Afriqan Times Magazine_September Issue

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

September 2011 • Issue 12

INSIDE

Phenomenal Woman

Inspired by Zimbabwean and South African culture, Multi-award winning artist shares her views on life, art and family ties

Afriqan & Distinguished Find out why Dr Ahmed Berhan is synonym with a word “success”, what makes him tick and what makes his story so fascinating

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IN THIS ISSUE

04 06

To Our readers Moments

Events Afriqan Times could not pass by in August

08

Applause: Award Winners

Forbe’s Youngest Power Women in Africa

09

Guest Lounge:

Is it possible for a woman to succeed in a tough business world in Africa?

We say yes.

10 12

Yes, I Am Afro-Aussie Afriqan & Distinguished:

We spend some time with Dr Ahmed Berhan to find out what makes him tick and what makes him successful

16

Around Africa:

Need a reason to go on holidays?

Looking for a conversation starter on the plane? Here is what we suggest

18 23

My Africa: Tanzania Phenomenal Woman:

Paula Wiegminks, multi-award winning artist, impresses us with her artistic and cultural journey

26

Afrillionnaires:

A look at the Global Profile

of Onsi Sawiris. Making a fortune to

provide for his family.

30

Entertainment:

Notes from the hard road: Emmanuel Jan,

a “warchild” and survivor from Southern

Sudan, using his celebrity status to help others

32

8

10 Q’s to Afro-Aussies

Let’s see how much we know about Australia

And what we remember about Africa

32

Web Spy:

We saved some space her to share the songs of your heart and dances for your soul

33

Nollywood News:

Top 6 movies from Nollywood we recommend you watch this month and major Australian premiers

34

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.

10

Emmanuel Solomon Afriqan Times Director

African from Down Under

Yes, Australia is a land of opportunity but as I was reminded Australia doesn’t owe me a living., a job, a dream house or a flash car. Its not about where you come from, its not about your history, its not about the colour of your skin, Its all about THE MINDSET AND PRIORITIES. I have the privileged opportunity of meeting African Australians at the highest echelons in Australian society, from Corporate to Small business, Government to Academia and it’s intriguing how different the mindset is. Eve Howell, Woodside Petroleum Vice President HSS&S, noted being an African Australian is actually an advantage; it opens doors and opportunities – wow! how about that for mindset.

As the last wave of new migrants, I believe there is something special about us, our capacity to succeed is tested and proven by the very will and determination that brought us to our new home.

We have the power to brand who the African Australian is – progressive, modern, educated, engaged, astute and a celebrated citizen of this continent.

23

26

Yes, we can!

SEPTEMBER 2011 | AFRIQAN TIMES MAGAZINE 3

TO OUR READERS

Lena Kozak-Fretwell Afriqan Times Editor

6

28

23

30

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.

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, Mukuka Mayuka, Tendai Kambikambi Guest Writers: Ireen Pedro, Terri Smith, Kehmuile Nolizwe Special Features by: Emmanuel K Solomon Creative Consultant: Efren Cavazos, Tamu Mnangwa Graphics: Elvin Wong Photography: Emily Dimozantos, Andrea Klarin, Ben Scott, Priscilla Appiah 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.

Cover: Imat Akelo-Opio - Yes, I am Afro-Aussie!

Photographer: Amiee Bosnar | Stylist: Jess Matthews & Nimat Hair | Make-Up: Selma K

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25/08/2011 12:35:01 PM

SEPTEMBER 2011 | AFRIQAN TIMES MAGAZINE 5

Moments

Kenyans unite to raise funds for Drought

Moments:

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Western Australia

Book Launch - Strangers in a Strange Land at Sydney

SEPTEMBER 2011 | AFRIQAN TIMES MAGAZINE 7

Forbes Youngest Power Women In Africa

Dambisa Moyo, Economist

Funmi Iyanda

Nigerian. Journalist & Broadcaster

Chimamanda Adichie Writer

Ory Okooloh

Saran Kaba Jones

Kenyan. Founder, Ushahidi

Liberian. Founder, Face Africa

W

e 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.

They are change makers, trendsetters, visionaries and thinkers, builders, and young global leaders. They are at the vanguard of Africa’s imminent socio-economic revolution and its contemporary renaissance.

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Guest Lounge:

A Woman’s World - the business world Abena Wright | NSW

T

he world of money is generally considered to be harsh and ruthless.

We’re used to hearing the grave extents that people reach to earn their fortunes. So it’s a pleasant surprise to hear about a woman doing well in this career.

Adenike Ogunlesi’s firm has an appropriate name – Ruff ‘n Tumble, and she had to play things fairly rough to get ahead in her clothing business. She also had some tumbles, but her secret is that she never stayed down. She got back up, dusted herself off, and went on with the journey.

One day, her children ran out of pajamas and she made some for them. Her kids’ clothes were quite a hit, and as her clothes became popular, Nike began to drive around with her family, selling her clothes in bazaars. Her husband and children would often help her to set up her stall and table. Ruff ‘n Tumble is now known as the best indigenous manufacturer of children’s clothes in Nigeria, and incidentally, Adenike’s nickname – Nike – is reminiscent of another famous designer of apparel.

Ruff ‘n Tumble Clothing now has a staff of 50. Nike says she has no interest in American and European markets. She feels there are enough children to be clothed right within Nigeria, and that they provide a large enough market for her business. Her work was lauded in the documentary Africa Open for Business, and the Fate Foundation named her the model entrepreneur of the year in 2005. Since her business began in 1996, it has continued to grow, and Nike now mentors for the Junior Achievement of Nigeria as well as the Fate Foundation

SEPTEMBER 2011 | AFRIQAN TIMES MAGAZINE 9

Yes, I am Afro Aussie

Yes, I Am Afro Aussie Your Name:

Imat Akelo-Opio

Meaning of Name: Respect, Life Ethinicity: Luo (Lango) Country of Origin: Uganda Profession: Founder and Director of Otino-International.org, Actress and Model 3 words to describe Australia: Opportunity, Diversity and Young 3 words to describe Africa: Un-exampled, Wealthy and Pure

Photography: Amiee Bosnar | Make Up : Selma K | Styling : Jess Matthews & Nimat Hair

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Yes, I Am Afro Aussie Your Name: Cara-Lee Wiese Meaning of Name: Caring Friende Ethinicity: South Africa Country of Origin: Zimbabwe Profession: Model 3 words to describe Australia: Freedom, peaceful, tolerant 3 words to describe Africa: majestic, dangerous, wild

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African & Distinguished

BLACK AUSTRALIA; ITS TIME TO STAND UP!

By Abigail Damoah

T

here are organisations in Australia who are working unremittingly for the evolution of Africans and to assist in their effective integration into the wider society so that our voices can be heard.

One such group is the African Think Tank; led

by Dr Berhan Ahmed who is an inspiration to all African Australians. He arrived on Australian shores at the age of 23 speaking little English and got his first job working as a tram conductor. He has since gone on to complete his PhD in Agricultural Science and is currently employed by the University of Melbourne as a Senior Research Fellow.

Dr Berhan Ahmed

SEPTEMBER 2011 | AFRIQAN TIMES MAGAZINE  13

African & Distinguished

A

s Africans worldwide whether on African soil or in the Diaspora we are standing on the backs of our ancestors; they have paved the way for us and opened doors of opportunity that they could only have dreamt of during their time. This is why it is imperative that we unite together as one and use the tools and the strength that has been passed down to us through the generations and begin to galvanize ourselves socially, economically and politically and make our mark on this nation and on this world. There is nothing stopping us now; we have been singing the same song for too long; pointing fingers and placing blame but still we are not making the jump high enough to catapult ourselves into positions of leadership and dominance.

This brings me back to the issue of our ancestors; the list of hero’s and martyrs that we have in our history is endless people who fought relentlessly and lost their lives against the other throw of our resplendent continent; Yaa Asantewaa who lead the Ashanti Uprising of 1900, Harriett Tubman who escaped from slavery and then returned to rescue more than 70 slaves, Patrice Emery Lumumba a nationalist leader and the first legally elected prime minister of the Democratic republic of the Congo, Steve Biko the anti apartheid activist in South Africa and then we have the obvious Martin Luther King and Malcolm X. These people fought for our basic humanitarian rights during times when there were laws banning us from sitting on a seat next to a person of European decent but they did not give up and fought for what they believed; once any of them had their foot in the door it was kicked down and they did not stop until things were changed. So why

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African & Distinguished

are we not doing the same when we already have our foot in the door?

One of the main problems that we have today as a people is one of complacency, racism is not the way it used to be; for the most part we still have our basic human rights in place. The physical side of slavery was long aborted but what you will find today is that we suffer from mental slavery. During that era they could, and many did break the shackles away from their feet and run, even if they did not get very far, they ran and tasted freedom, even if it was only for a short time. What we suffer from today is mental slavery, in that over the years we have been forced to believe in our inferiority; that was the strategy during the colonization of Africa and throughout slavery.

These thoughts are deeply embedded in the minds of many Africans and they have left us stagnant.

To get ahead today and break those chains of mental slavery Africans in Australia must be proactive, in that we need to get educated; there is nothing stopping us from going to University.

If we want to get ahead we must prove that we are not the stereotype that the media is constantly depicting and to do this the education of our people is paramount. We no longer live in a the manufacturing economy when all that was required was our sweat in order to produce goods we are now in a service economy where our education level will determine how high we are allowed to climb up the social ladder.

We only have to look at some of our African Australian leaders such as Dr Berhan Ahmed who will go down in history as one of the greats for what he has achieved; he has been influential in building relationships with community and business leaders as well as politicians in order to raise the standards of Africans living in Australia. He is a well known and respected activist who has not put down his African integrity in order to get ahead. This is another of the many misconceptions that is holding us back; that if we want to climb the ladder whether it is in the corporate, political or social world that we must leave our African identity on the ground before doing so. As Dr Berhan Ahmed has demonstrated this is not the case; we will never be seen as anything but African and what you will find is that when you respect your culture people will do the same no matter what their nationality. You will find that people automatically become interested in this culture that you have so much pride in, when you are a leader people will follow, and Dr Berhan Ahmed has validated this through his many accolades and still he wears his cloak of Africa with pride. We salute you Dr Berhan Ahmed and thank you for your dedication to the cause.

I will end with one of my favourite quotes from Malcom X “If you don’t stand for something you will fall for anything”. Wake up black Australia and let us STAND for Africa.

“You will find that people automatically become interested in this culture that you have so much pride in, when you are a leader people will follow...”

SEPTEMBER 2011 | AFRIQAN TIMES MAGAZINE 15

e

Destinations: Around Africa

Ethiopia New Year

Fetu Afahye

September 10 will mark New Year’s Eve (Enkutatash) and Ethiopia will celebrate the year 2003. Just three years ago the millennium was welcomed in style. The Ethiopian calendar year 1998 ‘Amätä Məhrät (“Year of Mercy”) began on September 11, 2005. However, the Ethiopian years 1996 and 1992 AM began on September 12, 2003 and 1999, respectively.

Fetu Afahye is a harvest festival in Ghana celebrated annually by the people living along the Cape Coast Region. Mashed yams are offered to the Gods amidst much drumming, dancing and firing off of muskets. Traditional priests parade in all their finery as do the village chiefs.

Where: Ethiopia, When: 10 – 11 September

Where: Ghana When: September

Wodaabe Gerewol (traditionally part of Cure Salee)

Hermanus Whale Festival

On the edge of the Saharan desert, the Touareg and the Fulani nomads used to come together once a year for a week. They would dance, make music, men dress as women, women dress-up and they race their camels. The event was known as the ‘Cure Salee’ and was one of the most unique and colorful cultural happenings in the world.

Hermanus is South Africa’s top whale-watching location. This festival celebrates sighting the Southern Right Whales with fine food, crafts and good family fun.

Hermanus, known as the best land-based whale watching destination in the world, plays host to thousands of visitors who flock to the seaside resort to exhilarate in the unique natural environment, watch the whales and revel in music and African rhythms during the festival.

Where: Niger When: September

Where: South Africa, When: September

Ramadan

Joburg Art Fair

Every devout Muslim fasts for 30 days during Ramadan. No food or drink should pass the lips from sunrise to sundown. Travelers who fast along with their Muslim friends during this time are much appreciated.

Tempers may be short during Ramadan so try and be as culturally sensitive as possible. The end of Ramadan is marked by the festival of Eid

The Joburg Art Fair is the only contemporary art fair on the African continent and it focuses on work from Africa and the Global South.

It is now in its third year and has become the place to buy, sell and view contemporary art from Africa. Twenty one galleries are expected to partake at the event at the Sandton Convention Centre.

Where: Throughout Africa When: September

Where: Johannesburg When: 23-25 September

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r

My Africa: Tanzania Kenya

Dodoma, Tanzania Capital: Dodoma

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Region: Eastern Africa Population: 84 000(2010 est.)

Currency: Tanzanian Shilling, TZS [1AUD = 1,646TZS] Language: English, Swahili GDP: US$22.318 billion (2009 est.)

Calling code: US$22.318 billion (2009 est.)

Tourist Attractions: Serengeti, Mount Kilimanjaro, Ngorongoro Crater, Olduavi Gorge, elous National Game Reserve, Lake Tanganyika and

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Phenomenal Woman

T

o say her work is beautiful does not even begin to describe the splendour of Paula Wiegminks brush strokes. Artistically talented from a young age, Paula only chose the path of the brush at a much later stage in her life. We may have waited so long for her gift to be available for our eyes to feast on and even own, but Phenomenal Woman, it was definitely worth waiting for.

By Rumbidzai Chekeche Painting: Africa SEPTEMBER 2011 | AFRIQAN TIMES MAGAZINE   Lost 23

Phenomenal Woman African Wild Dog

Her paintings look alive, real enough to touch and they even give you a sense that the image (animal/person) is right before you. The size and variety of her paintings speak of the diversity of her talent. Most importantly Paula’s paintings are passionate and from the heart, which beats and strokes for Africa. She has won many awards, including recently “The Best in Show” and previously the highly commended “Melville Art Award” with the Melville Community Arts Association. Paula has also won the “Award of Excellence” with the Alfred Cove Arts Association, which also nominated her for the prestigious “People’s Choice Award”. Her artistic flair has been viewed and appreciated by many, at events and showcases and is even exhibited in some galleries. Apart from that she has also published a book about her heritage and family from Zimbabwe and South Africa, and illustrated a children’s book.

Join me now as we take a walk in the vivid brush strokes of beauty.

AQT: Tell us a little bit about your background and upbringing.

Paula: I was born on a farm in Rusape, Harare where I started painting at a very young age a by drawing the animals on the farm. My mother was fantastic as she would encourage me to draw and paint my aunties and uncles,

African Elephant

so I started by doing the most difficult thing, portraiture. I was very involved in classical ballet that at the age of twelve I was accepted into the Zimbabwe National Ballet. I went on to have a twenty five year career teaching classical ballet through my own studio, ten years in Zimbabwe and fifteen years in South Africa. My first marriage fell apart so I moved from Zimbabwe in 1979, to live in South Africa where I met my husband and continued with my ballet studio. While in South Africa I managed to get in with Colla Sidoya at the Divinci Fine Arts Studio and I started painting with him and learning the art of pallet knife part time. Art was always a part of me but I didn’t have the chance to let it come out.

AQT: How many years have you been in Australia and how did you come to be in Australia?

Paula: We immigrated to Australia in 1994 as my whole family had immigrated here and my mother got diagnosed with cervical and uterine cancer, so we moved to be closer to her. When I immigrated to Australia I decided that I wanted to paint, so I joined the Canning Art Group, within a month or two they invited me to be “Artist of the month”, and they later on invited me to teach. I landed up teaching for six years which was wonderful.

Painting:24Venetian Colourlust AFRIQAN TIMES MAGAZINE | SEPTEMBER 2011

Mmmmnn lunch

AQT: What was it like being the Director of the Perth International Arts Festival (PIAF) and currently the Director of the Commonwealth Festival Perth?

Shelagh : I was the director for PIAF for four years. I had been in festivals for a long time and knew he industry well, but the position of Artistic Director did present a new challenge and a lot to learn about leadership. On the good side, the opportunity to travel both internationally and within Australia was a privilage and a chance to learn more about the history and cultures of this country.

AQT: Tell us about the book.

Paula: In 2005 I decided to start writing a little story about my family and history in Africa, which grew a life of its own and I published a book, “Footsteps in Time”. The book took me five years to write going backwards and forwards to Zimbabwe and South Africa. I traced one of my great grandfathers five generations back who was a general in the world war. He had a town named after him in South Africa called Ficksburg, my other grandfather was one of the founding members in the Gwaai river area in Zimbabwe. I decided to have an African themed solo exhibition to run in tangent with the launch of my book, and from then all the art that was building up inside me through my life came pouring out, it was like the lid came off.

Zulu matron

AQT: Tell us a little bit about your artistic career so far?

Paula: I have done joint exhibitions, exhibited at the, Melville Art Awards, rotary exhibitions, Belmont and Victoria Park Art Awards, in the York, Northam and Cundernin annual exhibitions.

I have judged at the royal show and regularly at the Canning show. I continue to feel that I am very blessed to be where I am today.

AQT: What is it like being an artist in Australia and the challenges you faced?

Paula: It’s quite intimidating actually because there is such a wonderful array of talented people in this country and it’s also exhilarating because I find it inspirational to see great works of art. The greatest challenge is getting yourself out there, and the only way to do that in Perth is to join societies and art groups.

Masai maiden

passion. I have donated several paintings towards wild life conservation in Zimbabwe and in Australia for fund raising.

The painting tells me how it wants to be painted.

I have a relationship with my work but only on the journey, after that I do not have a personal attachment because I know that it is going to go to the right person. When I am in the zone nothing else exists even dinner, so sometimes it can take a day or two even for the larger paintings, or a week.

AQT: How does an Afro - Aussie woman who wants to be an artist get to be where you are today?

Paula: Sheer determination, perseverance and wanting it so badly that you make it happen. Not being put down by the down sides. You have to market yourself, which I am not good at, as I would rather be painting. I wish in so many ways that I had an agent.

AQT: What styles are you able to do?

Paula: My favorite thing is to paint. I don’t have one style but many. I work in oils, pastels, acrylics, watercolors, mixed medias, drawing, pen and ink you name it if I can get my hands on it I will try it. I may not be good at it but I will give it a go.

AQT: What was/is your most rewarding moment in your career?

Paula: Winning a ‘Peoples Choice Vote” with the Alfred Cove and Award of Excellence. My peers’ acknowledging me means everything to me.

AQT: What is your favourite subject to paint and tells us about the journey?

Paula: Wild life and birds are my absolute

AQT: What was the defining moment of your life that led you into your career path?

Paula: Knowing that my parents where about

“

Kudu

to leave this world, I was confronted with my own mortality.

AQT: What is in store for the future?

Paula: Painting, a solo exhibition in November which I may call “Reverie” and to have my paintings enjoyed in peoples homes. To have an agent and I would ultimately love to own an art gallery.

AQT: Finally what words of advice and encouragement do you have for the AfroAussie woman?

Paula: Have a passion for what you are doing, and if you are constantly putting your passion out there, something is definitely going to happen. Paint for the love of art and not for the monetary gain, or you will kill your art. Push the boundaries by trying new things, get as many classes as you can and practice, practice, practice. Embrace your roots, market yourself, exhibit, join groups/societies and participate.

Always believe in yourself and let the positives overpower the negatives.

To purchase books, receive notifications of her exhibitions and see her paintings email Paula on paulaw_art@hotmail.com , Facebook: Paula Wiegmink - Artist

Have a passion for what you are doing, and if you are constantly putting your passion out there, something is definitely going to happen.”

Images: D-Mo Zajac | CI Studios

SEPTEMBER 2011 | AFRIQAN TIMES MAGAZINE 25

Afrillionaires

Affrillionaires

Sawiris, the father of fortune

By Emmanuel Solomon

A

s an African man, siring three sons makes you powerful, virile and heroic. But it also makes you work very hard, because you must provide for your children, and you must split your inheritance three ways. Onsi Sawiris has met this challenge head on, and he has met it well. After all, he is among the ten richest men in African, and so are all his three sons.

Onsi Sawiris is a self made billionaire, and he managed his fortune so well that each of his sons inherited several billions of his own. He not only gave them a healthy inheritance, he also gave them business sense and survival skills, so that all the young Sawiris men have successful empires of their own. This is the mark of a truly successful father.

Onsi’s early career was marred by political unease. The government of Gamal Abdel Nasser was socialist, and it didn’t sit well with Onsi’s ambitious business ideals. He spent some time in Libya, but at a key point in his career, he was confined within Egypt for six years. When Anwar Sadat took over, Onsi was more free to pursue his business interests, and he strived to recover lost time. The family thrived even more under Hosni Mubarak, who had an open 26 AFRIQAN TIMES MAGAZINE | SEPTEMBER 2011

and friendly attitude towards businessmen. Onsi had all his sons educated in Europe and America, and together, they have built a combined family fortune of $20 billion.

Onsi founded the Orascom conglomerate whose tentacles stretch from tourism to telecommunications. His main fortune was built on construction, a niche that fits him perfectly, since he acquired a BSC in Engineering from Cairo University.

Onsi’s achievements aren’t just recognized at home. He has been awarded by royalty abroad as well. In 1998, he was awarded L’order de Leopold by King Leopold of Belgium, and in 2008, he received a double honour. King Albert II of Belgium named him Commander in the Order of the Crown, and Princess Victoria of Sweden awarded him the Swedish Royal Order of the Polar Star. On his own, Onsi is worth $3.9 billion.

SCHOOL OF

music

SEPTEMBER 2011 | AFRIQAN TIMES MAGAZINE 27

Entertainment

Fashion

TrésorBrilliant

Presenting the Nouvelle Histoire lookbook. The lookbook is traditionally distributed to tailors to help inspire their creations and designs.

Also, check out the accessories collection.

Images: Andrea Klarin 28 AFRIQAN TIMES MAGAZINE | SEPTEMBER 2011

The Lookbook Shimmering radiance creates a vision of pure richness, drawing full attention to a mysterious woman wandering in the night. Gracefully flowing fabrics weave an enigmatic story, determined to uncover where her journey is taking her. Strutting through the dim setting of the colonnade as it merges with a twinkling glow, the diamond-inspired designs take on an almost tangible shine and add the perfect touch of glamour, as she continues towards her destination, where she divinely takes the stage. An overwhelming sense of heroism seizes her the moment she becomes the centre of attention on stage, silhouetted by spotlights illuminating her sophisticated attire of dreamy designs.

The latest collection from Vlisco named “Trésor Brillant” is amazing!

SEPTEMBER 2011 | AFRIQAN TIMES MAGAZINE 29

Entertainment

Soundbytes from the Hard Road

I

n the war-torn region of Southern Sudan, Emmanuel Jal was born into the life of a child solider on an unknown date in the early 1980s.

Through unbelievable struggles, Emmanuel managed to survive and emerge as a recording artist, achieving worldwide acclaim for his unique style of hip hop with its message of peace and reconciliation born out of his personal experiences.

Emmanuel’s live appearances have included Live 8 and Nelson Mandela’s 90th Birthday Concert. He has performed with acts such as Faithless, Razorlight, Supergrass and Fat Boy Slim in Europe and has toured the United States as part of the National Geographic All Roads Film Festival, in which he performed in New York, Washington DC, Los Angeles and New Orleans. Jal also performed with Moby and Five for Fighting in the 2007 live concert film, The Concert To End Slavery and, more recently, with Alicia Keys at her Black Ball in New York.

Emmanuel is in demand as a speaker and has addressed the UN, US Congress and the highest tiers of several governments. In 2010 he was involved with the British Council, Clinton Global Initiative, Adolescent Girls Initiative (World Bank in association with the Nike Foundation), Child Soldiers Initiative and the launch of Ericsson’s Refugees Reunited Software. He was one of the faces of Amnesty International’s 2010 World Refugee Day Campaign and appeared at Alicia Keys’ Keep a Child Alive Black Ball 2010 in London.

30 AFRIQAN TIMES MAGAZINE | SEPTEMBER 2011

This year alone he has taken part in the Oxfam Climate Change Campaign, CNN Freedom Project and spoken alongside Kofi Annan and Martti Ahtisaari for CMI in Finland and Matt Dillon for Refugees International in Washington DC.

In 2008 a full-length documentary on his life was released. The film, Warchild, won 12 prestigious film festival awards worldwide. In the same year, his autobiography, also called Warchild, was published

Despite his accomplishments in music and film, one of Jal’s biggest passions is Gua Africa, the charity he has founded to work with individuals, families and communities to help them overcome the effects of war and poverty. Besides building schools, the charity provides scholarships for Sudanese war survivors in refugee camps and sponsors education for children in the most deprived slum areas in Nairobi. Gua Africa recently reached the target amount of $220,000 needed to complete the first phase of an education centre in Leer, in Jal’s native South Sudan, and is now fundraising to complete phase 2.

Emmanuel will be releasing his forth album See Me Mama in September 2011 before undertaking his Lose to Win Campaign, which will see him visiting up to 200 schools, colleges and universities world wide to tell his story and raise funds for Gua Africa, Africa Yoga Project and My Start for Windle Trust International.

By Little Brown

Young Fabulous

W

isdom, this is a tricky thing. Some people are wise by default, possibly, after learning from experience.

While others repeat the same mistakes over and over again and for one reason or the other never learn the salient lesson from their mistakes yet expect a different result.

Personally, I have learnt the hard way to live within my means. Days of over spending on credit cards only to find that Loui and Gucci cannot pay my food and light bill. So, today, if I see something I cannot afford, I just say to myself “one day, Glory, one day” and move along. But this was not a lesson I learnt easily - Not at all. There was a time when I would spend all my weekly earning in three days and live the remaining four days feeling miserable, vowing to be smarter the following week only to repeat the same mistake in record time!

do think some of us need to draw a finer balance between our priorities and the weight of our wallets. Our parents have the houses and cars we see today because they employed the simple rule of savings and investing, not because they spent the last dime of their pay cheque on a new car, and ate semolina or ugali for the remaining 3 weeks. They managed to send us to good schools because many times they themselves went without the so-called finer things in life. However, I think that despite the many sacrifices of the previous generations, our generation is more interested in ‘looking’ the part without doing the necessary work to get there.

We, myself included, need to begin to review our priorities. How much are we saving? What is the proportion of our assets to liabilities? Are we living within our means or struggling to live in someone else’s contrived notion of how we should be living? Maybe its time we started thinking about buying land, stocks or investing our hard earned cash in places where we can draw some form of honest return. Adopting such principles not only ensure that we covered for the rainy day, but also help in securing our future. After all, being and remaining fabulous also involves thinking about the future as well as the present.

Another friend of mine recently threw her 30th birthday dinner at a popular location. Endless bottles of champagne and food for all! She must have had over 30 people present and she kept asking everyone to order as they wished on her. I thought nothing of it at the time, after all not all fingers are equal. Two days after the party, this same friend called and asked for a rather huge loan, which she would payback in monthly installments, I assumed she must have bankrupted herself after her lavish party and willingly obliged her without asking many questions.

Only to later learn that she had borrowed similar amounts from mutual friends’ months before and was yet to repay. When I approached her on the issue, she explained that she was trying to gather shopping money for her regular summer trip overseas and would repay all debts on her return. To say I was perplexed, would be an understatement. This is a girl, who has what I imagine to be a well paid job, and constantly has some designer gear straddled on her limbs. I couldn’t understand why she would need to live a life that was clearly well beyond her means.

It does seem that the some young African Australians is more into appearances than anything else. Off course there is absolutely nothing wrong in looking good and enjoying the finer things of life. After all, why do we all break our backs seeking gainful means of employment? But I really SEPTEMBER 2011 | AFRIQAN TIMES MAGAZINE 31

o

Entertainment

10 Q’s to Afro-Aussies AFRICA

AUSTRALIA

Sao Tome Principe Bioko Annobon

Canberra Kalgoorlie Newcastle Dubbo

What is the biggest island in Cape Verde?

What Aboriginal term for a waterhole is also the name of an Australian clothing company?

What is the biggest island in Equatorial Guinea?

Sao Tiago Santo Antao Bao Vista Fogo Namibia is comprised mostly of what?

Forest Desert Mountains Plains What is the longest mountain range in Africa?

Tibesti Ruwenzori Hoggar Atlas What desert is located in the eastern Etiopia?

Ogaden Atacama Kalahari Sahara

What is Australia’s largest inland city?

Joondalup Billabong Mandijong Koori What do the letters of the television network SBS stand for?

Strange Broadcasting Services Special Broadcasting Services Special Background Stories Serious Broadcasting Services In which Australian opal-mining town do many residents live underground to escape the heat?

Coober Pedy Karratha Mintabe White Cliffs What is the common name of Ornithorhynchus anatinus?

Kangaroo Platypus Kookaburra Koala Answers: 1c, 2a, 3b, 4d, 5a, 6a, 7b, 8b, 9a, 10b

Sahara Desert Sunrise

32 AFRIQAN TIMES MAGAZINE | SEPTEMBER 2011

Movies Nollywood

DAMAGE 2:05 | THRILLER & ROMANCE | M (E) | 4.5/5 stars STARS: Uche Jombo herself, Kalu Ikeagwu, Tonto Dikeh Director – Uche Jomo Synopsis: A story of love and the pain of domestic violence with a style that projects the subject as one that has not been threaded before in a movie. A man (Kalu Ikeagwu) and his wife (Uche Jombo) love each other immensely yet their day to day life can only be described as a ‘cat and mouse’ situation. They fight violently almost on a daily basis and one of the long run effects of their fights is the psychological torture their children had to go through.

New in Cinemas

GLEE LIVE (3D) 2:05 | DOCUMENTARY & MUSIC | PG - 13 | AUSTRALIAN RELEASED STARS: Cory Monteith, Dianna Agron and Lea Michele Director – Kevin Tancharoen The multi-generational phenomenon that has inspired millions to embrace their inner-Gleek will soon bring them together to experience Glee a whole new way. A concert documentary shot during the Glee Live! In Concert!

Summer 2011 tour.

Kiss & Tell 1:50 | ROMANCE | M (E) | 4.5/5 stars STARS: Monalisa Chinda, Nse Ikpe-Etim, Uche Jombo Director – Desmond Elliot Synopsis: In ‘Kiss and Tell’, Iyke (Joseph Benjamin), the ultimate player in the game of women runs Blue Quest with his friend Bernard (Desmond Elliot); their friendship however does not apply to their coy. Iyke, who prides himself as the ultimate player per excellence however met his match perhaps more than he bargain for in Delphine (Monalisa Chinda), a divorce lawyer who is a divorcee herself. Iyke is about to lose a bet, a controlling shares of Blue Quest. He has to win or lose all..

FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS 1:39| COMEDY & ROMANCE | PG-13| AUSTRALIAN RELEASED STARS: Natalie Portman, Ashton Kutcher and Kevin Kline Director – Ivan Reitman Synopsis: Mila Kunis and Justin Timberlake star in the comedy “Friends With Benefits”. A casual arrangement between a corporate headhunter and her recruit develops into something else. While trying to avoid the clichés of Hollywood romantic comedies, Dylan and Jamie soon discover however that adding the act of sex to their friendship does lead to complications.

Coming Soon

Fright Night 2:00 | COMEDY & HORROR | R STARS: Chris Sarandon, William Ragsdale and Amanda Bearse Director – Tom Holland Synopsis: A suburban teenager realizes that his new neighbor is a charismatic vampire in this remake of the 1985 horror comedy hit. A teenager suspects that his new neighbor is a vampire.

The Whistleblower 1:58 | THRILLER | PG 13 STARS: Rachel Weisz, Monica Bellucci and Vanessa Redgrave Director – Larysa Kondracki Synopsis: Nebraska cop Kathryn Bolkovac (Rachel Weisz) takes a one-year contract serving as a peacekeeper in post-war Bosnia, where she outs the U.N. for covering up cases of sex trafficking.

SEPTEMBER 2011 | AFRIQAN TIMES MAGAZINE 33

o Obsessions Entertainment

Elite LED LCD TVs

Carzor

2012 Infiniti FX

Elite plasma sets that offered up mind-blowing black levels and similarly gasp-inducing pricing?

They’re being reborn as Elite LED LCD TVs ($6,000-$8,500). Produced by Sharp, these new ultra premium sets offer proprietary RGB+Y technology for more accurate colors, Full Array LED backlighting with local dimming for superior black levels, 3D support, Netflix, YouTube, and other Internet-based connectivity options, THX certification, and Elite Advantage LiveSM support which allows technicians to connect to your TV over the Internet.

Forget to shave in your rush to make out of the house on time? That wouldn’t be an issue if you were rocking a Carzor ($17). This handy gadget combines a razor, blade storage, and a mirror in a collapsible, credit card-sized package, making it a no-brainer to carry with you at pretty much all times - just be careful when flying, as we doubt the TSA will find the tricky design to be as novel.

It’s not all-new, but it does look new, and that’s enough to make the 2012 Infiniti FX ($43,450 and up) an upgrade worth looking at. Beyond its redesigned front end, the high-end crossover also sports a new 20-inch wheel design and an update instrument cluster, while keeping the same 390hp V8 and 303hp V6 power plants, seven-speed automatic transmission, and optional Intelligent All-Wheel Drive, Bose Premium Audio system, Intelligent Cruise Control, and advanced safety features as before.

Stars: ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪

Adidas Recovery September is high time to start gearing up and picking up a few pieces from the Adidas Recovery ($30-$65) collection is a good place to start. Engineered to help athletes recover faster, these long and short sleeve tops, long and short tights, arm and calf sleeves, and socks feature strategically placed compression zones over core muscle groups to promote increased circulation and help get rid of lactic acid - the leading cause of muscle fatigue. Integrated ClimaCool ventilation technology will help to keep you cool, but for the actual athletics? Those are up to you.

Stars: ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪

Ikelite Waterproof Camera Housings With modern-day DSLRs capable of fantastic stills and Hollywood-worthy video capture, it’s more tempting than ever to take them everywhere - including underwater. If you’re planning on testing your rig’s sea legs, you’re going to need one of these Ikelite Waterproof Camera Housings ($250 and up). Available for everything from point-and-shoots to semi-pro models, they’ll keep your rig usable and dry down to 200 feet.

Stars: ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪

34 AFRIQAN TIMES MAGAZINE | SEPTEMBER 2011

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JOIN THE MULTI AWARD WINNING WILDLIFE CRUISE SPECIALISTS

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36 AFRIQAN TIMES MAGAZINE | SEPTEMBER 2011