Be Africa Discovered Magazine March 2018

Be Afrika DISCOVERED

MR 2KAY ART FOR CHANGE Page | 1

Hands Off our Elephants By Kikoti.

Fashion for change

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LaJon Miller

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TABLE OF CONTENTS Contributor List

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Be Trends

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Quickie 10 Editor’s Note

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Discovering Afrika

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Cover Feature

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Afro Art 20 Art of Fashion 22 Be Story 28 The Artist 30 The Mentor 34 Creative Government

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Creative Entrepreneur

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Discovered 40 The Creative 44 Afro Lens 46 Tech 50 Creative Cities 57 Page | 4

Hands Off our Elephants By Kikoti.

Fashion for change

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CONTRIBUTOR LIST EDITORIAL Marita Paulina Rina Maria Eleksie STYLE Ojwa Styling BEAUTY Kanai Beauties ART & GRAPHICS Jesse Ondego PHOTOGRAPHY Ptech Photography Special Thanks to the Creative Contributors that participated in this issue.

If you would like to join this long list of fabulous creatives email us on hello@beafrika.online If you would like to be featured in our issues email us on hello@beafrika.online If you would like to work with us on a project please email us on operations@beafrika.online If you would like to advertise with us please email operations@beafrika.online

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Be Trends As we searched for content for our ‘Trends’ pages, we used the key words “art and its impact on social, political and economic change.” We came across an article on the Bored Panda, ‘Powerful street art pieces that tell the uncomfortable truth -And just as art can inspire political action and resistance, so too do the walls of the city become canvases for important street art messages. The graffiti and street art on this list is perfect for spreading messages about environmentalism and climate change to a wider audience.

This street art uses simple slogans and provocative images to spread important and inspiring ideas in ways that are easy to remember. Such art can inspire people to action or at least remind them about important issues that they may have forgotten’.

The article asked readers to vote for their favorite art pieces. These are our pick for the purely picked on the merit of message delivery.

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Editor’s Notes How can art lead a dramatic social change? There has always been a natural connection between creativity and social change. Generations of artists and creative thinkers have employed protests songs, paintings and other visual arts to stoke activism and raise awareness of oppression, inequalities and injustice. Is it enough to draw on walls, take pictures and compose songs? Is this enough to deliver the message we need to? The role of creatives in social change goes beyond individual artists and collectives. The power of art is such that it can reach out to communities throughout the world to transform lives and bring about social reform.

Keep up with us on soial media

Be Afrika Online

Be__Afrika

Be_Afrika

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LaJon Miller Page | 11

Discovering Africa

Finding Stars Music Project In 2016, FilmAid and Kevin Waire (Wyre), a renowned music artist in Kenya, collaborated on the promotion of The World Food Programme Bamba Chakula in Kakuma Refugee Camp. General observations were noted on the level of interests, talent and opportunities in music as an industry for youths in Turkana.

Soon after discussions followed as to how a music project pilot could feed into FilmAid’s new livelihoods programmes in 2017 and thus “Finding Stars” was born.

A Market analysis was conducted in 2017 by FilmAid where the findings demonstrated existing market opportunities for entrepreneurs in photography, film and audio-visual production, digital media and journalism.

It presents opportunities in the current resident country, Page | 12

country of origin on voluntary repatriation and third country on resettlement. The findings showcased that majority of youth in Kakuma expressed interest and appreciation on the potential in sustaining regular income and earnings from undertakings in audio-visual and film production, journalism and photography.

FilmAid in collaboration with

Kevin Waire (Wyre) piloted a music project engaging two young and talented artists and FilmAid’s Media students under the Filmmaking, Journalism, photography and entrepreneurship training program.

This project promotes youth economic empowerment through music audio (music composition, song arrangement, and recording techniques e.t.c), video production, music journalism and industry

driven promotion that focuses on uplifting livelihoods, skills development and entrepreneurship for refugee and host community. It is expected that the project will encourage and engage the talented young musicians to create an opportunity.

can earn income, secure industry driven employment and or become business entrepreneurs as well as promote FilmAid’s work in the media and development sector.

About FilmAid:

In addition to training tangible skills and providing psychosocial relief, any music productions created would raise the profile of the artists’ and students’ talents’, skills and abilities so that they

FilmAid is an international development and humanitarian communications organization that harnesses the power and influence of media and the arts to respond to emergencies as well as promote social change

through dialogue in order to protect the wellbeing of displaced and vulnerable populations by building stronger, healthier, and more informed communities around the world.

FilmAid is guided by the following Core Principles: • A participatory, culturally respectful and inclusive approach, engaging beneficiaries in needs assessment, management and implementation of the programs • Investment in capacity building and local sustainability • Working with and supporting the work of local NGOs and beneficiaries • Avoidance of political and religious bias while creating lasting benefits for beneficiaries that extends beyond the scope of The Client’s immediate programs Page | 13

The Muse

Photographer @aguycalledwordz Mua@kanai_beauties Hair@beautyclick254 Gown@dream_gown_rentals Stylist @dandestyles Models @georgina_mbira @mwendwah_ Hotel @theconcordhotelke Page | 14

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Main Feature

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MR. 2KAY Interview by Marita Paulina Images by Rodgers Otieno Images Courtesy With a career only spanning across five years, Nigeria’s award-wining artiste Mr. 2Kay has chart-topping singles including “Bad Girl Special”, “Pray for Me”, and “Belema”, major collaborations and two albums to show. His latest and second: ‘ELEVATED’ is a beautiful body of work that expresses Mr. 2Kay’s growth as an artiste, both vocally and musically. Mr. 2Kay has in the past scored several hits and collaborations with top Nigerian stars including Flavour, Iyanya, Timaya, Chindima, Patoranking, Doray, Idahams, Cynthia Morgan and Seyi Shay. Among awards Mr. 2Kay has bagged over the years include Artiste of the year in the Niger Delta for over two years in a row and Best collaboration at Nigerian Entertainment Awards - New York in 2015. The album “ELEVATED’ includes collaborations with top Nigerian acts artistes including Efya, Cynthia Morgan, Harrysong, Idahams and Lil Kesh. He asserts that his visit to East Africa will present him with his first time opportunity to work with East African acts – something close to his heart. He is in Kenya to promote the new album and his latest single/video – “Banging” a bona fide feel-good track and if you listen you can feel that both Mr. 2Kay and Reekado brought their best in the studio: the result is an incomparable synergy set to unite music fans from West to East Africa.

Discovered sat down with him to find out a little more about Abinye David Jumbo aka Mr. 2Kay. Where do draw your inspiration from?

My inspiration was given by God and my day to day life and my environment. I grew up with my mom, who was a petty trader. I wasn’t born with a silver spoon so life wasn’t as rosy.

We had to find our way. I went out there to help my mother hawk stuff on the street then come back home with money to put food on the table. While other kids were in school I was doing that for over three years. It affected me psychologically and the only thing that kept me going is music and my love for music. That’s how I found music. I became a friend and a lover.

People in your field that you admire?

Wizkid, Davido, 2Face Idibia and Tiwa savage. Being in the same industry they have influenced me personally on how they are growing in their music. Looking back they went from nothing to something and if they can get to the point that they are now, I also can do that.

How do you influence the youth of Nigeria?

There is a slum in Nigeria, Potokat called the Waterside, I grew up there. A lot of people believe that if I can make it out of there they can also do the same. I inspire and encourage

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people through my music. It’s my way of telling people to be strong and courageous and no matter how long it takes there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I am my music, it’s my voice, so through that I mentor youth. I talk to them also on my social media platform about staying away from drugs and working hard to reach your goals.

Why did you decide to come to Kenya?

I am doing an East African tour and when you talk music and talk about East Africa you have to come to Kenya. I am super excited to finally come into Kenya as my first stop in launching my brand in East Africa.

I’ve been working hard to create content for my fans and it’s time to meet and share with them on a one – on – one basis. I’m here to promote my album ‘Elevated’. You know, moving from one point to another. I feel like I have elevated form all obstacles, rejection, failure, tribalism and life struggles as well. ‘Banging’ is the perfect song to introduce me to my East Africa because it represents all my sounds as an urban contemporary artiste. I want to connect with my fans so East Africa.

While I am here I would love to meet Nameless because he is a legend in the business.

I would also love to work with Sauti Sol, I love their song Melanin.

How did Nigeria get their unique sound?

Nigerians are very consistent with what we do. We are very innovative. We research a lot, listening to different African sounds, bringing them together then come up with our own. The Nigerian sound is very dominating, we make you like it, force it to you.

You hear it the first time and you may not like it, but the next time you will be like, ‘Oh that’s my jam,’ that’s what the Nigerian sound does to you. We don’t stop pushing until we are on top.

Biggest creative challenge?

I don’t have much of a challenge when it comes to creating my music. I work with people who understand the industry and everything about it. So to be honest, I don’t face any challenges when it comes to creating.

How do you manage to stay on top?

Consistency is important, doing your rePagetrying | 18 to know what’s new, and staysearch

ing updated. It’s the same as your I Phone the way you always update it, it’s the same way with your craft. You have to keep upgrading yourself, because if you don’t people will forget about you. People like new thing, think ahead of time, and plan ahead of time.

How do you deal with public criticism?

You have to be strong, God and prayer helps in that area. Staying focused as well. Critic are out there to help you build work better and to grow your talent.

Besides there will always be negative comments out there. I don’t like focusing on the haters, I pay atten-

tion to the positive comments, people who love me and what I do.

What is your message?

Put God first in everything that you do. Believe in yourself and what you do. Just because it’s not paying up today it may pay up tomorrow. Don’t give up and start jumping from one thing to another. Believe that what you’re doing is going to work out.

What is your favorite song in your album?

God can bless anybody. I talk about myself in that song. Listen to it you’ll understand me more.

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Afro Art Thufu-B

Bebeto Ochieng, better known as it: “Female poses are more fluid, more Thufu-B is a master of lines. Graffiti loving. They inspire the best out of my circles have fondly dubbed him the creativity” “Lines man”.

Thufu-B has participated in Thufu-B is one of the founding community based projects such as members of BSQ crew, a street art Nai Ni Who & others at the Kenya group based in Kenya’s Capital, National Theatre. His work has Nairobi. captured audiences and has been He is a mentee of re-known artists; exhibited in: Patrick Mukabi & Uhuru Brown and has closely worked with the two.

Manjano Exhibition, His work focuses mainly on African International School of Kenya, females. Notably, he has a special bias for BBW which is Big Beautiful The KICC Culture Show, Women, given his fascination for the PageWoman’s | 20 features. As he puts the Go-Down Center, African

“Female poses are more fluid, more loving.

They inspire the best out of my creativity”

The National Museum of Kenya.

Ultimately, he hopes to showcase his work to the world. His dreams stretch wide and vast.

Kenya Art Fair He has also participated in residency programs at Kuona Trust and held solo shows at Que Pasa Bar n Bistro and the Creative’s Garage.

In 2016, he took part in a Europe Aid Graffiti Event organized by the European Union and held in Belgium.

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Art of Fashion Love For a Cause

SABAI

MIA KORA Page | 24

MIA KORA

KOKI DESIGNS

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ZOE SEVAKI

ZOE SEVAKI

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KAPOETA BY AMBICA

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Hands Off our Elephants By Kikoti.

Fashion for change

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Be Story

A musician performs at last year's Music In Africa AGM Plus in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The Music in Africa Foundation was born from a music conference in Johannesburg that was organized by the Goethe-Institut in partnership with Siemens Stiftung, where a dynamic group of music professionals from across Africa discussed and developed a basic idea of a music information portal. Though formed in Kenya, it is legally registered as a non-profit organization in South Africa. The foundation’s objective is to provide reliable and useful information that promotes the African music sector and its operators; connect and promoting exchange between music operators from, or related to, Africa and its diasporas; promote and encourage the creation of content by Africans, about Africa or related to Africa and its diasporas; improve the distribution, accessibility and viability of such content; promote the spirit of entrepreneurship among the African music sector; enhance music education; facilitate and promote, through research, development and education, the use by professionals and audiences of current and future technologies; and provide one single and viable access point for all of the above that links existing initiatives, services and resources.

medium to serve as a portal for information collection and dissemination; to facilitate the discovery of existing music in Africa by enabling users to listen to it at its portals; to act as a platform for interaction and sharing of reliable information about the African music sector; to organise seminars, workshops and other events aimed at the African music sector; to commission relevant research in relation to the African music sector; to support the African music sector through capacity building and education; and to conduct advocacy aimed at protecting the interests of musicians through, but not limited to, awareness campaigns and lobbying in the area of intellectual property right protection.

Music in Africa is an information and exchange web portal dedicated to the African music sector. The portal responds to the need for reliable information and networking between music professionals in Africa. It also aims to contribute towards improved collaboration among artists on an international level, as well as to enhance awareness of African music scenes. The portal’s use is to: enhance your knowledge of the African music sector; find music operators and service providers from across the continent; profile yourself In carrying out these objectives the Music In Africa or your business and promote your work seamlessly; Foundation aims: to create a website or other online share your information about the sector, discover and Page | 30

Music In Africa Foundation chairperson Aisha Dème and director Eddie Hatitye during a press conference in Dakar, Senegal, 2017 listen to African music; access practical tools; and collaborate and help build a reliable information resource.

The portal comprises five main content sections: a Directory section where you can find and connect with professionals who operate in the sector, including musicians, institutions, record labels etc; a Magazine section featuring dynamic content such as news, overviews of African music scenes, feature articles, reviews etc; an Education section (dedicated for educational content); a Resource section where one can read and learn more; and a Music Discovery tool that allows users to discover and listen to African music.

Besides the portal, the foundation also runs several projects in support of African Music. A fine example is the Music In Africa Connects- Artist Mobility Programme launched in recently that provides touring support to African artists.

The September 2017 participants where artists from African countries affected by conflict, to undertake live music performances and collaborations. The participating countries were Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, Nigeria (Northern), Chad, Mali and Niger. The mobility programme is made possible with support from Siemens Foundation and the German Federal Foreign Office.

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The Artist

COLOR DON’T MATTER

TEAM MODEL: OGOCHI MICHAEL CONCEPT / ART DIRECTION AGORO ADHIAMBO PRODUCTION COMPANY: CHROMEZ STUDIO PHOTOGRAPHER: ALLOYS ITEBA

We live in a society where persons with albinism are dehumanized. They are perceived as magical beings or ghosts. That’s the worst expression of marginalization and discrimination, especially in East Africa where many are killed for their body parts for use in witchcraft.

When Agoro Adhiambo, told me that she had a friend with albinism ( Michael Ogochi). I knew that we could use that golden chance to be a voice for persons with albinism The Brief was to come up with a campaign using portraits to raise awareness and educate the society that colour of the skin don’t matter. We are all the same. The superstition and stigma associated with albinism should stop.

They are human beings just like us.

The society gave me a wrong preconception that a person may encounter bad luck if they touch the skin of a person with albinism or turn into one. I have only encountered good luck since I did the project.

Let’s not discriminate people with albinism, we should love them For this specific project I got inspired by Angelina D’auguste, Yulia Taits and Justin Dingwall using their passion for spreading awareness of albinisim through photography.

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The Mentor

Empowering underprivileged young people in our society to realize their potential is Octopizzo Foundation’s lifelong ambition. There is a wealth of artistic talent and potential residing in slums, refugee camps and other settlements across the country, where millions struggle to survive every day on the margins of society.

OF believes in untying young people from the shackles of desperation through the uniting ingredients of Creativity, Art, Music and Sports.

We all know that humanity has no boundaries; that being born poor or becoming poor does not make one less human. Though man has drawn lines that seem to separate us by race, nationality or social class, fundamentally we are all the same. People marginalized in slums and refugee camps have aspirations too.

OF aspires to give wings to young people who exist on the margins of society. We support them to recognize the richness that resides in them, and then nurture their transformation towards realizing their potential.

About Octopizzo

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“We all know that humanity has no boundaries; that being born poor or becoming poor does not make one less human.�

Octopizzo is a Kenyan hip hop artist who has won several national and international awards. He has served as a Youth Ambassador for Film Aid International, the British Council and is currently supporting UNHCR Kenya with a dynamic youth project dubbed “Artistes for Refugees�. He has been involved in a variety of philanthropic and community based projects with children, women and youth since 2010. Although his first love is music, he is equally passionate about projects that focus on capacity building and community participation. His music centers on success, believing in oneself and resonates with people from diverse cultures and backgrounds.

Octopizzo believes that everything is possible. He is a living testament of that fact as he was born in a mud house in arguably the largest slum in the world. He can attest to the countless challenges that life in such informal settlements face. He believed in himself and his ability to make a difference not only for himself but for his community.

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Hands Off our Elephants By Kikoti.

Fashion for change

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Creative Organizations Creatives Garage

Born out of the frustration of

Creatives not having a place to meet, collaborate, and network, Creatives Garage was founded to fill this gap. In the six years we have been around, we have built a multi-disciplinary collective space for Creatives to network, share ideas, collaborate, learn, gain market accessibility and push boundaries. Our goal is to create a thriving eco-system that impacts investing opportunities to deliver financial and social double bottom-line returns. We work with visual artists, performing artists and tech innovators who are social change agents in the society. Creatives Garage is a

registered Arts Trust based in Nairobi, Galana Road (Kilimani).

We have a database of 7,000 (and growing) creative artists who we guide into turning their craft into a source of livelihood. Examples of the creatives we have worked with are Fena Gitu, Valentine Ziki, East African Wave, Sitawa Namwalie among many more. View our artists’ directory for more information [http://www.creativesgarage. org/artists-directory/]

policy and output and still continue even after the project goals have been brought to fruition. Liz’s end goal is for all creatives to network, share ideas, collaborate, learn, gain market accessibility and push boundaries in order to contrive a sustainable creative economy that feeds into the GDP of Africa rather than one that saps from it.

View Creatives Garage website for more information [http://www. creativesgarage.org/]

About Liz Kilili Liz Kilili, Creative Director and Cultural Manager, is a driven and slightly eccentric creative, mostly known as the Chief Mechanic and founder of Creatives Garage. She has achieved more for the creative industry in East Africa in a short while than others have in a lifetime. Her brainchild Creatives Garage and its accompanying creativity and innovation Sondeka Festival, have spearheaded projects and movements that have helped the creative industry grow in both Page | 39

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LaJon Miller

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Discovered Stephen Maithya My name is Stephen Mithra. I am an award winning professional Kenyan photographer specializing in conceptual, fashion and event photography.

I am the founder and president at Stevenchy Photography. I am a selftaught photographer, who studied a Bsc Analytical Chemistry with Management in Kenyatta University Main campus.

1.

Why the creative industry?

I have always been a creative for as long as I can remember. My dad taught me how to sketch a car when I was six years old and from then, I began taking interest in art. It is in my final year in high school when I picked my first camera and fell in love with the art of photography.

I love how being creative makes me see things from a totally different and extraordinary yet insane perspective.

2.

Journey from concept to reality. My conceptual ideas surface when I am alone relaxing at some spot.

Most of my concepts reflect the problems people face in their daily lives while others narrate fictional stories to educate and entertain. When I get a conceptual idea, I put it down on my diary. From there, I begin my imagination process, creating characters in my head. I then define these characters in my diary; how they look like, how they dress, their names, their emotions etc., which afterwards, sketch the imaginary characters on my drawing or rough book. I jot down the type and mood of lighting required to animate the characters, supplementary props, type and feel of complimentary makeup and hairstyling if any required and the type of wardrobe dressing. I then hint my makeup artists and designers on the concept, clearly defining what is required from them for the shoot, then Page | 42

especially here in Kenya and Africa, owing this to God.

custom make the props and later scout for potential models whom I think fit the descriptions of my characters as my final process.

3.

Why the leap into entrepreneurship?

I have always had the ambition of becoming my own boss, creating job employment opportunities and making lots of money since childhood, hence the leap into entrepreneurship. As for capital, my mother added onto the savings that I had made from my previous hustles in campus. I was able to purchase my first dslr.

4.

How has the brand grown since inception?

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Brand wise, I have made huge steps. By God's grace, my work has been published in various publications and websites across Africa, including South Africa's Conte Magazine. This has given my work excellent exposure to individuals across the lobe. My client and fan base has grown tremendously over the years. I have worked with top personalities in the country. I was recently awarded the Kenyan photographer of the year award last year by the prestigious Pwani International Fashion Week and Awards. Nikon Corporation also cited me as one of the most outstanding photographers in Africa. I market my work on my Facebook and Instagram pages and also by word of mouth when I issue out my business cards.

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5.

Advice to other creatives?

I do encourage the youth in the industry to be very patient with their craft. They should take time to invest in their skills before approaching any potential client. They should also exercise great discipline.

There is no enough government support to the industry. Many creatives still struggle a lot to have their work out there. I would encourage my fellow creatives out there to put passion before money, never cease to practice, see the bigger picture always and never give up on their ambitions. I have already joined the successful names in the creative industry, Page | 45

The Reel

Tell us about yourself?

Gerald Langiri is an award winning Kenyan actor and casting director. He is well known for the movies House of Lungula where he played the role of Harrison, a role which saw him get nominated for Best lead actor in a film at the Kalasha Film and Television Awards 2014. His role as Joseph in the film Fundimentals also saw him get a nomination in the best actor in a comedy film/TV at the Africa Magic Viewers Choice awards 2015. He is also a blogger and TV host on #TalkCentral with Kalekye Mumo airing on K24.

His role as Nicodemus in the TV series Stay saw Gerald bag the “best supporting actor in a TV series” at the Kalasha Film and Television Awards 2014. His other roles as Don on Mali, Mr Araka Smart on Papa Shirandula, Police Commissioner on Santalal just to mention but a few, has positioned Gerald as one of the most sought after most talented actors in Kenya.

Gerald Langiri is the founder and administrator of www. actors.co.ke a blog whose focus is the Kenyan acting industry at large, giving news and information about the industry while providing opportunities to actors joining the acting scene. The blog has been nominated twice at the Kenyan Page | 46

blog awards and won best niche market blog at the African blogger awards and Gerald winning the best Film blogger at the Africa Film Development Awards 2014. That blog also assisted Gerald establish himself as a Casting Director and is known for casting movies like VEVE, Going Bongo, Selina and several series and TV commercials.

People in your field that you admire?

Ken Ambani and Raymond Ofula. For me to have a career in the acting profession and not to only excel but to last as long as they have is something to applaud.

How do you incorporate creativity in your free time?

Binge-watch as much as I can and watch movies. I am a lover of film.

What artists, bloggers and photographers do you admire?

Photographers: Emmanuel Jambo’s photography is great.

Bloggers: I read a lot of Biko Zulu and Charles Chanchori articles Artists: Any artist worth pursuing the arts in Kenya deserves admiration. Really hard to name just a few in a pool of gazzilions.

Tell me about something you’ve created.

I recently acted, produced and directed an online youtube edgy comedy series called “Shit Happens” . Check it out.

The response was amazing. It even got nominated for the RoldaWeb Fest in Colombia

How do you respond to criticism?

Film is a subjective field. The aims are myriad: to move, to empower, to entertain, to offend, to share… accomplishing any of these goals demands getting one’s hands a bit dirty. I can’t win them all. In my opinion, you shouldn’t win them all. So I take criticism as exactly that.

How do you keep up with industry trends?

Read as much as I can and being in creative spaces to find What makes you unique? out whats new where.

My background is a little different from others in the field, which gives me a unique perspective that has allowed What is the biggest creative challenge you have faced in me to see solutions that are creative and resourceful. For your career? example I am the founder of www.actors.co.ke a blog Fighting with that inner voice that tells you to quit is a daily whose focus is the Kenyan acting industry at large, giving struggle and challenge. news and information about the industry while providing opportunities to actors joining the acting scene.

What are some of the projects you’re working on right now?

What would you say to youth who want to be in your About to release a new film Titled “too sweet” that tells the industry? story of Jim (played by me) who is diabetic. See the trailer Join it if you really can’t see yourself doing anything else on my youtube channel. because if you can, then do that other thing. The industry is cut throat and not for the faint hearted. However, once you excel in it, there is nothing more fulfilling.

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Afro Lens

Gender/Domestic Violence is a reality in our homes today and most of these cases go unreported hence perpetrators repeatedly abuse the victims until such a time it becomes fatal. Everyones wish is to be raised in a non-abusive, loving home but not all of us get such a chance. Physical, mental and psychological torture has an adverse effect in the growth of a child or a family in general.

This is the issue we wanted to highlight when we teamed up with Kate Waititu of Kanai Beauties to create a series of images for the Gender Violence Recovery Centre (GVRC) which is a non-profit making, non-partisan; charitable trust of the Nairobi Women’s Hospital (NWH).

GVRC’s main purpose is to bring back meaning to survivor’s lives and their families where they do this through the provision of FREE medical treatment and psychosocial support to survivors of Gender Based Violence (GBV) and engaging the public in advocacy issues and primary prevention of abuse.

Thank you Irene of Farm Houz for the perfect location and giving us the space to execute our ideas.

PRODUCTION CREDITS; Peter Pekat- Producer Beata Otieno (Ojwa Styling)- Stylist Kate Waititu (Kanai Beauties) - Makeup Artist Betty Mukiri - Makeup Assistant Gonzanga Gonza- Guest Assistant Pro Tisa - Props Location: Farm Houz, Muguga Page | 48

TALENTS: Loise Mathini, David Nganga Cresenciah Wanjiku Sandra Muthoni

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Tech

GTBank Art635 Gallery

Most budding indigenous artists across Africa have little or nowhere to showcase their works and make a living from them: This is where GTBank steps in with Art635. Art is one of the four pillars of GTBank’s Corporate Social Responsibility policy and Art635 is the latest of the bank’s sustained efforts to promote African Page | 52

arts locally and internationally and drive the growth and development of the local art industry.

ART635 is a virtual gallery, professionally curated and is free and open to all artists in Africa to exhibit their work. Launched in Nigeria by GTBank, Art635 aims to further its support or African arts by helping Af-

rican artworks become not just more visible and appreciated, but also to turn them into a much more profitable and commercially viable venture for indigenous artists. It is a foremost online repository of African artworks and is set to serve as a leading platform for the promotion of indigenous artists across the continent.

The gallery is set to drastically expand the exposure of artists, provide an enabling platform for the marketing of their works and serve as a much needed motivation for the further development of their artistic skills and talents. This falls in line with the Bank’s initiative to go beyond the traditional understanding

of Corporate Social Responsibility as corporate philanthropy by intervening in economic sectors, to strengthen small businesses through capacity building initiatives that serve to boost their expertise, exposure and business growth.

GTBank has consistently played a leading role in Africa’s banking

industry. The Bank is regarded by industry watchers as one of the best run financial institutions across its subsidiary countries and serves as a role model within the financial service industry due to its bias for world class corporate governance standards, excellent service quality and innovation.

Mr Segun Agbaje, the Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Bank plc, said; “At GTBank we see art as an avenue for unlocking people’s creative potential and by creating ART635 we aim to expand the opportunities for art education as well as broaden the reach and viewership of the works of indigenous artists. Although African art goes back several centuries, the art industry in the continent is still young and largely untapped and we hope that with ART635we can drive its evolution into a lucrative and vibrant economic sector.”

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Creative Cities Sout Africa Cape Town- Design Indaba, A better world through creativity.

“Cape Town has many challenges but with that comes opportunities to bridge the divide while using creativity as a tool to create a better world.”

This was the sentiment put forth by the Design Indaba team when Cape Town was chosen as the first city in Africa to be named a UNESCO City of Design.

Launched in 2004, the UNESCO Creative Cities Network aims to foster international cooperation with and between cities committed to investing in creativity as a driver for sustainable urban development, social inclusion and cultural vibrancy.

The UNESCO Creative Cities Network now

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counts a total of 180 cities in 72 countries. Cape Town joins a group of 31 UNESCO Cities of Design across the world.

“As an organisation that believes in the power of creativity to unlock the

economic potential of our city, Design Indaba could not think of a better opportunity for the City of Cape Town than to be a member of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network,” said the Design Indaba team.

“Throughout the 22 years of hosting the biggest design festival in the world right here in Cape Town, we can attest that this is a great city for design.”

For the city, the announcement is an opportunity to recognise that creativity and culture are critical components in shaping Cape Town as a thriving and resilient city.

“Being part of the Network will help create valuable partnerships; coordinate, focus and grow Cape Town’s local design sector; share and create knowledge, grow new markets and have an impact on Cape Town’s ability to achieve inclusive, urban sustainable development,” said the City’s mayor Patricia de Lille.

Within the framework of the implementation of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the New Urban Agenda, the Network provides a platform for cities to demonstrate culture’s role as an enabler for building sustainable cities.

To this aim, Design Indaba is deeply engaged in demonstrating the power of creativity. Most recently, the team launched the Arch for Arch project, a physical monument dedicated to Archbishop Desmond Tutu on his birthday.

project, which showed that a rural school could be taken off the grid to its benefit.

And with #ANOTHERLIGHTUP Design Indaba teamed up with Faith47 and Thingking to combine public art with the potential of crowdfunding to build streetlights in Khayelitsha.

Source http://www.designindaba. com

Design Indaba also ran the 10x10 Low Cost Housing project as a blueprint for dignified housing for the poor, and the SONOP Page | 55

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