Part of the youthful media delegation that graced the Johannesburg launch of the Africa Media Resource Center of Excellence [Photo: Johannes Tafirenyika]
African media revolution launches in style
MAINThe media in Africa will tell you that their coverage
of the creative and cultural sector is about news “that interests ‘our audiences’ and that “it’s all about entertainment, education, information, opinion….,” and all that jazz.
But how many times has the African story been told in all its fairness, has the spade been called a spade? In all our honesty, the best part of our arts coverage is the license to kill our very own artists, to starve their families and of those who depend on their meager incomes, to douse audiences with imperial ideologies of capitalism, to deprive our own continent of its own talent.
Yes we have, continually subdued Pan-Africanism. Yes we are, willingly advancing the naked interests of some mighty world syndicates whose inflated ego is to endlessly dominate our creative industries. Launching of African Media Resource Center of Excellence, (September 26, Johannesburg – South Africa) is one of the proudest moments Africa has embraced since it learned to master and control her destiny.
Africa’s own international celebrities, famous names, personalities, together with the respectable media delegates from across the continent, endorsed their blessings at the occasion of the successful launch of a highly commendable initiative spearheaded by daughters of the soil. Such was the glamour and glitter, as notable women of honour, from Africa’s creative circles, celebrated the birth of a ‘home at home’ for the continent’s journalists.
African MediaResourceCenter for Excellence is the brainchild of Vanessa Perumal, the irresistible publicist who heads JT Communication Solutions.
It has been a consistent dream woven over several years of ‘ups and lows.’ The dream has come true, and the media center now boasts latest ICT structures, multiple interview rooms, interactive and guest facilities, that provide unlimited access for media practitioners to meet and dialogue with African artists at the most convenient setting.
It proffers an ambient environment and some creative space. It is indeed an ideal center for content-development for both the journalists and artists.
Most artists interviewed by Nordic Africa News, hailed the launching of an African media center. Yoli Swaswa, a hip-hop artist based in Soweto said, “To many of us (artists) this center means hope, it will bring about a transparent media that pushes Africa’s agenda and pursuits.” “I believe it will be a platform for our story to be told without fallacy, a representation of a proud Africa,” she added. An impressive and star-studded guest list marked the launch; Southern African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO) boss Nicholas Motsatse gave a thought provoking keynote address, and Professor Tawana Kupe the Dean of Media Studies- Faculty of Humanities at University of the Witwatersrand gave a profound speech, he reminded the guests of ‘how Africa has always been carried by its women and constantly destroyed by its men.’
Poetess Ncina Mhlope, musicians Sibongile Khumalo and Lebo Mashile, KAYA FM95.5 presenter Nicky Blumenfeld, and journalist Michael Soumah founder of the Dakar Jazz festival, gave stunning performances.
The high powered African media delegation included, Amel Belay from Ethiopia, Ish Mafundikwa (Zimbabwe), John Owoo (Ghana), Telesphore Mba Bizo (Cameroon) and Kenya’s Joseph Ngunjiri.
The journalists were hosted by Marimba Media and African Synergy as part of the World Arts Summit and Arts Alive International Festival.
Novell Zwangendaba, Nordic Africa News' Contributor in Southern Africa
