Africa Mirrors of
www.mirrorsofafrica.com.au/
The Great Lakes of Kenya
December/January 2015, Issue No. 2
FROM Zimbabwe to Prospering in
The kids creating
Australia
solutions
ISSN:2204-0609
Children
Issue No 2 December/January 2015
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Price: $5
Editors Welcome As 2014 comes to a close, it’s a time for reflection and celebration on the year that was and the year that will be.
By Post Mirrors of Africa Pty Ltd. P.O.Box 2A, Merriwa, 6030, Perth, WA ABN 26153741943
We are blown away by the feedback and support we have received from the launch of the Mirrors of Africa magazine in October 2014, with Issue 1 being a huge success.
Content
Mirrors of Africa Issue #2 Cold is the New Cool
04 - 05
The Rise & Fall of Oscar Pistorius A Modern Moral Tale
06 - 07
Kids Creating Solutions Future Thinkers A Night of Nights Celebrating The Face of Africa Australia 2014 Being Fearless and Believe in Yourself Making Her Mark Turning Dreams into Reality Changing the eating habits of kids around the world From Zimbabwe to Prospering in Australia In Our Own Words
08 - 10 11 - 12 14 - 17 18 - 20 21 22 - 24
25 - 27 29 - 31
The Great Lakes of Kenya
32 - 34
Ducere - An Alternative Philosophy To African Development
35 - 3 6
This is me and I am Not Ashamed
37
Supporting African Artists
38 - 39
The Princess of Mbira Music From Zimbabwe
40 - 41
Your Digital Footprint Why Every Business Needs A Technology Strategy I Have The Power Koeksisters Recipe Contributed By Winnefred Barnard Malva Pudding / Lekker Pudding - To Get You in The Mood For Christmas From Zimbabwe To Perth - A Love Story Issue No 2 December/January 2015
We are so incredibly proud to bring to you Issue 2, packed full of articles to inspire, motivate and educate. From incredible musicians, artists, authors and models, through to an amazing not for profit supporting kids across Australia and Africa, Issue 2 brings your stories from across Australia and Africa, of leaders and change makers of every age doing their part to make a difference in their own lives, and in the lives of others. We could not have brought Mirrors of Africa to you without the contributions from our fantastic writing team, guest writers, and contributors who encompass people from all corners of Africa and Australia. If you have a story to share, get in contact with us to share your story in 2015. We hope you enjoy the magazine, and we look forward to receiving your feedback on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mirrorsofafrica. We wish you a safe and enjoyable festive period, if you take part in Christmas and New Year celebrations. And if not, have a wonderful summer!
Janine Ripper Guest Editor
43 44 - 45 46 - 47 48 49 51
Contributing Writers: Piriye Altraide, Sheran Dempster, Janine Ripper, Emma Mann, Vimbai Chamisa, Nkandu Beltz, Lois Nicholls, Collins Vuchocho, Alladean Chidukwani, Suzanne Brenner
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Cold is the New Cool By Piriye Altraide
Dagogo Altraide is taking the technology and music worlds by storm. You’d think it would be quite easy to catch up with your brother for an interview. Not so if you’re Perth’s ColdfusTion, an emerging YouTube visionary and artist. ColdfusTion is the alias of 24-year-old Dagogo Altraide, a creative agent who produces promotional videos, music, cutting edge style documentaries and infotainment. ColdfusTion is the combination of “Coldfusion”, the name of the creator’s high school band, with an added ‘T’ for ‘technology’. His style is independent, creative, trendy and always backed by an amazing soundtrack. Want to know what the best smart phone is at the moment? Want to know how to customize your current phone, about the latest gadgets, or the history of the Internet? Ask ColdfusTion. For all things tech-savvy and just plain cool, head to his YouTube channel. ColdfusTion videos deal with the past, present and future of science and technology, all while using a fresh and modern feel with a hint of nostalgia. Meanwhile, ColdfusTion music, under the alias ‘Burn Water’, has been described as “uplifting”, “life changing”, “unique” and “a breath of fresh air”. Issue No 2 December/January 2015
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Why are things the way they are, and how did they get that way?”
Dagogo Altraide, founder of ColdfusTion, is a Nigerian-Australian born in Mumbai, India. He moved to Perth with his family when he was four and has always had a keen interest in science and technology. He completed a bachelor’s of mechanical engineering as a result, and continued his passion from there. “It started when I got my HTC HD2 in 2011,” he says “and first realised the full potential of the Android smartphone. I performed some customisations on my phone, and then uploaded what I’d done to YouTube. The video gained 90,000 views.” He continues, “I realised there was potential for this to become something bigger... People actually wanted to know what I was doing. I was initially going to keep my discovery to myself, but then thought someone else might appreciate it. It kind of grew from there.”
been requested by the likes of Meed Middle-East Business Intelligence, UAE and Boeing, USA. No small fish, what differentiates ColdfusTion from other channels is the fact that he integrates his personality into his videos is able to connect with the audience. “People say that they feel like they know me,”he relays with a chuckle, “One guy compared my voice to Morgan Freeman’s.” Some have described ColdfusTion as the “Da Vinci of technology”, claiming that he is improving the standard of YouTube. Most say that they are inspired, touched and even moved by his videos and music. One particularity contributing to this is the strong nostalgic feel of a ColdfusTion video.
ColdfusTion started with that one video. He then started making tutorials on how to customise phones on viewer request. This led to phone reviews, music videos and overviews in general technology. ColdfusTion has even ventured into documentaries, covering Google, the history of computers, a ‘Remember’ series on VHS tapes, recorders and other technology that shaped Gen-Y childhood, and more.
Dagogo describes ColdfusTion as more than just a video channel. Rather it is a set of ideologies enabling people to see through a different lens. It asks the questions, “Why are things the way they are, and how did they get that way?” This is done best by keeping things simple, which is the other thing you’ll notice about ColdfusTion - you can understand everything that’s being said. Sure it helps to have a non-tech sister to test potential videos on, but ColdfusTion has a knack for simplifying complicated information, making it relatable to a larger audience.
Today, ColdfusTion has 130,000 subscribers, 12 million views and 147 videos. ColdfusTion qualified for Google Adsense in 2012 and now earns royalties from videos, though it is still early days. ColdfusTion video production has
There is still a lot of work to be done, however Dagogo hopes to increase awareness of the ColdfusTion brand so that his style is recognised by bigger clients, or even TV! There are also plans to launch the music venture further.
Burn Water is a mostly electronic range spanning from 2-step and garage to trap and experimental. Acoustic guitar elements often feature. Burn Water has so far released two EP’s, “Ethereal Future” and “SONDER”, with further tracks available on Soundcloud. Their work has been featured on various music blogs and has also been used in videos. Burn Water currently has a contract with Bose Level Publishing. “Growing up I used to listen to a lot of gospel and R&B,” Dagogo explains. “In high-school, my music teacher handed me a classical guitar and said she liked my style. After that, the rest was history. I was fascinated by the concept of a guitar that this wooden instrument with strings could fill a room. From then on I wanted to create my own compositions… My inspiration sometimes comes from music samples I hear. Other times it’s music in my head, when I sleep. I then try to transpose this on to guitar when I wake up.” Burn Water music has been described as having a lot of depth, which Dagogo attributes to growing up as one of the few Africans in Perth, contributing to him being a deep thinker and reflective individual. “I think this resonates through my music,” he muses. Although Dagogo is still looking for engineering work, it’s just a matter of time before ColdfusTion videos and music receive the full recognition they deserve. Look out for ColdfusTion videos in advertisement or film, and Burn Water music soothing your soul through the airwaves. Remember, you heard it first from me!
ColdfusTion
YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/user/coldfustion WEBSITE: http://cfnstudios.com/
Burn Water
BANDCAMP: http://burnwater.bandcamp.com/ SOUNDCLOUD: https://soundcloud.com/burnwater Issue No 2 December/January 2015
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THE RISE & FALL OF OSCAR PISTORIUS
A MODERN MORAL TALE Words by Suzanne Brenner
Valentine’s Day 2013 - Oscar Pistorius (27) fired four shots through a toilet cubicle door and killed his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp (29). The prosecution alleges Oscar shot Reeva in cold blood following a noisy argument heard by neighbours. The defence alleges their client acted in self-defence against an intruder. Once upon a time there was a young man who mesmerised the world with his courage and his talent on the Olympic stage. Affectionately dubbed the Blade Runner, he stole Issue No 2 December/January 2015
headlines and hearts the world over for his unflagging determination to be acknowledged as a top sprinter among the world’s best, able-bodied competitors.
So when the sci-fi poster boy was charged with murder for the Valentine’s Day shooting of his girlfriend, no one was surprised that the story usurped all others.
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Oscar’s spin-doctors kicked in. Reevas’s death had been a terrible accident. Oscar had shot his girlfriend in the mistaken belief there was an intruder in his house.
Making South African history, Judge Dunstan Mlambo, of the High Court of South Africa, ruled to allow live TV transmission from the courtroom with certain strict provisos including the option for witnesses to testify off-camera.
Oscar, the middle child of three, was born on November 22, 1986 without fibula bones in his legs. His parents made the life-changing decision to amputate below the knee when he was just 11 months old. Within six months, Oscar was walking on prosthetics. The Blade Runner’s training had begun.
Another first saw the launch of a dedicated, pop-up TV channel from the producers of Carte Blanche, South Africa’s leading current affairs program.
A natural sportsman, he was 16 and recovering from a rugby injury when he was introduced to the track. Two years later, Oscar competed in his first 100-metre race. In the same year, wearing his prosthetic Flex-Foot Cheetahs, he won gold in the 200-metre race at the 2004 Athens Paralympics. Spurred on by success, he challenged the bans against him and won his first able-bodied world track medal at the 2011 World Championships in Athletics. In 2012 he became the first double-leg amputee to enter the men’s 400-metres and 4x400 relays, and won gold in the 2012 Summer Paralympics. Oscar’s star was on the rise. Until it all came crashing down. Interest in the Oscar Pistorius murder trial was unprecedented. It had all the elements of a soap opera: beautiful people, fame, wealth, intrigue and ambition. The accused: a celebrated 21st Century hero who collected wristwatches, sunglasses, fast cars and guns, and whose persona, like Superman, changed in a flash when he donned not a leotard and cape, but his futuristic Flex-Foot Cheetah running blades. The victim: A gorgeous, blonde model (who had studied law) who was teetering on Reality TV stardom, the ultimate contemporary gauge of success. Issue No 2 December/January 2015
This combined break with tradition opened the floodgates to the social media and elevated proceedings in Courtroom GD of Pretoria’s North Gauteng High Court to what has been called the trial of the century. Never before has there been as much live commentary running concurrently with a trial. Never before have so many armchair experts expressed their opinions and challenged the conventions of court procedure. It may yet be argued that the sub judice consideration was compromised. And never before have the legal office bearers, the accused, his and the victim’s families been so vulnerable to public opinion, for no-one escaped scrutiny. The unwilling stars making courtroom history were Judge Thokozile Masipa, and Advocates Barry Roux and Gerrie Nel for the defence and the prosecution respectively. In a sense, the trial began as it ended. In his opening statement, Nel noted that the murder case against Oscar was based largely on circumstantial evidence, as there were no eyewitnesses to the incident. Witnesses who were certain they heard it all were sworn in to share their versions of that fateful February 14. And of the so-called expert witnesses, only a few lived up to the description. As for the object of everyone’s atten-
tion in this sorry tale, Oscar cut a lonely figure as he sat alone with his notepad, his expressionless mask slipping to reveal a sobbing and retching shadow of once celebrated athlete.
By the end of the trial, Oscar had been mentally assessed and declared fit to stand trial, with the ability to distinguish right from wrong. The verdict and sentence On September 11, Judge Masipa announced her verdict: Oscar was not guilty of premeditated murder. She said the murder charge was unsubstantiated and almost entirely circumstantial, and she concluded that Oscar did not foresee the possibility of killing the person inside the toilet when he pumped four bullets through the door. The critics erupted. On September 21, the judge sentenced Oscar to five years for culpable homicide and three years’ suspended on a separate gun charge, to run concurrently. The appeal On December 9, the prosecution will be seeking permission to appeal against Oscar’s conviction on culpable homicide. They hope to prove Oscar should have been found guilty of murder for shooting Reeva Steenkamp through a toilet cubicle door at his Pretoria home. They will also challenge the jail sentence and the judge’s finding that Oscar did not intend to kill when he fired his gun four times. Postscript: This sad moral tale of a flawed Everyman doomed to grapple for the rest of his life with what he did and what might have been is also the story of the boy with no legs who triumphed and failed spectacularly, and whose tragic legacy will be cutting short Reeva Steenkamp’s life.
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Kids Creating Solutions
Future Thinkers Words by Janine Ripper
Millennium Kids is championing kids across Australia and Africa, and changing the world in the process.
We recently sat down with Millennium Kids CEO, Catrina Aniere, to talk about Millennium Kids, and how kids are making a difference both in Australia, and in Africa. Millennium Kids Inc. is a youth environmental organisation run by kids for kids. Started in Western Australia in 1996, Millennium Kids is an organisation for young people aged between 10 to 25 years, who are committed to improving our world through constructive action. It’s about kids creating solutions. Through community or school based workshops, kids think about their comIssue No 2 December/January 2015
munities, hatch ideas for change, create an implementation plan, and, with the support of expert mentors and stakeholders, undertake their plan of action. The African Chapter of Millennium Kids was conceived in 2000 when Millennium Kids CEO, Catrina Aniere, met some young African people at a United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) conference for kids. UNEP had facilitated a workshop for the adults who had attended, directing them to think big, to partner with developing countries, and to share their knowledge and resources. The kids from each country
also met, and have worked together since. Millennium Kids have since trained a team of young people in South Africa from Mafikeng to the border of Botswana. These kids identify issues in their community and create solutions to their own problems. Millennium Kids provides a training program to support the young people through leadership and skill-building workshops, which enables them to run their own youth led organisation. These issues identified by the kids range from waste issues in their rivers, food, water, and
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security issues in their villages, and the never-ending problems of being disempowered through poor education facilities and a lack of job prospects. Making a Difference During Catrina’s first journey to Africa, she was taken to seven villages. It was a road trip to remember with magnificent landscapes, wild animals, wide smiles, the voices of angels, and a generosity she had never experienced before. Catrina also got to meet the Chiefs – the traditional owners - in each school, as well as many students, mothers, fathers, and grandmothers – many who were caring for the children of their children. These were communities ravaged by poverty and HIV, and Catrina found herself hosted in family homes, or by children with no parents. Catrina got to spend time with people, sharing slices of watermelon, listening to their stories, and most importantly, listening to what they really needed. “It is a simple community development approach. What are your needs? How can you become self-sufficient?” In a world with little English, children drew pictures of their dream school – a school with toilets for teachers, a place to wash their hands, a food court with trees bearing fruit, a vegetable garden, and a kitchen where parents could cook for the school.
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“For every generous supporter there is an organisation that is a scam – people make money out of poverty. People need to check out the lay of the land and not throw money at organisations that pull at their heartstrings. It pays to be pragmatic and to invest in some good.” This was beyond the capacity of Millennium Kids – the communities needed charity and on going funds. But Catrina had read enough about Not For Profits and community development to know that the charity model was not sustainable. Training was the only option, along with some small scale funding to help teachers access professional learning in their country. Millennium Kids visited one school on four occasions, and trained a team of young people who presented their vision to the local government Mayor, the Minister for Education, the Executive Mayor, the Australian Consul in Pretoria, and to anyone else who would listen. Millennium Kids then received some funding for training from Ausaid, and proceeded to run a series of programs with the help of several Perth teachers and Millennium Kids volunteers. This project resulted in a complete school renovation, as well as new toilets for the teachers, which was funded by government agencies in South Africa. The team also helped fund a small-scale
vegetable garden with tools. This was achieved through the support of Lathlain Primary School, St Hilda’s Junior School, Slow Food Perth, and two other generous donors. Working in Africa “Many people have a romantic perception of Africa. They want to get involved to solve complex problems, and yes, good work needs to be done, but organisations need to understand the issues, seek advice from experts in the field, and to develop robust strategies for financial management, reporting, and project development.” Catrina explains that Millennium Kids has chosen to remain small, and have developed many relationships with people on the ground, as well as having learnt a lot along the way. “It has not been done without its headaches, and our fund raising has been small, but it has been directed to people we have trained, and we have helped the kids achieve the goals they had established.”
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Catrina also warns that people need to be wary of the rogues out there, as not every person or organisation has the same values and ethics. “For every generous supporter there is an organisation that is a scam – people make money out of poverty. People need to check out the lay of the land and not throw money and at organization that pulls at their heartstrings. It pays to be pragmatic and to invest in some good.”
Millennium Kids have trained several young people who are passionate about starting their own youth led chapters in new villages in Africa. Millennium Kids have developed a small micro financing model as a start up, and aims to support them, as these kids don’t want charity. They want to develop robust, sustainable social enterprises where they can earn a living and do some good for their community.
How Can You Get Involved? In 2014 and 2015, Millennium Kids aims to raise 10 x $2000 AUD packages for the Kids Enterprise Program, where kids pitch their ideas for an enterprise, receive training, and are provided with a small start up grant. Money earned via their enterprise pays them a small wage or covers their annual school fees, and any profit generated goes back into the organization to develop their environment education and action programs.
Millennium Kids has gift deductible status, and needs funds to invest in the Kids Enterprise Program. Millennium Kids can also facilitate charitable donations to local and international environmental projects. For more information on Millennium Kids, their projects, and how to donate, check out their website: http://www.millenniumkids.com.au Issue No 2 December/January 2015
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A Night of Nights Celebrating The
Face of Africa Australia 2014 Words by Sheran Dempster
This year’s Perth Fashion Festival wasn’t all lights-camera-fashion! Community unity was also on the agenda with The Face of Africa Australia model contest. Designers, models, stylists, makeup artists, photographers, event managers and event technicians from within the African community of Australia all came together to celebrate and to find the ‘Face of Africa’ in Australia. Established in July 2013, The Face of Africa Australia aims to inspire Africans living in Australia who want to succeed within the fashion and arts industry. “As much as we integrate into the local community, we are Africans, we do have a history,” said event creator and organiser, Shumirayi Tsungu, who migrated to Australia from Zimbabwe nine years ago. After finally settling, Shumirayi turned her focus from visa processing to her passion for event management. Being involved in event management before migrating to Australia, Shumirayi was keen to use her well-developed skill set to unlock opportunities not just for herself, but also for her community. Fashion was the industry of choice, purely and simply because “Fashion is fun and brings people together.” And it did. A night of nights, The Face of Africa cast included 14 models from South Australia, Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia, as well as some talented fashion designers included Studibaker Australia, George Evening, Elly M, Fiona Powell, Siyawareva, NanaTaa Aboagye, Danda Couture and Jonté La Mode. Their designs made for a night of brilliant bright colours and chic sublime outfits. Entertainment for the night was from the likes of Thando Sikwila, an R&B songstress mentored by Kylie Minogue on Season 3 of ‘The Voice’. Thando kept the audience pumped with her rolling melodies and power voice. There was also Respect the Talent, a group of talented young men who showed that Hip-hop mixed with a Afro beats can get even the stiffest, unmoveable people up and Issue No 2 December/January 2015
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dancing. And finally, there was Down Under Dance Hall who presented with their best dance moves that succeeded in bringing down the house. Music and dancing aside, the audience was there to see the crowning of the ‘Face of Africa Australia’ and the models didn’t disappoint. Fierce, beautiful and proud of their birthright, each model took their turn to strut their stuff in order to be named The Face of Africa Australia. But there can only be one winner, and this year saw Liesse Kezimana step up and win the model contest. Her majestic beauty and determined focus during fashion showcases made her a stand out on the night. Liesse looks forward to working with The Face of Africa Australia team to gain more experience, taking her role as a fashion icon in her industry seriously, “I will also work with the African community to raise an awareness in the fashion industry and work with the youth of today.” But it wasn’t just Liesse that won, as there was so much potential displayed on the night, from designers, to performers, through technicians and models. “The Face of Africa Australia is a platform for models, designers, make-up artists, musicians, dancers, event organisers, and stage managers to step up and showcase their talents.” Success is always hard to define, however The Face of Africa Australia 2014 was incredibly successful, and the Face of Africa Australia team should be congratulated for such an amazing event! With high calibre models, amazing performers, beautiful designs, fashion and makeup, The Face of Africa Australia will be back in Perth in 2015. The only change Shumirayi would like to see is the involvement of more states throughout Australia, as well as more people from within the AfricanAustralian community. Issue No 2 December/January 2015
For those who see themselves organising an event like The Face of Africa Australia in the future, Shumirayi has a small piece of advice; “If you don’t take up the opportunity, it may never happen so you have to try!” To find out how you can get involved in 2015, check out The Face of Africa Australia website http://www.faceofafricaaustralia.com.au/
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Phone: 0893051224 Issue No 2 December/January 2015
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BE FEARLESS AND BELIEVE IN YOURSELF LISA VIOLA - INTERNATIONAL TOURING SINGER / PERFORMER INTERVIEW BY JANINE RIPPER
Australian raised Dancehall/Afro/Pop singer songwriter LISA VIOLA has been busy making her mark both in Australia and Internationally. The Angolan born mixed race beauty burst onto the independent music scene with her debut single ‘Bounce Wid It’, featuring Jamaican Dancehall veteran REDFOX, becoming one of the freshest new artists in the Dancehall club scene and radio airwaves. Lisa’s latest single, ‘Crazy Love’, featuring Nigerian artist B’Cole, is being played around the world and continues to spread recognition for this multi faceted artist.
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When did you move from Angola to Australia? Our family immigrated to Australia in 1989. How did you settle in? It was hard, because we didn’t speak English. My first day of school was really daunting. I remember asking my mother what to do if I needed to use the bathroom because I wasn’t able to ask the teacher in English. Have you been ‘home’, and how did you find it? Yes, I was home in 2012. I loved every minute. There is so much beauty in Angola. Considering its been through years of civil war, our people have such a beautiful spirit. What do you love about Australia? It’s current diversity, our freedom, and our rights.
young people, watching them build in confidence, and go from strength to strength in their chosen art form. It taught me the importance of community. I taught in and around a small country town called Dunsborough in Western Australia. Running a business in a small town, you really learn to deal with people on a personal level. You HAVE to be genuine in all that you do otherwise your business will not survive. I feel I was always a genuine person but I learnt to go that extra mile and really treat people like family. I feel I carry that with me everywhere I go now so whether I’m talking business in New York or networking in London I connect with people on a genuine level first… and then go from there.
As an inspiration to others who are making their dreams reality and living their passions, what was it the convinced you to pack up and move to Sydney? Haha! I was convinced I needed to be in Sydney long before I actually made the move. (I’m a firm believer that we already know ‘the truth…. we just need to listen). It was more about letting go of my fears. I remember once, standing in front of my teenage students and having my usual spiel about how important it is to be fearless and to believe in yourself. It struck me quite hard that I needed to take some of my own advice. So I did ! How did you feel after the international
When did you first discover your love for music and dance? I used to imagine myself performing in front of a big crowd. These are some of my earliest memories. My love for music and dance went beyond most children’s recreation. I always imagined myself making the music and/or performing the steps. Was there someone who particularly inspired you growing up? I was never fixated on just one artist until the age of 15 when I discovered Beyonce, and I have been glued to her ever since. She was the one female I felt who was flawless in singing, songwriting and performing. I looked up to her because she did it all…that was the sort of artist I aimed to be. From the age of 16 you taught children in performing arts, and then ran your own talent school in Dunsborough, Western Australia. What did this experience, and the children, teach you? There was nothing quite as fulfilling as touching the lives of so many Issue No 2 December/January 2015
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recognition you received from your single ‘Bounce Wid It’? How did it change your life? Bounce Wid it made me realise that there is a big wide world out there outside of mainstream Australian commercial music. Being on a track with such wellrespected artists made me want to strive more for the art of music. That collaboration cemented for me that respect as an artist was more important than fame or commercial success… Bounce Wid it opened doors for me around the world. It was all thanks to my friend and co writer Corinne! You were mentored by Kelly Rowland as part of her African Dance Troupe on the TV Show ‘Everybody Dance Now’. What did you learn from her? How did you handle being on TV? I was part of a group called SAEA Banyana. That was the hardest 3 months of my life. We were 5 very driven individuals and when the opportunity came up we went full steam. We rehearsed every day and spent our spare time at the gym working on our fitness. The whole experience taught me discipline. It also taught me that just because you’re not good enough right now doesn’t mean that with a WHOLE lot of hard work and commitment you won’t be good enough in a matter of time! Because I tell you, when we started we were about a 5/10, but by the time we hit the screen we were a roaring 10! Haha. Kelly is a humble and beautiful woman. It was shocking just how down to earth she was. But she had fire in her eyes. You can see why she is who she is. You got a taste of film with an appearance in Baz Luhrmann’s hit The Great Gatsby. That must have been a surreal experience? Can you tell us more? It was and still is surreal. LEONARDO DICAPRIO!!!! *Faints. It was one of those dream jobs where you have a team of people fussing over you. Hair, make up, catering, chaperones etc. I Issue No 2 December/January 2015
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fell in love with Baz Lurhmann. He was such a perfectionist but had a down to earth way of dealing with people. He treated everyone in the room like they were important. He was patient and kind as a director. Catherine, his wife who designed our costumes, was equally as divine. Do you have your eyes set on further forays into film? Absolutely! I take every opportunity that presents itself. What was the inspiration behind your latest single ‘Crazy Love’? Love. Oh and of course B’Cole. He was the heart of that track. I could listen to his music all day.
When can we expect an album? In the last 6 months I have written with producers in Jamaica, New York, London and Sweden. My focus has been to get enough material for an album. I’m nearly there! 2015 is my year!! If you could share any words of wisdom or advice to African Aussies, what would it be? Teach our children about our culture. I know how alien I felt for many years because I was disconnected with my roots. I am Australian without a doubt… but to go forward we need to know where we’ve come from. What next for Lisa V? That is in Gods hands x
Website: lisaviola.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LisaViolaOfficial
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Making Her Mark
Words by Lois Nicholls
Artist Louise Wiechers, from Redbarn Studio, Mount Tamborine, is making her mark. When South African born artist, Louise Grove Wiechers, caught sight of the picturesque town of Mount Tamborine on Queensland’s Gold Coast hinterland five years ago, she knew it would become her home. “I was visiting my brother in Brisbane and he took me for a drive through the area and I made up my mind immediately that this was where I wanted to live.” It’s not hard to understand why. The town is situated in an area known as the Scenic Rim, which consists of a series of wooded mountain ranges in the Great Dividing Range. Spanning the border between south-eastern Queensland and north-eastern New South Wales, the landscape is stunning, featuring wide-open Issue No 2 December/January 2015
spaces, prime agricultural land, and breathtaking rainforest views. Renowned for its artistic and cultural pursuits, it was the perfect creative hub for this prolific artist and her pharmacist husband, Lumart, a keen photographer. The couple had previously spent a month travelling around Australia looking for the ideal place to settle, and Lumart quickly realised that Louise was serious when she relayed a message to him back in South Africa that she had found a place to call home. And so they purchased a steep ¼ acre block of land in an area called Eagle Heights at the North end of Tamborine Mountain. The block bordered an eco-corridor leading into the local botanic gardens and
had a feeling of space and vastness. The fact that it had sweeping views of an undulating green valley was an added appeal. It was clearly the ideal spot to fulfil their desire for a home and adjoining studio. It was also reminiscent of the beloved White River area where Louise grew up in South Africa. Building their home was not all romance, however. They chose a company called Storybook Cottages to design their new home, but decided to build themselves so as to cut costs. All of the architectural work was carried out remotely from their home in Centurion, near the charming town of Irene. While this meant they were able to picture exactly where their furniture would go, there were inevitable hurdles,
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particularly given the block’s aspect. The budget didn’t quite pan out as it should, but at the end of a somewhat challenging two years they finally had the dream home they had imagined. “You don’t go to a new country and think you can walk in and simply build a house and everything turns out perfectly. Everything is so different, including the horrendously expensive budget! But in the end we had a lovely house in a good spot.” Painted a distinctive red, the couple now have their ideal set-up – a beautiful home and accompanying workshop aptly named ‘Redbarn Studio’. However, it wasn’t a case of starting up from where they left off in South Africa. “I think I initially thought I would walk in and my career would simply continue, but it didn’t quite work out that way,” Louise acknowledges. From having thrived as an artist for 15 years back home, working on shows such as Top Billing, and constantly interacting with interior designers for large corporate works, Louise had to start all over again. She’d gone from selling up to 20 paintings a month and regularly exhibiting in a variety of respected galleries, to barely being noticed. “It was a whole different ball game Issue No 2 December/January 2015
here - South Africans tend to collect art for their homes and there was an entirely new set of rules in Australia. I’m regarded as a mid-career artist where I’ve done my initial training and am now in ‘mid-career’. I had to go back to running from gallery to gallery.“ It was a rude awakening having to promote herself pre-exhibition, and do everything from cleaning the gallery walls and hanging her own paintings, to printing publicity brochures and invites. Back in South Africa, the galleries exhibiting her works had dealt with the entire procedure. But Louise has learnt from the process and has plenty of advice to offer artists trying to gain traction. “Get out there and do as many shows as you can – hang your paintings in coffee shops and restaurants as the more people who see your work, the better.” For Louise, the hard sell and perseverance has paid off, and her talent has shone through to the extent that her pastoral landscapes, abstract, and still life paintings are slowly becoming sought after. Her studio has also become a beacon in the area, with many a passing photographer captivated by its air of whimsy. And Louise, with her affable nature,
is more than happy to oblige them. While she admits it’s been a challenge creating the same buzz about her work, she continues to paint prolifically – venturing into slightly different genres than she would have back home in South Africa. She also does printmaking, works with acrylics, oils, pastels and watercolour, and has been invigorated by her new surroundings. “I have found universal inspiration in the landscapes and surroundings found on Tamborine Mountain.” The Outback has also been a source of intrigue. “I took a trip there to see if the landscape would do anything for me and while I haven’t yet taken anything far enough, it has changed the way I look at things – I’ve even attempted seascapes which I’d never done before.” Being proactive has also involved signing up with a local initiative on the Scenic Rim called ‘Open Studios’. The enterprise is sponsored by the local government and in May each year, promotes local artists and encourages visitors to view their work. Potters, textile artists, jewellery makers, photographers and sculptors are among the huge pool of talented locals included in the line-up. Not surprisingly, Louise has found a host of like-minded artists in the area
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and regularly gets together with a local life-drawing group. “There is a huge diversity of cultures here and we have six nationalities represented in our group so it’s a real United Nations. It’s wonderful as we all get on well and once a week meet at the local Creative Arts centre on the mountain to draw with a life model. The mountain is also filled with musicians, so we always have lots of music.”
The landmark Redbarn Studio also attracts both accomplished and novice artists who wish to hone their craft in various workshops. And while Louise doesn’t have the luxury of a studio helper to make tea and muffins for her frequent visitors, she still gets people popping in off the street. “I simply buy the muffins now, they’re not home baked anymore!”
Home baked muffins aside, there’s a real sense of belonging, which she is incredibly grateful for. While it has certainly helped to now have her entire family living in Brisbane, including her parents, two sisters and a brother, the studio has fulfilled a life-long ideal of living and integrating into a rural community.
“I love living here - it’s so nice and close to the Gold Coast and yet not far from Brisbane. The setting is just beautiful and the town is small yet big enough to have doctors, a medical centre and good schools. I’ve definitely put roots down.” www.redbarnstudio.com.au or ‘Redbarnstudio’ on Facebook Issue No 2 December/January 2015
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Turning Dreams to Reality Words by Hildah Nyemba Mid West Migration Solutions is a specialist Migration Advisory Service business run by licensed Migration Agent, Hildah Nyemba that assist individuals and businesses with applications for Australian and New Zealand Visas for all categories. Hildah, originally from Zimbabwe lives with her husband Joseph a banker and their 3 young children in Geraldton, Mid West Region of WA. With a few days to Hildah & Joseph’s wedding in the winter of 2006 in Christchurch, New Zealand, the dream of having their parents witness their wedding came to a crushing halt after Immigration New Zealand declined their visitor’s visas to join Hildah and her husband at their wedding in Christchurch, New Zealand. They did not take no for an answer and began a complicated process of appealing the decision to the Minister of Immigration, resulting in the declined decision being reversed by the minister within two days. Luckily, their parents arrived from 12 hours before the start of the wedding, which was a joy and dream come to true. Over the next few years Hildah encountered many complications and frustrations with visa applications for loved ones, driving her to seek a permanent solution to navigate the often complicated and challenging terrain of immigration policy. Coupled with her passion for working with people from all over the world to help them realise their dreams, Hildah was inspired to embark on the difficult road to qualify as a licensed Immigration Adviser in New Zealand. She spent a Issue No 2 December/January 2015
year of understudying a senior licensed Immigration Agent, completed the Graduate Certificate in New Zealand Immigration, and started her practice in 2011.
tion Solutions can also negotiate with third parties such as employers and assessment agencies on behalf of clients to expedite process and achieve the best outcomes.
Hildah never looked back and soon became established in the industry, helping individuals and businesses from all over the world to navigate often difficult and confusing immigration policies. Hildah and her family relocated to Geraldton, Western Australia, due to her husband’s redeployment at the end of 2013, and has wasted no time in establishing her business, setting up Mid West Migration Solutions after obtaining her license as a Registered Migration Agent.
Mid West Migration Solutions will also assist individuals with aspects of settlement such as assisting with information on accommodation, opening of Bank Accounts, and providing information packs for destination cities or towns, as well as assisting businesses recruiting international staff in the facilitation of the migration process.
Services The immigration process is often cumbersome, complicated, and fraught with numerous policy changes, making professional advice vital. Mid West Migration Solutions helps people navigate the confusing pathways of temporary and permanent residence applications to gain entry to Australia and New Zealand. The process begins with a user friendly but thorough needs analysis assessment of the applicant to determine the best pathway for any given application. Upon identification of the most suitable and cost effective visa, Mid West Migration Solutions will help prepare and submit a compelling and accurate application to the Department of Immigration and Border Patrol (DIBP) or Immigration New Zealand. In some instances, Mid West Migra-
Why You Should Use a Registered Migration Agent • Registered migration agents are the only people who can legally provide immigration assistance throughout Australia and New Zealand • They have the ability to explain which visa options are available to you, and to recommend a suitable option • They can lodge a well-prepared application with all of the required documents, which can make it the decision process easier and faster • They are in the position to contact DIBP or other organisations on your behalf to discuss or ask questions about your application • Peace of Mind – you have the comfort of knowing a qualified and accredited specialist is handling your application and acting in your best interest • So that you get it right first time! Registered Migration Agent # 1465072 Tel: 08 996 42974 Mob: 0487 932 510 http://mwmigration.com.au
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Changing the
EATING HAbits
of kids around the world By Sam Spunner
Changing the eating habits of kids the world over, Sam Spunner has built a socially conscious, environmentally friendly business in Sinchies, the reusable food pouches giving new meaning to ‘fast-food’ by making eating on the run easy for kids and parents alike.
Born and raised in Harare, Zimbabwe, Sam enjoyed a simple life, developing a passion for fresh, healthy food at a young age. Deciding to spread her wings at the age of 18, she moved to the UK for four years, before following her brother’s footsteps to Australia. “My brother had moved to Australia a Issue No 2 December/January 2015
year before after losing his farm, and I had always hoped to join him,” said Sam. “The weather, the lifestyle, the friendly sense of community…when I arrived I felt like anything was possible.” With a love of children and qualifications in childcare, Sam started working at a local childcare centre.
“I couldn’t wait to hang out with the kids all day. Though before long, I felt ready to spread my wings a little, and set up my own family daycare to spend more quality time with the children in my care.” After four years of running her own family daycare centre, Sam found
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herself facing a daily challenge where the children with food allergies and intolerances in her care were continually feeling left out and upset. “It was the time when the squeezy yoghurt pouches were fairly new to the market. Kids loved them and so did parents. They were quick, easy, not messy and made it possible for kids to feed themselves giving them a sense of independence.” “But one little girl in particular, who was allergic to dairy, used to cry every day that she couldn’t be the same as the others, and it broke my heart. So one day, I syringed her dairy-free yoghurt into a makeshift pouch replica, and that’s when it hit me. Why wasn’t there a reusable pouch on the market that parents could buy to fill with their own homemade goodness?” It was a question that was set to change Sam’s life. Embarking on two years of market research, while also speaking to family and childhood educators, Sam realised what a unique and high demand idea she had stumbled on to. “I built up my courage and decided to run with it, and two years later, Sinchies was born. It was a long process but one Issue No 2 December/January 2015
which I needed to get absolutely right.” explains Sam. Still running her family daycare, Sam took her time sourcing the right manufacturer, choosing the best materials that were safe for children and the environment, and testing various pouch designs that would make it easy for both parents and children. And it paid off. Sinchies took the market by storm, growing a large, loyal following of Sinchies fans by word of mouth alone. Before long Sam had businesses knocking on her door begging to stock her pouches and in no time Sinchies was being distributed globally. Two years on, the Sinchies range has grown from the 80ml and 200ml pouches it started with, to include the 140ml pouch, one litre pouch, collapsible funnel and anti-choking lids, a bottle brush, drying rack, snack pouches, ice block pouches, sandwich pouches and recipe cards to complete the Sinchies system.
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“The great thing about Sinchies pouches is that they have so many uses beyond yoghurts, smoothies and purees. Parents can use them for storing dips, soups, spice rubs, soft foods, sauces, salad dressings and even sunscreen and toiletries. The 80ml pouch is also perfect for the international flight liquid restriction. ” Sam explains. Passionate about clean and healthy eating, mum-to-be Sam, now devotes her time to expanding the Sinchies range and creating quick, easy, healthy recipes and lunchbox ideas that are fun for kids and convenient for busy parents. Issue No 2 December/January 2015
“I’m passionate about providing children with the best possible chance in life, and this includes nutrition. Eating well and showing our little people how to nurture their bodies is a gift, and it’s one we all can give.” Sinchies pouches are also now being used to help tube-fed kids become more mobile, with the lightweight pouches replacing the heavy bottles children would have to sit with to have their liquid meals. “Now parents can fill a pouch, attach it to their child via a plug and place
it in a backpack that their child can wear so they can move around when they are being tube-fed. We are even putting it to use with head and neck cancer patients also, who can now suck their food out of a Sinchies pouch, making it easier for them to feed.” Having already won Best Innovative Business for Kids on the Sunshine Coast in 2013 and the Most Green Product at the Baba Indaba Expo in Cape Town, South Africa, the sky really is the limit for this inspirational and proud African born and bred entrepreneur.
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FROM Zimbabwe to Prospering in Australia Born In Zimbabwe, Prosper Taruvinga has managed to go through all the hardships of being an African Teenager to becoming one of the newly recognised faces of the Melbourne fashion and acting industries. I was born in Zimbabwe and was fortunate to be born of educated parents, hence the name ‘Prosper’. My parents always wanted what was good for my sister and I, so they sent us to really good schools. My sister and I used to fight a lot, so I was sent to boarding school where I completed formal education and ended up as a substitute teacher at one of the schools. Growing up in Africa, there weren’t a lot of role models and people to look up to in the things I wanted to do. Things were also not very good politically so I decided to travel, ending up in Germany where I stayed for 9 months. I didn’t really like it there, and returned home where the economic situation was dire. So I moved to Malawi where I worked on a number of projects, the most notable being launching Fibre optic cable Internet in Malawi. Being ambitious, I knew that I wasn’t reaching my fullest potential and so I started looking for
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other projects and businesses. An opportunity arose for me to come to Australia and I took it. I’ve been here three years now and have managed to follow my dreams and pursue with my career. I’ve always loved the limelight. As soon as I got to Australia I searched around to see how I could get amongst it all. I came across a few groups and they showed me the way. I haven’t looked back since. Australia is a land of opportunity, and if you are focused you can really go places. I’ve managed to be in the same room or shaken hands with some of my idols – I’ve even met former Prime Minister, Julia Gillard. I have also entered the Modeling Business and have managed to be featured many Issue No 2 December/January 2015
events, either as a model or a host. After 3 years, I can boast of a handful of TV Commercials under my belt, numerous Magazine editorials, features, and a couple of movies. I have even judged modeling competitions and did every photo shoot possible. There’s no stopping me! I’m motivated by success, and have received so much support and help to achieve my goals, but it hasn’t been easy! Most men in modeling are tall and chiseled. I’m not your Calvin Klein model! I’m short and don’t fit the masculine bracket, but I feel that I represent the average day-to-day male - the guy who actually buys the clothes advertised! I’ve worked hard to make a name for myself, and I know there are others who also want to see these changes happening.
A lot of people give up before they even get started, and some when they can’t get results. Even though Australia is multicultural society, there are still challenges. As much as I try to get modeling jobs, a lot of the time call outs specify that applicants need to be Caucasian. This doesn’t deter me though. It will take time but we are working on creating change. The modeling industry is quite lucrative. If you look at New York or Paris, models make a lot of money, but their counterparts in Australia are suffering and we need to raise the standards. Time is evolving and we can’t keep using the same formulas that haven’t
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been working. There are a lot of people whose talent is not being celebrated and I would love to help them realise their dreams. Many in the ‘industry’ claim to bring exposure to models or photographers while in actual fact they are just benefiting the user. That’s why we created Iconic Image Group - to elevate each other and to create a platform that supports our dreams. Iconic Image Group will create work, and be the hub of everything photography and fashion related. Iconic Image Group is a collective of like-minded people who have come together to try and shake up a few things. Started by colleagues, Hector Celara, David Thomson, Sam Tabone and myself, to try and create, quality artists that get paid Issue No 2 December/January 2015
for their work. You see, a lot of work in the industry is done for “exposure”. But when you then think of it, all the gigs and events that models and photographers do, well, they are high end jobs that people end up getting a lot of money out of because of the help they get for free. It is understandable that most gigs are for charity. By making sure the photographers have the right tools and education, this will make their work presentable thereby increasing their chances of getting more paid work. We are all doing what we love and if we can get paid for it, wow, what a bonus. Like they say, if you do what you love, you will never work a single day in your life. Iconic Image Group wants to create paid individuals by sourcing work for
them, and in the process providing them with training to meet the standard of the clients we want them to do work for and have an industry with high quality work and people getting paid for it. Iconic Image Group are creating a pool of photographers and models that are trained and produce quality work, thereby raising the standard of the industry while creating professionals. We have a few projects lined up in 2015, including a reality TV show where I will be helping 1000 people get 1000 jobs in conjunction with Centerlink. I’m also going to be a dad. I could not be at a happier time in my life! www.taruvinga.com
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AUSTRALIA & AFRICA WITH US www.mirrorsofafrica.com.au Do you need to promote your products? Are you having trouble getting it out there via word of mouth alone? Do you have an awesome African product that you want to get out there in Australia? For a limited time only we are discounting the price of advertising spacein our December issue on our website.
Booking Deadline 19 January 2015 Content Deadline 28 January 2015 Magazine On Sale February 2015 -March 2015
Issue No 2 December/January 2015
Our Bi-monthly editions consists of: Australian (local and national) content International content Guides Features For more information contact Charllote Stevens at info@mirrorsofafrica.com.au
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In Our Own Words By Soreti Kadir Soreti Kadir is the Co-Founder and Directing Manager of In Our Own Words, a social collective that exists to work with Africans living in the diaspora to grow as leaders through understanding who they are, where they came from, and the power that exists in community. I am a diaspora bred 19-year old who was raised in Melbourne and is trying to understand in everything that I do where my many worlds meet. Born in Oromia, found in modern day Ethiopia, I have lived most of my life in a constant cross over between where I came from and where I grew up. This is in no way an easy way to view the world, something I realised when I left high school two years ago. I think it’s a common experience for young people living in the diaspora, especially when they originate from countries that are perpetually depicted as being stereotypically ‘developing’ – you ask yourself what your responsibility is to where you came from. This was the clear case for me; I spent my first year out of high school as a youth ambassador for World Vision Australia. In this time I travelled and saw World Vision’s work first hand, I spoke to many people, learnt and grew. I felt like my question had not yet been met with an answer, so the following year I extended my role at World Vision and partnered with World Vision Ethiopia in the design and implementation of a youth leadership workshop for young people living with disabilities. Growing up, I was physically and mentally challenged by my surroundings because I was born without my left arm. Issue No 2 December/January 2015
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With those challenges came insights and understandings that I was able to fuse into creating this platform with World Vision Ethiopia in. Working in the West of Oromia, Bedele, it was within that familiarity and closeness to where my ancestry is embedded and the future of my own people is being cultivated that I began to learn the true power of the diaspora and my question began to meet an answer. In the numerous roles I occupied in my two years with World Vision, I grew as a speaker, a leader, and a thinker. This growth paved enclaves for the steps that I would later take towards co-creating In Our Own Words (IOOW). I now walk with a solid and unwavering understanding that being a member of the African diaspora is one of the most powerful societal positions I have been given – that is what has outlined and informed the evolution of IOOW, and what will continue to define what I do in the near and distant future. Can you imagine growing up in a community that has convinced you, as an African woman, that you must bleach your skin because the melanin in your body does not meet standard beauty expectations? Or that you, as an African male, feel like you have to conform to negative portrayals that have been created by the media because you do not see your self represented anywhere else? There is a constant and overwhelming expectation for young black African’s to achieve a standard of whiteness that is only attainable if we denounce and ignore who we are. This is a dangerous space for our community to be in because it begins a process of re-colonisation on the African continent itself, one that is more problematic than resources and riches. It is a colonisation of the mind and a destruction of critical thinking.
Issue No 2 December/January 2015
If my experiences within the field of international development have taught me anything, it is that the diaspora and the continent are connected, and it is through that connection, our positive and negative experiences affect each other. With this knowledge, we can begin to understand the ways in which the health of the continent depends largely on the state of the diaspora and vice versa. On a smaller scale, these are the kinds of issues IOOW are working to address. IOOW was created to meet a burning and overlooked need that exists not only in Australia, but globally. IOOW is a social collective that exists to work with Africans living in the diaspora to grow as leaders through understanding who we are, where we come from, and the power that exists in our community. In the diaspora, we want to spark thought and discussion around issues like migration, identity, race/racism, an understanding of history, intergenerational collaboration, and support within our community. The vision behind IOOW is to see the global African diaspora becoming the driving force, in many different ways, for the African continent, by partnering with young people who are building and sustaining communities there. The best way to address an issue that is rooted in the reality that voices are not being heard is to create platforms. The first platform IOOW created was the IOOW documentary. The documentary is made up of a collective of stories that speak two narratives, the first telling the story of African migration to Melbourne, the second shifting to tell the stories of first generation Africans living in Melbourne, making up the youth of the diaspora. In producing this documentary alongside Aysa Tufa, Director and Co-founder of IOOW, the aim was to create an extremely
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unapologetic and truthful piece of art. The documentary was well received by those who attended our launch on 1 November, and we are looking forward to holding more screenings in Melbourne and across Australia in the near future, as well as making it available online. IOOW has a long future ahead of it. What lies next is a series of events, the first called ‘History Speaks’, which is a human storybook in the literal sense. History Speaks features elders from the Ghanaian, Oromo, Nigerian, South Sudanese and Congolese diaspora, who will speak about their recollection of history and their own experiences that will one day be noted as ‘history’. I’m incredibly excited to see where IOOW goes. It has the potential to do so much more! Stay connected with us on Facebook: In Our Own Words; Instagram and Twitter: inourownwords. www.inourownwords.co skadir@inourownwords.co Issue No 2 December/January 2015
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Kenya The Great Lakes of Emma Mann shares with us her journey to the Great Lakes of Kenya.
Martin is an animated person, with warm and intelligent eyes the colour of dark chocolate, and skin to match. During our pre-departure tour meeting at the hostel he goes through the usual tour-guide stuff; safety issues, a basic itinerary for the next few days and what we can expect from the tour overall. I have travelled with this particular overland company previously, so I half listen and watch Martin as he speaks. He gives us a brief run down of his history, and I think to myself that I’ve found a new friend for life. Early next morning we do a round of introductions on the truck, and Martin comes and sits with me at the back. I
Issue No 2 December/January 2015
alternate between hanging out of the soft-sided truck with my camera slung around my neck and sleeping until we pull into a lookout over the Great Rift Valley. Martin explains that the Valley extends all the way from Egypt in the north to Mozambique in the south, carving out rivers and lakes through the landscape. We stop here for our first of many roadside lunches, and Joseph, our ever-smiling chef and jack-of-all-trades puts out sandwiches, the perfect on-the-road food. I look around and see a mass of children gathering behind the truck. Cheeky grins, and timid dark eyes peep around the back of the truck as I climb
on to get my camera and the soccer ball I had seen earlier. Always a hit with local kids, I’m glad there was one on board. The game continues while Joseph and I start packing up the lunch things. He tells me some more of himself while we work. He is a deeply spiritual and caring man. He tells me is from a small town on the shores of Lake Victoria, and that he has a daughter who is now in school. He is proud to be able to provide for her. He doesn’t mention his wife, so I assume that she has either left the family (for whatever reason) or has passed away, perhaps in childbirth. Joseph tells me about growing up in rural Kenya and how it is different now, that kids have more opportunity
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for learning and their futures. Looking at the kids who have been playing with us for the last hour, I can’t see it. These kids are under-fed, under-loved and I desperately want to rescue them from the life I feel I know they’re destined for, with all my Western white privilege.
when I’m in Africa I’m transfixed by them. I’m particularly taken by the giant secretary birds; they’re bigger than any bird I’ve ever seen, and from this distance, look like they’re taller than me. This isn’t difficult as I’m quite short, but it’s still no mean feat for a bird.
After a long afternoon drive, we eventually arrive at the gates for Lake Nakuru, a vast wetland reserve known for its bird life, particularly for the population of pink flamingo. The Lake was made famous in the movie “Out of Africa” and I’m expecting picturesque lakes, with millions of flamingo standing quietly in the water, waiting for tourists to come and take photos. What I get is a tidal lake which is currently running on the low side making the banks squelchy, muddy and above all, stinky. Mixed in with the mud is bird do-do, and I’m currently walking across it, camera in tow, setting myself up for the perfect picture of the lake, with all the birds on it. The sun will be gone soon, and along with it, the light.
Martin starts calling us back to the truck, and I don’t want to move. I’m afraid I’ll disturb the peaceful tranquillity of the lake. The birds seem to be in their own world, close by, but distant from us. I’m standing in muck up to my knees almost, but I still don’t want to leave. Eventually I pull myself out of the bog, and trudge back to the truck with a heavy mind. I’m not sure what came over me at the lake, but while the others get excited over their first zebra, and a white rhino, I can only look out the window, back toward the lake, and ponder life.
Thank heavens for hiking boots. As well as the population of flamingo, the area is also home to a migrating population of pelicans, eagles, secretary birds, cormorants and about 400 other different species of avian wildlife. I’m not normally a bird person- their eyes freak me -but for some reason,
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At camp, we eat and swap stories of home until one by one my fellow campers head for their tents. I stay up with Joseph and Martin talking about the changes Kenya has made, and what the future may hold for the country. These are two men who have worked together a long time, and I can sense the mutual respect for each other. It is a delight for me, to sit and listen to them discuss and debate. For my sake they keep the conversation in English, for which I am
grateful. I start falling asleep listening to the boys talk, and eventually I cave, and head off to my tent. The next morning I am woken early by the calls of hundreds of birds. I lay for a while listening to their different squeals and squawks, trying to pick the sounds from the general hum of the park. I know this morning’s game drive will be good, I can feel it in my bones. I’m excited, checking the batteries in my camera and giving it a quick clean. We head out after a very fast breakfast, all wrapped in scarves and jumpers. I don’t care what anyone says, Africa is freaking cold. There’s no escaping the bitter wind rustling through the open sides of the truck. After a while we spot a black rhino, and I’m taken back to that transfixed sense I had at the lake yesterday. I’ve never seen a black rhino in the wild before; they’re so rare, I’m so happy I’m staring like an idiot. Martin taps me on the shoulder and I snap out of my stupor and start shooting. Black rhino are so anti-social it’s hard to capture them, and I flick back through my photos in wonder. This may be my only chance to see this, a memory I will take with me forever. We head up toward the higher ground, and find hundreds of green baboons. The males sit and play with themselves, while giving the girls in our group the stare down. It’s like being assaulted by a baboon. It’s creepy, and I decide quickly I really don’t like them. They’re bigger than I thought too, intimidatingly so.
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We’re standing on a look out though, and when I finally get the courage to turn away from the baboon, I realise it’s beautiful. The sun is just about level over the lake, and it’s creating a double-sun phenomenon. I take a multitude of shots, but I know deep down I’ll never recreate it. It’d be impossible. The next day we head south, toward Lake Naivasha, home of a huge population of hippo. I hire a flat-bottomed boat to head out on the water to see them. After about ten minutes of skimming the surface of the water, we finally see a family. There is any number of adults hiding under the surface of the water, and our skipper tells us not to put our hands in the water, just in case. Hippos kill more people every year than any other animal in Africa. Hippo will always remain a hopelessly hilarious animal for me. I first spotted a hippo in Botswana. Clumsy, overbearing animals they seem. But even out of water, out of their comfort zone, they have an uncanny ability to move. Fast as lightening, quick as an eagle, they are alarmingly agile creatures, quick to temper and slow to calm. The next morning, I have organized a Issue No 2 December/January 2015
trek through near by Hells Gate National Park. You can ride a bicycle through the populations of herbivores until you get to the gorge but today is incredibly hot, so my guide arrives in a car. He says he will drive me to the gorge, and we will walk from there. The drive is sensational – Hells Gate is home to strange rock formations, cliff faces, all red in colour. There are overwhelming and spectacular. There are a few people at the entrance to the gorge. I pay for my permit, and also for my guide, and we start descending. I should have done more research. The gorge is steep, and there is still a river running through. I’m wearing thongs (flip flops) and a skirt of all things. Not really trekking type clothing, and I’m conscious of my idiocy. My guide is very good though, he tells me about this plant and that, and which can be eaten and which are poisonous, and about this medicinal herb, and that leaf. As we wind through the gorge I feel the ground start to incline upward again, until we reach a cliff. I stand looking at the cliff, and my guide points to the top. We need to get up there, he tells me in his mixed English and Swahili. I shudder – I’m not wonderful with heights,
and I hope he doesn’t mean that we’re going to climb the side of the cliff. He takes me around to the side a little more, and I see a well-beaten pathway, running up to the top. My guide is laughing, slapping his knees. He thinks he’s pulled one over on me, and he’s right. Jerk, he could have just told me when I was gazing up at the top earlier! We start the long slog upwards. This path isn’t great, as it’s all soft sand and mud, so my thongs frequently get stuck. I end up taking them off, and putting them in my guide’s pockets. We finally make it to the top, and I realize I feel like I’m going to die. It’s breathtaking, or it would be if I had any breath left to take. Once I recover, we leave the lookout point. The rest of the path is flat, and leads us back to where we started. Back in the car, I sink against the seat and grin. This has been a fabulous day. Tomorrow, I start my journey further south, toward the incredible Masai Mara. I feel as though nothing could give me more than my experiences of the last few days. I should know better by now, Africa just keeps on giving.
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Ducere
An Alternative Philosophy to African Development Its notion of a self-sustaining philanthropy is principled on an uncommon strategy to western countries i.e. mastering the art of listening to the many African voices. Ducere’s Africa educational strategy is tailored upon its philosophy of an incomparable social conscience. This is implemented through the path of listening to Africans, developing programs owned by Africans and working towards sustainable investments that are focused on educating the young generation. The following four principles have been the pillars of Ducere’s success in Africa:
There are arguably two schools of thought on Africa and providing aid. One school of thought believes that aid has done more damage to Africa than good; the alternative thinking argues that voiding the contribution of aid is denying history. Both streams of thinking have some truth. The main problem with both approaches is the talk about Africa, as if it is one country. Africa is a huge continent with 54 independent, uniquely different countries with more than 2000 languages and more than 1 billion inhabitants made up of over 3000 distinct ethnic groups, with 50% being 19 years or younger, all of which are treated in a single basket. Moreover, the problem with these two schools of thought is that either they do not provide any set of realistic solutions or they prescribe their own prescriptions without considering the realities of the African continent. Splitting hairs in academic argument, whilst doing nothing, is like seeing a
Issue No 2 December/January 2015
husband and wife arguing how the fire that is destroying their home started instead of calling for the fire brigade or trying to extinguish the blaze. It is outside this destructive contrast that I observed a third approach to African development from Ducere and its Foundation. Capturing the Imagination Ducere’s guiding principle which respects the spirit of altruism at its best is a world-first strategy that facilitates a variety of initiatives such as the Dūcere Foundation Peace Education Project and the Dūcere Publishing House which is capturing the imagination of African children and the tales told by the elders over thousands of generations. These programs are aimed at inspiring the spirit of leadership, building the values of tolerance and equality and strengthening academic achievement at all educational levels in Africa.
Mastering the art of listening When Mat Jacobson, Ducere Founder and CEO and Di Fleming Executive Director of the Foundation visited Africa to start its philanthropic partnerships, the first thing they did was to be silent and listen; to listen not only to the leaders but to the ordinary African people including the elders, students, teachers, mothers and the chiefs. Recalling his first interaction with Africans, Mat Jacobson, states that: “Ducere started its African project by listening with the heart. It started by listening to the voices of Africans as well as to the silence of Africans.” Indeed within the African context, the might of wisdom comes not only from what is communicated to you, but also from what is left unstated. Africa owning its own programs Through ingenuity and innovative thinking, Ducere developed its basic rule of engagement with Africa, which is based on the foundational principle of ‘Africans should own the path
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of their own destiny.’ Different from other investments, Ducere did not try to dictate its terms by letter and spirit. From the very beginning, it clearly stated that Ducere is not there to be the substitute of the various African countries but to add value. In this way it encouraged the bottom-up participatory strategy. It left the assets (spiritual and material), including that contributed by Ducere, in the hands of the host, not the visitors. Di has been working in Africa for many years and it was a natural fit for her to join with Ducere as their shared vision and passion is palpable. Since April 2012, Di has built a Ducere Foundation team of over forty staff in Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia and South Africa. These appointments are based on Ducere’s philosophy of ‘Africans for Africa.’ A popular African proverb advises ‘Go the way that many people go; if you go alone, you will have reason to lament.’ Well, Ducere did not lament because it subsequently has nuanced its roadmap by being sensitive to the cultural values of host countries, including their sense of community (which is the ultimate contributor to Africans’ collective security) and the sense of sacredness and life. One such example is Ducere’s investment into its Peace Centres, where instead of imposing the western ideal of democratic institutions, Ducere chose to
Issue No 2 December/January 2015
value add to Africa’s oldest democratic traditions, the Botswana Kgotla - which is based on the morality of citizens and the wisdom of the elders. Working for long term development As is often said, good managerial vision is the opposite of short-term solutions. The Ducere Foundation’s engagement focuses on long-term and sustainable development. Sustainable development which is about making changes towards ensuring every personal life moves towards greater dignity. But true dignity is realized only when quality economic and sociocultural standards are achieved. Ducere believes that, for all Africans in all their diversity, today should be good, tomorrow should be better and the day after tomorrow should be best. For some, sustainability could mean meeting the needs of the present and future generations but for Ducere it also means meeting the needs of the past generations- it might sound paradoxical but that is what Ducere is achieving in Africa. By writing and publishing the stories of those who died centuries ago, it is acting as a bridge between the past, the present and the future. Targeting the young generation Ducere’s creative opportunities for learning, leading and growth for disadvantaged youth in the many differ-
ent African countries reflects that Ducere’s main investment is in the School Improvement Program, Peace Education Centers and Dūcere Publishing. The School Improvement Program is in partnership with the Botswana Ministry of Labor Graduate Intern Scheme. Unemployed graduates are trained by Ducere to focus on the younger generation helping them to improve their literacy, leadership and learning. The reason for this is because education, if invested in the young generation, would definitely result in long-standing and far-reaching socioeconomic and cultural impacts. Ducere’s educational approach has an emphatic focus on female participation; Di argues that as young African women become leaders they must balance traditional practice with enlightened 21st century thinking. Teaching a boy is teaching a student but teaching a girl is teaching a society. I am very optimistic that history will become the greatest witness of Ducere’s listening approach that strives to ensure an African-owned, long-term and achieving young generation focused upon goodness in the very near future. As some would say, ‘Goodness is the only investment that never fails’. Ahmed Ali. November 2014
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This is Me and I’m Not Ashamed Piriye Altraide
Do you see what I see...?? This recurring demon of ‘identity’. Discovering who I needed to be. As usual the thoughts flow. Tamed, but not fully unrestrained... “No, I don’t want to do anything more. Go anywhere. I just want to sit down and write... Write about expectations.Write about what people expect of me. Write about what should and shouldn’t be.” Expect from me based on the person I am, and not based on any background. Any creed. Any race. Or, not expect at all. Whether I should like hip hop, or not like hip hop? Whether I follow more post rock, Indie, Punk, Jazz, Blues, Pop, Soul... Or any other genre. Or whether I don’t. Whether I dress classy, Or whether I chuck on some high-top sneakers. Or punk chains. Whether I do or not… (I finally realised) Is up to me. It’s up to... me! So whosoever would try, stop putting me in a box. Whether I bounce to Raggamuffin, Or rock out to Big Day Out. Just because you see my skin There is suddenly a list of expectations Of what I should do, Or be?? Instead I’m sorry- I’m just me. And whatever I choose to be, I be! And so accept that... Accept that that is me! To accept that people are influenced by so many cultures in all. That really, we are children of the world. Not one race or another, but a wonderful fusion. Of whatever we choose to accept and grasp and love as our own. And let each one be, to whatever part of that he or she so-ever chooses. Leave them be. And let them take. And love. For their own. At that point, I had to look in the mirror And accept what I saw. I had to look in the mirror and say: “This is me… and I’m not ashamed.” We all need to do that, every once in the while. To look in the mirror, and accept you. To look in the mirror and finally say, With overwhelming relief: “This is me... And I’m not ashamed.” Issue No 2 December/January 2015
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SupportingAfricanArtists ican artists and artisans, Afr ing ion mp cha is AFRIKA SANAA m fro s ker Carina Bek nities they deserve. rtu po op d an ion nit og rec the th wi m the ing provid
About Carina I was born in Holland and have travelled, lived and worked in many countries around the world. I now live in Australia, but my adopted country is Tanzania as my family is there. I initially came to Australia with two small children and no other family, so my life was very simple living in an outer suburb of Melbourne. This all changed when my husband joined us 1 ½ years later, when I started working part-time, undertook Post Graduate studies, and returned to my career in Human Resource Management after a 10-year break. We then moved to Nhulunbuy in the Northern Territory, and then over to the Central Coast of NSW where I wound down my professional career. Issue No 2 December/January 2015
About SANAA AFRIKA SANAA AFRIKA was started in 2005 with the sole purpose of giving something back and providing recognition and business opportunities to African artists and artisans. From humble beginnings online, we now have a gallery in Erina Heights, and participate in trade fairs and art exhibitions. My vision is for SANAA AFRIKA to be recognised as the specialist in quality one-off pieces and small volume art, craft and dĂŠcor made by Africans. Supporting African Artists I have great respect for people who come to Australia and work hard to make something of themselves. I can relate to the ups and downs, the sacrifices, the need for recognition, and
the yearning to find your place. I also see how contemporary artists in Africa are struggling to find recognition, as their art is not widely accepted as a cultural expression of how they see, feel and experience Africa today. Through SANAA AFRIKA I want to enable this expression and to give it a platform so that everyone can enjoy and learn from it. The SANAA AFRIKA Gallery features pieces from across the African continent, whilst working with African Australian artists, including Bruce Doran, a drawing artist and photographer from Swaziland, Simon Adams, a painter from Kenya; Fundi Kippaya, a painter from Tanzania); Lindy Lawler, a ceramist, and Jonathan Madzinga, a painter.
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Fair Trade Conducting business across cultures is tricky. Fair Trade principles are clear work practices where all parties benefit. Sweatshops, unsafe work environments, child labour, exploitation, and so on, do exist and we can choose not to do business with those who practice this. It is not about forcing Western standards on businesses, it is about improving the work environment, increasing production, developing long-term business relationships, sharing information and growing together. As the Chair of the NSW Fair Trade Network I am involved in many activities aimed at advancing Fair Trade in NSW.
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What next? My future plans for SANAA AFRIKA are to build up the wholesale side of the business and to continue to explore new partnerships to increase the market for African art, craft and décor in Australia. “Let nothing stop you, embrace new experiences and always move forward. You will grow”. Lindy Lawler Lindy Lawler, ceramist, originally from South Africa, now lives in Sydney and works mainly in oil based clay and ceramic clay. Her handmade sculptures all have colours, shapes, glazes and symbols inspired by
memories of South Africa. Some of her work is made into casts of the original, and then hand painted, others are unique pieces. Jonathan Madzinga Jonathan Madzinga is a painter from Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, and the Artist in Residence at the Gold Coast Art School. He has exhibited in Zimbabwe, Botswana, South Africa, The Netherlands, UK, Dubai, Canada, USA, and Australia. He runs workshops for primary school students and recently created a large mural on road safety at a local State School. http://www.sanaaafrika.com.au
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The Princess of Mbira
Music From Zimbabwe Words by Vimbai Chamisa
What used to be a male dominated African music sphere in Zimbabwe is slowly giving in to the rising voices of young female players who have vowed to collapse the barriers that have always relegated them to the kitchen and household chores. In ancient Africa and Zimbabwe in particular, for a female to be seen playing a musical instrument let alone the sacred mbira, was taboo. Playing mbira was reserved for man, while their female counterparts had to be contented with playing hosho and ululating as the rhythm reverberates from the sacred mountains where this type of music was traditionally sung in Shona music culture of Zimbabwe. Hope Masike has navigated this rugged road to be recognised as the finest Gwenyambirakadzi (female mbira player) within the Zimbabwean popular music industry. She is one of Zimbabwe’s fastest rising popular musicians and is bound to take the world by storm. Hope is an outstanding female artist among the few women who have managed to defy the odds, and has deservedly earned herself the title “The Princess of mbira” within the indigenous music royalty. Interestingly, Hope represents a major departure from the Zimbabwean iconic figure of Mbuya Nehanda. Princesses are refined and graceful with beauty in movement. They have tasteful opulence in form, decoration, presentation, restraint and grace of style. I therefore embrace this title, respectfully joining many others in the custodianship of the precious mbira music heritage. (Masike, 2013) In 2008, Masike dared the cultural obstructions and confidently launched her professional mbira musical career using the famous nyunga nyunga type of mbira which she learnt from the Zimbabwe College of Music. Today, Hope Issue No 2 December/January 2015
has two albums to her name, Hope and Mbira, Love and Chocolate. She has also collaborated with several local and foreign artists. The songstress’ performance negotiates gender barriers to participation in areas that were foreign to women. In a radical shift from the thinking of other female artists, the musician believes that women should not be given special treatment or favours to prop them on to the same podium with men as this will render them weak and submissive. “Whether you are a man or woman…we all have the same twenty four hours in a day, and what matters most is what you do with them… It’s high time for women to take action. Women need to be aggressive and focused”. Discussing empowerment strategies at the University of Southern California, the nyunga nyunga player argued that,
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“…in real professional life, the field is the same for women and men. There are no presidential elections for women alone, then those for men. We play for the same audience; there is no special audience for female musicians only. The jungle is the same”. She buttresses her ideology with her music. For instance, her song called, “Inyoni” on Mbira, Love and Chocolate calls upon African women to rise to the highest levels in politics, business and all other aspects of life. In the Africa indigenous context mbira is largely believed to have been conceived by ancestors and is considered to be powerful and can project its sound into the heavens, bridging spirits and trance to the world of the living. Thus mbira musical performance is largely shaped by the instrument’s strong association with spirituality. But Masike vows that the association of mbira and spirits can be negotiated when she said, “I would want to come up with a new sound on the mbira and have it represent us as Zimbabweans in new forms, and not just as a sacred object”. The musician has blended the mbira melody with music from other cultures fusing various instruments to come up with new sounds. Her production with Monoswezi called, “The Village” blends Norwegian saxophone and Zimbabwean mbira. However, like a princess within the royalty of mbira, in all her songs she maintains the mbira sound audible and this sound has indeed become the trademark for work despite the fusions. Issue No 2 December/January 2015
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Issue No 2 December/January 2015
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Your Digital Footprint Words by By Alladean Chidukwani
If someone types your name in a search engine like Google what will they find?
This is what is know as your ‘digital footprint’, the trail left by the interactions that you have on the internet and other connected devices. For example, what you have clicked on, searched for, liked, websites visited, comments made, and so forth. The internet stores a lot of information about you that when combined, creates a digital “reputation” of yourself. Whilst this profile may make you popular due to its worldwide presence, it may also make you infamous. Employers, recruiters, authorities, business rivals, potential friends, and criminals can use this information to judge the kind of person you are. Due diligence needs to be taken to ensure that the Internet has relevant, up to date and accurate information about yourself. Issue No 2 December/January 2015
You can start to take control of your Digital Footprint by doing some very basic clean-up activities: • Control who tags you in posts – you can approve these before they are posted to Facebook • Untag yourself from photos that people have tagged you in • Delete online profiles and accounts that you don’t need • Update profiles that are out-dated • Avoid entering your personal details on non-reputable websites • Unsubscribe to spam emails that come into your mailbox To find out what the internet is saying about you, open up an internet browser, type in your name and press return. You might be surprised what you find!
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Why every business needs a
Technology Strategy Words by Collins Vuchocho
Strategy is useless unless it influences the daily conversations a business has. Look at technology as an enabler for business conversations.
Many strategy scholars believe that the environments in which a business operates have a far greater influence in affecting a company’s strategy than anything else. This question has led me to persistently pursue the reasoning behind Technology strategies and how they have evolved over the years; after all, the business technology landscape is always changing and has advanced rapidly. My research has led me to conclude that the technology landscape is something that any serious businessperson must understand, as its impact on a business is directly proportional to the profits attained. The demands on responsiveness, operational speed, and flexibility for businesses competing in the global economy makes having a technology strategy a necessity rather than a luxury. Now is the time to seriously consider the value of adopting a technology strategy that best suits the business in order to be competitive in the market. It is therefore clear why having the right technology Issue No 2 December/January 2015
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(technology that enables information exchange) is at the top of the business agenda of many businesses.
my time, efforts and hard earned cash to align relevant technology with business strategy?
Every business needs to understand the relevant and necessary technology platforms that affect its environment to achieve benefits, manage risks, anticipate opportunities, increase competitiveness, improve efficiency, gain insights and improve strategic decision-making.
The answer to this question has long existed in the project and portfolio management space in most corporate organisations. Always split your initiatives and projects into three categories; Run initiatives, Grow initiatives and Transform initiatives.
Whereas the above goals may be simple and straightforward, the strategies deployed to attain them may vary greatly. This leads me to the million dollar question most business people ask: As a business manager, owner or entrepreneur, where should I spend Issue No 2 December/January 2015
When it comes to technology, your strategy and effort be focussed towards growth and transformation –less effort and resources should be spent on technology that delivers operational routines. When it comes to implementing a technology strategy for your business, always remember to ask yourself this
question - Is the technology solution going to help my business grow or transform, or will it simply help me run my day-to-day tasks. • Invest in technology that will grow and transform your business, spending less on technology that runs your business • 40% of technology implementations fail! Understand how technology is delivered and what methodology suits your business • Align your technology strategy to your business strategy • Most importantly, always make sure that you get the best advice, and be sure to shop around! Collins.vuchocho@calvar.com.au www.calvar.com.au
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I Have the Power Words by Nkandu Beltz
I Have the Power has been described as a tear-jerking and uplifting life story of a social change-maker and humanitarian. In ‘I Have the Power’; Nkandu Belts shares her story from being born as a ‘girl child’ in Zambia through to her life today in Australia.
“Never underestimate what an individual with a powerful thought can do.” Recounting my adversities – including being poisoned – as well as the many extraordinary experiences I have been blessed to have had in life – like interviewing the Dalai Lama, my wish is to ignite a spark of inspiration in others; I want people to realise that they have the power to change the world. Have you ever woken up wanting to change the world around you? Well, I feel like that most of the time! The power Issue No 2 December/January 2015
of one is the most powerful concept I know. You have the ability to influence people and to start a movement that will benefit so many people right now, as well as generations to come. What is your definite purpose in life? Mine is to inspire people and to bring out the best in everyone I meet. I’m easy going and relaxed, and I like to think that I have good communication skills. I can talk with anyone; leave me in the middle
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around you.” That is very true. We choose how to respond to events in our life. Sometimes, it’s just easier to sit in a corner of our room and blame the world.
of Timbuktu and I’ll make friends in two minutes, eating what the locals eat, and joining in their way of life. I’ve been told that happiness is a choice. Stop waiting for problems to disappear in order for you to appreciate what you have in your life. You should never be terrified of making mistakes; that won’t get you anywhere! One of the best things I like to do is to practice gratitude – to write down what has happened during the day. This way, I look at the failures and triumphs. I treat these two the same: I take it as a lesson and that I did what was best at that time. When I was working for the Ngami Times, a Maun based newspaper, I went to report on an Airborne exercise that was held in Tsau, a village near Maun in Botswana. This was hard-core military training and I was in gear with my jeans and combat shirt, carrying my media equipment. I was the only girl at the training ground, but I still felt powerful and strong! I was 18 years old. My role was to report on what was happening, even though I had male journalists intimidating me and pushing me to fly back home, as it was not safe. I was very adamant about staying to finish my task. After four days, we went back to Maun and had a party at the Sedie Riverside Hotel. I met Kevin Czarkowski, an American soldier. He was a very good sounding board and said some things to me I’ll never forget. As we talked about life, love and work, he said to me, “Nkandu, 10% of life is physics. The other 90% is how you react to the situations Issue No 2 December/January 2015
During my journey as a young social change-maker, I have come across many “self-help” books. I Have the Power is not one of them. I Have the Power is a reminder that you are truly amazing and it encourages you to believe in yourself. I have done a lot of work with young people in several different countries. Africa was my stepping-stone, but the challenges that young people face around the world are the same. It’s the battle between who we are and who we want to be. Yes, there are different challenges in Africa such as huge unemployment and the PHDs (Poverty, Hunger and Disease) in some parts of the continent. I Have the Power is a reminder that you are important. As an important member of the community, your skills, knowledge and contribution are critical for the development of your country. You have a tremendous amount of skills and talents to share with the rest of the world. This requires having an open mind and an open heart, and tapping into your inner being unleashing your brilliance. Change has to start within you. Like Gandhi said, “Be the change you want to see in the world.”
and the world at large. Not only did he embody this concept, but also lived it. Ubuntu, “I am because we are,” is a philosophy that describes the oneness of humanity, by sharing ourselves with others and caring for others. I want to see a better understanding between cultures and ethnic backgrounds. I want to promote the spirit of “Ubuntu”. It’s the spirit of togetherness, that we are all connected and that we can make a difference in the way things are. It is through this spirit that I have been able to realize my dream of becoming a Commonwealth Youth Forum Representative, and in 2013, I had the privilege to sit next to and interview his holiness the Dalai Lama. Reflect on what it is we want for our communities, our homes and our personal legends. How do we contribute to our communities? How can YOU be of significance to YOUR community? I Have the Power is for you and is dedicated to all the young people out there and those waking up in the morning to make a difference. www.ihavethepowerbook.com www.nkandubeltz.com.au
I Have the Power comes from my core being. Even during writing, tears were trickling down my cheeks. It’s such a privilege to share my journey and the lessons learned. These are lessons on the love of humanity, compassion, making change in my community, how other people live in other countries, and the celebration of cultural diversity in different parts of the world. These are lessons on Ubuntu, an African philosophy that translates into the words “I am because we are.” Nelson Mandela emphasized this philosophy with a vision of an integrated, prosperous and peaceful South Africa
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Koeksisters
Recipe contributed by Winnefred Barnard
Ingredients 310 ml (1¼ cups) warm milk 60 g unsalted butter, melted 1 egg, lightly beaten 450 g (3 cups) plain flour, sifted, plus extra, to dust 2 x 7 g sachets dry yeast 495 g (2¼ cups) caster sugar 2 tsp ground aniseed (see Note) 1 tsp ground nutmeg 1 tsp ground cinnamon 1 tsp ground mixed spice 1 tsp ground ginger 1 tsp ground cardamom 1 tsp ground cloves Desiccated coconut, to coat Vegetable oil, to deep-fry Issue No 2 December/January 2015
Instructions Whisk the milk, butter and egg until combined. Using an electric mixer fitted with a dough hook, mix the flour, yeast, ¼ cup sugar, spices, 1 tsp salt and milk mixture until a sticky dough forms. Transfer to a lightly greased bowl and set aside in a warm, draught-free place for 1 hour or until dough doubles in size. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface, divide into 6, and then roll out each piece into 4 cm x 30 cm strips. Cut each strip lengthwise down the centre Be careful not to cut the dough through at one end. Plait the dough into strips and press the ends together to seal. Cut the dough into thirds and place on
a lightly floured oven tray. To make the syrup, place the remaining 2 cups of sugar and 375ml of water into a pan over a low heat and stir until the sugar dissolves. Keep the syrup warm over a low heat. Place the coconut in a shallow bowl. Fill a deep-fryer or saucepan one-third full with oil and heat over medium heat to 180°C (or until a cube of bread turns golden in 10 seconds). In batches of 3, drop the dough into the oil and fry for 4 minutes or until golden and cooked through (turn around the 2 minute mark). Remove and drain on a paper towel. Working in batches, place into the warm syrup for 5 minutes. Remove and toss in coconut to serve
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Malva
Pudding Lekker Pudding
To get you in
the mood for
Christmas
Pudding Ingredients 235ml Milk 1 1/2 dessertspoons Apricot Jam 125g Flour 1 teaspoon Baking Powder 200g Sugar
1 teaspoon Baking/Bicarbonate of Soda Syrup Ingredients
Method Pudding Beat the egg and sugar together. Mix all ingredients except the milk and baking/bicarbonate of soda. Mix the milk and baking/bicarbonate of soda together and add to the mixture. Bake in dish for 40 minutes at 180째C or Microwave on high for 6 minutes. Pour the syrup over the pudding. Syrup Bring all the ingredients to the boil and pour over the pudding when hot from oven (remove vanilla pod) Serve with custard or ice cream
200g Sugar 1/2 cup boiling water 120ml cup Milk 115g Butter A couple of drops of vanilla essence or a vanilla pod Issue No 2 December/January 2015
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Issue No 2 December/January 2015
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From Zimbabwe to Perth A Love Story
Mavis Kofi and Lincoln T Nhari were introduced to each other through a sister in law, and have been dating for about one and half years. After having been introduced and getting to know each other they realised they had met before in Zimbabwe several years previous. As the story goes, they fell in love, got engaged in December 2013, and got married on 4 October 2014 at the Mercure Hotel in Perth. 180 guests were in attendance to witness the marriage and partake in celebrations.
Issue No 2 December/January 2015
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AUSTRALIA & AFRICA WITH US www.mirrorsofafrica.com.au
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Our Bi-monthly editions consists of: Australian (local and national) content International content Guides Features For more information contact Charllote Stevens at info@mirrorsofafrica.com.au Page 52