Mojatu Magazine Issue 009

ISSN 2041-8566

mojatu Nottingham

c

nnected

UK ÂŁ2.00 Ksh. 250 US$ 3.00

Issue M009

The Story of Black Community Activism in the East Midlands

Scan with your mobile to view magazine

Ethnic Minority Cancer

Community Funding

Awareness Week

Business Spotlight

Where and How to

Hair and Grooming

Write Right!

Improving Literacy in the Community f f o

% ssay ing & 0 2 E d g a n fre riti o W o Pr opy 32 C

p.

Exclusive Interview with

Cllr Merlita Bryan Lord Mayor of Nottingham www.mojatu.com

Business Directory

Events

Classified

Special Offers

Leverage your unique strengths and be inspired and empowered to incorporate them in your life’s skills. Inspired and empowered people bath in their inspiration: • • • • •

Cecily Mwaniki

Achieve health and wealth Build strong family and social networks Advance your career Become a more positive ‘you’ Remove the obstacles holding you back • Become an asset to your community • Develop your personal success plan

To get a copy, please contact:

T: +44 (0)1189072534 M:+44(0)7859063643

info@cmyoucannetwork.co.uk or online at www.mojatu.com/youcan

Scan to view & order books

•• . relationship dilemma and Financial well-being.

She founded ‘’UTULIVU’’ organisation which got the Queens Award in 2011 for voluntary service. Her motto in life has always been ‘Aspiring To Inspire Before I Expire’.

She is happily married with two children

2 mojatu.com | Nottingham connected

Contents

Editor`s Letter

Norma Gregory,Editor

News

NNC Photo

Dear Readers, Welcome to the new look Mojatu magazine! It is a fantastic, community magazine that aims to promote progress in business, literacy, education, careers, as well as all that’s happening in the local and wider community.

This issue celebrates the successful journey of the Mayor of Nottingham, Councillor Merlita Bryan. Her story is one of inspiration and dedication to the community. Read about her aspirations for a busy year ahead on pages 4 and 5.

It also heralds the establishment of Nottingham News Centre, CIC (NNC) which will work in partnership with Mojatu Foundation in sourcing and managing news, photos and videos and in production of print, audio and media products in Nottingham.

And for all of you out there who would love to share their stories, views and experiences, the Nottingham News Centre brings to Nottingham exciting opportunities where everyone will be able to learn and practice journalism and broadcasting.

Working with Richard Close of Chrysalis Campaign, Inc. USA, the partnership will offer print and broadcast journalism, community information sourcing and literary skills. Read page 23-24 on how this exciting opportunity is being developed.

As Mojatu magazine works towards linking skills and the pool talent across Nottingham and its environs, we wish to encourage everyone to join the Cancer Awareness Week, 8th July - 14th July 2013 and do something about our health and look fit for the summer! Join some physical activity and remember to share your photos, videos and stories with us.

To get a copy or advertise in Mojatu magazine, contact us at info@mojatu.com.

Kind regards,

Mayor Magnificent!

Community Partnership Forum International Women’s Day Police Review Volunteering Success Story Papa Jo in Nottingham The story of Black Activism Sacred Performance Ghana Cho ir Curb Cancer Building Enterprise: Notts Univer sity Partne

rship

Sports

Abdull Nur on a mission to Oly

mpics

Politics

The nature of African Politics

Pictorial

Madaraka Day celebration

ojatu.com | Group Editor: Frank. G. Kamau – frank@m u.com Editor: Norma Gregory – norma@mojat George Evangelos Graphic Designers: Robert Borbely | Bompetsis | Maria - Tereza Tzelepaki l Richard | Richard Contributors: Michael Ikanke | Michae Close

IT: Neha Shrivastava Khare Accounts / Admin: Penny Cooper Marketing: Roopangi Singh Sales: Mary Peter Online and Magazine Advertisement sales@mojatu.com

13 14

Faith & Spirituality

16

Finance

18

Pastor’s Corner

10 Things you should buy sec ondhand Women & Life Insurance Community Funding

Arts & Culture

Revolution of Digital Democr acy VS Authority Book Launch in Parliament EMCCAN Carnival Queen Sho w Sculptor of Nature

Education

Write Right! - Proofreading

Community

Birthday Wishes & Celebrations Events Listing

Business

Williams’ Barber shop

Classified

City & Guilds (Journalism) | BA Hons. (English) PGCE (English) | MA (Education)

Editorial

4 6 6 7 8 9 10 10 11 12

19 20 21 22 24 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

letters and other Contact Mojatu: news, features, stories, comments news@mojatu.com Getting the magazine Read online (link) www.mojatu.com postage (see page Subscription @ £24 per year including 31) subs@mojatu.com Mojatu Foundation Publications 166 Alfreton Road, Nottingham, NG7 3NS / 07984825482 Tel: 0115 845 7009 Mob: 07516962992 1 Facebook: www.facebook.com/mojatu Twitter:www.twitter.com/mojatu1 Printers: DST Press

mojatu.com | Nottingham connected

3

Merlita Bryan is one of many success stories in the history of Nottingham. Her success extends beyond being a role model for women locally, nationally and internationally but also as a leader through her effort and spirit to improve the city and the lives of the citizens of Nottingham.

The role of Lord Mayor of Nottingham has been in existence since 1284 when the mayoral ceremonial role is recorded to have started with Roger de Crophill. Elevation of Merlita Bryan into this position marks another historical mileage both to the role and to the city.

Norma Gregory visited the Lord Mayor in her chambers at the Nottingham Council House, to find out how the role has impacted on her life. She also shares what she hopes to achieve over the next twelve months and her priorities and vision for the development of the city.

As the first black female Lord Mayor of Nottingham, how has your background influenced your life journey and current public office as first citizen, Lord Mayor of Nottingham?

I was born in St Thomas Jamaica, which I am very, very proud of and came to England in 1962 to join my parents. My dad came here first to join his sister, then my mum followed.

I came here when I was very young, went to school, had various jobs, and raised my children. However, I thought there was more to life than what I was doing. From my trade union background, I was encouraged to become a councillor and realised that this was an opportunity to try and do something for my community where I live. The rest is history!

When and how did you become the Lord Mayor of Nottingham?

I was elected as Lord Mayor of Nottingham in March 2013 and the full induction was completed 20th May 2013. Before this post, I was Sheriff of Nottingham. The election process is carried out annually from within the Council. Nominations are made, which requires a second recommendation. It is then put to a vote by council members and then the mayor is elected.

For me and my family, it is a big achievement. I would never ever have thought for one moment that I would be the Lord Mayor of Nottingham.

Cllr Bryan: Inspiring

The warm embrace I have experienced from the whole community has been phenomenal. I have had

4 mojatu.com | Nottingham connected

Lord Mayor of Nottingham, Councillor Merlita Bryan

By Norma Gregory

Lady Mayoress & Lord Mayor

women say how uplifted they feel in the community. In particular, the African Caribbean community have been fantastic and very supportive.

How do you think the role of Lord Mayor will help and improve the Nottingham community?

The Lord Mayor is the first citizen of Nottingham and is a civic role to help promote Nottingham. The role is to host visitors to the city, like the royal family and other dignitaries and Heads of State. Within the community, the Lord Mayor gets invited to open new businesses, schools or charity events and to deliver speeches. It is a big thing for the city to have a Lord Mayor; to represent and speak on behalf of the city.

If individuals are lucky enough to get into a responsible role, it is not just for you – you should do it to embrace or enhance somebody else.

How can business be improved in the city?

What does the role of Lord Mayor mean to you?

How has the community responded to the first black woman Mayor of Nottingham?

Mayor Magnificent!

NNC Photo

The Lord Mayor of Nottingham, Councillor Merlita Bryan is a formidable woman of distinction. In this exclusive interview with Norma Gregory, the Lord Mayor shares her history, views and vision for Nottingham city.

For businesses to improve we need to talk collectively and generate action.

We need to speak to employers and community organisations, and work with the council to try to improve things. I know we are in recession at the moment but I do know things will get better in Nottingham. We need to mobilize our youngsters to help themselves and to poin them in the right direction. It is very hard out there, we have been teenagers ourselves. Back in the day, it was not as hard as it is now - we thought it was hard NNC Photo back then. We have to try to work with our youngsters to inspire then and show them a career direction they could take. We need to create jobs in Nottingham, to try to get big businesses into Nottingham

and to encourage employers to employ more people. The council is doing a lot of apprentice schemes. Nowadays every organisation wants somebody who is qualified but you can’t get qualified unless you have a chance. Not everybody will leave school with a bachelors degree. It doesn’t mean that you are not intelligent and you can’t learn. We are missing a section of society who are going to be left behind all the time. We need to look at encouraging employers to take people on straight from school.

We need to bring back careers advisers into schools.

What are your priorities as Lord Mayor of Nottingham?

Young people. I am very passionate about the role young people will play in the future.

Whenever I look at a young person, I see tomorrow’s Lord Mayor, I see tomorrow’s Member of Parliament or the next Prime Minister. I will work with anybody that helps to get our young people on track for tomorrow’s world. For me, if being the Lord Mayor of Nottingham makes young people think, “I can achieve something, I can do that,” to me that’s what it’s all about. If the role helps to make youngsters feel they are not trapped, but they can aspire and go for gold and do something, then that is what my work as mayor is for.

Giving somebody else aspiration in the community, that’s what it’s all about, whether it be a man, woman, black of white. It is the belief that somebody from an ordinary, working background, like me, can achieve. That is what is how I hope the role will help people.

Describe a typical day as Lord Mayor of Nottingham.

It varies. In one day I might have two, three or four civic engagements.

I might have council meetings, an interview with press, a visit, or a citizenship ceremony to welcome new British citizens to Nottingham.

Last year the Black Mens’ Achievement Award 2012, which you organized here at the Council House, was very well received in the community. Will there be a repeat of this event in the future?

We are in the stage of planning this year’s event to be held September 2013. We have had so much interest in it. It was started to give credibility to people in Nottingham. There are many BME individuals doing great work in the city and not shouting about what they are doing to improve the city. The black-tie awards

ceremony will probably have a networking session at the end to create links between individuals and organisations or for people to find out about a career or service that they might want to get into now or in the future.

As Chair of the Community Partnership Forum (CPF) what does it hope to achieve?

When we had disturbances across many cities two years ago, I thought to myself we have got a lot of organisations in Nottingham doing great work but not everybody knew who was doing what. So I thought why don’t we do something to get organisations together, working under one umbrella. I know people can say that this has been done before but what is gone is gone. The CPF is a collective of individuals and organisations that people know and trust. I am very surprised to how it has been developing.

Tell me about your plans for a summer holiday programme for children in Nottingham.

For the summer, I am trying to organize trips to Sherwood Forest and Skegness to have a nice day out as not all Nottingham city children might not have had the chance to visit places of interest. Last year, we have a picnic in the park. We are trying to organize a cultural day at the end of the summer as well.

How can the public help you in your duties over the year as Lord Mayor?

If organisations want help promoting what they are doing in the community, I am very happy to come along to support the event.

Get in touch with the Civic Office through the NCC website and summarize the event and how I could support the organisation or event. Nottingham is a beautiful city and if we want to promote the city we need to work together because this is where we are and we are not going to go anywhere else. Along with the Sheriff of Nottingham, Councillor Ian Malcolm (Clifton Ward) we will try to support organisations and individuals that promote Nottingham.

Civic.Office@nottinghamcity.gov.uk Tel: 0115 915 5230 Cllr Bryan: Robed and ready

mojatu.com | Nottingham connected

5

Community Partnership Forum (CPF) new website The Community Partnership Forum (CPF) is to launch a website to assist the members to communicate and engage more effectively among themselves and the entire Nottingham community.

Proposed CPF logo www.cpfnottingham.com which will be released by the end of this June, will enable members to register and sign up for periodic updates and newsletters.

The website will also provide resources to support individuals, groups, organisations and communities in Nottingham to expand their knowledge, understanding, and participation in all community matters. The site will include sections for the various CPF themes where theme leaders and members will communicate their activities and enhance engagement and participation of CPF members.

We hope to pack this new website with features and contents in order to serve CPF and other community members more effectively. It will facilitate communication and help members to share skills and knowledge. We are currently looking for views on the features that members would like us to include in the website before it is launched later this month. Some members have suggested that the website should have the following sections: themes, newsletter, organisations directory, photo gallery and contact us section.

Please give us further suggestions to ensure that the website we develop is able to serve you. You can tell us the features and possible contents which you would like us to include in the website. We would also be delighted if you could share your views on the proposed logo above.

Send your views and suggestions to info@cpfnottingham. com or complete form in the proposed new website at www. cpfnottingham.com/index.php/contact-us. You could also call us on 01158457009 or text 07516962992.

To contribute your views online, share your views with the readers, add your business and contact members, just register www.cpfnottingham.com/register.

6 mojatu.com | Nottingham connected

MEP Glenis Willmott hugs special friend Olivia O’Connor

International Women’s Day 2013 Over one hundred and fifty women packed the Arnold Civic Centre on Saturday 9th March 2013 to celebrate the progress and achievements of women in the borough of Gedling as part of the global International Women’s Day (8th March) events.

Driven by the slogan ‘For Women, About Women, By Women’, the event was marked by inspiring talks from speakers on many interesting topics including talks on community, health and education.

The conference was organised by Labour Councillor Pauline Allan and opened by Mrs. Sandra Barnes, the then Mayor of Gedling. Glenis Willmott shared her valuable experiences and work as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP). She discussed the effect of government’s cuts affecting millions of families and in particular women.

Willmott shared her concerns by noting that, “only nine percent of women are on executive boards”. She called for all women to join hands in countering domestic violence against women and youth unemployment, both of which are on the increase. She reiterated the need for more women to be involved in politics while citing equality as the way forward.

Other speakers in the event included Chris Cutland, the Nottinghamshire Deputy Police Commissioner, Norma Gregory of Nottingham News Centre, Barbara Long, Nancy Bonongwe of Nottingham Arimathea Trust and Amanda Jobling of Children’s Sure Start Centre.

Black Policing in Nottingham under Review The University research into BME experiences of policing in Nottingham is almost complete and the results will be released later this June 2013. The exercise sought to find ways of improving policing among BME communities.

The research commissioned by Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commission in February 2013, sought to research Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) experiences of policing in Nottingham.

Professor Cecile Wright who is Jamaican born and an honorary sociology lecturer at Nottingham University along with her team, Timothy Pickup and Sajid Muhammad won the tender, commissioned by Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commission. BME communities make up 25.2% of the city’s population.

“The objectives of the research project are to gather information in relation to issues relating to the experiences of BME victims of crime and police satisfaction rates. We will examine black experiences of police ‘Stop and Search’ in Nottingham,” said Professor Wright. “The research will also generate and explore data regarding the recruitment figures of BME police officers in the Nottinghamshire Police Force as well as the service provision for BME communities.”

The total number of crimes reported to the Nottinghamshire Police from September 2011 to 2012 total 5,396; a decrease of 15.6% from 6,391 the previous year. However, there is an increase of reported serious sexual offences to 59 instances from 51 the previous year and drug offences remaining approximately the same totalling 273, a decrease of just 1.8% from 278 in 2010.

Tipping and Deputy Police and Crime Com Awaiting outcomes: Professor Cecile Wright missioner Chris Cutland, began a series of consultations with BME community groups and organisations in Nottingham. Patrick ‘Paddy’ Tipping is the Police and Crime Commissioner for Nottinghamshire after his election in November 2012.

“I have set the ball rolling to ensure the black and minority ethnic communities have a stronger voice in policing and in promoting fairness,” said Tipping. “Police Stop and Search’ has a significant impact on public confidence in policing when it is not effective. This research project aims to understand the reasons behind the disproportion and to help me drive forward change.”

The research method was conducted through a questionnaire and completed by over 550 people BME people in Nottingham, over a three-month period. Recommendations from the research aim at strengthening police relationships with BME communities.

Professor Wright noted that the research had limited time and resources. However, despite these hindrances, they were able to spend time conducting interviews through focus groups and one to one interviews. “We spoke to lots of young people aged between 16 and 35 to get more detailed responses,” remarked Professor Wright.

Professor Wright, who is 55 and has lived and worked in the city for many years, believes that the results of the research will be the catalyst for improved services and community relations between the police and the BME communities.

“We will produce something substantive and credible and hope it will become a working document with recommendations that will bring about changes desired by Nottinghamshire Police and the BME communities,” argued Professor Wright.

Wright and her team were extremely thankful for all the cooperation and support offered by many people from BME communities. “We are very grateful for making themselves available to talk in confidence to us. They clearly see the issue of policing in relation to the BME communities as an important area that is in need of focus and serious consideration.”

Professor Wright completed twenty-one years of service as Lecturer in Sociology at Nottingham Trent University in 2012.

She is one of only twelve black female professors in the UK.

Need immigration advice or services?

Rehoboth Legal Services Specialist Immigration and Visa services providing • Leave to remain & British Citizenship • Point based - Tier 1, 2, 4 & 5 Visas • EEA / EU applications • Deportation and Removal services • Asylum and Human Rights applications • Appeals, Tribunals & Bail Applications • Marriage & Civil Partnerships Approved

164 Alfreton Road, Nottingham, NG7 3NS Tel: 0149 4798 138/ 07830514483 Fax: 0149 4798 139 E: rehobothlegal@gmail.com W: www.rehobothlegal.com mojatu.com | Nottingham connected

7

Tuntum @ 25

Silver Anniversary Celebration for Tuntum Housing Association As a non-profit making social business, Tuntum provides quality and affordable social housing and support services to people on low incomes and from diverse communities especially from Caribbean and African and heritage.

Tuntum began in 1988 through the work of

Tyrone Brown, Leroy Wallace, Arnold Wright, Harry Joshua, Junior ‘Berenga’ Forbes, Lorna Pennycook, and Sharon Reilly among others. They formed a partnership to create homes for the black community in Nottingham as many families could not access appropriate and affordable housing. A few flats were originally let to tenants on Ilkeston Road, Nottingham.

Since 1994, Richard Renwick MBE has been Chief Executive

at Tuntum Housing Association and continues its meteoric journey in professionalism, progress and community provision.

Tuntum manages sheltered housing for the elderly, shared ownership housing, rented homes, IT training for the elderly, university student placement for social work sector, and Café 100 Catering Training Centre.

For the past thirteen years, Tuntum has been the custodians of Nottingham Carnival, the biggest carnival in the East Midlands held on the Forest Recreation Ground.

The 2013 Nottingham Carnival will be held on the 17th and 18th August, a sign of Tuntum’s continued success.

Tuntum has also succeeded in obtaining Lottery Heritage Funding to create Anansi’s Yard Carnival Cultural Centre building to facilitate carnival archiving, production, education and creative media development.

Tuntum Housing Association hosted ‘The Carnival Queen Show’ through East Midlands Caribbean Carnival Arts Network (EMCCAN) at the Nottingham Playhouse on Saturday 1st June 2013. www.tuntum.co.uk

Volunteering success story

The Social Inclusion & Wellbeing Service, Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust held their first ever volunteer fair on the 3rd of June 2013 at Highbury Hospital in Bulwell.

The event aimed at promoting and highlighting a range of community based volunteering opportunities for users of Adult Mental Health Services. It also heralded the celebrated national Volunteering Week, which took place from 3rd to 9th June 2013.

Many local organisations were represented at the event. Some of these included the Nottinghamshire Police, Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, city library services and a range of other organisations in the voluntary sector.They provided information on possible placements and celebrated the contributions of volunteers to their organisations. They also provided guidance on the range of placements available.

The NHS staff were able to familiarise themselves with the diversity of social inclusion activities provided by the organisations participating in the fair.

The Social Inclusion and Well Being Service aim to provide sustainable opportunities for people with mental health problems to enable them to access a range of social, leisure, the arts, volunteering and employment opportunities.

8 mojatu.com | Nottingham connected

The service The service is run by Social Inclusion & Wellbeing Team within the NHS Adult Mental Health directorate. By enabling people to participate in activities of everyday life, this service enables people to move into employment, independent living and into gaining confidence in all areas of their lives.

The team consists of Occupational Therapists, support workers and employment and volunteering specialists. The service is part of the Adult Mental Health directorate within the Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, works on referral basis and is only open to people who use secondary mental health services.

Sangita Dhawan, the community volunteering co-ordinator noted that the stigma attached to mental health prevents some people from participating in social inclusion activities and particularly volunteering. “Our service helps such people to access volunteering opportunities by offering them one to one support in finding the most suitable and appropriate voluntary work placement. It also helps them to build confidence in gaining access to local leisure, social and learning opportunities through support from occupational therapists and support workers”,said Sangita.

To learn more about the service and how to make referrals, please contact the Social Inclusion & Wellbeing Service on 01159560802.

l a r e n u f n u f n a i n a h G Papa Jo: e r i h s m a h g n i t t o comes to N

Papa Jo, the Creative coffinmaker from Ghana, completed a month long residency at Clumber Park, Worksop in Nottinghamshire.

Paa Joe, whose real name Joseph Ashong, arrived in Nottingham in May 2013. He worked with his son in creating the lion coffin as a part of a documentary Paa Joe & the Lion, which is filmed

by Benjamin Wigley of West Bridgford.

The Paa Joe & the Lion Grand Finale event climax when his

coffin was floated across the lake.

This was preceded by a procession accompanied by traditional music.

His extraordinary coffins have been exhibited internationally.

He is inspired by the traditions of his Ga-Adangbe people who bury the deceased in a coffin that reflects their personality, occupation, or their standing in the community.

His works which are based on culture have been exhibited

globally including at the Brooklyn Museum in New York City, the British Museum in London.

He has produced thousands of coffins over the 50 years he has been in the trade, majority of which lie deep under the ground.

His beautifully crafting coffins include items such as Coca Cola bottle, cars and animals.

See videos and images at:

http://goo.gl/xYI8I

Insite Radio is a brand new 24 hours online radio station focusing on African community in Nottingham and the East Midlands.

Insite Radio Tunein Insite Radio Insite Radio

mojatu.com | Nottingham connected

9

“The Story of Black Community Activism in the East Midlands” by Michael Henry Communities Inc have secured a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and are running an exciting project which identifies and creates a record of the contribution made by a number of black and other ethnic minority community activists over the last 60 years across the East Midlands.

It will document their challenges and barriers faced as well as the successes and positive changes secured for black and minority communities.

If you look around our cities there are various community organisations and centres that provide much needed services to the black and minority communities. But what do we really know about the people behind them and importantly what lessons can be learned for the future?

The outcome of the project will be to educate and inspire young black people on the importance of how people have worked towards social change and justice addressing inequalities that have affected these communities.

The Story of Black Community Activism is supported by the University of Leicester who have provided volunteers to Communities Inc. These volunteers are from all different backgrounds and ages. They have oral history training to give them a background and the skills to go out and capture and document the experiences of the local people who have been nominated.

“This is an important project for current activists in the black community as well as anyone else who seeks to challenge inequalities as it informs them of how key people in the past, that have made a significant difference, fared in their attempts and how they overcame barriers”, said Communities Inc Director, Shamsher Chohan.

Vanessa Harbar, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund East Midlands, commended the project by noting that, “the current economic climate has meant increased pressure on the on-going work that voluntary sector and community support groups carry out, with many already forced to close. Some of the earliest activists of black and other ethnic minority groups of this particular period are now quite elderly, and many of their experiences that have helped shape the modern day may well be lost. We are delighted to be able to support this project and look forward to what the project and its volunteers will have to share”.

We encourage you to visit Communities Inc website, www.communitiesinc.org.uk to view the latest updates and enjoy our photos. You could also see if you or someone you may know was nominated!

You can contact Communities Inc on Tel: 0115 9101469 or email admin@communitiesinc.org.uk for more updates.

Sacred Performance by Ghana Methodists The Ghana Methodist Fellowship (GMF) UK Chaplaincy choir performed their second annual concert at the Mapperley Methodist Church, Nottingham on Sunday 28th April 2013.

The seventeen strong choristers, dressed in traditional hand-made, sky blue African clothing embellished with their logo with choirmaster Ben Twumasi and Godfried Gyasi-Addo, performed a variety of Ghanaian and English traditional hymns to encourage participation and reflection in the congregation.

Baritone chorister, Bernard Acquah, performed a solo rousing the audience due to the power and passion in his voice.

“The aim of the Ghana Methodist Fellowship UK Chaplaincy is to encourage people, especially fellow Ghanaians of Methodist tradition, to remain in support of the Methodist church: the home of John and Charles Wesley. We are not getting together to form a separate Methodist church,” said Secretary of GMF UK Chaplaincy, Godfried Gyasi-Addo, aged 54 and member of the choir for seven years. “The choristers attend different Methodist churches all over the country. We meet together once a month in Westminster Central Hall, London. We do things in our own Ghanaian way: jump, shout and praise God! Once we have done that we go back to our own Methodist churches,” said Godfried.

Reverend Jeongsook Kim of Mapperley Method Church thanked the choir through her closing remarks and said that, “Our Ghanaian friends are very welcome to perform next year.”

NNC Photo

10 mojatu.com | Nottingham connected

Contact GMF UK Chaplaincy Choir on 07944037809 www.gmf-uk.org

Now! r ce Can Curb ancer review the Director is ompson Communities BME C Rose Th cer ses

Can ddres of BME gham which a black in h tt it o w in in N qualities (BME) and e in r e c nic can s. Rose ority eth and min me communitie highly o e low inc esearch on th Now!’ r M e r th a e e led report, ‘H Realities of d e im la c ble ac African comforta The un ancer in Black y 2013.

C r Prostate lished in Februa at the b u d p te n n Me rese initiated port, p The re Commons, has further f House o ent action into ing. d m n r e gov sible fun and pos ue of Mojatu h c r a e s re next iss re her In the Rose will sha pact, im e, Magazin n cancer, its readers o tu t r ja h e o ig c ins E C an onses. M s and r of B M e s blic resp ns from carer o u t p c e r i i o D ti u n it al reflec C om m f person tly by cancer. o e g ta mon direc read a tly and in can also ls affected direc a individu

ative m r o f n i ighly regory of h s i h t s is G Don’t miew by Norma entre in the interv ham News C azine.

Notting t Mojatu mag nex

Friends and Bredrins’ Cancer Support (FAB) offers a supportive and informative environment forAfrican and Caribbean men in Nottingham.

Members discuss culturally sensitive issues around cancer, share positive and negative experiences and offer support and guidance to its attendees. FAB meets on the second Wednesday of each month at Ormiston House 32-36 Pelham St, Nottingham NG1 2EG.

Call 0115

934 8482 for more info.

Win Cash & Goodies with Mojatu Curb Cancer Quiz

TEL: TEL: 0115 0115 837 837 9474 9474

Get the next issue of Mojatu Magazine for an opportunity to win:

Sponsored by:

£20 Gift Voucher

A goodie bag

Winner’s photo in Mojatu Magazine

mojatu.com | Nottingham connected 11

Building Enterprise

Nottingham University Community Partnership Project

The University of Nottingham held a ‘Building Enterprise’ workshop on Monday 17th June to inform social enterprises about the University’s new project.

The event was organised by the Building Enterprise team, a University of Nottingham led project aimed at supporting the development and growth of social enterprises in Nottingham. The project is partly funded by the European Regional Development Fund.

During the event, Chris Annable, Programme and Partnership manager, explained the importance of building a strong partnership between social enterprises in Nottingham City and the University. He noted that the university has great opportunities for social enterprises and other local businesses. “We encourage local social enterprises and micro businesses to explore the prospects of getting into partnership with the university to help their organisations succeed,” he said.

Kirstie Coolin of the University’s Centre for International Portfolio Development told the delegates that, “organisations can access university support in terms of student placements, commissioning research or accessing network meetings and events”. She also explained how the university can help organisations by enabling them to explore new market opportunities, map their operations, evidence their social impact and use the new digital economy to become more efficient.

12 mojatu.com | Nottingham connected

The delegates included Jeanne Booth of The Good Work Guide, Claire Edwards of Horizon Digital Economy Research Institute, Norma Gregory of Nottingham News Centre, Frank of Mojatu Foundation, Abdoulie Jah of Sightech, David Kelly of Nottingham CVS and Sajid Mohammed of The Renewal Trust.

The event concluded by urging businesses with social aims to contact Nottingham University’s Building Enterprise team at buildingenterprise@nottingham.ac.uk to explore how they can benefit from: • researching ideas, trends and issues affecting their community through access to a commissioned researcher; • supporting the use of data and evidencing impact by providing master classes in innovative technologies, cloud computing and open source software; • networking and benefiting from the University of Nottingham’s wealth of resources and networks.

For more information on how to participate in this exciting project go to:www.nottingham.ac.uk/buildingenterprise

Abdullahi Nur is on a mission for Olympic Gold Aged just 21, Nur has the potential and a very bright future in middle distance track athletics in the UK. following Abdullahi’s recent race victory and gold medal in Leicester. Farah noticed Abdullahi’s fast time and his advice was for Abdullahi was to, “keep training and to persevere,” in order to reach the golden heights of double Olympic medal champion achieved by Farah at the London Olympic Games in 2013.

However, financial challenges, lack of a training coach, running club and sponsorship support hinders Abdullahi from the intense training schedule needed for elite level athletics.

Olympic Gold is the dream and ambition of Nottingham hopeful, Abdullahi Nur. However, he needs the help through sponsorship, in terms of financial backing and the help of a qualified coach, to push him beyond the distances he is currently achieving.

Abdullahi has two medals from the Leicester Half Marathon and the Nottingham Half Marathon in 2008.

He gained a silver medal from a race in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire with Notts Athletic Club. He also won the East African Mile Trophy Race in July 2009, a 5km run held in Victoria Park Leicester.

He clocked an amazing time of 14 minutes 44 seconds. Abdullahi runs the 3000 and 5000 metres and clocks a time of 4 minutes 11 seconds for 1500 metres.

Abdullahi used to train twice a day at Notts Athletic Club based at Harvey Haddon Stadium, Nottingham. However, the £3 fee charged (£4.50 non-members, £90 annual pass) by the stadium for each entrance has become a hindrance to his training needs. His desire to run 3 times a day would require £9 per session. He now trains every day of the week at local parks mainly the Forest Recreation Ground and Wollaton Park, Nottingham covering around 125-150km per week.

Abdullahi has lived in Britain since 2004.

He was born in El Wak, Mandera, a small town on the Kenya/Somali border. He was forced to leave East Africa as a refugee and his family moved to Sheffield. In 2004, Abdullahi was bullied at secondary school in Sheffield because of his poor command of the English language and suffered damage to his right eye following an assault on him at the school. He is still undergoing checks to complete treatment for his eye injury.

Abdullahi started running aged 12 after he was spotted by Stephen Ndungu, the founder of Mt. Kenya Talent Development Centre, www. mktdc.com. Mr Ndungu has spotted and nurtured many athletic talents. He is especially credited for spotting and nurturing the late marathon Olympic champion Mr Samuel Kamau Wanjiru.

Since 2011, Abdullahi has made great progress and effort integrating in the Nottingham community through his commitment and membership to Hyson Green Youth Club. He has passed his Level 2 Community Sports Leaders Award.

He has the support of Mo Farah, who congratulated and encouraged Abdullahi

Mr Ndungu facilitated Abdullahi’s training at the Ibrahim Hussein Camp in Kapsabet, Kenya where many elite runners including Mo Farah, Mike Boit, Ibrahim Kipkemboi, Julius Kariuki, Wilson Kipketer, John Ngugi, just to name but a few have previously trained.

Ibrahim Hussein Camp work in partnership with MKTDC in identifying, nurturing

and managing athletic talent.

“Abdullahi is very talented. He just requires a good coach and consistent training and he will definitely join the elite league of runners”, said Mr Ndungu. He just requires sponsorship and funding to enable him continue with his training in the UK. He joined the famous camp on 13th October 2012 for six months and completed runs of 1 hour 20 minutes over 28 km from eight in the morning and 1 hour in the evening. He ran 400 metres 25 times in daily training sessions, averaging between 78 and 86 seconds per lap.

Mr Ndungu noted that high altitude training, discipline and good guidance from competent and committed coach are factors necessary to develop Abdullahi’s competence.

He is disciplined and in need of a good coach and facilities such as those available in Kenya at Mt. Kenya Talents Development Centre, PACE training camp and Ibrahim Hussein Camp to make him excel.

Abdullahi was one of the honoured guests asked to carry the Olympic Torch through Nottingham on June 28th 2012 along with Torvill and Dean, among others.

“I still have the torch!” said Abdullahi. “I am so happy and proud to carry the torch in Nottingham as people talked to me and the experience has helped me to connect with others and to know that I am not alone,” he remarked with a smile.

“I am looking for somebody to help me get to the next Olympics in Brazil, 2016. I need somebody to coach me and to go to athletic meetings and to develop me into the top athlete I can become,” said Abdullahi. “Mo Farah is my inspiration. He comes from Somalia. He is doing some good things running in the UK. I want to gain experience and represent the UK in my running, “said Abdullahi.

If you can support Abdullahi and enable him to inspire our youths, visit his website, sponsored by Mojatu Foundation, at www.abdulnur.com.

For genuine offers for elite coaching and club training call 07440 397699 or visit his website or www.facebook. com/abdullahi.n.abdullahi

mojatu.com | Nottingham connected 13

African Politics

The Nature of Political Corruption in Africa (Part one)

I

n the year 2011, somewhere south-south of Nigeria, it was the peak of the political season. A certain politician, Senator ‘Dadman’ was campaigning against the incumbent Governor. On a particular visit to one of the strongholds of the incumbent, he and his entourage were ferociously and violently attacked by the incumbent’s kinsmen. The violence reached the capital city of the state. Lives and property worth millions were destroyed.

A few days after the incidence the authorities decided to hunt down and arrest the instigators of the violence.

Unfortunately, a lot of innocent people were arrested randomly and thrown into jail. A friend and neighbour of mine happened to be one of the unlucky victims.

Two weeks after the incident, after all the dust had settled, I decided to visit him where he was being locked up in on of the state prisons. When I got to the prison’s reception and requested to sign up to see him, I was asked to give a bribe of 200 naira before I could be allowed in to see my friend. By-the-way, I wasn’t the only person. There were hundreds of people waiting outside the prison premises, paying bribes to see their loved ones inside who were being lock up for a crime they probably didn’t commit.

I know there is corruption in all parts of the world but the scenario I have just painted above cannot occur in places like the U.K and most of the Western world, at least not in a prevalent manner. However, in Africa corruption is a crisis. It is endemic and perverse. You can get almost nothing done in the private and public sectors of most African economies without giving or taking a bride. It is the norm, an acceptable way of life, and it not only relevant to those at the top but trickles down to the bottom. In fact, I would argue later that corruption in Africa at this present moment is from the bottom up.

Since this article is focused on the nature of political corruption in the continent, I would like to use Nigeria as a specific case study. As some of us know, Nigeria is the most populous black nation in the world with vast natural resources. In fact if there is any African nation or any nation in the African world that has the greatest potential to lead the continent and the African race out of it predicament, it is no other than Nigeria. However, Nigeria has been a colossal disappointment and the epitome of corruption in Africa.

To help us understand how things work in African politics, let us get down to the grassroots, and the process one has to go through to become a Local Government Chairman, an equivalent of a Mayor in the U.K. We will do this by assuming you are an African politician from Nigeria planning to run for the mentioned office.

- Challenges of Nigerian politics Conceptually local governments are supposed to be separate entities from the state governments, and should be getting their funds directly from the federal government accounts. However, the reality is that local governments get their operational funds directly from the state governors through the structure of a joint state and local government account. That is part of the problem of the Nigeria political system.

So to begin with, you must understand how the political system works. You must know that local government

14 mojatu.com | Nottingham connected

elections are not conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) a body which happens to be the regulator of national elections from the presidency and other federal political positions down to the states governors. Local government elections are usually conducted by the respective states’ electoral commission strictly at the pleasure of the state governors.

There is also what is called a ‘Rotational System’ in place which is firmly adhered to in some states. Basically, rotational system means that every town, district, council, village, etc has its turn to produce the next local government Chairman. So you need to find out when it is your area’s turn, and you need to do this at least two years in advance.

S

econdly you need to begin to cultivate a relationship with the stakeholders of your Local Government Area.

The list will include the clan chiefs, political warlords, and even your state governor. Now, the state governor is a very lonely man. He has a short attention span, even short memory. But a few folks will have his ears example: his wife, his personal aide (PAs), his driver, members of his kitchen cabinet, and a few other individuals like his relatives.

You need to find out when any of these folks or their spouses would be coming into your ‘necks of the woods’. When they do, pick them up, pay for their hotel bills or better still accommodate them in your house. Tell them that your wife’s cooking is better than the hotel. Use the opportunity you have with them well so they go back and give a good report about you.

- The political godfathers -

T

hirdly, you need a lot of money. But you are not rich, however you have been courting this political godfather in your state for some years now and you think it is time to tap from his huge financial resources so you meet up with him in secret, and ask for his sponsorship which he agrees to, but with certain condition like you paying back with an interest of 50% or remitting half of your local government budget on monthly basis to his account. You have no choice it’s the only way you can get funding so you agree and he gave you 5 million naira (equivalent of say 20,000 pounds).

Then you begin frequent visits to you local government.

Stock up on bags of rice and salt, posh cell phones, etc.

Stock up expensive alcoholic drinks. Sink a borehole (i.e. a mini water supply system) or two. Start attending funerals, clan ceremonies, church/mosque dedications, etc.

Furthermore, you pay a few students schools, however, only at the primary and high school level. While doing all these never let it come out of your lips that you are interested in running for political office. Find out who in your local government is sweet with your state governor. This is where and when you begin to distribute your mobile phones. Get an agent, someone who will do many of the running about for you. He shouldn’t cost you more than 150,000 naira (600 pounds).

Take some expensive drinks and some bags of cash and begin to visit each ‘Entry 1 6of4theAstakeholders. l f r e t o n RThis o aisdcalled , behavior’. If you can get a small government contract to N o t t i n g h a m , N G 7 3 N S build a small road or small public building in your local O f fthat i c ewill : 0go1a1long 5 8way.

4 5This 7 0will 0 9make the government area people think you Fr aaren doing k : 0 that 7 5 1in a6private 9 6 2 capacity.

9 9 2 Do not correct that Pa misconception. trice: 0789 1404 007 ourthly, E you m amake i l : syour a l eformal s @ mannouncement. o j a t u . c o mPresent yourself at a function where your state governor is in attendance. Grab the microphone; make a sizable donation

F

after you have lavished a lot of praise on ‘His Excellency’ for his socio-infrastructural achievements in your area even if you yourself can’t see anything. Do not stop there; lustily pour incentives on the governor’s enemies.

Furthermore, play low by allowing a local idiot to be your mentor. Get your good deeds in the local media. Make sure your local ‘agent’ at every opportunity is telling your governor, ‘my man did this and did that’, and create a positive image of you before the governor.

- When the elections come... -

F

inally, the elections come and you are in. On assumption of office you discover you local government gets about a 100 million naira (i.e. about 400,000 pounds) monthly.

This is collected in Abuja (Nigeria’s capital) by the state’s secretary of finance.

Now your fine supportive governor will usually cut that amount and give you less than half of it. On assuming office you discovered that the local workers have not been paid for 3 months. There are about 14 districts in your local government. Recurrent costs, teachers, department staffs, sanitation workers, technicians, clerks, etc. have to be paid promptly every month.

Also, clan chiefs and political warlords have to be paid even more promptly every month or you are out and the governor will appoint a caretaker local government chairperson (a kind of temporary chairman) in your stead.

When all that is done you barely have 30 million naira (120,000 pounds) left but that is not all. You are frequently called at short notice to host state and federal visitors to your Local Government Area. That means lodging, food, drinks, and gifts.

You can not directly source out for this of course. So you have to contract it out to one of the stakeholders’ wivespossibly the wife/girlfriend of the governor or one of the clan rulers for $10,000. Meanwhile, you have managed to cut out 40 million naira (about 160,000 pounds) from other sources of government revenue for your reelection, and also have some left to settle creditors, and of course your wife must look good, and you must not forget that.

Halfway through your tenure in office, you realize that the financial arithmetic don’t add up so you become a philosopher-politician, and begin to think very deeply. You can’t possibly leave office without having anything to fall back on. How are you going to pay off all those debts you took? Besides you can’t return back to the poverty you came from. People will scorn at you, and meanwhile you need more cash to plan a higher political future perhaps to be one of the secretary of department in the next governor’s cabinet.

So you begin to travel to Abuja to look for potential money bags that can come and promise to build a school or community hall. You have come to rightly understand how the system works; loyalty is bought so you begin to cultivate the very special friendship with the state secretary of finance. With the help of your new friend, you don’t’ pay worker’s salary for the last 3 to 4 months of your chairmanship. You simply keep those for yourself.

At the end you realize you achieved nothing and fall into the give-up mindset. ‘Well, change is the only constant in life. So things will change for the better at some point in Nigeria, but for now that is how it is done’ you say. Then you are out of office and that is the end of that chapter.

but let me elaborate a bit. After independence in the 1960s, most African countries inherited the colonial system of administration and merely continued in the legacy of their ex-colonial masters. In addition many of the new African states were hardly truly independent with most still heavily dependent on their ex-colonial masters.

- Dependency... In fact most of the European countries still had a significant hold over their former African colonies some to the extent of determining who was in charge and who wasn’t, and often times they installed poor characters to positions of authority as proxy rulers who would play their biding for them. This was especially true for the ex Franco-phone African colonies, and more so true for the Congo.

Hence, it is imaginable to understand why most African countries became victims of corrupt leaders who did nothing to develop the continent but enrich themselves and their cronies, and worst of all help spread a culture of corruption. As a result, the corruption in today’s Africa is no longer at the top but had trickle down to the bottom, and now is moving from the bottom to the top.

Let me explain further with a little illustration. Imagine a country with a population of a 100 people. Out of these hundred people 90 believe that politics and government is a place to enrich themselves while they remaining 10 are the few who believe and see politics as a place to serve. It should not be a surprise if such a society is prone to bad and corrupt leadership because majority of its people hold a corrupt view of public office. And the leaders don’t drop down from heaven but come out from amongst the people.

This is the present day African situation in a nutshell. In almost all the countries of Africa corruption is a pervasive norm. However, at this present moment the situation in the continent has gotten so bad that majority of the continent’s people are sick and tried of the phenomenon and are deeply yearning for change.

H

owever, to solve Africa’s problem its people must begin to look inward by not placing the blame on the rest of the world. We must recognize that at this present moment Africa has gained enough political independent to chart or begin to chart the cause of its destiny.

It can no longer maintain the ‘blame game’ of pointing its fingers at the West for its woes. In fact the greatest problem of the continent as demonstrated so far is no longer the colonial legacy it’s the corrupt black political elites who have betrayed the continent.

As I write this article, Africa is in desperate need for a new breed of leaders; leaders who are free from the handovers of the colonial legacy and the current culture of corruption.

Those leaders are there but they have been supressed by the system of corruption. They cannot rise in politics because they lack the financial power to breakthrough.

Therefore, we must find a way to spot them out, prepare them, and deploy them into the arena of politics which is the most powerful platform to change the continent forever.

Michael Richard is the founder and director of Lets Change Africa See more at www.letschangeafrica.com or email him on ikanke@hotmail.com.

Earlier I hinted that political corruption in Africa is from the bottom up not top down. Many who do not understand the present day African situation may be surprise at this

mojatu.com | Nottingham connected 15

Kenyans

Celebrate Madaraka Day in Nottingham in Nottingham the Kenyan’s 50th anniversary

Kenyans and fellow well-wishers the Marcus Garvey of Madaraka Day on 1st June 2013. The ceremony held at le in 1963. self-ru l interna d attaine Centre, commemorates the day Kenya n the Kenyan Madaraka Day was as a result of many years fighting betwee ent in Kenya. freedom fighters, Mau Mau against the British colonial governm and maimed or killed were s Kenyan 90,000 ed estimat that ed It is estimat d torture were s Kenyan Many . uprising Mau Mau 160,000 detained during the ency’ of 1952and mistreated by the British government during the ‘Emerg 60 aimed at enforcing colonial rule. to pay Last week, the high court directed the British government in torture and y brutalit British the of vistims the to compensation 5,228 the that said ry secreta foreign Kenya. Mr William Hague, the . victims of torture would receive payments totalling £19.9m

View and purchase photos from www.nottinghamnewscentre.com/photo.

See November 2012 and March 2013 issues of Mojatu Magazine (www.mojatu.com/magazine) for in-depth coverage of Kenya’s colonisation.

Pastors’ Corner With Pastor Anthony & Pastor Jane Positional and Dispositional Aspects of Christian Life Beginning from Genesis 3, God’s glory, holiness, and righteousness prevented man from receiving eternal life (symbolized by the tree of life). This exclusion persisted until Christ’s redemption. Now everyone who believes in Jesus Christ receives eternal life. With this life, we have God’s glory, holiness, and righteousness.

We have the divine attributes in two stages. The first is positional, accounted to us the instant we believe. The second is dispositional, worked into our being practically as we grow through our entire Christian life.

An example of these two stages is the army. A citizen who takes the oath of enlistment becomes a member of the army, a soldier. This happens in a minute and is positional. However, this person does not yet live, act, and think like a true soldier. Therefore, the person needs training and practice. These continue through the entire time the person is in the army; this is dispositional.

In the human realm we are born as babies and then have a long period of growing and developing. It is the same spiritually. When we believe in the Lord Jesus, we are born again (John 3:3) and become children of God (John 1:12). At that time we are babies, so 1 Peter 2:2 encourages us to drink the spiritual milk so that we may grow. Then we should grow until we are “full-grown in Christ” (Colossians 1:28).

“Let us be brought on to maturity” (Hebrews 6:1).

Regardless of how much anyone may have grown, even if to some degree “full-grown,” let us follow the example of Paul not to count ourselves to have laid hold but rather stretch forward to “pursue toward the goal” (Philippians 3:13-15).

As we grow in the divine life, as the divine life fills and saturates us, we are being constituted dispositionally with what is of God. In the next post we will consider our positional and dispositional experience of God’s glory, holiness, and righteousness.

Amen

18 mojatu.com | Nottingham connected

SHEPHERD’S VOICE MINISTRIES

SHEPHERD’S VOICE MINISTRIES NOTTINGHAM (SVM) My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.

John 10:27-28 Opening Times: Sunday Service: Sun: 12pm – 3pm Prayers & Bible Study: Fri: 6pm – 8pm Women’s Meeting 1st Sat: of the month – 2pm-7pm

WELCOME ALL ARE INVITED VENUE:

Leen Valley Community Centre 234 Arnold Road Nottingham NG5 5HB

Bus N0. 15, 16, 16c, 17 Contact: Pastor Anthony & Pastor Jane Mobile: 07533459814 / 07830735352

It’s no secret that times are harder for most of us than ever before. However, do not despair because there are lots of ways in which you can save some cash on products by not paying huge prices for brand-new items when you can find same high quality products second hand. You could also get free stuff from websites such as www.freecycle.org or www.gumtree.com.

foreclosed properties in the market, which could be cheaper than the market value of similar brand new properties.

Household appliances Buying household appliances second hand can save you hundreds of pounds. You can get huge discounts from friends, family, second hand shops and from online.

Websites like Gumtree.com offer high quality yet cheap kitchen appliances, like microwaves, refrigerators, washing machines and cutlery.

Cars It is a fact that the minute you drive a brand new car off the showroom, its value drops by roughly 20 per cent. In just after five years, the price most cars drop to a third of the price of a new car. A further savings is acquired from insurance, which is a lot cheaper than it would be for a brand new car. Remember to do a lot of research before engaging on purchase of a second hand car to enjoy the best possible savings and to help you determine the best car to buy.

Furniture Charity shops and the websites that offer free or pre-loved furniture such as Freecycle.org and Gumtree.com are treasure troves for great used furniture.

Buying from charity shops also costs far less than brand new furniture and also helps the charities in supporting our communities. Also check out local car boot sales and flea markets for bargains.

Designer wear

Entertainment There is no reason to buy entertainment such as video games, music, Blu-Rays or DVDs full price. In addition to renting them online from sites like www.netflix.com, www.blinkbox.com and www.lovefilm.com, you could also swap or buy cheaper second hands from Gumtree. com, eBay and Amazon.com. Though you may find excellent offers on electronics like laptops and tablets, you may find it difficult to get warranty with them.

Pets Did you know there are hundreds of pets in shelters looking for new homes? It is surprising how many people pay hundreds of pounds for new pets while they could get great pets free online or from the ‘adopt a pet’ shelters. According to American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) almost 4 million pets that end up in their shelter and many of them are eventually euthanized.

Save cash and adopt a pet from a friend or from one of the many shelters in the country.

Homes As the house market struggles to recover, you may be better off buying your home second-hand other than seeking brand new housing developments.

Female Finance expert reckons that new homes are on average more expensive than older houses. Look out for those older buildings and also research on

Jewels

10 things you should always buy second hand

Swapping your designer wear with friends or searching for second hand bargains will definitely land you some excellent offers you would never be able to afford for those special occasions. Browsing online for good online swap sites and visiting local vintage shops will definitely quench your thirst for threads. Scout shops before visiting them by asking your friends, checking them online for reviews and reputation or stopping by in person to see what is on offer. If they have a reputation for crappy clothing or seem unclean then you are perhaps better off avoiding them.

Before heading to Buccellati, Graff, Bulgari or Tiffany & Co, consider the second hand jewellery options for your bling! Though less whimsical, pawn shops offer a wonderful opportunity to get high end jewellery at bargain prices. The fact is that jewellery, especially diamonds, has an appallingly low resale value. Being a savvy shopper and a clever consumer will save you cash while achieving your bling look.

Textbooks Brand new quality textbooks can cost up to £120 for some science subjects. Second hand books will save you about 6080% of the original price. In addition to buying second hand books, you could also save lots of money by using online, institutional and local libraries resources.

Next time you want that latest book, try to rent, borrow or buy one second hand as these are certainly some of the best and simplest ways to save cash.

Wedding attire Remember the adage, ‘No wise bridesmaid should spend a lifetime saving on a gown she will only wear once’. Be like those five wise brides and cut your costs by renting your wedding attire.

Browse online for good rental websites and you could save up to 80 per cent of purchase price.

You could also hunt around for high quality used formal wear.

Remember, do not hoard stuff!

Resell it or give it to charity, friends or in the free cycle websites.

mojatu.com | Nottingham connected 19

££££££ £££££££ ££££££ £££££££ nce

ra u s In e if L d n a n e m o W

There’s no excuse! A woman should try to purchase life insurance. Why you may ask? I am not one who is always great with financial planning myself but one thing is certain, I would like to help to protect my family and dependents, if I could.

Therefore, to help us think about this further, Mojatu has compiled the top ten reasons for having a life insurance policy.

1. Be realistic. Sadly, we are all going to depart from this earth one day. Why should your immediate family pay your debts?

2. Life insurance can help cover outstanding debt.

3. A good life insurance policy can help to tide over business and personal expenses.

4. Life insurance can help maintain a family’s lifestyle.

5. Critical Illness Cover can help with costs accrued through medical care and loss of earnings.

6. Life insurance can act as emergency security during a lifetime to support requests for loans.

7. Comfort – with a family grieving, the last thing they might need is to worry about is your finances.

8. Life insurance policies can have a savings or pension component that can provide for you during retirement .

9. The cost is quite low compared to the gains. Life insurance policies can cost under £10 per month.

20 mojatu.com | Nottingham connected

10. A valid life insurance policy is considered a financial asset. This can improve your credit rating for larger purchases or loans.

For the best independent insurance advice, contact Kevin Price at Crystal Clear Mortgage Adviser, regulated by FSA on 0797 472 3692 or email him on c r y s t a l c l e a r @ n t l w o r l d . c o m

Community Projects Funding Opportunities Many community groups and organisations have fantastic ideas to help improve the communities in which they live and work. However, they find paying for new projects that promote art, sport, culture or original ways of preserving history difficult. Finding extra financial support can be time consuming and sometimes frustrating.

Well, we should not believe that applying for an award from one of the national funding schemes is out of reach. This is because funding applications are now easier to complete and there is more money in the pot due to an increase in the public playing the lottery and thus indirectly contributing to available funding.

Funding: £300 -£10,000

A Lottery grants programme that funds small, community-based projects across the UK. You can apply to Awards for All England if you are a community group, not for profit group, parish or town council, health body, or school. You do not need to be a registered charity to apply. You must have a bank account that requires at least two people to sign each cheque or withdrawal. You must use the grant within one year.

For more details see: https://www.goo.gl/o9vk3

Funding: £5,000 - £25,000

Active Communities is a programme for local people with great ideas about how to help create fairer places to grow, live, work and age well. Funds are available for groups or organisations which are not-for-profit, have an income less than £350,000 a year and that are seeking funding of between £5,000 and £25,000 a year, for projects lasting up to two years. The funds should help create stronger connections between people and help make their local neighbourhoods even better.

For more details see: https://www.goo.gl/YQMj2

Funding: From £3,000 upwards

Heritage fund offers a range of grant programmes starting from £3,000 upwards to support innovation and tried-and-tested approaches proposals that are pioneering in concept and delivery. There are many different funds offered to national, regional or local heritage in the UK.

For more details see: https://www.goo.gl/n3g6e

Funding: £300 upwards

Sport England funds all types of sports activities and structures. They range from creation of world-class community sports structures, sports facilities or purchase of equipment.

Applications can be made through solicited or open applications.

For more details see: https://www.goo.gl/Zcf1I

Funding: £100 upwards

Nottinghamshire community funding provides an updated list of funds available for those living in Nottingham city and Nottinghamshire region. The funds supports many different kinds of projects and programs such as young people in music, community health groups, sports activities, rural community activities, clean neighbourhoods, drugs and/or alcohol education, support of older people, sustainable communities and many more.

For more details see: https://www.goo.gl/A8Xkh

mojatu.com | Nottingham connected 21

The Revolution of Digital Democracy VS. Authority The Revolution of Digital Democracy VS. Authority

by Richard C. Close Servant CEO, Chrysalis Campaign, Inc. Chrysalis Campaign, Inc. is teaming up with Mojatu Foundation to provide a UNESCO PPN seeded platform to bypass international media and empower youth (ages 13 to 35) to tell their life stories on “I am Africa. This is my story…” and have their own social network. You can join this group at: www.i-am-the-story.ning. com. Free downloadable education curriculum is a available on the site.

Revolution is in the air around the world… why? Every generation claims it is different than the next. There is always that pattern of rebellion as youth are seeking of ways to defind their individual mark on the world. However, this generation is taking an evolutionary leap way beyond any one in history.

Collaborative Internet applications have shifted our youth’s identity from the local town/culture into an identity of global relationships. We are now a collective. History has launched massive oppressive empires through military might, in contrast to youth, having created a global technology digital democracy that pressures authority to be servants to the global populace. As it was once referred to in Star Trek about the Borg’s collaborative technology invasion, “Resistance is futile.”

The globalization of youth (and business) via cell and Web technology are transcending all the boundaries of media, political and economic authority. No longer is there only one local bank, company, school or church to control local youth or people. For centuries, colonialism and dictatorships have relied on the isolation and oppression of people through physical and cultural boundaries. Now the Web is bypassing the many barriers of society. We now have dictatorships on top of fully empowered digital democracies.

From Los Angeles to Egypt, political leaders are suddenly awakening to the fact that they cannot hide social injustice or run from public outcry like they have for thousands of years.

Businesses are having a more difficult time abusing workers who can find jobs anywhere in the world or hiding images of burning sweat shops on the Internet for all of their consumers to see. African students can take classes in U.S. online and American students can learn new forms of African music from Kenya. There was no war over digital democracy, it just silently slipped into the back door of the king’s palace and happened.

In the last U.S. election, the old U.S. extreme right guard put

22 mojatu.com | Nottingham connected

out false political ads and had them instantly shot down as lies on Twitter. Police beating a black man named Rodney King in Los Angeles sparked riots. Then, just as fast the victim statement to LA, “Why don’t we get along?” goes viral; it causes the riots to shut down. One person with a camera and Internet access causes politicians to react and brings people to the streets.

Whereas, many feared the marketing power of the Internet could manipulate the masses the same way traditional authority could through TV for years. We are now discovering the reverse is true.

Unlike one way TV, the Internet talks back with a powerful voice. Even a local bank is subject to the needs of the local customer, because the entire account can be moved to any bank in the world electronically. Who could have forecasted that we could talk back to the TV or argue with the editors of the New York Times online. Yet, we now accept it as a way of life, live on CNN with Twitter. Anyone can now be held accountable by the public.

This remarkable global view of today’s youth also forces transparency on anyone who chooses to rule or market to us.

Where corporate or government leaders use to be able to hide behind stalling and the legal systems to do dirty deeds, Internet cultures demand mediate responses. The social and economic power of a collective populace demands not only instant answers but public ones as well. One’s failure to respond quickly and honestly to the public’s outcry can have very expensive consequences for a company or lose elections for politicians. Never before have the youth of this world had the power to invade the boardroom or country l e a d e r s h i p’s bedroom, but they do now. This historic change is so dramatic that every movie star, political leader and business must maintain a Twitter account to respond quickly to global reactions to their behavior. Internet collaboration is impacting us with even the smallest details.

Beijing leaders protested that the Beijing U.S. Embassy’s air pollution detection system was broadcasting via Twitter that the air quality index that was many times higher than the official China statements. It was embarrassing. This generation not only demands honest truth, they want it in real time.

This brings us to the point of the two most important cultural changes that the Internet forces us to deal with. Global collaboration forces authority (business and political) to be transparent and honest. With billions of cell phones that

can instantly share thoughts along with phone cameras to document activities, it is rapidly becoming harder to hide corruption. Mitt Romney, in the U.S. presidential election can run a TV ad saying Obama will ship all Jeep manufacturing to China and then minutes later Jeep executives can go on Twitter and say it’s not true. This is immediately followed by an avalanche of public outcry, followed by news media editorials, costing Romney the election in Ohio.

This democratic demand for honesty and transparency, because of Web and Cell collaboration, plays out even in a local settings. My Honda Odyssey had to go for a state pollution test when the yellow engine light was on. Looking for an honest dealership, I asked for a recommendation from a Christian friend, thinking that would do it. Taking my car to dealership that was changing hands from father to son, I paid 100 USD for an estimate to fix the car.

Also, I told him money was tight for us. The dealer wanted to replace the catalytic converter and the entire pollution control system for 3,800 USD. I pulled my car out and searched online to discover from consumer reviews that this car has a pollution valve that clogs. A simple kit for 176 USD would do the job.

Affronted, I returned to the dealer asking for my 100 USD back, because he was going to cheat me. He mocked me, and said I could take him to court for the 100 USD. I calmly came back at him. “If you do not admit to me right now you were going to cheat me and give me the 100USD now, I will Facebook you to the town and your church cyber communities by posting your estimate.” Infuriated he gave back the 100 USD. Had he not refunded me the hundred, his dealership’s reputation and personal reputation would have been greatly damaged. Later, his father talked to me and thanked me for his son’s lesson.

In the 60s, U.S. youth demanded that our government, schools and parents be honest about the Vietnam War, racism and sexism. For the first time, the world saw what real live war

are becoming one social collaborative. The question for this digital generation is, “What will we do with that kind of unlimited power?”

In our next article, we will explore how learning via the Internet is bypassing colonial industrial teaching methods. We will discuss how we can learn and enrich our local cultures at the same time.

Richard C. Close is the CEO-Servant of the Chrysalis Campaign, Inc., which manages the ‘I am Africa. This is my story . . . ,’ a UNESCO Power of Peace Network-sponsored digital storytelling portal.

A developer of the Global Learning Framework, he also builds learning centers and is an author, blogger, and international speaker on IT collaboration and poverty. He has twenty years of experience advising corporations, educational institutions, and non-governmental organizations about learning strategies. His next projects are “Community Development through Digital Literacy” workshops and Community Learning Centers.

Richard can be reached at www.globallearningframework.ning.com

was like and the brutality of African American beatings for civil rights on TV, creating a generation that knew injustice could no longer hide. Ironically, this is the same generation that birthed the Internet and a cultural of a global collaborative.

So this generation has moved us from the spiritual belief that we are one family into the technological fact that we

Details about “THIS IS MY STORY” training program coming soon!

Contact: training@nottinghamnewscentre.com

mojatu.com | Nottingham connected 23

Inspirational Writer Launches Book in Parliament Writer Cecily Mwaniki launched her new book Confronting Life’s Inevitable Challenges in Style, with a Smile and with Courage, at the Houses of Parliament (Jubilee Room), on April 18th , 2013.

In her new book, Cecily aims to inspire and empower readers. The book offers advice, tips and ideas for people to better deal with life and problems that arise in their daily lives. The book deals with a range of issues, including parenting, relationships, and general well-being through positive action.

“Strong families can build strong individuals and those individuals can build the kind of society and world we all dream of. This can be achieved by confronting life’s inevitable challenges in style, a smile and with courage,” said Cecily.

Alok Sharma, the MP for Reading West, commended Cecily and all her supporters for launching the new book and for her inspirational work with the Utulivu Women’s Group.

Cecily, is the founder of the ‘Utulivu Women’s Group’, and also the founder and managing director of ‘CM Network’ Cecily lives and works in South Reading and has already published four other books, which are widely available in bookshops and online (see page 2).

The event was also the launch of the ‘CM Network’, a new group set up to help inspire and empower women and young people to succeed.

To buy this or other books by Cecily, visit www.cmnetwork.co.uk or email orders@cmnetwork.co.uk.

Leicester wins 2013 EMCCAN Carnival Queen Show The Carnival Queen Show through EMCCAN (East Midlands Caribbean Carnival Arts Network) and Tuntum Housing Association was a spectacular event held at the Nottingham Playhouse on Saturday 1st June 2013. The show called, ‘Rainbirds & Drumbeats’ was the third annual EMCCAN Carnival Queen Show and regional collaboration between Nottingham, Leicester, Northampton and Derby. The show attracted funding support from the Big Lottery Fund, Tuntum Housing and other contributors.

The dance production incorporated talented performers aged 16-25 from Nottingham and many from the Hyson Green Youth Club (HGYC) Zodiac All Stars dance troupe, led by Ginger, Creative Learning Manager at HGYC. Trinidadian born Felix Cross MBE and Artistic Director of Nitro, a Black Musical Theatre company based in London, said, “The rainbird

represents the idea of flamboyance, the style of costumes and beauty of the carnival, whereas the drumbeats represent the slightly edgier side and history of the carnival. The carnival should not always represent a colourful celebration. It has a serious side to it. It has a side to it that is about claiming the streets. It has a side to it that reflects the roots of it coming out of slavery.”

The show finished with the crowning of the Regional Queen, Charis Betts who wore a magnificent costume titled ‘Beauty in Perpetuity’, designed by Lincoln Rahamut.

www.tuntum.co.uk | www.emccan.org www.nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk

Nottingham Carnival Participants Required!

UK Trini & Friends ‘Pack of Cards’ Troupe 2013 Have you ever wanted to take part in the Nottingham Carnival but don’t know how? UK Trini & Friends based in Stapleford, Nottingham have places for participants to join this year’s Nottingham Carnival 2013 parade on Saturday and Sunday 18/19 August 2013 and Stapleford on Saturday 7th September 2013.

The cost is only £10 to wear a Poncho costume or £20 to wear a Joker costumes as this year’s theme is a ‘Pack of Cards’.

Any assistance you can spare would be greatly appreciated in making costumes.

Contact Glenn Charles on 0771 9113 086 or Judith on 0780 8202 741 to confirm your place and measurements for costume fittings.

24 mojatu.com | Nottingham connected

Sculptor of Nature: Emmanuel Changunda Emmanuel Changunda, an emerging talented African stone sculptor based in Nottingham, recently took part in the Buckingham Open Studios which ran from 8-23rd of June. He has also recently been awarded a residency, funded by the Arts Council of England, for one year at ‘Inter-Action MK’, a leading Arts charity based in Milton Keynes.

Of Zimbabwean origins, Emmanuel learnt to sculpt under the tutelage of the late Amos Supuni, an internationally renowned sculptor.

His work is rooted in traditional Shona forms and techniques which reflect different cultural influences and personal experiences.

Embodied in his work is a tradition of ancestral storytelling passed down through generations of the Shona speaking people of Zimbabwe.

Besides working in stone, wood and metal in the past few years, he has also made work from snow; avoiding a fixed method of working but also giving him the chance to experiment with other materials.

Emmanuel’s work responds to forms and movement he finds in the natural environment. It also speaks of his experiences as a refugee and his own personal spiritual beliefs.

Since arriving in the UK he has become increasingly interested in exploring themes of displacement and uncertainty, accident and encounter, and what it means to belong.

“During my residency at Inter-Action MK, I intend focusing on developing new styles and fusing traditional techniques with the modern, however my heart will always be true to that great heritage that I was born into. Shona stone sculpting is in my blood!”

Emmanuel is also a member of ‘Long Journey Home’, an East Midlands wide refugee artists’ support organisation, and ‘Blank Atlas’, a visual artists collective based in Nottingham.

Contact Emmanuel Changunda for a sculpture through his website: www.emmanuelchangunda.com

African Holy Communion Service Every third Sunday of the month from 2.30pm

St Andrew’s Church 1 Chestnut Grove, off Mapperley Mansfield Road

Nottingham, NG3 5AD Next 3 services will be on: 21st July | 18th Aug | 22nd Sep

mojatu.com | Nottingham connected 25

Write Right!

Community Literacy Improvement

Proofreading – One secret behind competitive and high quality student essays and job applications Admit it! Whenever you write a letter, a CV, a report or content for your blog, you never read it through to check you have chosen the best words possible or the appropriate punctuation for the message you are trying to convey. As well as this, informal language used today, such as texting, is often (inappropriately) used in writing for business or educational purpose. Poor literacy is a major problem in 21st century Britain.

In Nottingham City, it is estimated that 29,000 adults aged 16-65 possess entry-level literacy skills. See www. nottinghaminsight.org.uk for more details. This is especially poignant for many younger people whose writing skills and expertise have deteriorated, compared to their elders, due to technological advancements.

The tone and professionalism required in job applications, whether handwritten or typed, can be lost through lack of knowledge of grammar and style coupled by failure to undertake thorough proofreading.

What is proofreading?

Proofreading is the skill of checking writing for error-free English, to offer clear and credible written language, thus improved readability. Proofreading is the habit of checking and rechecking (at least twice) writing to reach the highest standard in English required for websites, books, applications, college essays and advertising. A good proofreader can detect common mistakes made in written Standard English.

To give your student assignments, personal statements, essays, CV, job covering letter, business plan or any other document you write that extra edge, ensure you proofread your documents. Some of the most common confusing and misused aspects of written English and those that can be mainly eliminated by proofreading are: •• Punctuation •• Apostrophe •• Paragraphing •• Quotation marks •• Spellings •• Vocabulary-appropriate use

26 mojatu.com | Nottingham connected

•• •• •• •• •• •• ••

Capitalisation Subject-verb agreement Sentence lengths/types Mixed tenses ( past/present/future) Run-on sentences Organisation and text layout Audience appropriateness ( slang)

7 Tips for proofreading 1. Scan: ( i.e. quickly look over) what you are reading first - get a gist of what it is about.

2. Read the document slowly and aloud -use your ‘ears and eyes’ to spot errors.

3. Stretch it out - move the document away to arms length noting spaces, margins and paragraphing.

4. Read actively - mark the draft copy with a pencil/ highlighter to highlight/stress errors.

5.Use ‘Track Changes’ facility on Microsoft Word. Save more than one version of the text.

6. Ask a friend to read your work - sharing workload is good!

7. Proofread when you are alert, whenever you have time or a quiet space to think about your English usage.

If you require professional, friendly and highly specialised help with drafting and proofreading of student essays, brochures, manuscripts, speeches or any written text call Curuba Education and Language Services (CELS) for affordable and efficient proofreading, saving you time to do other things.

We offer 20% discount for students at Nottingham University and Nottingham Trent University.

Don’t lose marks or that job offer you deserve.

Write Right!

Tel: 07984 825482 www.curuba.co.uk | info@curuba.co.uk

Happy Birthdays!

Mental health reformist celebrates 80th birthday.

Kate Haywood, a committed Labour Party supporter and a dedicated mental health reformist, celebrated her 80th birthday with a bang on 7th June 2013 on board a river Trent cruiser. Amongst friends, local councillors and campaigners, Kate sang the night away and rocked the boat (literally!) doing karaoke. Vernon Coaker MP for Gedling since 1997, was joined by the ‘Coakettes’ a group of loyal family and friends, who supported his vocals.

Ca

Cakes

Happy birthday to one of our own!

Everyone at Mojatu Foundation and our esteemed readers

Her speech recollected her son Paul’s lifelong suffering with mental health problems and how institutional discrimination failed him. Paul died aged forty. Kate urged everyone to work diligently towards countering social and institutional discrimination against people with mental health needs.

“I have committed my life to challenging discrimination and negative attitudes, especially to those with mental health needs,” she said. She reiterated her commitment to seeing reform made in mental health attitudes, policies and legislation. Kate raised over £550 through a raffle and donated the proceeds to the Labour Party.

uruba

ign: C ke des

wish Norma Gregory, our Editor, a very happy birthday!

June 10th 2013

Cakes Made Just for You Tasty, Beautiful, Unforgettable For all your special occassions Mob: 0757 755 0635 | cakes@curuba.co.uk

"When I walked into the reception and saw the cake I was completely overwhelmed! I had to fight back tears (so as not to ruin my makeup). The cake was FANTASTIC!!!! The cake was so yummy and everyone loved it. I had so many raves about your cake. I can't thank you enough for such a beautiful cake! Thanks, Curuba Cakes you are the BEST!” - Chantelle Henriques

mojatu

Email your birthday wishes to: news@mojatu.com to be included in this Mojatu Magazine birthday column. mojatu.com | Nottingham connected 27

Date

24 - 29 June

What’s On ‘Soul Sister’ Musical Olivier Award nominated new musical features all the classic Tina Turner hits including What's Love Got To Do With It, Proud Mary, Private Dancer, River Deep Mountain High and, of course, Simply the Best.

Venue

Time

Cost

Theatre Royal Nottingham

Monday - Thursday 7.30pm Saturday 2.30pm

£16 -£31

29 June

Nottingham Armed Forces Day

Victoria Embankment and City Centre

10.00am – 6.00pm

Free

29 June

Lyrics of Life - Open Mic Event

Nottingham Contemporary

12.00pm - 8.00pm

Free

Forest Recreation Ground, Gregory Boulevard, Nottingham, NG7 6HB

11.00am - 3.00pm

Free

Maggie's Centre Nottingham, Gate 3, Nottingham City Hospital Campus, Hucknall Road, Nottingham NG5 1PH.

12.30pm

Free

Greenway Centre, Trent Lane, Sneinton, Nottingham, NG2 4DF

9am – 7.30pm

Free

Dunkirk and Lenton Partnership, 5 - 7 Church Street, Nottingham, NG7 1SL

12.00pm - 5.00pm

Free

Disabilities Living Centre, Middleton Court, Glaisdale Parkway, Bilborough, Nottingham, NG8 4GP

10.00am - 3.00pm

Free

Wollaton Park

12.00pm-10.30pm

£37.50, £27.50 £15 (11-17 year old) FREE for children10 years and under

Arkwright Meadows Community Gardens, Kirby Gardens Off Wilford Grove, The Meadows NG2 2HZ

1.00pm - 5.00pm

Free

Clifton Playing Fields, Farnborough Road, Clifton

11.00am - 3.00pm

Free

Forest Recreation Ground Gregory Boulevard

12.00-9.00pm Sun Parade from City Centre @ 2pm

Free

Forest Recreation Ground Nottingham

Sat 10am – 6pm

Free

Forest Recreation Ground Nottingham

Sun 10am – 6pm

Free

30 June

10 July

13 July

13 July

18 July

20 July

27 July

13 August

17/18 August 24 Aug 25 Aug 29 Sept

Football tournament for young people aged from 11 to 18. Nottingham Forest FC in the Community / Nottingham Interfaith Council - 'Kicking it with faith' The Nottingham Brain Tumour Support Group is open to brain tumour patients, carers and family members, and provides support, information and an opportunity to meet with others.

Sneinton Festival 2013 Dunkirk Community Festival 2013: The Dunkirk and Lenton Partnership are hosting a community festival with attractions including a bouncy castle, food and stilt walkers.

Disabilities Living Centre - Children's Equipment Exhibition: Nottingham Disabilities Living Centre are offering an opportunity to browse and try equipment aimed at children with a disability.

There will also be a stand at the event from the Rainbow Carers Forum.

Nottingham Splendour Festival - Fantastic feast of music, comedy and children's entertainment will be served up this summer.

Arkwright Meadows Community Gardens Village Show. This event will include fruit, flower and vegetable sales, plus crafts, displays, competitions, music and dance.

Picnic in the Park Event - Celebrating 50 years of Clifton Playing Fields - provide a big community fun day with a health and sports theme.

Nottingham Carnival Men’s Football League Saturday Football 8-A-Side Summer Weekend Sports Under 16 Football League Sunday Football 8-A-Side Summer Weekend Sports Robin Hood Half Marathon

rd

Every 3 Sunday on the month

African Holy Communion Service

Sept-October

African History Season

27 October Daily

Stephen K Amos is The Spokesman.

The voice of the African Community based in Nottingham

28 mojatu.com | Nottingham connected

Victoria Embankment

Free to spectate

St Andrew’s Church 1 Chestnut Grove Off Mapperley/Mansfield Road Nottingham, NG3 5AD

2.30pm-4.00pm

Free

Various events in Nottingham

TBC

Free

Nottingham Playhouse

7.30pm

£16

http://insiteradio.info

24hrs a day

Free

Interview with Byron Williams, Williams’ Barber Shop, Nottingham Wearing a crisp white, short-sleeved shirt and with a cheeky smile Byron Williams, owner of Williams’ Barber Shop situated at 24 Peveril Street, Nottingham, dusts off his well-worn black barber’s chair to welcome the next client who has been patiently waiting and in no rush to leave.

‘Service with a smile’ is the shop’s motto on entering the barbershop and clearly the principle by which Byron lives and serves his customers.

Byron decided to start his own business in February 2009, as he wanted to gain a sense of independence and the financial gains of being self-employed, managing his work schedule as well as the time to collect his children from school. Byron trained in barbering at the Kingston School of Cosmetology, Jamaica and then learnt his trade from observation and through fellow barbers who helped each other out by teaching each other new barbering skills. “As a kid growing up we took it on ourselves to teach each other and be self-sufficient,” said Byron, taking a moment to recollect his early life in Jamaica before coming to the UK in 2006.

He was born in the St Ann district of Jamaica (towards the north of Jamaica) but grew up in Manchester, Jamaica. Byron is now a fit (he would consider himself so) man of forty-two. “I can’t say I grow up in one place. I grew up all over Jamaica because I have a moving mentality - I can’t stay one place all the time! I lived in Trelawny, then Manchester, then Kingston. My father passed away in my early teens.

Then my mum moved to Manchester, then Kingston. That’s when I took on the barbering, around the age of twenty,” remarks Bryon.

Byron describes the career of barbering as very competitive as well as trying to overcome certain barriers and stereotypes businesses based in Radford, Nottingham. “It is pointless going into some areas like Mapperley or West Bridgeford to apply our trade. You won’t find people drive from West Bridgeford to Radford for a haircut! Some think we can’t do it. Yes we can! We can do it. I can do any hair, from any nation. Doing business in Radford has its pluses but also has its minuses as well,” says Byron.

He always has advice and time for young people who frequent his barbershop. “As I have young lads myself, some young men who come to my barbershop think there is nowhere to go and nothing to do. I found myself being like a counsellor for the young guys. It wasn’t until I started to interact with the guys that I realized that they are seeing things as hopeless. Once I was talking to a young guy and he said that if things continue like this he would hang himself, which is really sad. I tried to speak to him and said, it’s not all about you. You have family and siblings. I try to guide them and say life is not what

you see; it is what you make it. I try to give words of encouragement. Guys come from Aspley and Broxtowe areas purely for advice.”

Byron believes that, “The culture can sometimes stereotype young guys and the economic situation is leading people into deprivation. If you look at the whole area of Radford, Nottingham you can see deprivation creeping in. Some shops are finding it hard in the city centre to make a profit because of shoplifting. People go into town to just take things if they don’t have a job. What do you do? Sometimes the troubles are selfinflicted. I have had customers come up and say they want a hair cut for £5. My hair cut costs £8. I can do my part to help but the next time he will be back and want a haircut for £6. If I don’t do it for £6, he might do something he regrets. What can I do?

If you want to start your own business, go in it and work hard at it. Prepare to build your mind up to succeed. Because of the economic situation right now, there is a chance of failure unless you plan and work hard for success. If you fail it is not my fault - blame it on the economy!” says Bryon with his Jamaican sense of humor shining through.

For the future, he hopes for opportunity for the youth. “If we can steer the youth towards opportunity, we will make them better people. A youth doesn’t want to feel insecure, whether financially, spiritually, socially, mentally or psychologically. If we can secure hope for the future for them, that would be the greatest. I would like to see job opportunities. I would like to see adults become more responsible enforcing certain disciplines and give more guidance. When I see the yout dem pacing up and down with drop-down pants and ben up face and can’t say hello, I don’t like that. We have a culture of saying leave it alone or it does not concern me. This is wrong because we spread it into the youth. When challenged, the youth say to you, ‘my dad never told me off before.’ We have to respect our elders. Respect for yourself. If you have a youth growing up, who does not care about himself, he won’t care about you neither.” Byron Williams, a man with a passion for barbering and for supporting the youth in preparing for the future.

Call Byron Williams on 07983 752476 or simply go Williams’ Barber Shop at 24 Peveril Street, Nottingham NG7 4AL for an appointment.

mojatu.com | Nottingham connected 29

Call Liz on mojatu.com | Nottingham connected

07413868600

For the best EXPERIENCE Quality at its best Chapatis in town THE UNIQUE TASTE OF Readymade African outfits ETHIOPIAN for women, men and children Postage and delivery CUISINE Sewing and Alterations services possible Head scarfs | Jewellery Handbags | Shoes

Learn to play guitar!

Private 1-1 training by an 73 alfreton rd nottingham internationally aclaimed musician. nG7 3JL

His Grace Exclusive Design

0115 9782817 | 0785 2469975 Ebrahim:07791731880 info@habesharestaurantuk.co.uk Email: info@ebasallah.com www.habesharestaurantuk.co.uk Web: www.ebasallah.com

Telephone 183 Alfreton Road 011597 80078 Nottinghamshire itshisgrace@yahoo.com NG7 3NW www.hisgrace.co.uk United Kingdom

RM ACCounTAnCy

167 Alfreton Road, Nottingham, NG7 3JR T: 01159 787755 M: 07587774868 E: info@rm-accountancy-services.co.uk W: www.rm-accountancy-services.co.uk

• • • •

Accountancy Services Payroll services Bookkeeping Business start-up services

• Corporation and income tax

• Management accounts • VAT & Tax returns • Statutory accounts

The Sneinton Festival 2013

mojatu

Book your stall now.WANTED For more information, see the&attachment.

Sales Marketing

staff

Enquiries: Saturday 13jobs@mojatu.com July 2013 9.00am - 7.30pm

Greenway Centre, Trent Lane, Sneinton, Nottingham, NG2 4DF

sneintonfestival2013@gmail.com

81 Arnold Road, Nottingham, NG6 0ED

All are welcome to VRCC Where everybody is somebody Pastor: 07413868600 Sunday Service -Sun: 10.30 – 12.30pm Bible study - Fri: 7pm – 8.00pm Home cell groups - Tue: 7pm-8.30pm 30 mojatu.com | Nottingham connected

Mojatu Prices & Rate Card Mojatu Magazine Advert Rate Card Advert size

Double page

Price from

£350

Ad artwork

Back page

Inside front or back page

£300

Full page

£250

1/2 page

£200

Free design for ads over £200

£120

1/4 page

1/8 page

£60

£35

1/16 page

Other sizes

£25 Get a quote

Provide your own ad artwork or Mojatu will design your advert for £25

Mojatu Graphic Design Product design

Logos design

Price from

£45

Business cards £25

Leaflets & Flyers £35

Letterheads £25

Banners & Shop window Other products Posters signs/ transfers £35

from £35

Get a quote

Window signs/ transfers cost dependent on colours, size, indoor or outdoor use. Get a quote

Web Design Features

Basic

Economy

Professional

Unlimited

Price

£159

£299

£599

£999

5

5

10

Unlimited

Free hosting for 1 Year

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Free domain name 1 year

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Free Mojatu directory listing

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Standard template only

Yes

No

No

No

1

3

unlimited

unlimited

1

1

3

1 Hour consultation

Yes

Yes

Yes

Content management system

Yes

Yes

Yes

Image and video galleries

Yes

Yes

Social media (FB, Twitter, etc.)

Yes

Yes

Web management training

Yes

Yes

Newsletter

Yes

Yes

15 days

30 days

Map with driving directions

Yes

Yes

Search engine optimisation

Yes

Yes

Number of pages

Email accounts @yourweb 1/4 page Mojatu magazine ad

Banner in Mojatu.com

E-commerce & others

Yes

Website template redesign

£50

Mojatu Magazine £2 per issue / £4 including postage & packaging One year’s subscription:

£24 including postage & packaging

T: 0115 8457009 M: 0751 6962 992 E: sales@mojatu.com W: www.mojatu.com mojatu.com | Nottingham connected 31

20% OFF

Student Essay, Proofreading Copy Writing Code: TF21

Copy Writing

Website Contents, Brochures, Adverts

Education Services

College & University Placements

Proofreading

Essays, Reports, Scripts, Literary Text

Translation

Arabic, French, German, Kiswahili

www.curuba.co.uk | info@curuba.co.uk Tel: 0115 8457 009 | 0798 4825 482

Community Workshops in Journalism starting September 2013

Print Journalism | Web Content Writing | Proofreading | Blogging | Writing for Radio | Magazine Production etc

training@nottinghamnewscentre.com

0115 8457009 / 07984 825482

www.nottinghamnewscentre.com