14 E 20 Y E AR
RU R EB F F / E
RE
H ET
U
ISS
African-Australian News Magazine.
CHIMAMANDA NGOZI ADICHIE
Half of a Yellow Sun Inside this issue Dr Joseph Masika OAM puts his hand up in the SA Election Hello HIV! Adelaide’s Miss Africa speaks out African born, Aussie raised
Plus
Daring the waves: Adelaide’s first African ISSUE T HRE E born Surf Life Saver!
1
ISSN 2203-0972
SDA membership: 28,000 workers in retail, fast food & DCs won’t go to work without it!
The SDA is the union that looks after 200,000 members across Australia and 28,000 retail, fast food and warehouse workers in South Australia.
We do all the hard work for SDA members when it comes to wage rises and better workplace conditions. For more information or to join the SDA, contact us on (08) 8139 1000 69 Fullarton Road, Kent Town SA 5067
SDA membership: Don't go to work without it! 2/
JOIN NOW! sda.com.au A F RICA N -AU ST R A L I A N N EW S MAG A Z I N E
From the Editor’s desk
The concept of democratic elections
Sidique Bah
South Australians and Tasmanians head to the polls on March 15 to choose who will govern them for the next four years.
These throwbacks to another age ignore the universal
In South Australia three candidates from African
improve living conditions, reduce household expenses,
backgrounds are standing for election... truly a positive
or attack discrimination and inequality. Instead we
sign, demonstrating the openness of the society we find
attack each other over some long-past feuds and elect
ourselves in.
only those who share our narrow-mindedness.
We should use this as an example and an opportunity
Why can’t we learn from the electoral system of this our
to adopt a mature attitude toward electing our leaders.
adopted country? Here we vote peacefully and secretly
Leadership should be based on merit, because as
- without fear or intimidation. We have the freedom to
obvious as it may appear, nepotism has been a major
assess and analyze different parties and candidates and
hindrance to the socio economic development of
allow them the opportunity to earn our vote.
Africa. To a certain extent it remains evident in some community groups existing here in South Australia. Leadership struggles have fractured these groups groups that were meant to connect and support us in an ‘alien’ society. Some no longer function because vocal members can’t handle the concept of democracy - can’t support someone of another tribe, or clan or family and selfishly try to recreate the worst of African politics in our new country.
issues which affect us all and which override the petty swaggering of local community office bearers. Yet, we forget to query how these prospective leaders intend to
We must not let the attitudes, the inequalities and the history of African political tragedies continue to stifle the freedom and the rights which Australia has given us. SALT Magazine urges you, its readers, in South Australia, Tasmania and wherever else you may be embrace an approach to politics where you vote only for those who you believe will get the job done, no matter their skin color, gender, race or culture. We wish all the candidates good luck.
get to Don’t for ibe g subsmcar z a g ine.or www.salt
magazine now available online!
www.saltmagazine.org FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK
www.facebook.com/saltmagazine.aa
ISSUE T HRE E
Want to contribute?
SALT Magazine is all about the community so we are always looking for contributors for future issues. Perhaps you have a story idea or a passion for writing? Get in touch at hello@saltmagazine.org and we’ll contact you.
1
Contributors SIDIQUE BAH - PUBLISHER Sidique came to Australia in 2001 after fleeing a civil war in his homeland of Sierra Leone. He studied journalism at Fourah Bay College in Sierra Leone and worked as a reporter for the Statesman Newspaper. He now holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree specialising in Multimedia Studies from the University of South Australia.
SULAIMAN TIMBO Sulaiman is originally from Sierra Leone and was a reporter for the Champion Newspaper. He holds a Bachelor degree in Communications and Public Relations from the University on South Australia.
NYANWELL MARKO-CIMAN AGOTH Nyanwell is originally from South Sudan and
Inside this issue
5/
Daring the big waves
7/
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Congolese born Matthew Chimu is forging the path for African Australians to get involved in Surf Life Saving.
Award winning Nigerian author Chimamanda talks about her novel ‘Half of a Yellow Sun’ and its recent adaption for the big screen.
9/ Hello HIV!
Adelaide family in Namibia on their first encounter with the reality of HIV.
13/
African born, Aussie raised
17/
African Australians celebrate Australia Day
South Sudanese Law student Nyanwell on the harsh realities of growing up in two worlds.
came to Australia in 2002 at just 9 years old. She has a Political Science degree and is in the final stages of a Bachelor of Laws at the University of Adelaide Law School.
MATTHEW RUDD
A record crowd turned up to celebrate Australia Day in the city this year, and the African Australian communities were out in force to join in.
Matthew and his family are living in Namibia for a year while he pursues his dream to volunteer on an international community development project. He and his wife Tanja will be sharing their family’s experiences as Australians in Africa.
DEE MBUGUA Originally from Kenya, Dee is an aspiring writer with a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Media Studies from the University of Adelaide. She is currently doing a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice.
2/
A F RICA N -AU ST R A L I A N N EW S MAG A Z I N E
Credits
EDITORIAL Sidique Bah, Tanja Rudd, Matthew Rudd, Sulaiman Timbo, Dee Mbugua, Bob Dixon-Short PHOTOGRAPHY Ivara Esege, Georgi Bah, Sidique Bah DESIGN Inadifs Productions PRINTING Replica Press
Cover
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Photo: Ivara Esege
Dr Joseph Masika OAM bids for election to the South Australian Legislative Council Since his arrival in South Australia in 1996 Dr Joseph Masika has immersed himself in voluntary community and social work with refugees, migrants, and underprivileged and disadvantaged individuals, for which he was awarded the Order of Australia Medal in 2013. On top of all this, he has now nominated to stand as an Independent candidate for the Legislative Council in the South Australian election to be held on March 15th. SALT Magazine caught up with Joseph to chat about his
diverse African communities. ‘I may have not pleased
decision to enter politics.
everyone but I made sure that decisions taken were fair
Joseph started by saying he believes one of the big problems we have in Australia is that the two major
and in the interest of the majority, although obviously you can’t please everyone, every time.”
parties are unable to give each other the benefit for
If elected Joseph said he will work to provide
having good ideas. “If I could make one change I would
constructive solutions to social and economic issues
do away with the term “Opposition” to describe the
which impact on those ‘everyone’s’ who may not be
party which is not in Government” he said, “This gives
part of mainstream society. “I want to ensure that
the impression that one party has to oppose what the
everyone really does benefit from the diversity this state
other one proposes regardless of how good the proposal
offers and is able to share in all the opportunities that it
may be for the country as a whole.”
makes available”
As an independent candidate, Joseph says he will be free
We asked why people should vote for him. Joseph
to compliment or criticise the policies of either major
replied “South Australia has been good to me and to
party. “ I have a very strong and specific platform and
my family. I want to repay that gratitude by having
supporting policies,’ he said, “ these are set out on my
the chance to work harder and stronger for South
website, and my campaign slogan is ‘I’ll stand for you’
Australians - by standing for everyone. I have the
as I intend to stand up for all Australians who feel they
energy and the ideas to make a difference in South
are not being heard.”
Australia’s next parliament.”
Joseph has worked extensively with African
We wish him well in his bid to become the first
communities in SA and was the former Chair of the
elected African-Australian parliamentarian. Learn
African Communities Council of SA. When he stood
more about Joseph and his policies at his website:
down he was asked to remain in a special Director’s
www.josephmasika.com.
role to assist its work. He said it was a challenging task in which he did his best to work with South Australia’s
ISSUE T HRE E
3
Matthew (pictured right) has now involved some friends and family in Surf Life Saving, assisting them with their training.
“I read an article that said 35 percent of migrants don’t have any experience in the ocean and many drown because they can’t swim...I was moved to join Surf Life Saving to try and help the community.”
4/
A F RICA N -AU ST R A L I A N N EW S MAG A Z I N E
Daring the big waves Rivers and oceans can be dangerous places especially African rivers and oceans, full of all sorts of hidden dangers, so venturing into them was usually of necessity and not for fun.
He said that connecting with the African community
Now Africans in Australia, surrounded by water, in one
questions about learning how to swim and getting
was initially challenging because of their fears about sharks, big waves and the other unknown monsters of the deep, but as more people saw him at the beach, many started to feel confident enough to ask him
of the hottest regions on earth, are tempted to beaches,
involved in the surf club.
rivers, pools or any other stretch of water to cool down,
“I now have seven people who I’m teaching to swim,
splash about and try their best to look as if they know how to swim - even though they remember the many, unfortunate drowning incidents of new arrivals that have been reported. But, at least in South Australia, it’s a little safer because of 20 year old, Congolese born, Matthew Chimu, who arrived here with his two siblings in 2009. In the short time he’s been here, Matthew has been the worthy winner of a Pride of Australia Award for his exploits at the Henley Beach Surf Life Saving club where he has now obtained his Bronze Medallion.
paddle the board and that sort of thing,” he proudly reports, “Two of them are girls whose biggest worry was about messing up their hair.” Matthew’s involvement with the Henley Beach Surf Life Saving club started when he was referred to the
On the Same Wave program under the supervision of Roy Menner, a swimming veteran and chairman of the program committee, who told us that the program was established by Surf Life Saving Australia to reduce the number of overseas visitors and new migrants who were drowning in Australia. Its aim was to educate those
SALT Magazine put on some board shorts and caught
people about the dangers involved, and the best way to
up with Matthew at Henley Beach for a chat.
do that was through people of migrant backgrounds.
“I read an article that said 35 percent of migrants don’t
Roy added that there is some support and funding
have any experience in the ocean and many drown
to teach African youngsters to swim, but ongoing
because they can’t swim,” he said, “and as many are
funding was uncertain. In the meantime he encourages
from Africa, I was moved to join Surf Life Saving to try
anyone interested in becoming involved to contact Surf
and help the community. I didn’t swim either before
Life Saving SA who support the On the Same Wave
I came to Australia because we had no beaches, just
program.
rivers, and my parents didn’t allow us to go swimming in the river.” So Matthew made it his mission to learn how to swim
SALT Magazine congratulates Matthew on his achievements and recommends all new arrivals to find out more about the On the Same Wave program.
- which he did within 3 months of arriving here. “I learned how to swim, then did first aid training & CPR, was taught how to use a defibrillator and board paddling” Matthew said, adding that he can now swim 400 metres non-stop, and wants to get more involved in competition swimming, and “maybe represent Australia one day...”
ISSUE T HRE E
SURF LIFE SAVING
SOUTH AUSTRALIA For more information or contact details please visit the Surf Life Saving SA website www.surfrescue.com.au
5
Half of a yellow sun Just recently SALT Magazine was invited to an exclusive preview screening of a major, new film Half of a Yellow Sun, starring Oscar nominated actor Chiwetel Ejiofor (Twelve Years a Slave) and International star Thandie Newton (The Pursuit of Happyness), and is due for general release across Australia in March 2014.
6/
A F RICA N -AU ST R A L I A N N EW S MAG A Z I N E
Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. Photo: Ivara Esege
Based on the novel of the same name by Nigerian
“The book has been read widely throughout the
author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, the film covers the
country which has made me very happy … it’s not a
human aspect of the Nigerian Civil War, which resulted
book about settling scores it’s a book about saying we
from the attempted secession of several south eastern
have to know what happens in our country, this is our
provinces of Nigeria into the Republic of Biafra.
history”
This film adaptation of her work represents mainstream
Chimamanda said she was happy with the film
recognition of Chimamanda’s work - from publication
adaptation, “It’s a very beautiful film, it’s very well
of her collection of poems ‘Decisions’ in 1997 to now
done, I think the acting is really very good and I love
being ranked among the most prominent African
the fact that it was filmed in Nigeria which was my only
writers of the modern age. With numerous awards to
requirement”
her name, her most recent novel ‘Americanah’ being selected by the New York Times as one of The 10 Best Books of 2013, and part of her recent TED talk* being used in Beyoncé’s song ‘Flawless’, we thought it timely
Apart from her writing, Chimamanda is well known for her fashion sense and especially the headlines about her “hair do”.
to have a chat with Chimamanda, and find out more
“People see me and say “Oh it’s so old fashioned” but
about her and her newfound fame.
then I’m thinking - but you know 25 years ago beautiful
She spoke to us via Skype from her home in Nigeria. We started by asking how she began her writing career and did she ever think she’d gain such wide spread celebrity status.
elegant African women wore their hair like this and they were proud of it. We don’t all have to have hair that is straight and falls down to our backs” Chimamanda obviously holds strong views about many so called African problems, including gender inequality,
“Writing is not about fame,” she said firmly, “It’s all
domestic violence and so on, and expresses her views
about a love for storytelling. As a little girl I’d fill up
just as strongly.
my school books with stories. I’ve always been writing, it’s always been my first love, and even if I’d never sold one book - I’d still be writing.” So what is your favourite moment when writing? We asked.
“There are many things that we do that are wrong and unjust and we say it’s our culture we need to stop saying that because culture changes all the time” she said. “I think the idea that somehow the west has made progress and Africa hasn’t is really not true,” she says
“When I’m in the middle of the story, and it’s going
“There is still as much domestic violence in the west
very well - that’s when I’m happiest.” but then added,
as in other parts of the world, there are still cultural
“The toughest part is when you trying to start a story
assumptions that put women below men in the west
and is not just going well.”
as may be in Africa. The only difference really is that
We turned the conversation to the book Half of a Yellow Sun and wondered how she chose to write it as she had. “The war affected my family” she said, “My grandfathers died in the war and hearing stories of my grandfathers made me sad so I wanted to understand what the war was about. It’s my family’s experiences that made me so interested” Chimamanda agrees that the story is told from an Igbo perspective but emphasizes that it wasn’t propaganda in favour of Igbo people.
TED is a platform for ‘ideas worth spreading’ - www.ted.com
*
ISSUE T HRE E
women in the west may have some legal protection which African countries may not have”. Her advice to young African girls living in the west is simply “Follow your dreams, never apologise for who you are, and always believe you can do whatever you put your minds to.” Words of wisdom indeed, and SALT Magazine feels privileged that she gave us her time.
EXCLUSIVE PREViEW SCREENING
ion e in conjunct SALT Magazin be ill w s lm Fi with Leap Frog e preview clusiv hosting an ex Sun f of a Yellow al H screening of w llo fo u yo sure soon - make d n fi to k o o us on faceb ils! out the deta
7
STORIES FROM NAMIBIA - AN AUSSIE’S EXPERIENCE
By Tanja Rudd
A few days ago I was having a chat to one of the teenage girls at a local orphanage when one of the boys came over and said something to her in their tribal language. The girl translated and it turned out he had to go to hospital that afternoon for a medical review and needed to be accompanied by an adult. For various reasons none of the adults seemed to be available and just as quietly as he came to us, he put his backpack on his shoulder in resignation and started walking away towards the front gate. It took me a few seconds to realise he was leaving on his own, when I called out “I’ll take you”.
8/
A F RICA N -AU ST R A L I A N N EW S MAG A Z I N E
The local public hospital was only a few blocks away
But, it wasn’t until we walked to the pharmacy that
so it didn’t take us long to get there and eventually
reality hit me and I felt I had just been hit by a truck.
we found a car park. I was supposedly the adult
My boy placed his health card on top of a pile on a
accompanying this 13 year old boy, yet it was he who
table and we sat down on an empty spot we found
led the way all too confidently through the various
amongst everyone else who also seemed to be waiting.
corridors to the paediatric ward, it was clear this was
The room was quite large and within it was a counter,
a path he had taken many times before. Like most
the table with the health cards and about 4 rows of long
public hospitals, it offered little in the way of comfort,
wooden benches. I’d say we were 2 out of 50-60 people
even with the cute cartoon stickers on the wall of the
sitting side by side, waiting.
paediatric ward, as the smells and the general uneasy feeling prevailed upon me inducing a sense of trepidation.
Eventually a nurse appeared and picked up the pile of cards. She started to call out names and in response people would call out a random number, or so I
As we arrived it was time to measure his height
thought. “Five”, “Two”, “Ten”. What do the numbers
and weight and await the Doctor. He wasn’t all that
mean? I was finally told by the lady sitting next to
impressed with my presence; as it was clear that
me that they represented the number of tablets they
I wasn’t his primary caregiver, but he went on to
had left (meaning that these people had also not taken
explain that this boy’s most recent blood test was very
their medication properly over the last month). So, we
concerning. In simple terms (and tell you what – the
weren’t in the hospitals pharmacy, we were in a specific
way my brain was spinning I needed simple terms) they
section which focused on HIV patients.
expected him to have less than 20 specific units in his blood and he had 4300! The main reason: he wasn’t taking his medication properly. 2 tables, twice a day taken exactly 12 hours apart. All I could think is “this kid doesn’t have a mum, a watch to remind him of the time and most importantly the orphanage does not always have food for the children.” These tablets are
4 hours later with our small plastic containers replenished with tablets for the next 30 days we left the hospital. It was late, time for a meal. And to my dislike, KFC was high on my brave boy’s wish list. It was only a few blocks away. He had been told about it by friends but had never been there himself. So…. KFC it was!
known for their side effects of nausea/vomiting and it’s
The next day this same boy got up at 5am, took his
recommended they are ingested after meals and with a
medication, got dressed and walked 10km to get to
glass of milk. “Of course he isn’t taking his medication
school. Turns out a couple of years ago he was awarded
properly. How could he if he doesn’t always have
a scholarship to go to a private school (on the other
breakfast and dinner, let alone a spare glass of milk?”
side of town) due to his academic achievements. But in
Yet the harsh reality of HIV, the doctor went on to tell me, is that even though it is well managed with medication - if these aren’t taken properly the virus gets
an environment where there is limited food I guess it is only to be expected that money for public transport is non-existent.
too strong (which is evidenced in a blood test when
Even though it is so prevalent in Africa you don’t
those units get to a level above 1000) and as a result of
speak or think of HIV. At least I know I don’t! In fact
that eventually the medication may not work at all.
the topic is almost completely taboo and the prejudice
“Did you say above 1000, Dr?” “Yes!” “And, sorry, but did you previously say this child’s level is 4300?” “Yes!” “OK”. OK! Was all I managed to come up with at that time.
faced by those who are HIV+ is immense. Often you will hear of a local person losing a family member in the village, when nobody goes on to explain the cause of death, it’s safe to assume that they were victim to the unspoken killer that is HIV/AIDS. That was my first and definitely unforgettable encounter with HIV. I look forward to the day we reach some of those millennium development goals and we get to say
ISSUE T HRE E
to it.
9
“It’s my personal identity crisis you know... My roots are Ethiopian but I’ve lived here all my life; I look Ethiopian but I can’t speak the language. So I feel there’s a distance between me and Australians and me and Ethiopians”.
10/
F RICA N -AU ST R A L I A N Beza in Rundle Street, A Adelaide
N EW S MAG A Z I N E
Miss Africa South Australia shares her thoughts Barely a month after 20 year old, Ethiopian born Beza Mickan-White won the Miss Africa South Australia 2013 beauty contest, SALT Magazine caught up with her at her favourite coffee shop for a chat about the pageant and her life in general.
“I’ve seen it happen to myself and my brother, and
“The fact that I participated in the contest was exciting
brought up as an Australian. My roots are Ethiopian
enough”, Beza said, “ I gained many friendships, and
but I’ve lived here all my life; I look Ethiopian but I
self-confidence, but of course by winning I also have the
can’t speak the language. So I feel there’s a distance
Tanya Powell modelling course to look forward to, and
between me and Australians and me and Ethiopians”.
the chance to learn more about myself as well.”
with other friends. We don’t have anyone that relates to us, or that we can relate to. Over the years I’ve tried to connect with my roots through African friends at school, and by attending community events”. “It’s my personal identity crisis you know. It’s not racism or rejection. I was born an Ethiopian but I was
After a moment of quiet reflection, Beza brightened
We asked her if she always dressed up to look her
“but Australians are pretty accepting and so are the
beautiful best, “Definitely not” she responded, “I’m not
Ethiopian friends that I have “she said.
too fussed about make-up and so on, I think a natural look is true beauty and is also better for your skin. As for dressing up, I absolutely love wearing basketball shoes - and boys’ clothes as well - and I work at Footlocker where I’m surrounded by basketball shoes.” Our chat moved on to her background, as we knew she
SALT Magazine hopes Beza will one day realise her dream to help other adopted children through the confusion of finding their identity, but in the meantime we wish her every success with her modelling course and career. We think Footlocker could possibly have a vacancy for a basketball shoe salesperson very soon!
was adopted into an Australian family as a 4 year old child in Ethiopia. “Meeting my adoptive parents was the most memorable and an exciting moment in my life,” she said, “They
Beza after being crowned Miss Africa South Australia in December 2013
are beautiful people, who have adopted twice, and have taught me many life skills and values that I try to put in to practice” In her Australian family, Beza has 6 siblings, and although some of the older children have now left home, when they all get together “......it’s not a quiet affair” she said with a smile, “Birthdays and Christmas, its all screaming kids everywhere”. However, because of her experience as an adopted child brought into the western world, Beza said she would like to help similar adopted children to better connect with their community and culture and to have a greater understanding of their situation. In fact she sees the need for a ‘transition’ program to mentor adopted children as they grow.
ISSUE T HRE E
11
12/
A F RICA N -AU ST R A L I A N N EW S MAG A Z I N E
Nyanwell Marko-Ciman Agoth at work
AFRICAN BORN – AUSSIE RAISED by Nyanwell Marko-Ciman Agoth
People come to Australia for many reasons – some want a better life, some are fleeing persecution, and some want to give their family the best opportunities possible.
early age because primary school provided a cultural
In recent years, refugees settling in Australia have
upon English language skills that I developed during
come predominantly from African countries that have experienced conflict and consequent displacement of populations. Refugees from African backgrounds are not a homogeneous group as they are a multitude of cultures, national groups and religions, but many share common experiences. Most African families who migrate to Australia, mine included, do so under the Refugee and Humanitarian Program. My family sought refuge in Kakuma Refugee Camp (Kenya) due to the Sudanese civil war that lasted for almost four decades.
touchstone for me. Through my interactions, both inside the classroom and on the playground, I learnt how to deal with a diverse range of people, authority, rules and structure. School was an opportunity to build my primary education in Kenya, and I participated in extra-curricular activities that helped forge my identity. In my early teen years, there was a great deal of cumulative pressure to both ‘integrate’ and ‘remain true’ to my South Sudanese culture. I was acutely aware of the differences in my appearance, culture and tradition. There was a lot of pressure from my Australian born peers to become ‘Australian’, as well as constant reminders from the South Sudanese community of my origins and heritage.
There was a lot of pressure from my Australian born peers to become ‘Australian’, as well as constant reminders from the South Sudanese community of my origins and heritage. I was born in Kakuma Refugee camp in Kenya, and I spent the first nine years of my life there. I attended school from Kindergarten to grade four at the camp, along with people of all different ages including adults who had not previously had a primary education. The story of why I was born in a refugee camp is too
I negotiated this minefield of social pressures by actively participating in public speaking, debating teams, and leadership roles. These activities allowed me to simultaneously explore and embrace mainstream Australian culture and continue to respect and express my South Sudanese traditions. I learnt to belong to
personal and painful for me to share in this article,
both cultures and celebrate my uniqueness.
but it shares common elements with the stories of
I have recently graduated from a Bachelor of
thousands of other asylum seekers. Over the course of ten years, my mother went through the course of applying for a refugee status, and when I was nine years old we were granted refugee status and brought to Australia. Settling into Australia was a complex and multidimensional process. However, I consider myself very lucky to have migrated to Australia at such an
ISSUE T HRE E
International Studies (majoring in Politics) at the University of Adelaide, and I am now in the final stages of my Bachelor of Laws at the Adelaide Law School. I found myself to still be part of a small minority in the Law School which remains relatively homogeneous and I would like to see more diversity on campus. However, studying law has presented me with new opportunities to negotiate my identity as an African born – Australian raised young woman.
13
A personal view of post-Mandela South Africa Phillippa Yaa de Villiers grew up in South Africa’s apartheid regime. Born to a Ghanaian father and Australian mother, she was given up for adoption and raised by a white South African family in Johannesburg and only discovered her true identity at 20 years old. She experienced first hand the impacts of apartheid on a bi-racial individual. However, in defying this difficult start to life, she has developed into an award-winning writer, performer and poet. Through her writings and her acclaimed one-woman show Original Skin, she conveys her thoughts about her early life and the confusion she felt about her true identity. SALT Magazine contacted Phillippa via Facebook, and gained some insight into her world and her thoughts on South Africa’s future following the death of Nelson Mandela. We summarise the interview and some of her responses, but for a full transcript please visit our website: www.saltmagazine.org
14/
A F RICA N -AU ST R A L I A N N EW S MAG A Z I N E
What motivated you to take up writing?
What was your reaction to Mandela’s death?
The love of reading, loneliness, emotional pressure,
To me Mandela was just an individual that the media
and the opportunity to travel and not have to pay for
focused on. Behind him were many other people who
your ticket.
also sacrificed their lives, their youths, etc. Ahmed
Do you think ‘messages’ in your writing have had any impact on South African Society?
Kathrada, Dennis Goldberg, Robert Sobukwe, Victoria Mxenge, so many people gave everything to the struggle. Mandela understood that, but the publicity
I’m not sure that there are any ‘messages’ except that
machine that turned him into an icon wouldn’t let
I am trying to create a world that I want to live in,
him just be a man. Who knows what he really thought
and if that is like a party or a picnic, I’m hoping that
about all of this? For the children of the struggle heroes
the writing invites people in. I try to honestly explore
are the princes and princesses of a fairy tale land that
experience, mine and that of other people whom I’m
has no connection with the conditions that made the
curious about.
old guard the fighters that they were...I was sad because
What are your connections to Australia?
of what he meant to me as a young woman – when I left my adoptive family and discovered the injustice
My biological parents are both Australian – my father
that was keeping us in the pound seats. I was not a big
was born in Ghana but has been living in Australia
revolutionary but the experience was profound. As I
for about 30 years. I was given up for adoption at 3
took my baby steps away from white privilege, Mandela
days and complications about my race resulted in
was like a big shadow dad encouraging me to keep
me remaining in the home till I was 9 months old.
going, even if you fall. So I cried when he died and I
Issues that obviously kept cropping up. I spent my
went to his house in Houghton and in Soweto.
entire childhood pretty much in a dream with a side order of nightmares. In that time I spent a lot of time imagining who I might be, and when I was around 12 I read Walkabout. My mother was an anthropologist who travelled around the world and she had a souvenir picture of an Aboriginal boy. It was the only image of a person of colour in the house and I was very drawn to the little boy. I became fascinated with the Dreamtime and imagined myself as Aboriginal. Later I read The Songlines and totally fell in love with the idea of singing creation into existence and the amazing spirituality of Aboriginal people.
He was also I think the first African leader to stand for gay rights, and I loved him for that. His humanity was almost saint-like, his politics was not all it was cracked up to be. He reminded me about idealism, and how important it is. Do you think that South Africa should be worried without him?
No, Mandela was well loved but politically irrelevant by the time he died. He was an old man who stood for something that was no longer part of our lived reality. The party that he served for his whole life is still in
We hear you’ve visited Australia twice, how
power in our country – some say till Jesus comes.
do you compare our lifestyle with South
Mandela was someone’s grandad and then, predictably,
Africa’s?
he died.
In some ways it’s quite similar – a relatively rich
What advice would you share with our readers
country, harsh inequalities and complex and unresolved conflicts with the first people, a serious wounding and a thriving, robust healing creativity.
ISSUE T HRE E
who are mostly of African origin? Tell your story.
15
A record crowd of 42,000 people turned up to celebrate Australia Day in the city this year
“We have to celebrate Australia Day, we came here as migrants and now we are Australian citizens” SAYE BOZAN, LEADER OF THE BADENYA COMMUNITY (LIBERIA).
16/
A F RICA N -AU ST R A L I A N N EW S MAG A Z I N E
Timomatic wows the crowd
African Australians celebrate Australia Day In perfect weather The African Australian community in South Australia were part of the record number of 42,000 people who celebrated Australia Day on Sunday January 26 2014. Dressed in a diverse range of costumes they created a colourful atmosphere while being treated to a wide variety of music and dance as they paraded in the city to cheering crowd. Matthew Miles, Executive Officer of the Australia Day Council in SA told SALT Magazine that the event is an opportunity for South Australia’s diverse multicultural communities to harmoniously celebrate together and celebrate Australia’s national day. SALT Magazine was at the parade and spoke to some of the African community leaders about what the day means to them. It turns out it’s all about giving back to a country that has given so much to the African Australian communities. Didace Balusasiyeko from the Bantu community (Burundi) said it is a day which makes people think about Australia. “I think it’s the Government’s day and everyone joins in to celebrate it” It was indeed a festive atmosphere on Franklin Street and the parade to Elder Park proceeded with lot of pomp and ceremony. Afterwards all enjoyed a vibrant concert featuring Australia’s Got Talent finalist Timomatic who was originally from Nigeria.
ISS UE T HRE E
17
Advertisement
Let’s keep building... MESSAGE FROM YOUR LL PREMIER JAY WEATHERI In South Australia we’ve to stay ahead.
der always had to work har
ure nomic times, and the clos Now with challenging eco r. eve n tha true re mo t’s tha of Holden in four years, llenge with energy and cha t tha My team will meet e invest in this great stat to e imagination and continu . jobs new and es stri of ours, creating new indu re building – there are mo y bus n We have already bee re underway. mo and – re befo r eve n cranes over Adelaide tha
New world cla ss
New Royal Ad elaide Hospita l
Adelaide Oval
A world leading medical research institute
üWe’ll keep building South Australia. ment. üI’ll stand up to the Abbott Govern dernise the economy mo and m üWe’ll continue to transfor tralian is left behind. üAnd make sure that no South Aus
Best wishes. Jay Weatherill Authorised by R. Martin for the Australian Labor Party, 141 Gilles Street, Adelaide SA 5000.
Visit Jay4SA.com.au
Biggest ev er investm ent in public transport
YOU CAN
ADVERTISE
HERE
18/
A F RICA N -AU ST R A L I A N N EW S MAG A Z I N E
Africa’s Dilemma - as was the past, so too the future? A personal perspective by African-Australian Sulaiman Timbo.
...CONTINUED FROM LAST ISSUE
POETRY
Africa
Remembered by Mwalusi
The reality of colonization was that African countries were created with straight line boundaries to ensure rights of way, access to resources or to protect trade routes - with no direct participation of the people that inhabited the geographical
Woodsmoke, diesel fumes, haze Dust and windblown blue plastic bags.
areas that were affected- and clearly undertaken by outsiders
Goats, torn branches, rusting rooftops
with little or no knowledge of the social, ethnic and geo-
Hanging, dangling power lines.
political groups that were being manipulated. Diverse cultures were forced to share common administration,
Crowded buses, roof racks overloaded.
legislation and language. Opposition was dealt with - either
Potholes, power cuts, dirty glasses.
brutally or paternalistically- by colonial regimes which
Peanut sellers, unripe bananas.
exploited a politically naive population which also lacked the social cohesion to form a serious, militant resistance. Only very rarely could groups that had long standing enmity or rivalry, put aside these differences to present a united voice.
Burnt maize, charcoal grill. Always the smoke, always the haze.
Instead factionalism, tribalism and ethnic allegiances remained hidden by the common enforced ‘nationality,’ spreading across the arbitrarily imposed borders which led to even greater upheaval when self- government was eventually bestowed. Broadly speaking independence allowed the true underlying nature of these committee-designed countries to surface. Where tribal groups had mobilized to fight the colonists, as for example in Kenya, those groups were naturally selected
Newsprint ink stains Clerks and carbon paper Kids, wide eyes staring. Overripe mangos, warm beer. Policemen, swagger sticks.
to become the ruling class. Elsewhere, political leaders were
Public servants, kickbacks
appointed in a selection process based on western ideals, as
Cracked leather shoes.
was the situation in Tanzania. Regardless of the selection
Plastic sandals, woven baskets.
process however, the appointees proved to be equally inept in running a country for the benefit of all its citizens. In a continent in which democracy has been an unknown political system, it remains a mystery why this system is seen as the solution and the savior for its future. So, in returning to my rhetoric, is the strong leadership of a malevolent dictator any better or worse than the incompetent, bumbling, mismanagement of a sticky fingered but democratically elected buffoon? Realistically, the African people of today are left with the leaderships they deserve - if change can only be brought about
Scrawny cattle, dogs, and cats. Wispy haired, face flushed white men. High breasted bar girls, toothpicks. Grease stained suits, UN cars, metal chairs. “The Universal Acadamy of Fingernail Pollishing”. “Yes we repair tire’s hear.”
by revolution, then they should revolt.....but in a plea to Western nations, I ask that Africans be allowed to determine their own destinies. We do not need pseudo-colonialists to fight our battles for us. ISSUE T HRE E
19
A Spoonful of Nostalgia By Dee Mbugua
When you think about it, not many things in this world are irreplaceable. As Africans, we learn to adapt to new environments pretty fast, and as creatures of habit, once we create patterns, we become content. However, there is always a gaping hole gnawing at our insides especially when memories of the motherland come creeping in. That is why food is so important. A lovely meal shared amongst loved ones can create an everlasting memory.
You know that feeling when you walk into your grand
African cuisine is like no other. The marriage of robust
cassava leaves before at a Sudanese residence, but this
spices, flavour and colour is incomparable to anything I have ever eaten. As a self-proclaimed foodie, I love to try anything at least once. No other cuisine leaves me with a warmth in my heart and smile on my face like African cuisine does. When I do not feel like cooking but I crave that feeling, I go to my second mother’s house, Maman Valerie Gatabazi.
parent’s house, that unmistakable love that renews your spirit and adds a spring to your step? That’s the feeling I get when I go visit Maman. Maman is from Rwanda, and I am from Kenya, but the differences are mere subtleties. Though some of the dishes differ slightly to what we make in Kenya, the end result is the same: you can still taste the love in every spoonful. One such dish is Sombe, or cassava leaves in English. Maman informs me that this dish is influenced by the Congolese, who have very close ties to Rwanda. I had never quite tasted anything like it. I had tasted was different. This was addictive. I had to know how to make it. Now, you will too. Preparing Sombe might seem like a task, but it keeps for ages in the freezer and can accompany almost every meal in an African household. The nostalgic stupor you experience afterwards will be well worth the effort, and whenever guests come round you have a top class dish to serve on the go.
Maman Valerie Gatabazi at home cooking.
You know that feeling when you walk into your grand parent’s house, that unmistakable love that renews your spirit and adds a spring to your step? That’s the feeling I get when I go visit Maman.
20/
A F RICA N -AU ST R A L I A N N EW S MAG A Z I N E
PE I C E R
Sombe Serves 6 INGREDIENTS 1L Palm Oil (African shop in Arndale) Vegetable Oil 750g Coles Crunchy Peanut Butter 4 bunches of spring onion 6 packets of frozen grated cassava leaf (you can get this at the Asian Grocery on Henley Beach Road) 2 Red Capsicums 2 Green Capsicums 2 Large eggplants 1 kg Beef on the bone (Asian Grocery) Salt to season to your liking
METHOD 1. Dice all the vegetable into small squares and place in a large pot, making sure to peel the eggplants before dicing. 2. In a different deep pot, empty half the palm oil. Once the oil is warm, pour the diced vegetables in. Add the frozen cassava leaves and the beef. Allow to cook for 10 minutes and season with salt, stirring occasionally. 3. Pour hot water into the pan until all the vegetables are covered in water. Cover with a lid. On a medium-high heat, cook for 2 hours until all the cassava has thawed and the vegetables are tender. 4. Add another cup of palm oil and allow to cook for a further 2 hours, checking it regularly to make sure there is enough water. 5. All the vegetables will have mixed up, creating a glossy dish. Stir to ensure a uniform consistency, then add the peanut butter and allow to simmer for a further 10 minutes. 6. Turn off the heat and pour the Sombe out into various containers to cool. Once it is cool, it can be served immediately and the rest frozen for future use. Sombe tastes best the day after it has been cooked, when all the flavours have married together.
Best served with ugali or rice. Enjoy!
ISSUE T HRE E
21
ADAPTED FROM THE AWARD WINNING NOVEL BY
CHIMAMANDA NGOZI ADICHIE
SUPERB PERFORMANCES” “AN EPIC AND STRIKING
“
VARIETY
ADAPTATION ...POWERFUL & MOVING PERFORMANCES” SCREEN DAILY
GORGEOUS, EVOCATIVE AND EASILY
“THE FILM IS
THE HIGHLIGHT OF NEWTON’S ACHIEVEMENTS AS AN ACTRESS”
VANITY FAIR
BRILLIANT
“A DIRECTING DEBUT” HUFFINGTON POST
STARRING ACADEMY AWARD® NOMINEE
CHIWETEL EJIOFOR AND BAFTA WINNER
THANDIE NEWTON OFFICIAL SELECTION TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
2013
Chiwetel Ejiofor Anika Noni Rose
Thandie Newton
Joseph Mawle
John Boyega
Genevieve Nnaji Onyeka Onwenu
half of a YELLOW SUN
IN SELECTED THEATRES 27 March 2014
SHAREMAN MEDIA and BFI present in association with METRO INTERNATIONAL ENTERTAINMENT and KACHIFO LIMITED in association with LIPSYNC PRODUCTIONS LLP a SLATE FILMS PRODUCTION a film by BIYI BANDELE THANDIE NEWTON CHIWETEL EJIOFOR ANIKA NONI ROSE “HALF OF A YELLOW SUN” JOSEPH MAWLE JOHN BOYEGA ONYEKA ONWENU GENEVIEVE NNAJI HAKEEM KAE-KAZIM CASTING MAKE-UP AND COSTUME DIRECTOR OF E IN CHARGE JO KATSARAS MUSIBYC BEN ONONO and PAUL THOMSON EDITOR CHRIS GILL PRODUCTIDESIGNERON ANDREW McALPINE PHOTOGRAPHY JOHN de BORMAN bsc EXECUTIOFVPRODUCTI DIRECTOR JINA JAY HAIR DESIGNER SHARON MARTIN ON ALAN J WANDS
SANDRA MBANEFO OBIAGO 22/
ASSOCIATE PRODUCER
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS
YEWANDE SADIKU MUHTARPRODUCED BAKARE GAIL EGAN NORMANDIRECTEDMERRY PETER HAMPDEN CALDERWOOD YI BANDELE A F RICA N -AU ST R A L I A NBY ANDREA N EW S MAGBYABIZ INE HalfOfAYellowSunMovie
© SHAREMAN MEDIA LIMITED / THE BRITISH FILM INSTITUTE / YELLOW SUN LIMITED 2012
BASED ON THE NOVEL BY
CHIMAMANDA NGOZI ADICHIE
SCREENPLAY BY
Check the Classification
BIYI BANDELE www.halfofayellowsun.com.au