October Issue 22 by AfriQan Times

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

OCTOBER • ISSUE 22

INSIDE

Africa’s Rocket Man: Awe Kludze

Read all about the African Scientist who commands a NASA spacecrafts

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

R O F S L EA S D T E N V I E S D EXCLU 26 OR STU UNDER

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*Travel restrictions & conditions apply. Please ask us for further details. Prices and taxes are correct as at 28 Nov 11 and are subject to change without notice. Prices quoted are on sale until 31 Jan 12 unless otherwise stated or sold out prior. Prices 2 AFRIQAN TIMES MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2011 are per person & are subject to availability. For travel from 1 Mar 12 - 30 Apr 12. Seasonal surcharges and blackout dates may apply depending on date of travel. Prices shown are fully inclusive of taxes, levies, government charges and other applicable fees. Additional taxes specific to your flight routing may apply and/or may not include checked luggage (which can incur additional charges). Payments made by credit card will incur a surcharge. Prices shown are for payments made by cash in store. Student airfares are available to full-time students holding a valid ISE/ISIC card and/or be a youth under 26 with a valid IYTC card. FROM PERTH. Flight Centre Limited (ABN 25 003 377 188) trading as Student Flights. WA Lic No. 9TA589. SFADV49436

IN THIS ISSUE 04

To Our readers

Fashion:

In Anticipation of Perth’s Fashion Festival

Confounding the Stereotypes: Andile Ndlovu

Yes, I Am Afro-Aussie

Afriqan & Distinguished:

Africa’s Rocket Man – Awe Kludze

My Africa: Mozambique

Phenomenal Woman:

Fashion:

Vlisca Silent Empire

Djimon Hounsou:

Octavia’s Oscar Moments

From scavenging for food through garbage and sleeping in the streets, to becoming an international fashion model and a Hollywood A-lister, Djimon Hounsou’s journey to stardom has been an astonishing one

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

Back To The Roots

How often do you go on a journey back in time tracking something down? Look around. Can you remember where all those things in your house came from? Check your mobile phone. When and where did you meet all those people under “K”? Let’s move to the next level. Try to remember names of each of your classmates in year one. Take your time… Not easy, right? It’s amazing how easily we forget events, facts and even people? A few years back I saw a show on TV about a Japanese guy who left his country in his twenties and never had a chance to go back or communicate with his relatives. After about 40 years he couldn’t remember how to speak or read his mother language. Back then I thought it must have been just a trick used by the producers of the show to boost the ratings, it can’t be true. Living in Australia today, I realise it was very possible. The secret is to find that healthy balance between your past and your future, treasure your background while investing in your future. It is our responsibility.

So, grab a photograph from a family album, open a history book, research a subject, go back to your roots and be surprised by what you may find.

OCTOBER 2012 | AFRIQAN TIMES MAGAZINE 3

DISTRIBUTION LIST

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For more outlets, visit: afriqantimes.com/distribution-outlets/

4 AFRIQAN TIMES MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 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:

In anticipation of

2012 Perth Fashion Festival Words by L Kozak-Fretwell

erth Fashion Festival is set to rock Perth once again with sophistication of local, Australian and internationally renowned brands and designers, with iconic Western Australian women’s wear label Morrison to open Fashion Paramount 2012 on 19 September.

Having showcased her debut collection at PFF 2011, Lisa Marjanovich will return with her beautifully feminine yet sensually confident pieces.

Daniella Caputi has continued to build her brand since establishing in 2009. Inspired by architecture and its theories, Daniella Caputi’s collection Designer Capsules 1 and 2 will become another will explore the surface of architecture and its highlight of 2012 Fashion Paramount, after opening relationship with fashion and design. to rave reviews last year. It will showcase the Spring Summer 2012/13 collections of Daniella Caputi, Established in 2009, The Butcher and the Crow Zsadar, Lisa Marjanovich, The Butcher and the Crow, was nominated in the same year for Perth Fashion Festival Designer of Tomorrow and has continued Kim Barton, Steph Audino and Garth Cook. to be inspired by beautiful fabrics and specialised Designer Capsule 1, featuring Daniella Caputi, dying techniques, celebrating handmade design Zsadar, Lisa Marjanovich, The Butcher and the Crow at its most seductive. is set to take on an edgy, somewhat dark theme Designer Capsule 2 features Kim Barton, Steph that will create an air of mystery for guests. Audino and Garth Cook and will provide guests with a flirty and playful show.

66 AFRIQAN 2012 AFRIQAN TIMES TIMES MAGAZINE MAGAZINE || MARCH OCTOBER 2012

Kim Barton will make her Perth Fashion Festival debut Perth Fashion Festival is supported by the State since launching her label this year. Through thoughtful Government through Eventscorp, the Department of construction and attention to detail Kim Barton oozes Culture and the Arts and the City of Perth. a feeling of cool sophistication. Perth Fashion Festival is seeking enthusiastic and Steph Audino’s trademark attention to detail and talented Western Australians interested in getting romantic designs are inspired by her travels and her involved in the world-class fashion event this everyday surroundings. Her latest collection Seaside September. E-mail volunteer@perthfashionfestival. Sanctuary is inspired by the captivating nature found com.au between now and 30 June 2012 to see whether you can help. in and around the ocean.

Garth Cook returns to PFF bringing his well-defined, clean, contemporary and forward designs to Designer Capsule 2. PFF introduced the designer capsule concept in 2011 to expand the runway showcase opportunities for its local designers. Each designer will present 15-20 looks with their own choice of runway theme, music, lighting, hair, make-up and models. MARCH 2012 OCTOBER 2012 || AFRIQAN AFRIQAN TIMES TIMES MAGAZINE MAGAZINE 77

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 | OCTOBER 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

Yes, I am Afro Aussie

Yes, I Am Afro Aussie Your Name: Suzan Mutesi Meaning of Name: Young spirited Country origin: Ugandan Ethnicity: Musoga Country of residence: Australia Profession: Fashion Design 3 words to describe Australia: Opportunities, Warm, Comfortable 3 words to describe Africa: Rich, Beauty, Traditions

10â&#x20AC;&#x192; AFRIQAN TIMES MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 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 | OCTOBER 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. OCTOBER 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: Kenya Mozambique

Mozambique - Maputo

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Capital: Maputo Region: South Africa Population: 22 million (2011 est.) Currency: Mozambican metical (Mtn) (MZN) Language: Portuguese, Swahili, Sena, Makhuwa GDP: US$23.886 billion (2011 est.) Calling code: +258 Tourist Attractions: Ardim, Tunduru, Cathedral of Our Lady of Conception, Maputo Elephant Reserve, Inhaca Island, City Hall, The Iron House

OCTOBER 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 | OCTOBER 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 | OCTOBER 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.

OCTOBER 2012 | AFRIQAN TIMES MAGAZINE 29

Entertainment From scavenging for food through garbage and sleeping in the streets, to becoming an international fashion model and a Hollywood A-lister, Djimon Hounsou’s journey to stardom has been an astonishing one. The Benin-born actor, one of the most At the age of 13 he left Benin to move to Paris prominent film stars to come out of Africa, has with his older brother -- but the hardship appeared in blockbusters such as “Gladiator,” continued. “Amistad” and “Blood Diamond,” and has worked with Hollywood royalty like Steven “The rocky time came right after I left school,” Spielberg and Leonardo DiCaprio. remembers the acclaimed actor. “I spent a lot His role in the film “In America” made him of time at night navigating the streets of Paris the first black African man to be nominated trying to find something to eat,” he says. for an Oscar, while his performance in “Blood Diamond” earned him a second nomination. “I was not anymore legal because I’m no more a student and I could not work. So I was left It’s a long way from where the soft-spoken out on the street, I couldn’t walk around too actor imagined he would be while growing up much because obviously if you get caught, under difficult conditions in the West African noticed or get stopped by the police you’re country of Benin. deported immediately.” “I was just a very torn child, very wounded in so many areas, with no family support,” recalls Hounsou’s good looks, Hounsou, who grew up without his parents, however, did get noticed by who had moved to Ivory Coast. a Paris photographer, who invited him to audition as a fashion model. There, “I happened to the be the fifth child of my Hounsou met famous family,” he explains, “so everybody was French designer Thierry already grown and had left home already.” Mugler and soon For Hounsou, who finally met his father for the first time around the age of 10, this was a established himself as “very lonely” period of his life. “The dream was a successful highfashion model. to escape that surrounding,” he says.

30 2011 30 AFRIQAN AFRIQAN TIMES TIMES MAGAZINE MAGAZINE || SEPTEMBER OCTOBER 2012

Djimon Hounsou:

‘Blood Diamond’ star’s remarkable jounrey

Entertainment

The collaboration with Mugler also took Hounsou to the United States for the first time, where he quickly started working toward realizing his dream of becoming an actor.

The film was set in Sierra Leone in the 1990s -a time of civil war and a period when more than 4% of all African diamonds were sold on the black market.

He made his foray into the industry by appearing in music videos and went on to feature in Roland Emmerich’s 1994 film “Stargate.”

“My passion is more about bringing the stories out from the African continent mixed with the West,” says Hounsou.

But the break-out moment in Hounsou’s acting career came three years later with Steven Spielberg’s “Amistad,” where he appeared alongside Hollywood legends Anthony Hopkins and Morgan Freeman.

Hounsou, who is married to former fashion model Kimora Lee Simmons, is also an outspoken activist and a prominent campaigner in the fight against climate change.

His desire to make a difference has seen him working with charities such as Oxfam and SOS, while in 2009 he spoke at the United Nations’ “It was one of the most powerful stories about Summit on Climate Change in New York -- a Africans that define African Americans’ legacy and that a lot of people were shy about wanting far cry from his early days as a lonely child in Benin. to hear, wanting to see,” says Hounsou of the film. But despite all he’s achieved so far, Hounsou says his remarkable life journey is just starting. Another defining moment for Hounsou was his performance in 2006’s “Blood Diamond,” where He says: “It was a great journey, but I strongly he won rave reviews for portraying a fisherman feel like I’m still at the beginning of that journey”. forced to work in a diamond mine after being Samantha Ofole-Prince is an entertainment journalist who covers industry-specific captured by rebels. news that includes television and film. She can be reached on sofole@gmail.com

32 AFRIQAN TIMES MAGAZINE | OCTOBER 2012

Movies

Last Flight To Abuja 2:35 | ACTION | M (E) | 4.2/5 stars STARS: Uru Eke, Jim Iyke and Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde Director – Obi Emelonye Synopsis: A set of everyday Nigerian traveller’s board the last Flamingo Airways flight scheduled to fly from Lagos to Abuja on a fateful friday night in 2006. The plane cruises at 30,000 feet, tranquil and on schedule. But like a bolt out of the blue, through a mixture of human error, technical failure and sheer bad luck, the plane develops major difficulty that sends it to the brink of disaster. Young lovers, an elderly couple, a corporate party, a sportsman on the threshold of greatness; all the passengers are caught up in the nightmare scenario...

Tango With Me 1:50 | ROMANCE | M (E) | 5/5 stars STARS: Joke Silva, Bimbo Manuel and Genevieve Nnaji Director – Mahmood Bolagun Synopsis: Lola and Uzo are the perfect couple, their newly married life in front of them. All is well until the happiest day of their lives became the worst. This event leads the couple on a journey of self discovery. “Tango With Me” is a contemporary story about forgiveness about some of our core values as a people and our faith. A story that proves that above all, Love does indeed, conquer all.

Coming to Cinemas

Ice Age: Continental Drift 1:34 | ANIMATION & ADVENTURE | G STARS: Ray Romano, Denis Leary and John Leguizamo Director – Steve Martino, Synopsis: Taking place a few years after the events of Dawn of the Dinosaurs, Scrat’s pursuit of the acorn has world-changing consequences, forcing Manny, Sid and Diego on an adventure, where Sid reunites with his long lost family, Diego finds his love interest, Shira, and they encounter exotic sea creatures and meet a gang of pirates determined to stop them from returning home.

Flight 1:50 | CRIME & THRILLER | PG-13 STARS: Denzel Washington, James Badge Dale Director – Robert Zemeckis Synopsis: An airline pilot saves a flight from crashing, but an investigation into the malfunctions reveals something troubling.

In Cinemas

3D Men In Black 1:46 | ACTION, COMEDY & SCI FI | PG-13 STARS: Will Smith, Tommy Lee Jones, Josh Brolin Director – Barry Sonnenfeld Synopsis: Agents J and K are back... in time. J has seen some inexplicable things in his 15 years with the Men in Black, but nothing, not even aliens, perplexes him as much as his wry, reticent partner. But when K’s life and the fate of the planet are put at stake, Agent J will have to travel back in time to put things right. J discovers that there are secrets to the universe that K never told him -- secrets that will reveal themselves as he teams up with the young Agent K to save his partner, the agency, and the future of humankind.

That’s My Boy 1:56 | COMEDY | PG-13 STARS: Adam Sandler, Andy Samberg, Leighton Meester Director – Sean Anders Synopsis: While still in his teens, Donny (Adam Sandler) fathered a son, Todd (Andy Samberg), and raised him as a single parent up until Todd’s 18th birthday. Now, after not seeing each other for years, Todd’s world comes crashing down on the eve of his wedding when an uninvited Donny suddenly shows up. Trying desperately to reconnect with his son, Donny is now forced to deal with the repercussions of his bad parenting skills. OCTOBER | 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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SEPTEMBER 2011 | AFRIQAN TIMES MAGAZINE 35

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