silent Empire fabric designs will be available at select Vlisco Boutiques and the Vlisco website from February 2012.

MARCH 2012 | AFRIQAN TIMES MAGAZINE 29

Entertainment

‘Good Deeds’ signals a

New Direction

for Tyler Perry By Samantha Ofole-Prince

yler Perry wants audiences to know that he’s tackling a new genre in his latest offering “Good Deeds.” Perry, who has made twelve inspirational themed flicks in eight years, returns as actor, writer, director and producer in what he coins a “romantic movie.” The movie marks Perry’s first dramatic role away from his ensemble-based films and this time, he’s assembled a formidable

cast that includes British actress, Thandie Newton, Brian White, Rebecca Romijn, Jamie Kennedy, Phylicia Rashad, and Gabrielle Union in this love story about a tycoon who helps a down on her luck office cleaner. Perry also stars in a miscast role as the main character, Wesley Deeds, a successful businessman whose seemingly perfect life is derailed when he has a chance encounter with a single mother

30 AFRIQAN TIMES MAGAZINE | SEPTEMBER 2011

(Newton), who can’t seem to make ends meet. His first attempt at trying something new follows his usual trademark theme, and is riddled with the all too familiar characters we have come to recognize in his movies. There’s the selfdestructing character (White), a domineering parent (Rashad) and the down on her luck character (Newton) whose life he predictably makes better.

“

What I really focus on in this film is this sense of finding yourself in life,” explains Perry. “Wesley Deeds is a man who’s lost. He’s doing everything that everybody’s telling him to do. He’s living his father’s dream and his mother’s dream, and in the process forgets his own. There’s an epiphany of sorts when he meets Lindsey.

”

As the film opens, we are introduced to Wesley and his unhappy fiancée Natalie (Union) as they puddle through their mundane routine. “They’re the billion dollar couple on paper,” adds Perry, “but she’s completely bored in the relationship and he’s completely lost in it. I think it happens to a lot of people in life. You settle, because you don’t want to be alone, or because you’re told, ‘This is what you’re supposed to do.” After a chance encounter with Lindsey, who cleans the office building of his company Deeds Corporation, Wesley is compelled to perform a good deed and is jolted out of his predictable routine, forcing him to examine his existence. “What I really focus on in this film is this sense of finding yourself in life,” explains Perry. “Wesley Deeds is a man who’s

lost. He’s doing everything that everybody’s telling him to do. He’s living his father’s dream and his mother’s dream, and in the process forgets his own. There’s an epiphany of sorts when he meets Lindsey.” Despite being a polished production, what “Good Deeds” lacks is character development. The relationships could have been fleshed out a bit more, even if only for a few minutes to lead to a heightened understanding of the character’s background, especially to understand Lindsey’s demise. When we meet her, she has problems paying her rent. She eventually gets evicted and scooping up a single plastic bag from a stack of possessions her landlord has left on the curb, she resorts to living in her car with her six-year-old daughter, Ariel (Jordenn Thompson). Through casual conversations, we learn

that she lost her boyfriend in a war, but the several underlying factors which ultimately leads to her demise are not told, nor will audiences understand what makes White’s character so selfdestructing. Still, it’s refreshing to see Newton, who has shown an impressive versatility in films like “Crash”and “Beloved” on screen, for she easily delivers an assured, finely tuned performance that almost saves the film. Another trademark Perry production, “Good Deeds” is notable for one thing: the ability to tell a story without relying on special effects, gross-out humor, gore or x-rated dialogue.

March | AFRIQAN TIMES MAGAZINE 31

o Entertainment The Pan African Film Festival Announces winners By Samantha Ofole-Prince

documentary on color, a biopic, a story from Guadeloupe and another from South Africa were big winners at the 20th Annual Pan African Film Festival (PAFF) which was held in Los Angeles, CA last month. The top honor for a dramatic film at this year’s festival, the BAFTA/LA Festival Choice Award, went to “Elza,” a quiet, delicately balanced and beautiful drama about a young girl who goes to her native Guadeloupe in search of a distant childhood memory. Directed by Mariette Monpierre ”Elza” also won the Special Jury Recognition-Feature Narrative and the Festival Programmers’ Award—Narrative. The South African movie “A Small Town Called Descent,” a stylish crime drama directed by Jahmil Qubeka was awarded the Festival Founders’ Award – Narrative feature. The Audience Award documentary winner was “Dark Girls.” Directed by Bill Duke & D. Channsin Berry, it examines an aspect of cultural and institutional racism in America. Storm Saulter’s love story, which unfolds against a backdrop of political turmoil, “Better Mus’ Come,” starring Roger Guenveur Smith earned Saulter a Best Director First Feature Award. “Toussaint Louverture” a biopic, directed by Philippe Niang won Best Feature Narrative and Audience Award – Narrative Feature, along with a Best Actor accolade for main star Jimmy Jean-Louis. Nearly all the winners were overcome and were gracious in their acceptance speeches. “It’s a struggle to find work, as an actor and filmmaker,” said Haitian actor Jean-Louis on accepting his award. “You have to be creative with your craft and I am forced to go to different continents to find work.” A low-key event, the awards ceremony was presided over by the festival’s co-founder Ayuko Babu and was an informal affair.

With 160 films culled from 500 submissions in continents from South America, Europe and Africa, the Pan African Film Festival is an annual showcase for films of African heritage, and an alternative to mainstream film festivals such as Cannes and Sundance. It’s a place, according to Babu, where black filmmakers go to get recognition for their projects. “There are no black audiences at Cannes and Sundance,” says Babu. “If you don’t have a main or big studio behind your film, what you do is put your film in a film festival to show a distributor that there is an audience for your film. That’s why black film festivals are important. It’s the only place where we can tell our stories,” he continues. “As a result of colonization and the slave trade, African people and people of African descent are spread out throughout the world, and our stories are complex.” Established in 1992 by Danny Glover, actress Ja’Net DuBois and Babu, a political consultant who specializes in African Affairs, PAFF holds the distinction of being the largest Black History Month event in the country. A full list of Pan African Film Festival prize winners can be found here. http://2012.paff.org/ Samantha Ofole-Prince is an entertainment journalist who covers industry-specific news that includes television and film. She can be reached on sofole@gmail.com

32 AFRIQAN TIMES MAGAZINE | MARCH 2012

Movies

THE SILENCES OF THE PALACE 2:35 | THRILLER | M (E) | 4.2/5 stars Director – Moufida Tlatli Synopsis: The Silences of the Palace received multiple awards at international film festivals from Cannes to Toronto. It is the story of a Khedija, a servant in the Kings Palace in French controlled Tunisia, and her daughter Alia. Set against the backdrop of the end of French colonial rule, Alia returns to the palace where she and her mother worked for years. She confronts the memories of her mother being forced to perform sexual favors for her master and the misery that it caused. A must see for those interested in Arabic film.

The Gods Must Be Crazy 1:50 | COMEDY | M (E) | 5/5 stars Director – Jamie Uys Synopsis: The Gods Must Be Crazy is one of the most original and charming comedies to come from Africa. It weaves together two different stories about cultural miscommunication. The first is the infamous tale of Xi, a bushman from southern Africa, played by N!xau a real life Namibian bush farmer who was named Namibia’s most famous actor. Upon discovering a coke bottle that had been dropped from a plane, he takes it back to his village where it is treated as a gift from the gods. A riot from beginning to end!

Coming to Cinemas

Safe House 1:56 | ACTION & CRIME | R STARS: Denzel Washington, Ryan Reynolds and Robert Patrick Director – Daniel Espinosa Synopsis: Once again Denzel Washington brings the bad-ass, as a rogue CIA agent whose former employers have identified as an A-list traitor. After mysteriously turning himself in and being taken to a safe house run by the lowly Matt Weston messy attempt to kill him launches the unlikely pair on a ripping Bourne-like chase across South Africa. Reynolds does naivety and desperation well, Washington is all sweaty chase-movie gristle, while Vera Farmiga, Sam Shepard and the ever-versatile Brendan Gleeson lend solid support.

In Cinemas

The Adventures of Tintin 1:46 | ANIMATION & ACTION | PG STARS: Jamie Bell, Andy Serkis and Daniel Craig Director – Steven Spielberg Synopsis: Haddock tells Tintin that over three hundred years earlier his ancestor Sir Francis Haddock was forced to scuttle the original Unicorn when attacked by a piratical forebear of Sakharine but he managed to save his treasure and provide clues to its location in three separate scrolls, all of which were secreted in models of the Unicorn.

John Carter 1:32 | ACTION & ADVENTURE | PG-13 STARS: Taylor Kitsch, Lynn Collins and Willem Dafoe Director – Andrew Stanton Synopsis: Tale of interplanetary adventure arrives on the big screen in this sweeping sci-fi spectacle marking the live-action debut of Andrew Stanton. Civil War veteran John Carter was still haunted by the violence he witnessed on the battlefield when he inexplicably awoke on the distant planet of Barsoom (Mars). Upon learning that the inhabitants of Barsoom are bracing for a major conflict and that war appears inevitable, John finds out that love is a rare commodity on the Red Planet, and summons the courage to be the hero the Martians have been hoping for.

A Separation 2:03 | DRAMA | PG-13 STARS: Peyman Moadi, Leila Hatami and Sareh Bayat Director – Asghar Farhadi Synopsis: A argument for divorce between married couple before a judge in an Iranian court. Through their argument, the main storyline of the movie becomes clear for us so that we become aware that both have been planning to move to a European country to provide better opportunities for their only daughter - a difficult decision - to improve the life of their child by moving to another country or to stay in Iran and look after a deteriorating parent who has Alzheimer’s disease. . FEBRUARY | AFRIQAN TIMES MAGAZINE 33

o Obsessions Entertainment

CANON EOS 5D MARK III

ALEGNA WOODEN BATHTUBS

SAMSUNG GALAXY BEAM

D800 not living up to your low-light performance standards? You could always jump ship and pick up the new Canon EOS 5D Mark III ($3,500) instead. At its heart lies an all-new 22.3-megapixel fullframe sensor that delivers stellar images up to ISO 102,400, and it’s augmented by the new, blazing fast DIGIC 5+ processor for 6 fps shooting, a 61-point AF system, Oscar-worthy 1080p video recording, a built-in HDR mode, and a rugged magnesium alloy body with a stainless steel mount — all of which ensure that you get the shot you need, no matter the time of day, weather, or situation.

Add a touch of natural elegance to your washroom with Alegna Wooden Bathtubs ($TBA). Thanks to the company’s experience building yachts, the tubs feature smooth, seamless, organic lines that are well protected thanks to a highly water-resistant varnish that coats the surface, guaranteeing that they’ll provide optimal service for years to come. A number of designs and wood choices are available, and if those suit you, they’ll custom build a special tub out of basically any wood you choose.

We’ve seen projectors built into point-and-shoot cameras, but since those are quickly being replaced by smartphones, it was inevitable we’d see a projector pop up in one of those next. And so we have, with the Samsung Galaxy Beam ($TBA). Although its specs are relatively pedestrian — a 1 GHz dual-core processor, 4-inch 480x800 display, Android 2.3, 8GB of memory, and a 5 megapixel camera — it’s the 15 lumen projector built into the top that steals the show, letting you share photos and videos on a projected screen up to 50-inches wide. Try doing that with your iPhone.

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JAGUAR XF SPORTBRAKE

ADOBE PHOTOSHOP TOUCH

HUMN WALLET

What’s this? A new Jaguar... station wagon? Yup. Feast your eyes on the new family friendly Jaguar XF Sportbrake ($TBA). Fittingly, we know more about the Sportbrake’s rear — which features cubby compartments, remote fold levers for the rear seats, LED lighting, a softclose tailgate, and three sections in the floor to keep small loads in place — than we do about things like engine offerings — 2.2L and 3.0L diesels will be on offer, paired to an eight-speed automatic — or that most mysterious aspect of unreleased cars: pricing.

Your iPad 2 just got a little more useful. Apparently aware that Photoshop Express wasn’t getting it done for a lot of us, Adobe’s upped the editing ante with Photoshop Touch ($10). Also available for the 400 or so Android tablets sold so far, it brings desktop features like layers, selection tools, advanced adjustments, and filters to the tablet, along with plenty of other tricks like the Scribble Selection tool, integrated Google Image Search, and Facebook sharing.

As our long time readers know, we’re big fans of front pocket wallets, which is why you haven’t seen many RFID-blocking cash carriers featured here — they’re generally just too damn big, never mind any potential style flaws. The HuMn Wallet ($50 and up) solves this problem by blocking RFID signals while maintaining an incredibly thin — think two slices of aluminum joined by an elastic band profile. Available in several different colors, or in twill carbon fiber for those seeking a more upscale look.

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34 AFRIQAN TIMES MAGAZINE | SEPTEMBER 2011

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ROCKINGHAM WILD ENCOUNTERS, PERTH’S BEST WILDLIFE CRUISES

See dolphins, sea lions, pelicans, spectacular bays and beaches… Includes Penguin Island and penguin feeding Costs: Ticket Type

Adult

Concession*

Child (3 – 12yrs)

Shoalwater Safari

$85

$75

$50

Includes: › › › ›

90 minute cruise on eco adventure boat Chance to see wild dolphins & sea lions Return ferry transfers for Penguin Island Entry for Penguin Feeding at Discovery Centre

Departs Mersey Point Jetty: 10.45am or 12.45pm Returns at your leisure on the ferry: 10 minutes past the hour every hour Last ferry of the day 4pm sharp. * Concession rates apply to pensioners, students, health care card holders and the disabled. A valid card must be presented when paying to qualify for concession rate.

dolphins.com.au

SEPTEMBER 2011 | AFRIQAN TIMES MAGAZINE 35

36 AFRIQAN TIMES MAGAZINE | SEPTEMBER 2011