Editor’s Welcome HELLO and welcome to our first issue ofMirrors of Africa magazine, a new space for African-Australians and friends. We couldn’t be more excited to have made it to this point. When we set out to create a print magazine that would promote and unite African-Australians from coast to coast, one thing we decided on at the very start was to create a magazine in which readers do most of the storytelling and to steer-away the glossy images of the too-perfect or too-gossipy magazines that we tend to see on the newsstand.
11 By Post Mirrors of Africa Pty Ltd. P.O.Box 2A, Merriwa, 6030, Perth, WA ABN 26153741943
Content
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In our cover story for this first issue we meet Miss Africa Perth who talks about her life in Australia and the opportunities for her to help disadvantaged children. In another piece, we speak with a bestselling author who has spent six months in Africa each yearto write 12 books. Also in this issue, we celebrate a young lady who has made it as Junior Mayor in Western Australia.
Mirrors of Africa Issue #1 Page No. Making an Impression One for the Girls Wild, Wild world at His Fingertips The Road Home The Future is Bright Wind Beneath Her Wings Junior Mayor Rising Stars Our of Africa Five marketing tips for small business How Migrantssucceed At Home and At Work Global Mamas Collage KiliTingatinga Art Top five things to consider before you start marketing yourself or your business “A Little Bit of Africa” Artist Story – Neo Pitso Win a Book – Competition Artist Profile – Carmen Hendricks African Women A feast from cosmopolitan Africa Back to the hearth of home Real Rugby Empowers migrants and refugees for a better start in Australia
What we’re delivering on the pages of Mirrors of Africa is a collection of inspiring – and often instructive – stories written by real, honest and outgoingpeople who are driven to make a difference and who look to share their stories of struggle and success.
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We don’t always have the opportunity to become successful. We don’t all have other African-Australians living close by to keep us company. We didn’t all make it to Australia for the same reasons or with the same plans. One thing I know for sure is we stay connected with what’s happening back home while we look for opportunities here in Australia. We are realistic but we have dreams. We all work hard to be great role models for our youngsters, but we sometimes forget to share our own stories or inspire those who need support. That’s why I’m honoured to introduce the Mirrors of Africa magazine. It’s all about you and your story. What’s your story? I invite you to join me in informing our community and bringing hope to the young ones who are watching us progress. I’m also proud to share the work of the committed and thoughtful contributors. We’ve received so many stories that we already know what’s coming in the next issue. Please visit the website to read about the wonderful contributors. Also, feel free to leave comments on their articles to share your thoughts or ask a question. Please enjoy reading the first issue of the Mirrors of Africa magazine. I look forward to receiving your feedback on this first issue. Dickson Mudzengi Publisher of Mirrors of Africa magazine
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Rhonda Chapman, Natasha Venables, Janine Ripper, Lois Nicholls, Judy Sahay, Yael Maree, Charlotte Stevens, Ockert Terblanche
Making an impression with Feather & Spear Nthabeleng ‘Tab’ Sejoe took cancer by the horns and pursued her dream to become an entrepreneur 4 Mirrors of Africa, October 2014
For creative designer Tab Sejoe, launching your own business needs determination and words of encouragement from loved ones, mixed with a strong passion. Tab takes some time off to talk about Feather & Spear, a celebration of traditional and contemporary African artistry.
How did it all begin?
When I was younger, you couldn’t stop me from drawing on every blank surface, be it books, clothes or walls, much to my family’s dismay. Despite this, my mother always encouraged my creativity. I think she knew long before I ever did that I would end up doing something creative, but I certainly never dreamt I would be doing it for myself.
I never dreamt that I could find a home for all of my creative energies and pursuits-photography, illustration and the love of design and making. Yet here I am today, and that’s what Feather & Spear is. Now looking back to that crayonyielding child, it makes so much sense.
meant to be doing in life. The immense support from my family, friends, and great encouragement from my customers and the creative community in Melbourne also helped me keep going.
What motivates you? The feedback that I receive and knowing my work has affected someone in a positive way, put a smile on a face, elicited a cheeky grin, or reminded them of “that time when…”
When did you know this was the business for you? Not until I saw myself stuck in a nine to five job (realistically seven to seven job) managing work for other creatives and bringing their visions to light instead of my own. I just knew it wasn’t right for me. With great encouragement from my mother I took a giant leap, left the security of a regular job and jumped head first into the unknown to follow my dreams.
How did you get the business going? I started as ‘Design Sejoe’ offering a greeting cards and paper goods line. I knew I could fulfil the creative side of things, but the business side was definitely a struggle. My first year was a huge learning curve. I trained in business
management, undertook research and then hit the pavement to get my label out there. It was quite stressful but also exhilarating and definitely rewarding. My range was starting to do really well. I was selling at the markets every weekend and loving it. I also stocked around Melbourne in some of my favourite stores. I saw my dreams being realised.
Any setbacks? Somewhere in the middle there, my life was interrupted. In a crushing blow I was diagnosed with breast cancer, and everything came to a grinding halt, especially my creative work and big plans.
What inspires your designs? As I was born in Botswana and grew up in the heart of Melbourne, I’ve had the best of both worlds. My designs are an expression of my two worlds, with a great deal of my inspiration unmistakably drawn from my birthplace. I also mix in a little Melbourne style. Feather & Spear features handmade screen printed cards and fine art prints from original illustrations with an earthy and natural feel; photographic cards from my own original photographs from my worldly wanders; and handmade vibrant textile bags and accessories from fabrics I’ve collected
This giant setback seemed impassable to me at times, but three years down the track I got a second chance at life and at pursuing my dream of having a successful creative brand. I had to start from scratch and completely change my approach. I’m still learning the art of patience. Slowly, but with the same, if not more passion and resolve.
What kept you going? Perseverance is everything and I believe so strongly it’s what I’m October 2014, Mirrors of Africa
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throughout the African continent.
What’s next for Feather & Spear?
All with that distinct African aesthetic. Having a different design point of view has helped my brand a lot.
How are things going now for Feather & spear? I’m not sure I have reached success yet but I’m still striving towards it, albeit slowly. I know it will not be without hard work, passion and a whole lot of creativity. I also know that, as a one woman- show, I will need to get help along the way, which is something I have already embraced with creative and professional guidance from a variety of different avenues. Most notably, Craft Victoria who support and celebrate craft
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and design practitioners around Australia.
What’s the best lesson so far? I have a strong vision for Feather & Spear. I’ve learnt that while there may be ‘adjustments’ needed to that vision at times, the core remains the same. The dream remains the same.
I’m channeling my energies into reintroducing Melbourne to all the reasons they fell in love with my designs the first time around. I’m doing some marketing and contributing to magazines. The coming year, I hope to add more colour to the range, introduce more of ‘Africa’ to the Aussie design mix, and make a bigger dent in retail around Victoria and beyond. featherandspear.wordpress.com
featherandspear
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One for the Girls Diane Malisa talks about Lace and Button and her passion for making women feel beautiful. 8 Mirrors of Africa, October 2014
It’s been six years since Lace and Button owner, Diane Malisa followed her heart and left Tanzania for Australia. From the moment she arrived here, she was thinking about finding a job.
How did you decide which type of business to launch?
She was somewhat a workaholic who didn’t like sitting around doing nothing but Diane soon realised how hard it was to find a job while at the same time trying to study. She began her research for an idea for a business.
I was pregnant and I needed a dress. I just didn’t like any of the one I looked at. They were either too plain or just didn’t speak to me. While hopping from one shop to another, I realised Perth lacked international brands.
As it often happens with many people with great ideas but otherpriorities, Diane put it all in a folder and forgot it for 12 months – until she got pregnant. She saw
That’s when I knew there’s a market for dresses from the USA and I thought there must be someone like me out there who wants something from the USA but
this as a sign and opportunity to launch a business she could run from home.
doesn’t want to buy it online. So that’s when Lace and Button was born.
How hard was it to get started? It was very hard because by the time I finally started I had had a baby. I was putting my hours into work while keeping the focus on my son. As you can imagine, you have to do a lot of research. You’re self-employed and you’re an entrepreneur who has to do everything yourself. There’s no one out there for you to say that so-and-so will do the bookkeeping and so on. You’re on your own. At the same time, your child is waiting for you. There were many days when I said I was going to give up. There were tears and I was shutting the office before anyone could ring.
What’s the main difference between Lace and Button and a standard dress shop? My clients love the attention. They don’t feel pushed. I take away their pains, their fears of shopping and the usual frustrations. From the time they call me to when they have their dress in their hand, the service here is fully personalised. I also place custom orders if they’re after something special. When it needs alteration, I get the tailor onto it for them. It’s all in the personal and final ouches. That’s the Lace and Button difference.
who walks into here can find something they feel comfortable wearing. I don’t like going to a store and being told by shop assistant thow good you look when you know you look terrible in that dress. I don’t mind if you spend an hour trying on dresses if that’s how long it takes to find the dress that makes you feel comfortable and makes you look good. I’m fine with that. I want you to walk out of here feeling beautiful.
You also started the Dress Giveaway Initiative. What motivated you to do that? In 2012 a single mum walked in here with her 16- year-old daughter. As you can imagine, young girls want the best dresses and want to look glamourous on their prom night.
How does this make you feel as the provider?
The lady came to me under the assumption that because this is a home business, she would find something extremely cheap.
I most importantly make a woman feel comfortable in her own skin. It’s important to me that anyone
Seeing that these dresses were at a higher price, she broke down in tears when she saw her daughter
trying on a dress that she couldn’t afford. I remembered how hard it had been for my mother – a single mum – I decided to give the young girl the dress for free. That’s what made me start the Dress Giveaway Initiative. Every year, four high school girls who can’t afford my ball dresses will each receive a dress. I search for them in schools.
October 2014, Mirrors of Africa
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Who inspires you the most? My mum. She put us through school and gave us the best in her own eyes. Being a single mum in Africa was pretty tough for her. She exposed us to so much while I was growing up and when I look back and I think that if it wasn’t for her efforts in exposing me, I would not have been able to do what I’ve done today. She’s very proud that I’ve pursued something that I love.
So she knew you had ‘business’ in you? I remember being little and going to the market to buy oranges. I thought that if I could make juice I could sell this – and I did. I remember my mum would let me make the juice in her kitchen and mess it up.
I would then go outside sit there trying to sell it. I was always thinking about how I could make money selling something. If my sisters and I all got sweets, and they finished theirs first, I would sell mine to them!
If you could invite four inspiring people to dinner, who would they be? Dame Quentin Bryce, the former Governor General of Australia, because I think her work with women as an inspiring woman is very important. I would love to have a one-on-one conversation with her about how she got to where she is while remembering that there are women her age out there who still want to be ‘somebody’.
I would also invite Dr Casta Tungaraza, cofounder of the African Women’s Council of Australia. She’s from Tanzania and is committed to giving back to the community. Because that’s one of my main focuses, I would like to learn from her how she manages to give back but still make time for her personal life. I’d also invite my mum and stepdad so that I can thank them for inspiring me to get to where I am today. I don’t remember ever doing that – properly thanking them.
Any tips for others looking to launch their own business? Remember to separate your business from your personal life. You can easily get emotional when you see people and you will often forget that you’re running a business. Don’t be quick to give too much of your time and effort to people. Allocate time for your business and time for your customers so that when they come to see you for business you keep it about the business.
Any tips for others looking to launch their own business?
We’ll have three more new designers and throw more personalised parties. This is where you come here with your friends, or we come to you. This is a fairly new concept with collections like ours, as the dresses are heavy to carry. We interview you to find out what you like. We then shop for your dresses and bring it to your party so that you and your guests can try them on. laceandbutton @laceandbutton 10 Mirrors of Africa, October 2014
Wild wild world at his fingertips World-renowned thriller writer Tony Park, whose upcoming novel The Hunter is one of his 11 novels set in southern Africa, talks about his love for the African people and wildlife.
A lion at the KgalagardiTransfrontier Park, South Africa—another location featured in a future Tony Park novel.
Tony Park is one of Australia’s leading thriller writers. Every year he and his wife Nicola divide their time between their home in Sydney and southern Africa, where Tony writes his next novel. He has published thriller novels, including The Prey, Dark Heart, African Dawn and The Delta. His next novel The Hunter due to be published in October 2014 but he’s already working on another due in 2015. While he was in Africa in August, Tony paused his writing to chat with Mirrors of Africa via Skype. October 2014, Mirrors of Africa 11
What is it about Africa that captured your heart? My wife Nicola and I first came here for a three-week holiday and I think I was totally unprepared for what I was going to experience. When we arrived we had the most incredible experiences. We went to the game parks and the wildlife there blew me away. So did the people and the stories they had to tell.
radio. In The Hunter the premise is a particular type of crime that is on the increase in southern Africa, and that’s insurance fraud. It’s not just people putting in a fraudulent claim for a stolen car or a stolen camera, it’s about people faking their own deaths.
The landscapes and everything to me had this ‘wow’factor on that first visit. After two to three days we were already planning our return even though we hadn’t finished that holiday. Nicola appreciates the continent as much as I do. She has been able to structure her life so that she works six months in Australia and spends six months here in Africa.
How close does the story get to the real thing? While my novels are fiction, I’ve based the premise of each story on a real life event or life situation. I get inspiration from right here in Africa, from reading the newspaper or listening to something on the 12 Mirrors of Africa, October 2014
How did you get what you needed for The Hunter? The person who helped me most with the research is a gold mine manager. He was surprisingly open about the issues of illegal mining in his own mine and he was very keen to highlight the problem as well. In many cases the mining companies have to do the work of the police. They have to go underground to find these illegal miners.
Do you all your novels promote a positive side of Africa?
Is it challenging to write about a place that isn’t really your home? Rather than challenging, I find it rewarding. It gives me an excuse to explore new places and meet new people. The major challenge is to keep it as accurate as I can. Although I’m writing fiction, I have to be very mindful that I’m in someone else’s country. I have to ensure the cultural references and language are correct, and that I remain faithful to the environment as well. It makes my work more interesting.
how we can make communities safer and how we fight crimes. It’s not as though people think that this should be swept under the carpet, it’s more of the opposite. People enjoy discussing it.
How do people in Africa feel about you writing about these topics? While a novel or thriller will often inevitably focus on the negative side of life such as crime, the locals in southern Africa are very interested in it. Crime fiction is probably the biggest selling fiction in South Africa. In the continent in general, I find that people are very interested in current affairs, politics and current issues and they don’t shy away from discussing some of the more problematic parts of life. There are lively political debates and discussions about
While there’s often an issue in the novel, perhaps a negative issue, my novels also highlight the positive sides of Africa. They are set in the bush and wildlife areas. They promote the beauty of Africa as well, providing the backdrop and almost another character of each story. I’ve been invited to events with the South African tourism and written for their blogs to promote tourism and the natural beauty. While these are thrillers, dark or negative they all have a happy ending. I try very hard to highlight the positives. African Dawn is a story of hope and is set in Zimbabwe. It’s a novel set over the last 50 years and looks at the decline in that country and its many problems. In the end, it’s still a story of hope
Others are coming back because conservation is at the forefront of life here in southern Africa in particular.
Zebras atEtosha National Park, Namibia, where Tonyrecently visited while researching his next novel.
set in what is one of the most beautiful countries in Africa. You can’t take that away from Zimbabwe even if you’re writing about all of the problems that it has faced in recent decades. It’s about getting the balance right. The novels aren’t – or at least I hope they aren’t – depressing.
You’ve been to Africa every year for 19 years. What major changes have fascinated? I’ve seen some amazing changes. Some of those changes have crept into my novels as well. One thing that fascinates me about this continent is how dynamic it is. It’s not as stable as Australia. In 1995 for example, Mozambique was just coming out of a protracted civil war. Namibia had been at war internally for decades.
the Mandela years, and has gone through a transition of the way of life, with more employment for Africans and changes in the public institutions. With other countries, transition hasn’t always been an easy part of their history. So it’s interesting to look at the way many countries have changed. It’s been fascinating for me living here and writing about current affairs.
Has the wildlife stayed as beautiful? I’m very passionate about the wildlife in Africa, but there has been deterioration in many areas. Some species are in more trouble today than they were 20 years ago.
There are lessons to be learned here for the rest of the world. I’ve been in contact with the Peace Parks Foundation which is a partnership of African and international conservation groups working hard to establish crossborder national parks. This is really visionary and worldleading work in terms of reclaiming traditional migration routes for animals. It’s good to see them acknowledging that conservation and protecting the environment is important for a region’s economy as it is for the wildlife itself.
Where’s the one place in Africa if one wants to be really inspired by culture and wildlife? It depends on the criteria. I find that South Africa has best value for money and best managed game parks in the continent. For people looking for cultural experience, Namibia blew me away. You’ll see the cultural diversity of that country and see people still living in the traditional manner.
Zimbabwe was a very harmonious and quite prosperous country, and South Africa was just coming out of apartheid. Today, it’s almost as if the situation for those countries are completely reversed.
I’ve spent time with the Himba people of north- western Namibia and there you meet people whose lives haven’t changed for centuries. They really hold onto their traditions.
Mozambique and Namibia are booming as tourist destinations, Zimbabwe is no longer a model for southern Africa.
If you’re looking for spectacles then go for the Great Wildebeest Migration in Kenya and Tanzania. I’ve been to Swaziland where I’ve had the most fun in 20 years. It has a very good friendly vibe with the people really very much
South Africa has been on this amazing rollercoaster ride through
A cheetahat Kruger National Park, South Africa
October 2014, Mirrors of Africa 13
enjoying life to the fullest. I find Zimbabweans the friendliest people in Africa so far.
Do you get to mingle with African-Australians when you’re in Australia? I have a lot of friends in Australia who came from different countries and cultures in Africa. The one thing in common they all say to me, whether they’re from Mozambique, Zimbabwe, South Africa or Kenya, is that I’m lucky that Nicola and I can spend six months in Australia and six months in Africa. They say it’s probably the perfect situation. However, some of my African friends have come to Australia because they had to, not necessarily because they wanted to leave their countries. That’s really difficult. I’m sure some would rather be back in their 14 Mirrors of Africa, October 2014
countries even if Australia has been welcoming. Your circumstances play a huge part. Those who left their homes on their own terms made the decision that Australia is where they wanted to start their new lives. But even with them, there isn’t one of them who doesn’t say they miss their home. It’s a very natural feeling.
Do women read your novels? You might see the covers and think they’re for men. However, most of my readers are women. I like to have strong lead female characters in my novels. Some of their qualities are inspired by my wife.
Tony on safari in South Africa
The Hunter will be in a store near you in mid October 2014. Tony Park is halfway through book Number 12. To win a copy with Mirrors of Africa. See page xxx wwwtonypark.net
The Road Home Natasha Venables shares her story of her return to Zimbabwe.
My first meeting with Winnie after three years in Australia
On returning home, I was so excited. It was like I was returning for holidays at the end of the school term, knowing I would have ample time to explore the farm, to catch up with everyone, and to see my Winnie, who had worked for us for many years. As the anticipation built, I couldn’t sit still. I envisioned my mum and dad waiting for my arrival, and us sitting on the veranda, admiring the beautiful view of our farm. That thought was soon destroyed as I took-in the vacant land, with no crops, workers or animals. There were hardly any tractors to get stuck behind on that lovely, narrow tar road where I learnt to
drive in the old farm trucks. It felt like I had never been away, but the sight of our farm store in ruin, and the dangerously overgrown roadside confirmed our lengthy absence. As I looked up to the house where my dad, my brothers and I had grown up, the charred walls my grandfather had built so long ago stood strong, but the rest was one. As my camera flashed, I didn’t actually see what I was taking pictures of, as my eyes were fixated on my old home. The sight took my breath away. The driveway was unbelievable. My dad had planted jacaranda rees October 2014, Mirrors of Africa 15
when I was born, wanting them to form a beautiful avenue in time for my edding day, and there they were, still standing— the most beautiful green avenue. As we drove up to the gate, my feelings were replaced by fear as people defiantly stepped out in front of us, at what used to be my gate.
and celebration, always smiling in her beautiful positive way. I started to think that I had made the wrong decision in coming back, and that I should have listened to people when they told me to remember Zimbabwe as it had been, and to let it go. But I had needed to be reunited with Winnie, if only to tell her how much we loved her and how much she meant to us.
Reunion Instead of wandering through our old home and putting flowers on my grandmother’s grave, we set off to the village to see if we could find our beloved Winnie, who had worked for our family since 1983, when my older brother was born. As we pulled up to her house, it looked the same as it had when I was little. We would eat ‘sadza’ in her kitchen at lunchtime, or slept in her room when my brother had been nasty, and I had wanted to stay with Winnie—my protector and friend.
One of my greatest fears and constant nightmares had been for Winnie to die without me knowing that she was a part of our family, and just how much she had influenced my life and who I had become. I mean, I knew Winnie better than I knew many of the members of my immediate family.
A life-sized painting by Donald Venables
She wasn’t there, but her randchild, whom I had played with when we were younger walked out and told us that she was in the ‘munda’ working. So we headed down to where I used to ride my bike, and go to think when life was troubling me. A lady called her for me, and as we waited I contemplated climbing through the barbed wire fence to find her myself (something I used to be very good at, but that skill had since left me). As I looked up, I saw her trying to run through the long grass, shouting ‘amai Donald’, thinking I 16 Mirrors of Africa, October 2014
was my mother. I ran up and down the fence looking for an easy way to get through, but could not find a way, so I waited as tears streamed down my face. As she came round the corner I ran into her arms, just as I had done when I was tiny, and we cried and hugged, unable to let go. The weaker side of me wanted to run away and hide, believing that I could not deal with this because we had, in effect, left her. She had been a part of our family my whole life, and had done everything with us. She had been there for every occasion, holiday,
As we stood there hugging and crying, reunited, one of our old workers stood by us with the biggest, most compassionate smile on his face telling us not to cry, and that we were together again and to be happy. Something I miss to this day is the African mentality to appreciate the here and now, as you just don’t know what will come next. We all headed back to Winnie’s house to unload the things we had bought for her, and sat where she had pictures of my family on her walls, alongside pictures of her family. She guided us around her house with such pride; it was such a beautiful home and had not changed a bit. And then she pulled out a plastic bag that was safely tucked between her clothes, and carefully unwrapped more photos of my grandparents, my uncles, and
herself that we had given to her over the years. She treasured them.
On leaving
Within 10 minutes of being there, our old workers, the ones that were still alive or had not moved to town to find work, had gathered around to ask questions about my mum and dad, showing genuine concern for their well-being, despite their own struggling situations. Another visit to see Winnie in 2012 I hugged each one of them, throwing all cultural about our friends from appropriateness to the wind, but neighbouring farms that wanting to show them how much they had known and I cared about them. I wanted them come to care for as well, to know that they were not just but their eyes glazed workers and that this was as much over as I mentioned their home as it was ours. the names of distant
Having lived in the suburbs of Australia for three years where neighbours don’t often know each other let alone support each other, I suddenly had a great appreciation for the proverb ‘it takes a village to raise a child’—seeing how each one of these people had played a part in my understanding of the world. When you share a home with people, you develop a respect for one another and an understanding to lookout for each other, just as they had done by keeping war veterans away when they had come to cause trouble and instigate violence. And in return we had provided them with work, schooling, electricity and other facilities. I was lost for words when they asked me when I was coming home. They wanted me to, ‘tell boss to come back, please, we want to work for him again’ They also asked
countries where they now lived. I felt so much guilt at the thought of us all having moved away while they had no option but to stay, without any alternative.
Now having to work in the fields for a new owner so as to stay in their homes with no payment for means to live, it made me so incredibly angry and sad—a feeling I will not forget. It highlighted the injustice of it all, and the sometimes cruel world we live in; however their faith in God astounded me, and it renewed my own faltering faith in the resilience of the human spirit, seeing their smiles and hearing their laughter, just like old times.
We had not wanted to leave Zimbabwe initially. We had loved it and had seen our future there; however, with the land redistribution policy being turned into a race war, and the continuous violence, my parents had begun to explore other options as it was not an easy reality to accept. Luckily, my mum’s nursing qualifications enabled us to apply for residency in Australia. When my mum was held-up at gun point, and we were at the stage where we had had to be evacuated from the farm so many times that we had stopped unpacking, we realised that it was time to seriously consider moving. So in 2003, we uprooted our lives along with so many others, and moved to safety away from the oppression, corruption and a potential future of wheeling and dealing to get by. We knew we were blessed to have the option to move, as many others did not. There were also others we knew who had fled the oppression to neighbouring countries, and had experienced worse situations. My heart was heavy with the past and the reality people were now living in. As I drove away, I knew deep down in my heart that I had done what I had needed to do— telling Winnie how much my family and I loved her, how we wished things had been different so that we could still be there for them, that they all meant so much to us, and that we miss them all dearly. I didn’t want to leave, even though I had been in Zimbabwe for nearly two months, it was where I felt at home. The trip home was a mixture of happiness and pain, and despite our burnt house and the workshop falling apart, what really mattered was still there. It was the people who made it home. As we drove down beneath the archway of jacarandas, I felt so many mixed emotions; peace in my heart, but also a deep sadness. As I stared out of the window at men who stared back at me, with tears streaming down my face, they knew who I was – ‘Bosses’ daughter’ – and in seeing the sadness in their eyes, I knew that they felt just like me— - a sense of great loss for us all, black and white. @RedCrossAU October 2014, Mirrors of Africa 17
The Future is Bright Abdulrahimelmi hopes to capture the true stories of young African people from perth in their own words. - WORDS by Janine Ripper 18 Mirrors of Africa, October 2014
Originally from Somalia and now residing in Perth, Abdulrahim Elmi is a dedicated ambassador and youth advocate to African communities across Western Australia. As a seasoned Program Manager for several shires in Western Australia, Abdulrahim is also an avid volunteer and champion for a number of causes and organisations across Perth. He has been recognised for his work by the Department of Communities Metropolitan Award (the Children Activated project 2011), the University of Kuwait (a project with orphanage children), and in the Yirra Yaakin awards for NAIDOC day in 2013.
With a passion also for social change and the arts, Abdulrahim’s talents and passion are endless.
“I have been fortunate enough over the last three years to have had the chance to create and direct four community theatre plays, one of them called AMAL. AMAL followed the true story of a young orphan Syrian child who was found in a refugee camp in Turkey in 2012. “The play attracted the attention of the producers of the Oscar Award winning movie 12 Years of Slavery, and is now set to be turned into a documentary film.”
Abdulrahim is particularly passionate about mentoring disengaged youth in African communities across Perth, and hopes to help and inspire others as a youth worker inspired him when he was a young person living in London. He says, “It’s all about how we can each do our bit to touch just one life, as we work towards leaving the world a better place than we found it”. Abdulrahim is in the process of directing and producing the anticipated documentary Babylon City, a social investigation into the disproportionate levels of social disengagement suffered by the black community in Australia. The filming is set to commence in September 2014, with the backing of Curtin University and the television station SBS. Babylon City will shine a light on the current issues faced by African communities within Western Australia, such as the dramatic increase of African youth in detention centers and juvenile prison. Babylon City identifies
perceived failures of the Australian education system, the breakdown of family units, and consumerism/ capitalism as significant contributing factors to these issues. With interviews from African
“The youth of today are our future and will shape the generations to come” gangs, underground arms dealers, and victims of violence, the film attempts to define the social environment that conditions and nurtures the desire to consume and destroy. An avid storyteller, Abdulrahim will use Babylon City to tap into reality and profile the real, untold stories of young African people across Perth. The documentary will also celebrate the achievements of local African communities, whilst
stressing that there is no time for complacency. Abdulrahim aims to unite and motivate the Western Australian African community at a grassroots level, stressing that action is needed now. Abdulrahim is also planning a ten-day expedition to one of the biggest refugee camps in the world — The Daddab Camp in Kenya. He will accompany a group of underprivileged young adults from across Perth, who have recently been released from juvenile detention, to Kenya in a project called From Perth To Daddab. The group will live and work in the Daddab Camp, and the journey will be filmed in cooperation with UK Channel 4. It promises to be a life-changing reality experience. Abdulrahim hopes that this experience will implant a sense of community engagement within the boys, as well as strong volunteering values and tools they can use as they grow into adulthood. It will also expose them to volunteering in overseas projects, and to new people from different cultures. The future is bright for Abdulrahim. He aims to continue to be involved in creative projects that expand the horizon for underprivileged youth, to change more lives and to continue to inspire young people, as well as to be a positive role model for his community, and most importantly—his family. Babylon City is due for release in March of 2015. Visit Abdulrahim at www.elmi-projects.com
October 2014, Mirrors of Africa 19
Wind beneath her wings
Nyasha Kunaka is the eight African woman to win Miss Africa Perth, and just like she always wanted to, she’s going to hold fundraisers to help the less fortunate children in Africa 20 Mirrors of Africa, October 2014
Hailing from Zimbabwe, 25-year-old Nyasha is a fourth-year student in physiotherapy with an interest in modelling. Being able to walk the catwalk had been adream since she was a teenager, although back then her focus was more on school and did a modelling course but she never had the opportunity to really explore modelling on a bigger scale. Her first awards included being voted the “Face Of 2008” in High School and Sport Certificates for Long Jump, High Jump and Shot Put and academic achievement awards. But as the story usually goes, when Nyasha moved to Australia she saw that the sky – not her age – was the limit. She could finally dip her toes into the modelling world and see where that could lead. Like most young African women looking for a perfect balance between studies and passion, Nyasha looks to make the most of the power that the Miss Africa Perth crown gives to help foster change and raise some funds for the less privileged.
What are the top three things about being Miss Africa Perth? Since the day I was crowned, I have realised that you shouldn’t limit yourself in regards to what you can actually do. So first it’s a huge eyeopener for me that I can achieve something if I’m passionate about it. Then there’s the support and kind words from people, not just from people who I know or from my home country but all the people rooting for me. It made me happy. But I’m mostly excited about my projects.
I’ll be doing fundraising events for charity – that’s what I’m most proud about. Now that I have more free time, I can put all my ideas into action. The process is simple, you choose a charity of your choice, approach them and propose that you help do fundraising for them.
Does winning Miss Africa Perth change the dream you had for your career?
My parents make me want to be the best that I can be. I’ve had so much support from my family, they’re the wind beneath my wings. My dad, sisters and my brother are my biggest fans. It’s really sweet. There was never a conversation to say for me to go for it, they all always want me to be my best and to keep doing what I enjoy.
From a young age, I’ve always been interested in five professions. I wanted to be all five things. I thought I was a superwoman or something. I wanted to be a physiotherapist, a model, an actress, a choreographer and a dancer. Now I think the main profession is physiotherapy and modelling.
Who have inspired you? My mum drives me to do what I do, to do the best that I can. She’s just a strong woman, she’s done a lot for herself. October 2014, Mirrors of Africa 21
How was school in Zimbabwe?
Any thoughts on makeup?
One of the best times in my life was in school. I haven’t experienced school here but at home I enjoyed it. I was in boarding school and attended three different primary schools and three different high schools.
I never wore makeup when I was in Zimbabwe. I only started using a bit of makeup when I came here and that’s only the basic stuff like mascara. Other than that, I like a natural look.
I don’t know why, since my family didn’t move around. Two of the schools were private, two government and two mission schools. So I got to experience a lot of different lifestyles and I was always the new girl.
I always ask makeup artists to tone the makeup down and I ask photographers not to Photoshop me – I hate it when they do! I think true beauty isn’t in the physical look. I have met many people who are physically beautiful but are not as extremely nice. It takes away from beauty. So I think it’s in your heart.
I was quick to make friends because I had to. I’ve received academic achievement awards – so I did enjoy learning. I also enjoyed sports but I started sports late because I wasn’t really interested right away. It was more social, not competitive. I did long jump, high jump and shot puts. I even qualified to represent the school and won some of the competitions. I wish I had started earlier and probably with netball and hockey.
How do you stay focussed ? I don’t like to do things half way. I have a lot of passion for things that I believe in and things that make sense to me. Miss Africa Perth gives me the platform to pursue projects, raise funds and do many other things. I can’t wait to dive into it. There’s so much joy in giving but it’s not about me, it’s about taking that role and just giving back. I have a strong passion for children who are underprivileged. I believe it’s not something they choose for themselves. They were born into it. Most of my fundraising will be for children’s charities. Even if it’s not for 100,000 children then I know I can do for some.
Funniest backstage moment during Miss Africa Perth? We connected. We had this unique bond and we helped each other. We took hundreds of selfies. Joking. Laughing. At one point I was freaking out because I feared a wardrobe malfunction could happen! Next thing I knew, another contestant wanted to borrow my shoes and I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to hop into them in time. I was supposed to go out there right after her. It was a little chaotic and stressful. The organisers reassured me. Surprinsingly, I had the time of my life. And my shoes were returned in time! 22 Mirrors of Africa, October 2014
If you could fly to anywhere in the world, where would you go and who would you take with you? I’d go to Europe. There’s a lot of history there and I know I would enjoy it. My brother is there also, so it would be good to see him. We haven’t seen each other for a while. I would take my whole family with me. I haven’t seen them since last year.
Can you survive without your phone? Even if I always have it with me, I think I survive wellwithout it. One day I forgot it in my car. It was the longest six hours of my life. I’m always checking and communicating with my family. Emails, calendar, university stuff. But the funny thing is that when I don’t have access to proper connection, it’s quite refreshing, quite peaceful as I don’t have to check emails.
Do you consider yourself African or more AfricanAustralian? I was born and bred in Zimbabwe and I hope that one day I will go back. I think I’m definitely more African but I’ve picked up too many Australian habits to still think that I’m purely African. I have never really thought about it but I guess it’s accurate to say I’m now a mixture of both.
Facebook or Instagnam?
Any parting advice for African girls who are just arriving in Australia?
I used to like Facebook but now it’s Instagram because I can express myself with photos, not a lot of words needed.
Moving to a different country or a new environment is always challenging. You’re leaving your family and home behind. I think
people should embrace the culture here, they shouldn’t put limitations and restrictions on themselves just because of where they come from. Sometimes you’ll feel like you’re out of your comfort zone. Be yourself, embrace the culture, be the best that you can, have the confidence and believe in yourself. You’re just as good here as you were in Africa. When it comes to following your dreams, go and follow them. I was a bit hesitant to pursue my modelling career because I didn’t know what to expect. If you can, overcome that fear. I now realise that I should have started earlier.
“You’re just as good here as you were in Africa.”
Photography – Geraldine Photography – ZePhotography, zephotography.com.au Photography – Ryan Ammon Photography, ryanammon.com Makeup – Jeanene Outfits – Sherocrew Website: sherofashion.com
nyasha.kunaka
October 2014, Mirrors of Africa 23
the Junior Council in encouraging the City to provide additional facilities that would make it possible for youths to make the right decisions in regards to how they pass their time.
Junior Mayor Twelve-year-old Ruvimbo Tambiri is “an articulate and confident quality public speaker and has well developed values and thoughtful ideas that her peers appreciated and could relate to.” Those are the words of the City of Rockingham Mayor Barry Sammels to explain what contributed to Ruvimbo’s election as the City’s 2014 Junior Mayor. Ruvimbo was born in Zimbabwe and is a Year 7 student at Comet Bay Primary School. She hopes to help change how the public across the City of Rockingham perceive the younger generation. “I want to help the grownups see that we’re not a nuisance and that young people are not here to mess things up,” she said. She said she chose to run for mayor because all ideas that the junior mayor presents for debate are always heard. “If accepted, my ideas will make their way to the City’s Council,” she said. “There, the councillors will determine the possibility of realising those ideas.” Ruvimbo said she also supports 24 Mirrors of Africa, October 2014
“When they have nothing to do, instead of hang around and appear as nuisance, they could go see a movie, go to a local library and read a book, or go to a skate park,” she said. Mayor Barry Sammels said it’s important to have a junior mayor as it gives young people the opportunity to develop leadership skills and to discuss community issues that affect them. “The role of junior mayor is a peak in the leadership pathway for young people in Rockingham,” he said. “Having an African Australian as our current Junior Mayor ensures that this growing segment of our community is represented. “The issues that are of interest and concern to a young person with her particular cultural background can be voiced and discussed.” Mayor Sammels said the Junior Council is an example of how new Australians are taking an active and productive role in the shaping of the community, thereby strengthening the sense of connectedness between people of all backgrounds. “City officers work regularly with African groups within the
community, assisting them to build capacity and integrate effectively with the wider community,” he said. “Ms Tambiri’s contribution to that process, and that of her fellow Junior Councillors, is highly valued and appreciated by myself and my fellow City Councillors.” The Department of Immigration recently awarded the City a Certificate of Appreciation for the large number of citizenship ceremonies the City undertakes to formally confer Australian citizenship on people from many different countries who have chosen to make Australia their home. Ruvimbo said as she grows older she hopes to contribute to helping men and women finally be treated equally with the same rights and to be paid equally. Until then, Mayor Sammels has some big plans for her. Ruvimbo chairs Junior Council meetings, represents City of Rockingham Junior Council at Civic functions and provides feedback to City officers about programs and infrastructure for young people across the City. “As Junior Council is a representative program where young people are representing their schools and peers, the City understands that the young people’s afterschool schedules are important to them and their families,” Mayor Sammels said. “The City encourages Junior Councillors to be involved in their community and volunteer in areas that they are passionate about.” Visit the City of Rockingham at rockingham.wa.gov.au
Rising stars out of Africa Over the years, Gail Kelley Call it being in the right place at the African migrants right time, talent, dogged hard work l ain old g ood luck, but there are to Australia have orp many Africans who have managed to made an indelible reach great heights in their adopted country of Australia. mark in all areas of Perhaps o ne oft h e most and well known exports commerce, sport successful is Gail Kelly, CEO of Australia’s second largest bank—Westpac. Her and the Arts. lois portfolio is rather impressive. Apart rearing four children (triplets nicholls introduces from in the mix), she is responsiblef or two of the success overseeing US$613 billionin assets and over 36,000 employees. Not bad stories. for a former bank teller and high school Latin teacher!
While she studied Latin and Ancient History at Cape Town University, it was banking that eventually offered a career path. In 1980, an opportunity arose at Nedcor bank in Johannesburg and she quickly rose up the ranks. By 2001 she had held various senior management roles in a wide range of areas, including retail and commercial banking, strategy, marketing and human resources. Gail came to Australia in 2002— she was Chief Executive Officer of St George Bank from 2002 to 2007. In 2008 she was appointed as Westpac’s CEO, where she is currently employed. October 2014, Mirrors of Africa 25
Giam Swiegers Equally determined to face gender inequality issues within his company is former South African, Giam Swiegers who was appointed Chief Executive Officer for Deloitte, Australia in 2003. His long tenure has been notable given the fickle world of ......
Apart from a Bachelor of Arts degree and Higher Diploma of Education from Cape Town University, Gail also completed an MBA with Distinction from the University of Witwatersrand, and an Honorary Doctorate of Business from Charles Sturt University. She is Chairman of the Australian Bankers’ Association and a nonexecutive director of the Business Council of Australia and the Financial Markets Foundation for Children. She sits on the Global Board of Advisers at the US Council on Foreign Relations and is a member of the Sydney Cricket and Sports Ground Trust. Gail is also CARE Australia’s Ambassador for Women’s Empowerment. In fact, she has made huge inroads to encourage gender equality in a notoriously maledominated field of banking and 42% of her management team are now women. 26 Mirrors of Africa, October 2014
Giam started out as an auditor with Deloitte in South Africa and went on to work for the company in America. Under his leadership of Deloitte, Australia, the company has gone from strength to strength. He attributes much of the company’s success to their goal to address the gender inequality issues in the company with an “inspiring women” initiative. Giam started out as an auditor with Deloitte in South Africa and went on to work for the company in America. Under his leadership of Deloitte, Australia, the company has gone from strength to strength. He attributes much of the company’s success to their goal to address the gender inequality issues in the company with an “inspiring women” In 2004 there were only 4.5% female partners and the current percentage is 30%. As a prominent and accomplished businessman, he is often asked what makes a good leader and he gives credit to an old rugby coach (Giam played 1st Grade rugby) for an adage he has lived by: “Focus on your strengths, not your weaknesses”. It has certainly worked for him. Deloitte Australia recorded net revenues of over $1 billion for the 2013 financial year. With over 500 partners plus a team of more than 5,500 people, the Australian practice comprises 16 offices covering every Australian state, including Papua New Guinea and Timor Leste.
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Marketing Tips
If you’re hoping for a bright future for your small business, here are five tips for marketing success that won’t break the bank.
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Social Media Marketing: Social Media is revolutionizing the way people connect with businesses. It’s no longer about having a great product or service but rather building an authentic relationship with your consumer. Social Media allows you to connect with your consumers, understand their needs, harness an ongoing relationship and add exceptional value to your customers. Social Media marketing will essentially increase your brand awareness, drive traffic to your website and ultimately increase your sales.
Email marketing: Providing newsletters and flyers as Email Direct Marketing (EDMs) enable businesses to “letterdrop” right into the virtual hands of their readership. Share your knowledge, services, products, information and attractive content by feeding it directly into the inboxes of perspective customers and stakeholders – it may just be the last straw they need before they commit to doing business with you. The trick, however, is knowing the right time to send out these publications and who to send them to – having your hard work fall on deaf ears is never enjoyable and is a complete waste of time.
WORDS: Judy Sahay
Blogging: Blogs are a great way to self-publish what you know, either on your own platform or on someone else’s. These pieces deliver opportunities to provide informal, relatable posts about the most relevant industry news and trends, whilst embedding your own brand’s commentary in a subtle, persuasive manner. This is another element of thought leadership and helps to sway perspective customers into become loyal, returning ones. Additionally, participating in guest blogging shows you and your business are participating in two-way communication and discussions around the online world, giving more of your demographic to engage with the brand and show their interest in what you have on offer.
Video marketing: Including videos that provide information, how-to guides, knowledge and entertaining content that can be included in media kits and other forms of online distribution. This is a great way to show yourself off as a leader of the industry and establish a credible image for the brand overall. Show the world what you can do through a visually engaging method. Opt-in forms: Having an accessible and attractive opt-in form available on your website means that visitors will be more inclined to fill in their contact details and subscribe to future updates. This means that those doing so will be converted to loyal, returning visitors and hopefully customers. Additionally, optin forms allow businesses to gather important information on the subscriber, which can help shape future campaigns and ultimately a lead generation strategy for your business. Name: Judy Sahay, Owner of digital media agency Crowd Media HQ Website: www.crowdmediahq.com.au Twitter: @judysahay October 2014, Mirrors of Africa 27
Seeing the light In a rush to get settled in and to help their families adjust to their new life, migrantcouples moving to Australia often find it hard to transcend the old and manifest the new and the strain can easily take a toll on their relationships. Rosie Bellshares some strategies to assist couples in making a successful start to their new chapter. 28 Mirrors of Africa, October 2014
As a couple the way that you relate to each other is probably what shapes your future even more than migration itself. Whenever people migrate, they carry their past and add it to their future that makes their psychology and their relationship the bridge between what lay behind and what is ahead. I’m going to share success strategies for migrant families – use them in your relationship and in your personal life, and apply them in your work as your begin employment in Australia. As migrants there will be good times even great times that means you can be optimistic. There will always be changes in your new life and you will react one way or another because what is unfamiliar usually makes us unsteady. Sometimes we respond with emotions we never knew we had. Both you and your partner will have good days and bad days. That’s guaranteed. Regardless if you become a tourist for a while or dive in head first, you will at times face some hurdles. When that happens, embrace each other because your strength is in
understanding, not reacting. You must be prepared, however, to take action – sometimes massive action – to get the results you want. You must recognise that as new migrants, you are in the process of transition. You will also find that a lot about your life is the same. You will most likely still sleep on the same side of the bed. Your nicknames will stay the same,the reasons you fell in love and your shared history will stay the same. As you know, a huge part of life is changing. Your days will not be the same as they once were. Your strengths will be in embracing your new circumstances and your feelings as individuals and as a couple. After all, your feelings create your thoughts and your thoughts will influence all of your behaviours. You must also live with deliberate intention because you cannot survive on feelings alone although they are like the fuel in your tank. It is your emotions – in some shape or form that determine whether you stay or move on.
Ask yourself…
• What am I seeing so far that is different for me? • What am I hearing and how do I feel about it? • What sign posts tell me that “life is in transition”? • What conversations should I be having? Yes recognise transition, because no matter how well prepared you think you are, itwill take a while before Australia becomes your new home. Make wherever you live your sanctuary andyour special nest to return to each day. You may find times of confusion, loss or anticipation. Each one of us respond to emotional issues differently – some of us go inside of ourselves while others reach outwards and connect with more people. One thing for sure is you and your partner will not always respond in the same way. The best thing you can do is make allowances for diversity. Usually the person who is most flexible and accepting will probably win at the end of the day. Most likely you and your partner will respond to the stresses and challenges of migration each in your own way. Your partner will not always see, hear and feel things the same as you will. From my experience working with migrant families: • Men want action – they forge ahead • Women want understanding – they want to feel safe • Women want to remember – they share and hold onto the past • Women want connection,men want to build recognition. In a new place, suddenly all the differences around you are magnified. Your emotions may seem unpredictable, your thoughts and beliefs will be challenged and your behaviour may change. You could be asking WHO am I, who do I need to be and what must I do to have the life I want here? Because you are in a transition, life is
The Six Principles of High Achievers best managed witha moving forward process. Make time to understand these principles and to apply them at home, at work and in all other areas of your life: 1. What you focus on is what you get and what you focus on expands. So be sure to focus on what will benefit you rather than what will erode your progress. 2. You must be prepared to get out of your comfort zone and to stretch yourself to find new possibilities. When you allow yourself to see more than that which you were previously familiar with, you find lots of new possibilities. 3. You must be prepared to embrace uncertainty and to recognise it as a bridge to the next best version of yourself. 4. The map is not the territory! Get curious and find out what is really going on, because there is so much to explore and so much more than the map of Australia will tell you. Get to know the people, the culture, the Australian language and the reality of your new life here. 5. You must be prepared to take 100% responsibility for your success as a person and as a couple. That means not buying into drama, nor blame, nor criticism but being fully accountable for your own action, thoughts and outcomes. 6. There is no such thing as failure. You will make mistakes, learn from them and step up and change what is not working for you. Treat each setback as an opportunity to revise and improve your next step forward and you will succeed.
Rosie Bell is the director at the Perth-based See the Light Personal and Business Transformation.As a strategist and performance coach, shecoaches individuals, couples and families who are in transition. Rosie guides them from the beginning, where it all starts with dreaming, believing, thinking it through and actioning a system that enables quality of life, confidence, and direction. Theylearn to come to a peace-of-mind agreement about what matters most and what makes living with one another less dramatic and more calming so everyone can be happier. Rosie tells us that she chose the name See The Light because when problems are sorted, dilemmas are resolved and change happens, people say… “Now I can see the light.” Rosie came to Australia from Zimbabwe and her husband is originally from Kenya. Although they’re enjoying their “very Australian life” with their two Australian children and four grandchildren, for Rosie once you have lived in Africa, it never leaves you. It’s always in your blood no matter where life takes you. www. seethelighttransformation.com facebook.com/ parentingmindworksprogram @thebellrosie
October 2014, Mirrors of Africa 29
Girls Eli Dress Zig Zag Teal - $65 30 Mirrors of Africa, October 2014
Get ready for summer
with Global Mamas from Ghana Emi Dress in Paisley Aqua - $85 Eli Dress in Fisheye Olive - $90
Boys Shirt in Cars Lime - $45
Global mamas was founded in Ghana in 2003 to help women achieve prosperity for themselves and their families. Each item is hand-crafted using traditional techniques that have been handed down from one generation to the next. Global Mamas has a wide range of products – all handmade, each one unique – including women’s clothing, children’s clothing, recycled glass bead jewellery, and batik homewares and accessories. Global Mamas is a member of WFTO (World Fair Trade Organisation). Sankofa has been a stockist and the Australian distributor for Global Mamas’ products for the Australian market since 2007.
Global Mamas make amazing contemporary batik clothing for women and children. They go well with their recycled glass jewellery.
www.globalmamas.com. October 2014, Mirrors of Africa 31
Heading beyond the horizon with Yael Maree My name is Yael Maree, and I am the owner of Kili Tingatinga Art, but how I got there goes back many years. Born in Israel, my father, a civil engineer spent much time in Africa while I was growing up, and one day he announced that we will be joining him in a place called Nigeria. At the age of eight, I remember thinking that a helicopter is going to have to drop us off in the middle of the jungle and that loin clothed men will have to walk us between huts to school so that we won’t get 32 Mirrors of Africa, October 2014
eaten by the wild life. Man was I wrong. We landed in Lagos a few months later and the City, although bigger than what I was used too was just a city, concrete blocks, cars and pollution, the only significant difference was the amount of people in the streets and the colour of their skin. We lived in a company compound, but on weekends we always travelled to the country side, and that’s where I really saw
Africa for the first time, mounds of massive termite homes, greenery of all shades and colours and animals roaming free like I have never experienced before. My love for the African savannah was insatiable, and the weekends seemed to never arrive fast enough. But unfortunately beyond the beauty of the land and the people who inhabited it, there were truths that were too hard to ignore. The poverty in Nigeria was rife and very apparent, even to a nineyear-old. People would practice the art of self-mutilation in order to be seen as crippled and so that they could beg for money, infrastructure was collapsing just as fast as it was being built and the hunger and hardship was evident. It was then
Yael Mare is striving to continue to grow the Tingatinga name is Australia to help provide an income and financial means by fair trade purchases. With a few new projects on the horizon and continuous work, there’s hope to give Nigerian artists a better life. living in this country as a fortunate nine years old that I realised how many others in this world live less fortunate lives than me. We lived in Nigeria for two years before my father got a job offer in South Africa. We moved south, and it was to be my home for the next 13 years and in many ways, although I have not lived there for 10 years it is still my home, where I made friends, memories and grew to become the person that I was. I was lucky to live in South Africa during a time of great change, where political, cultural and social changes came about with the release of Nelson Mandela and the birth of the rainbow
nation. Although I love the people of Africa, their endless smile, the songs and colours it is the landscape which still enchants me. I spent endless summers across the vast country side of South Africa, enjoying its amazing beaches and nature like Hermanus and its whales, Nature’s Valley and its jungle elephants, and the Kruger national park looking for hours to find all manner of animals and especially the big five. Later as life went on and the travel bug bit it was inevitable that I would go glob trotting, and so I did, spending approximately 1 years in the winds of the world, while my friends where building careers and houses I was building a repertoire of memories and
adventures. I was fortunate to live and travel in Europe, Asia and the Middle East, until settling in Australia with my now husband. It was four years ago that we made the decision to travel back to Africa, and decided to go and visit the Serengeti, Zanzibar and Dar Es Salaam. It was a trip that impacted me deeply. When one is away from extreme poverty it’s easy to forget how it looks. Although as always the people of Africa smile and find endless reasons to stay happy it’s hard not to notice the torn cloths, the knee high boreholes in the muddy road and collapsing old buildings. It was in Dar Es Salaam that however that I encountered the October 2014, Mirrors of Africa 33
Tingatinga Market, incredible beauty hidden in the depth of dirt and filth of the city. Amazingly talented artists sat in the shade surrounded by incredibly vivid, and surreal paintings depicting animals, Africa and village life. These artists of the Tingatinga Society worked hard and diligently creating masterpieces to help them feed their families and bring pride and worth to their lives. Of course I purchased a number of paintings which still take a place of pride in my home. I bought a painting for my unborn daughter which I was carrying at the time, and it was after her birth that I decided that I would like to do something to show her that this world of ours could be a better place. Rather than creating another charity where all the funds end up in the CEO’s pocket I decided to create a Fair-trade business where we will purchase, import feature and sell the Tingatinga Art in Australia, by dong this not only
34 Mirrors of Africa, October 2014
could we create a tangible income for the artists who create these pieces but also help them feed their families and bring them pride and worth. Kili Tingatinga Art proudly supports over 50 artists and we add as many as we can to the list regularly. We are Melbourne based and to date have sold over 155 pieces and have donated a number of art works children’s wards in hospitals across the country, with our latest donation being to the
Monash Children’s Hospital. We are striving to continue to grow the Tingatinga Family and the Tingatinga name is Australia so that we can continue to help provide an income and financial means by fair trade purchases. With a few new projects on the horizon and continuous work we hope to find new and better ways to better the lives of our artists and their families. kilitingatinga.com.au facebook.com/kilitingatinga
October 2014, Mirrors of Africa 35
Fixing her cravings with her favourite things When Kim Draper could no longer live without her favourite South African foods and arts, she did the only thing that could bring her cravings to an end: She brought a piece of South Africa to Perth! 36 Mirrors of Africa, October 2014
metal work as well as many other authentic African goods, radiates a warm welcome to visitors. African Roots– an authentic South African convenience store – was established to bring the goods that Kim knew other South Africans would appreciate. Naturally, she chose its name as a remembrance of her roots. Since their move to Perth, Kim and her husband Craig visit South Africa regularly. On each return Kim always felt as though she had left something valuable behind. After 12 years she realised what that was and what she could do about it! What followed was the launching of her convenience store in May 2013 in the idyllic Jindalee, one of Western Australia’s northern beach suburbs. The result is African Roots, a store with a difference: vibrant colours of ceramic-ware and artifacts comprising of wall hangings, table runners, cushions, candles, and uniquely crafted
Kim sources all the goods from South Africa and personally picks them out on her annual visits. These goods have made the expat community feel more at home, especially with images of their homeland brought right to their doorsteps. African Roots also stocks a variety of products that expats have grown up with, such as chutneys (yes, you can make Bobotie now, with Mrs Balls chutney – the real McKay!), jams, cereals, biltong and the like. Kim and her family are settled and rooted in Western Australia and they support the indigenous projects and disadvantaged communities by way of buying goods from these organisations. Being a business woman,Kim also prefers to support the
entrepreneurial vendor rather than the mainstream shopping precincts. African Roots is proving to be hugely successful as it has diversified from basic foodstuffs to elaborate gifts and exciting products. Customers come from many walks of life thanks to Australia being a multicultural society, and thus the store appeals to a wide spectrum of peoples, not only South Africans. Kim’s vision is to open similar stores elsewhere in Australia.
readers to visit African Roots to experience a little bit of Africa. Step into the store and be amazed! African Roots is located at 6 Jindalee Boulevard, Jindalee.
Opening hours are Monday to Friday 9.30am to 5pm and Saturday 9am to 4pm. Visit African Roots at facebook. com/africanrootsperth
She encourages other entrepreneurs to apply common sense, put their heads down and work hard, be persistent and just never give up! We asked her to let us in on a good marketing secret. Her response was to launcha Facebook page which is very relaxed and sociable. Her very engaging Facebook page had more than 4200 ‘Likes’ in August 2014. Kim invites all Mirrors of Africa October 2014, Mirrors of Africa 37
LK Gifts Red Trdee Courier Bag $70.00 www.lkgifts.com.au
Zuny Classic Elephant Bookedn - Tan $ 74.94 www.zuny.com.au
Beach Abode Pink Flamingo Outdoor Cousions $ 54.99 www.beachabodeliving.com.au
In the Hand Round Cowhide Stool in Leopard Print $449.95 www.inthehand.com.au
A Lil’ Bit of Africa
Lavender Hills Interiors Bamileke Table $640.00 to $890.00 lavenderhillinteriors.com.au 38 Mirrors of Africa, October 2014
Carrol Boyles Candle Stick Twi Light $ 295 www.carrolboyes.com.au
Two Girls and A Container Wooden Carved Cowhead $385.00 www.twogirlsandacontainer.com.au
Two Girls and A container Wooden Table Lamp with Silk Shade $475.00 www.twogirlsandacontainer.com.au
Biome Eco Stores iBark iPhone5 cases (100% natural bamboo) $59.95 www.biome.com.au
Laura Ashley Constellation Champagne Large Mirror $899 www.laura-ashley.com.au
October 2014, Mirrors of Africa 39
Grow your writing career with
Looking to build your portfolio withpublished articles? As a contributor to Mirrors of Africa you have the opportunity to develop your writing skills and portfolio. We offer an in valuable way to get your name out there and build your online presence.You will get to share your stories, promote your cause, spread the word about the great things your network is doing and introduce our readers to other Australiansin their communities. Whatever your writing ambitions, wewill assist you in achieving them. No previous publication or special award is required. We are looking for creative contributors from all walks of life – university students, business owners, politicians, industry experts, barristers, pastors, entrepreneurs – you name it, our list is endless. If you want writing success – this is the way to kick-start it! We are always looking for 600-800 word articles with a fun, relaxed tone of voice. If you have photos, please submit up to eight with your article.Email our Editor and request our deadlines. Articles we seek include: - Opinion pieces, expert advice, profiles, interviews, how-tos, current issues and newsy pieces - Reviews of books, movies, travel, cars, gadgets and anything else you enjoyed - Community event coverage including sports, music, tours and competitive events Submit your story NOW!
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40 Mirrors of Africa, October 2014
Australia’s Best Kept Secret
Neo Pitso October 2014, Mirrors of Africa 41
I first met Neo Pitso on the 3 August 2014 after he had just got back from a rally in Adelaide. There was an air of assurance about him, he was dressed in a very suave manner and the way in which he conducted himself was like that of a man who was sure of himself and his future. He also came across as incredibly humble which is rare for someone who has achieved so much, especially in hip hop. As we continued our discussion, Pitso told me about his past.
“It was rewarding to play one of my heroes,” Pitso told me. “When I first got to Australia I read ‘Long Walk to Freedom.’ I wanted
As we continue our discussion I found out that Pitso later on became the school captain of his high school (equivalent of headboy) and won numerous awards in both sporting and academic fields such as the Australian Defence Force Award for leadership and the Josiah MittonAward for best all round student. I asked if he has always been driven to succeed and he answered with a cheeky grin “aren’t we all? When you’re young and learn to ride a bike you keep trying no matter how many times you fall, that to me is evidence that we all want to succeed from a young age”.
Meet Neo Pitso, gifted rapper from Adelaide. He played Nelson Mandela in a highschool play and later on stood on the steps of Parliament withmore than 2000 supporters to fight for asylum seekers.
He was born in Welkom, South Africa and raised in Adelaide, South Australia. Upon his arrival to Australia his teachers sensed a natural born leader in him and so he was tasked with playing the role of Nelson Mandela in his school’s Rock Eisteddfod. This production would later be broadcast across Australia on TV networks. This was also the time he came up with the phrase “Obsessed with Success” as a mantra he would
42 Mirrors of Africa, October 2014
say to himself to keep his spirits up during hard times.
It’s hard to argue with WORDS: Gabriella Gregoire that. I was aware that he did Law at university but to put myself in the same frame of dropped out to pursue a career mind as someone who had been in music so I choose to stick to his detached from familiar surroundpassions. ings and yet still remained positive We moved on to Hip Hop and throughout. The fact that I went on a simple Google search has already to play Mandela was either coinciprovided me with information dence or fate”. about Pitso supporting Nas, The
Game, Bone Thugs & Harmony, Jessica Mauboy and many more artists on tour. I asked why he hasn’t got a manager to help him with his music workload and his response was: “I need a manager but he/she can’t sleep more than I do. If he does, his work ethic has to be sickening, I sometimes only sleep for 4 hours a night being productive.” As he said this he pulled out a small silvery object and popped out a pill which he downed with some water. “This is my secret weapon,” he joked, referring to a No Doz tablet. He is a very inquisitive character. He also sought to find out more about me and my ambitions throughout the interview. Last year, BlackBerry flew Pitso to America where he had the chance to meet another BlackBerry Ambassador, F1 Driver Lewis Hamilton. When I asked Pitso about his visit he was almost lost for words and exclaimed that everything he had prayed and worked for had come true. I asked if having his face on buses was something he had always wanted to do too and he answered with a resounding “yes of course! People close to me know that. I thought it would happen in Adelaide, but it happened in Sydney which is even better.”
“I want to be a walking billboard for success and I won’t stop working until I achieve that goal,” he boldly confessed to me. Pitso’s visit to Adelaidetwo days ago was in support for a rally about two Vietnamese students from his former high school. They were taken from their homes in June 2014 and sent to a detention centre by the government. Pitso co-wrote a song ‘Bring them Home’ with a current Woodville High School student and they performed it on the day. When I performed anotherGoogle search, I found an article on VICE that stated that Pitso’s performance and choice of words at the rally caused many people in the crowd to shed tears. I watched a video of the rally and saw him standing on the steps of Parliament addressing the crowd
of more than 2000 supporters. I got goose bumps as I listened to him speak: “Lift your fists in the air for me, this is solidarity this is democracy in action. Look at the person to your left and look at your person to your right and know that you will fight for them as much as you fight for these two boys!” I watched on as a sea of people of all creeds and colours put their fists in the air in unison. I watched the video again and each word was as powerful as the next. It was at that moment that I was convinced that I had come across Australia’s Best Kept Secret: Neo Pitso. www.neopitso.com facebook.com/NeoPitsoMusic twitter.com/theonlyneo reverbnation.com/NeoPitso
His image was used on buses across Sydney by the Australian Institute of Music and this helped expose him to the Sydney scene a bit more. October 2014, Mirrors of Africa 43
WIN A BOOK Win a copy of
Your chance to WIN
The Hunter
Readers must enter via email to competition@mirrorsofafrica.com.au. Mirrors of Africa has partnered with Tony Park, the bestselling author of Dark Heart, African Dawn and The Prey to offer five lucky readers the chance to win a free copy of his new novel The Hunter. A missing woman, a serial killer at large…man is the most dangerous predator of all. Safari guide and private investigator Hudson Brand hunts people, not animals. He’s on the trail of LinleyBrown who’s been named as the beneficiary of a life insurance policy. Linley’s friend, Kate, supposedly died in a fiery car accident in Zimbabwe, but Kate’s sister wants tobelieve it is an elaborate fraud. South African detective Sannie van Rensburg is also looking for Linley, as well as a serial killer who hasbeen murdering prostitutes on Sannie’s watch. Top of her list of suspects is Hudson Brand. Sannie and Hudson cross paths and swords as they track theelusive Linley from South Africa and Zimbabwe to the wilds ofKenya’s Masai Mara game reserve. Tony Park’s trademark storytelling prowess turns this hunt into athrilling - and deadly - escapade through some of the mostdangerous, yet beautiful, places on earth. Tony Parkhas worked as a reporter, a press secretary, a public relations consultant and a freelance writer. He and his wife divide theirtime between Sydney and southern Africa where they own ahome on the border of the Kruger National Park. 44 Mirrors of Africa, October 2014
Tony is the authorof ten other novels set in Africa, Far Horizon, Zambezi,AfricanSky, Safari, Silent Predator, Ivory, The Delta, African Dawn, DarkHeart and The Prey, and co-author of Part of the Pride (with KevinRichardson), War Dogs (with Shane Bryant), The Grey Man (withJohn Curtis) and The Lost Battlefield of Kokoda and WalkingWounded (with Brian Freeman).
How to Enter
Write a short story– it can be a real story or a fictional story – in a maximum 250 words, starting with the following: “As she stepped out of the truck…” Type your entry and submit in Word format and include your full name and postal address within the same document. Email to competition@mirrorsofafrica.com.au before 25 October 2014.The five winning entries will each receive a copy of The Hunter and will be published in Mirrors of Africa magazine. To order the book, visithttp://bit.ly/The-Hunter
8 Questions with acclaimed rhythmic soul artist Carmen Hendricks about her new sophomore album “Timing”
Carmen Hendricks was born in Capetown, South Africa and always knew she had a calling with music. When she migrated to Australia to escape the challenges of apartheid she saw the opportunity to pursue her dreams. Now living in Melbourne, the acclaimed rhythmic soul vocal artist has released her long anticipated sophomore album “Timing”, following her successful debut “Rhythmic Soul Revealed” in 2010.
Carmen chats with Mirrors of Africa about her music.
1. What’s the story behind “Timing”? It came into creation once I met the special woman who truly inspired me - finally a joining with my soul mate! 2. What’s unique about yourself? I sing to express not impress! My gift has been given to me... it’s not mine... but it is to be used to move, heal and touch souls who hear me. 3. What’s your favourite music and music style? Anything that moves me really.... this comes from parents who loved listen-
ing to all types of music - Jazz, soul, RNB, Gospel and Latin. 4. What’s the biggest challenge you’ve had to deal with in the Australian music industry? Understanding that only YOU can make yourself successful.... by your belief in yourself and your willingness to turn up every day and be present. 5. Did you have any studio rituals when you were recording? No... “Timing” had a flow of its own that I as the artist just respected and followed. 6. What’s your album-making process? My album-making process is to always listen to the inspiration that comes in all forms. I diligently follow the guidance given to me through ideas and by doing this and watching creation happen, it becomes extremely therapeutic. To be able to trust in this way is powerful. You never force creation.... it gently guides you. 7- Have you started thinking about a follow-up album? Yes I have been given the idea/Inspiration for the next Album. 8- Any chance our readers in South Africa will see you on stage? Yes, taking this album on tour back home is definitely on my radar!
October 2014, Mirrors of Africa 45
releasing the international hit single “Moving Too Fast”, which ranked #4 on the US Dance Charts, #1 on the UK Dance Charts and Top 10 on the Australian charts. A regular performer on Channel Ten’s “Good Morning Australia” 2004-2006, Carmen has also performed live on tour with Kanye West (Australian Tour 2006) and Kelly Rowland (Australian Tour 2007). With her focus now steady on her burgeoning solo career, Carmen lives by a deep spiritual force driven by a personal philosophy to “be present and create my world with the talent I have been given and uplift as many people as I can – if only for the moment.”
In addition to her self-produced solo gigs, Carmen has performed and toured with Australian R&B artist Daniel Merriweather, Australian pop singer/actress Christine Anu, and Australian singer Kate Ceberano. In 2006, Carmen collaborated with UK act SupaFly,
46 Mirrors of Africa, October 2014
Listen to “Timing” on Youtube at http://bit.ly/CarmenHendricks facebook.com/carmenhendricksmusic
African Woman By Rumbidzai Chekeche
Lovely is what you are, naturally inside Aura of home and peace, shining through your eyes Pure affection, stemming from your heart Words out of love, even when you’re being short. Strong is what you are, never giving up Carrying heavy burdens, a true rock Capable and diligent, maximizing every chance Able to withstand the many pressures of life. Beautiful is what you are, made in His image Many contours, and yes you’re proud of it African skin beautiful, like a star-lit sky Imperishable and with age it only intensifie . Astute is what you are, imparting life Intelligent and wise, sharp like an eagle’s eye Breaking down barriers, climbing the ladder Trustworthy, and bestowed with honour.
October 2014, Mirrors of Africa 47
A feast from cosmopolitan Africa I was born and raised in Cape Town, and have travelled extensively in sub-Saharan Africa. I have lived in the US, the UK and Europe (mostly Italy), and emigrated to Australia in 1992. After decades of being an academic (I have, inter alia, a PhD in Library and Information Science), I am now realising my dream: opening an online shop which sells contemporary African design. I love Africa and the countries and the people never cease to inspire me. I am keen to get the good news out, rather than all the miserable stuff that we usually hear about the cradle of humanity. 48 Mirrors of Africa, October 2014
Cape Town is the most southerly city in Africa, the meeting place of two oceans and the Tavern of the Seas. It is also my home town. The city was established by the Dutch East India Company in 1652. Jan van Riebeeck, an employee of the company, had been ordered to establish a settlement, in order to supply fresh water, meat and vegetables to the Company’s ships, as they plied the long and profitable spice route between Holland and South-East Asia, particularly Indonesia and Malaysia. The Dutch trading fleet was the first of many that pulled into Table Bay as other countries opened up trade between Europe and the East. Like Australia and the United States, people came to live in South Africa in order to escape war, religious persecution or economic hardship – before England, in the expansion of her Empire, colonised the Cape and Natal. But the rest of that history must wait for another day. The cuisine of the Cape is unique, not only to South Africa, but to Africa as a whole, being a fusion of the many cultures that mingled at the foot of Table Mountain. Spices, naturally enough, appear frequently, as do some indigenous plants and the fresh fruit, vegetables, fish and meat that were grown in abundance. The recipes I have chosen here reflect something of this fusion, suitable for the cold winter months. To start with, there is the perennial favourite, Avocado Ritz. The combination of avocado, prawns and the delicate, slightly spicy dressing, is irresistible. Following this, sosaties. These are cousins to kebabs, shasliks, satays or souvlaki, but with the tangy complex flavour of selected spices. This is accompanied by Yellow Rice, coloured by turmeric, and flavoured with cinnamon, raisins, syrup and butter, and spotted with raisins. To finish, Malva
pudding. ‘Malva’ means ‘marshmallow’ in Afrikaans, but other than being light and spongy, this pudding bears no resemblance. It is divinely decadent, a sumptuous concoction with enough cream and butter to make your thighs dimple in joy. With all of these dishes, there are many different recipes available. These are the ones I like the best.
Avocado Ritz
½ ripe, but firm, avocado per person, with pips removed. 3 – 4 large shelled prawns per person (steam briefly or fry quickly in a little butter if they are not cooked)
Sosaties
You can use any (boneless) meat for these. I have yet to taste them made from fish, but I suppose anything is possible! Lamb is traditional. The important part of this recipe is the marinading sauce, in which your meat and vegetables must soak (in the fridge) for at least 24 hours, 48 if possible. The amount that you use of each ingredient will, of course, depend on how many people you want to feed, and what you wish to put on each skewer. Some purists will only put meat and dried apricots, others will add onion (my preference), while any other firm vegetable or fruit, such as capsicum, mushrooms, tomatoes, or pineapple, can also be used.
Ingredients • Meat of choice, cut into cubes of about 2 cm. Allow about 250 g per person. • Dried apricots – about 250 g should be enough for 4 people. • Onions, also cut into chunks.
Sauce [This sauce will make enough for 4 servings, so adjust accordingly]. 1 Tablespoon Brandy, Whiskey or Amarula (optional) 2 Tablespoons thick cream (I like Bulla or King Island the best) Juice of half a lemon (don’t let those pips escape!) 2 Tablespoons tomato sauce Dash of Worcestershire sauce Salt and pepper You could also add a pinch of chilli or a few drips of Tabasco, if you are so inclined. 1. If you are preparing this hours in advance (which of course is quite possible), you might like to dip the exposed flesh of the avos in some lemon juice. 2. Cook the prawns and allow to cool. 3. Mix together all ingredients for the sauce, to taste. Put the avocado halves on a bed of lettuce, add the prawns and drizzle the sauce over them. Done and delicious!
Marinade Sauce
½ c sunflower seed oil (by preference – or use what you fancy). 1 c brown vinegar or lemon juice 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce Garlic (I love garlic and so I tend to add quite a bit. Adjust to your tastes) 250 ml plain yoghurt 6 cloves 4 Tablespoons apricot jam 2 Tablespoons brown sugar 2 Tablespoons garam masala or curry powder 3 teaspoons turmeric October 2014, Mirrors of Africa 49
2 teaspoons cumin (ground or seeds) 2 teaspoons ground coriander 2 teaspoons crushed fresh ginger 2 Tablespoons of tamarind paste (available from Indian or Asian markets, if not at your supermarket). 2 chopped onions
Method
• Fry up the onions, garlic and ginger over a gentle heat, for about 5 minutes. • Remove from the heat and let it cool down to room temperature. • Add the rest of the ingredients, stirring well.
• Place your cubed meat and vegetables, and the dried apricots, in the marinade sauce, ensuring they are all well covered. • Leave the mix for 24 hours. • Put your meat, apricots and onion chunks (and whatever else you have chosen) on wooden skewers that you have soaked in water for about an hour. Traditionally, these would be cooked over the coals of a charcoal or wood fire. They can, however, be cooked on a barbie or even in the grill in your oven.
This wonderful dessert can be made in advance and frozen. 1 cup sugar (can use caster or brown, if you wish) 1 ½ cups flour 1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda 2 eggs 1 Tablespoon apricot jam (smooth, if you can get it) 2 Tablespoons butter (about 50 ml) 1 Tablespoon vinegar (about 25 ml) 300 ml milk
Sauce
250 ml cream 125 ml butter 125 ml sugar 125 ml hot water, OR Brandy, OR orange juice.
Method
‘Cake’
• Beat together eggs and sugar • Sift together dry ingredients • In a small pot, place the butter, vinegar and jam and heat until well mixed. • Add the butter mixture to the dry ingredients • Add the egg mixture to the resulting mix • Pour into a baking dish or bowl • Put in the oven at 180 C for 45 – 60 mins. 50 Mirrors of Africa, October 2014
Colourful and very tasty.
Note on Cooking
Malva pudding ‘Cake’
Yellow Rice
Sauce
• Put all ingredients in a pot, and stir over a slow heat until the butter is melted and the sugar dissolved. • As soon as the ‘cake’ comes out of the oven, slowly pour the sauce over it, allowing it to seep in. I find it helps sometimes if you pierce the surface a few times with a fork. You can put it back in the oven (set at about 75 C) until your guests are ready to eat. This gives it a wonderful toffee flavour. Serve with cream, ice-cream or custard – or all of them!
Ingredients 1 cup rice (any kind, really. I prefer brown… ) 3 cups cold water 1 Tablespoon turmeric 2 sticks cinnamon 100 g salted butter 2 Tablespoons golden syrup ½ cup raisins or sultanas Pinch of salt Method • Put all the ingredients, except for the syrup and butter, in a pot and bring to a slow boil. Rice needs to cook for about 20 minutes • After about 15 minutes, turn the heat down and add the syrup and butter, and mix well. • Let the rice steam gently for the remaining 5 minutes, by which time all the water should have evaporated and the rice will be cooked.
Back to the hearth of home Brisbane-based Debbie Changuion and her Capetonian sister Judi Hamilton have joined forces to help support a rich talent pool of African artisans, importing finely crafted homewares into Australia and creating a thriving online store, Sourced4You Debbie says the idea was born out of a mutual love of Africa and interiors, and while the venture has fulfilled the desire for an exciting new business, it is also providing gifted craftsmen the opportunity to see their creations on the world stage. While most people would relate African wares to those sold by curio vendors, the sisters have encouraged selected artists to create contemporary wares more in line with an international market. The South-African born siblings gained inspiration from many years living abroad. Debbie spent ten years in England, and Judi lived in New Zealand and Switzerland – both sisters extensively explored Europe so gained insight into what homeware lines were out there. “We found such a shortage of hand-crafted items and the wares were so pricey. They had nothing to match Africa’s wealth of talent and variety of craft,” says Debbie. The seed was planted for their own decor range. Debbie and her family eventually settled in Australia, and Judi in Cape Town and the sisters set about sourcing products in South Africa, visiting various vendors and artisans whose work they admired. They realised the average curio was overworked and found on every street corner. “We saw a gap for using their skill
in contemporary design to reach a bigger market. Not everyone wants a curio,” says Judi. Among the contemporary artists they discovered was Louis Kaluzi, a talented Zimbabwean wire artist. “He creates the most beautiful, rustic objects simply by using his hands and very few tools. There is such a wealth of creative talent in Africa and we feel so fortunate to provide these artists with a platform to gain recognition for their work. We are committed to empowering them to achieve long term stability and independence,” says Debbie. Judi is equally passionate about showcasing the hidden talents of these humble artisans. “We love the fact that many of the products sourced resulted from a passion for nature merging with the skill to create beautiful and functional everyday objects. These items are often sourced from remote areas, yet happily co-exist alongside our local designer wares. The magic is in the detail, the small quirks and the fact that they are created by real people,” she adds.
These real people include a small co-op comprising of women aged between 79 and 86 making bean bags out of T-shirt fabric. “They continue to produce the most incredible products comparable to anything found in Europe,” says Debbie. Items such as bespoke wire artworks, beaded stools and natureinspired table-ware to hand-crocheted throws are among the other exquisite items sourced. They also have smaller lines such as quirky wooden sunglasses, handbags and ethnic printed umbrellas. The sisters opted for the name Ikhaya for their line of wares – the Zulu word for ‘house’ or ‘home’. And judging by the creative diversity of their gifted artisans and the care that goes into each hand-made item, the wares will certainly add a unique focal point and designer flair to any home. To view products, visit their online store www.sourced4you.com.au. October 2014, Mirrors of Africa 51
Real Rugby
(Union) in Australia from a Saffa Perspective WORDS: OckertTerblanche Having been a Perthling and ‘stralian for nearly five years, we’ve hada lot of time to adapt and in some instances assimilate to our new surrounding and culture. When one initially arrives on these pristine shores from ‘Africa’ most things seem quite similar; the outdoor life-style, the love for small round and oval ball sports, throwing something on the BBQ-braai... but as time goes by you starts longing for a few more familiar past-times. And for many a South-African this means biltong, rugby, sunny skies… as the song goes or should go. Now fortunately the first and the last are covered. No shortage of sun. Biltong is readily available and widely enjoyed as was illustrated when I visited the Biltong Shop in the city and a patron of eastern European origin – obviously identifying my accent – asked me what I would recommend between the plain, peri-peri, sticks and so forth. After giving him a few learned insights, my curiosity got the better of me and I asked him where his affinity for biltong originated from. He told 52 Mirrors of Africa, October 2014
me that he was a Pole who worked in London and that hehad met a few Saffa friends who introduced him to the three BBB now buying biltong in Perth. It’s amazing how smalla bit of mateship and meatship have made the world! Sorry, I have regressed. Getting back to the pivotal point of Rugby: As far back as I can remember, Dad would wake me up before dawn with unimaginable expectations on a cold wintry Highveld morning. The Springbokkewere about to play the All Blacks. Naas was still ‘Baas’ back then and I was oblivious to the significance of the flour-bombs being projected from above. All I wanted to see was somebody putting live and limb on the line to cross the tryline for the edification of their country. Now, fortunately nothing has changed, I still develop a cold sweat and dry throat when the Bokke play and Habanna is now the superhero who soars and scores where no others can. The question arises though: Is my Cheetah emblem on the back of
my vehicle not an act of disloyalty to my new nationality? Well, I don’t see the local Kiwis reneging on their commitment to their team with the big Silverferns parading on the back of their Utes! To satisfy the urge at a more mature age to drop, score and place, there are a few social touch-rugby games doing the rounds. These are a great source of patronage for local Physios; but hey, I carried the ball, I beat my opponent, I tore my hammy, I was out for six weeks, but I’m happy!!! I’ll be back...Wednesday nights in Floreat with a number of When-we’s and Bunny-chow lovers, and Sunday afternoon in Hillarys with some more ‘cultured’ boys from Pretoorsdorp and Bloemies. Having said all this, I got quite excited when the Force had a chance of making the Super play-off rounds and even bigger expectation for the Wallabies in the recent Bledisloe Cup. So it seems the colour of the jersey fades into the World in Union.
South Australian Organisation empowers migrants and refugees for a better start in Australia
in and integrate into the broader society. ACOSA PresidentDrDavid Malinda said that because of the differences between the African and Australian cultures, it’s inevitable that many families experience ‘culture shock’ when they arrive in the country.
“Without strong support, especially from others who have been in the same situation, these families would Words by Rhonda Chapman find it extremely difficult to get used to the Australian For 27 years, the African Community culture,” Malinda said. Organisation of South Australia (ACOSA), “It also takes time for themto underhas been uniting and supporting many stand how the government systems African migrants and refugees to help and institutions that are meant to them understand and adapt to mainassist them actually operate.” stream Australian values and norms. Malinda said this puts a lot more Through a range of services pressure on migrants and on their and activities, ACOSA assists health and wellbeing,andthere’s migrantscoming from various African bound to be serious disadvantages nations and many of the new arrivals and implications for them if they can’t are refugees who find the Australian receive support. resettlement process confusing, and often even traumatic. It’s becoming more important for ACOSA to provideguidance and help them settle
“We hope to empower each migrantwith the information and confidence they need to start their new life
here,” he said. “But we also focus on preserving African values while ensuring a positive image for the African-Australian community.” As part of its role ACOSA educates the broader Australian community about Africa, African-Australians and the contributions African-Australians make to their new home.One key activity to help do this is their Africa Day on 25 May each year. The inaugural event was hosted in May 2014where sports, African foods, culture, music and arts united African-Australians from across South Australia. Zimbabwe, South Sudan, Burundi and Democratic Republic of Congo battled for the Africa Day Soccer Cup and the tournament concluded with Burundi lifting the Cup. This was an event successfully implemented under the leadership of ACOSA Secretary General David Shepherd Mutusva who said the soccer tournamenthad been a great choice for the special occasion. “Sports play an important role when we look to address many issues October 2014, Mirrors of Africa 53
such as youth problems, alcohol abuse, mental health and driving offences,” David Shepherd Mutusvasaid.
• Gender and role differentiation
Annual Africa Day celebrations will provide an opportunity to educate and draw attention to the different African-Australian communities and raise awareness of the importance of leadership, funding, government and community partnership in shaping African ideals, pride and values here in Australia.
• Issues affecting youths transitioning between two cultures
One other way the organisation represents the voice of AfricanAustralians in South Australia is throughcollaborative work with the South Australian government and other migrant communities. Common issues across all communities – not only in the African-Australian communities – include:
54 Mirrors of Africa, October 2014
• Couples and family relationships • Health education and services
• Education, retraining and employment opportunities for adults • Educational and health support for children. ACOSA invites all community groups, corporate business world, media, sponsors, local universities, sports clubs, Honourable Members of Parliament, Local Government and key State Government Departments to come on board and support their activities including Africa Day. Visit www.acosa.asn.au for more about ACOSA.
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56 Mirrors of Africa, October 2014