Welcome to: AFRIKAN HISTORY MONTH LECTURE 2009

Global Afrikan Congress (GAC Azania)

in collaboration with Ebukhosini Solutions, Azali Nuru and Centre for African Renaissance Studies (CARS)

welcomes you to the

AFRIKAN HISTORY MONTH LECTURE 2009

Date: Saturday 28 February

Time: 12pm to 4pm

Theme: "Looking Backwards – Moving Forwards"

Venue: Centre For African Renaissance Studies, UNISA – Tshwane

Address: 287 Skinner Street, City of Tshwane

Download map by clicking here: www.unisa.ac.za/contents/docs/map.pdf

PROGRAM:

Welcome lecture

Mpho Mothoagae

Heroes and Heroines of Tshwane

Theme lecture

Dr. Samba Mburi Mboup

The future of Sudan to 2011 and beyond:

African dimensions on peace, justice and stability

Key note address

Prof. Catherine Odora-Hoppers

Identity, culture and knowledge

Vote of thanks by Prof. Shadrack B. O. Gutto

- Director and Chair of African Renaissance Studies (CARS)

Poetry and music

Afrikan books for sale

Please, note:

Program starts promptly, with lunch at 12.00 and then the main program proceeds

Please, contact Event Coordinator, Brother Reitumetse Johnson, for any further questions or information: 073 794 6837

About the lecturers:

Prof. Catherine Odora-Hoppers

Prof. Odora-Hoppers is a policy specialist and senior consultant to multilateral and bilateral agencies on international development, North-South questions, social policy, disarmament, peace, and human security. In 2001, she was appointed by the Minister of Science and Technology to lead the Task Team to Draft the National Policy on Indigenous Knowledge Systems (now under full implementation), and redraft the Legislation on the same. She has served as expert to the OAU, United Nations World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and UNESCO She is currently the holder of the DST/NRF South African Research Chair in Development Education at UNISA.

Dr. Samba Buri Mboup

Dr Mboup is an Associate Professor with CARS with academic merits and involvement within General and Comparative Literature, Swahili/Bantu Language and Civilization, African Renaissance Studies, NEPAD and African Politics.

Mpho Mothoagae

Mr Mothoagae is a lecturer with CARS and researcher within African languages, IKS, Indigenous Peoples and African Renaissance. He is involved in Kgautswane Community Development Project, the National House of Traditional Leaders and Tshwane Traditional Healers Forum.

Pictures from Kwanzaa 2008

Kwanzaa Celebrations 2008 became another success, gathering more than 200 guests from all over the Gauteng Province. On the 26th December, young and old gathered in the community of Fietas, Johannesburg, to celebrate the Umoja (unity) Day of Kwanzaa, under the slogan "Reclaiming Afrika's Greatness". The program featured ceremonial rituals, poets, singers, drummers and messages from children and parents. Also, an Afrikan Play Skool was provided for knowledge-hungry children.

Program contributions were made by Thobile Disemelo, Della Tamin, Killimanjarah, Khanyi Nguni, Falicia Goodman, Ntlomu Koka, Widsom Gumede, Sipho Gideon Mantula, Mbali Langeni, Talla Niang, Mama Kenalemang Kgoroeadira, Moleshiwe Magana, Vusumzi Dolla I, Dr. Samba Buri Mboup, Brother Buntu and many others, under the eminent convenorship of Mama Barati Modirwa and Atef Karabo Mosala. The catering side was masterly coordinated by Mama Tebogo Buntu and her team of health conscious Sisters.

Also, on the 30th December, about 40 sisters and brothers gathered at Ebukhosini to discuss "How can I become a better woman / man?" This became an intense and open sharing session for introspection and mutual learning.

A warm thank you to everyone who helped making Kwanzaa so successful! Contact us if you want to get involved in the planning of the next Kwanzaa Celebreations, December 2009, e-mail: gacsecretariat [at] gmail.com

All photos courtesy of Shane Tshegofatso Evans: www.shaneevans.com/blog

Welcome to KWANZAA CELEBRATIONS 2008

Do not miss out on this year’s Kwanzaa Celebration taking place on Friday 26th December in Vrededorp/Fietas, Johannesburg, South Afrika, at 12h00 noon.

Kwanzaa is a Pan-Afrikan celebration, based on the various First Fruits Festivals observed in Afrikan cultures around the continent. The theme for this year is “Reclaiming Afrika’s Greatness”, an important reminder in times of many negative sentiments alluded to Afrika. The program contains a traditional ceremony, music, songs, greetings and a children’s program which unites Afrikan people across divisions in language, cultural background, faith and nationality.

2008 will mark the 7th consecutive year of this Annual Celebration hosted by Ebukhosini Solutions and Global Afrikan Congress, and supported by many community structures and organizations.

Read more about Kwanzaa here:
http://brotherbuntu.blogspot.com/2007/12/what-is-kwanzaa.html
http://brotherbuntu.blogspot.com/2007/12/south-african-basis-for-kwanzaa.html


KWANZAA CELEBRATION 2008

Theme: Reclaiming Afrika’s Greatness

Date: Friday 26th December 2008

Time: 12 noon

Address: 7th Str., Vrededorp (Fietas) (between Braamfontein and Brixton, off De La Rey Str)

Get directions online from Google Maps here:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=ebukhosini,+johannesburg,+south+africa&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=57.947788,112.5&ie=UTF8&ll=-26.187945,28.016768&spn=0.032503,0.054932&z=14&iwloc=A

Wear: Afrikan Royal Pride

Bring: Food for the Common Table (vegetarian dishes and foods, fruits, juice etc).

Afrikan Market: There will also be an Afrikan Market with books, fabrics, incense and artefacts, so bring some MOOLA!

Prepare: Creative gifts to share (poetry, greetings, songs – NOT speeches!)

Info: 011 830 2546 – 072 350 9765 – gacsecretariat@gmail.com

Media liaison: Ras Sipho Gideon Mantula; 084 781 5587

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Note: Please, also note that on Tuesday 30 December, there will be the NIA SEMINAR - a seminar/discussion on how to become great Afrikan women and men. There will be separate sessions for men and for women, and then a plenary summary. More information to follow.


Kwanzaa Invitation 2008

Kwanzaa Celebrations Map

Annual Kwanzaa celebrations have been coordinated by Ebukhosini Solutions and Global Afrikan Congress since 2002.

From Boys to Men

In November 2008 I was invited by South African Men's Action Group (SAMAG) in Mafikeng, North West Province. This organization, under the skilful leadership of Governor Jabu oa-Afrika focuses on services related to HIV/AIDS, gender based violence, counselling, mentorship and peer-education. SAMAG specifically seeks to develop a forum where men's issues are dealth with in a genuine and solution-oriented way.

I was invited to coordinate their first Young Men's Camp, which was held in Rustenburg with 16 young men who had invited their Father Figures (male role models) along. During the three days program, participants worked from morning until late evening on issues of self understanding, boyhood vs manhood, fatherhood, violence, family, Afrikan history, sexuality and relationships. Several of the father figures shared some lessons from how they had dealt with past problems such as crime, rape, gang violence and abuse.

All the young men agreed that their ideal MAN is one who is responsible, family oriented, trustworthy, respectful and faithful. By admittance, most participants agreed that they had not necissarily spent much time in their life with men who fit this description. My task was to open their minds up to Understanding of Self and realizing that they can make choices to master Self, even in desperate situations.

The most striking element in the camp was that there was such diversity in personalities and characters, and, yet they managed to work together harmoniously and constructively. An atmosphere of trust, openness and honesty was soon established and there was ample room for fun, seriousness, learning and engaging. The Father Figures played a very important part in giving their "sons" encouragement and support. The program will continue for the next four months and I can't wait to see the results.

Colloquium on Afrikan History in Rio De Janeiro

10-14 November 2008 I was invited to present a paper at the International Colloquium on "Teaching and Propagating Afrikan History and Culture to the Diaspora and Teaching Diaspora History and Culture to Afrika" in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. The colloquium was organized by CBAAC (Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization) in Nigeria and the Secretariat for the Promotion of Racial Equality in the President's Office of Brazil.

The colloquium gathered scholars and practitioners from around the Pan-Afrikan world and it was very exciting to meet so many visionaries propagating the importance of Afrikan history and culture. Themes were varied and included language, litterature, ancient and recent history, music, racism, arts, spirituality and identity. My presentation was on creative methodology in teaching history in communities, especially to young people.

What struck me was how the gap between Afrika and the Afrikan Diaspora have both been partly bridged and partly further widened. The discourse on Afrikan commonalities and bonds between the continent and its' diaspora is better understood and informs a Pan-Afrikan identity. Yet, at the same time, from an academic point of view, it is evident that our research, bibliography and methodological developments still exists in pockets without reaching out to the different countries, communities and institutions we operate within. Hopefully, this gap is made more narrow by initiatives like this colloquium.

This was my first time in Brazil and it was a humbling experience meeting many of the Afrikan Brazilian scholars and activists. Brazil has one of the largest Afrikan populations in the world (app. 100 million people of Afrikan descent), yet they are made virtually invisible and powerless. I met three community education colleagues, Fabio Gomes, Andre Luiz and Robson Cruz, who I spent time with and visited two favelas ("ghettos"). We exchanged information, methodology and teaching modules. Also, through meeting journalist Thais Zimbwe, I was able to visit a Black Film Festival and meet some of the organizers in Brazil's Afrikan community.

Visiting Brazil was en eye opener (especially in terms of how desperately we need to bridge the language gap in the Pan-Afrikan world) and great experience, it was only frustrating to stay so short. So, obviously, I want to go back!

Some of the participating scholars and audience in the Rio Colloqium

Panel presentation on Afrikan culture and development

With community educators Robson Cruz, Andre Luiz and Fabio Gomes in one of Rio's favelas.

Favela community in Rio De Janeiro

With Sister Chi (Brazil) , Brother Bankie (Ghana/Namibia) and Sister Thais (Brazil) at opening night of the Black Film Festival in Rio.

Workshops in Oslo with Kwani Experience

In October 2008 I was asked by Off The Hook Productions to help coordinate an artist exchange program with South Afrikan group Kwani Experience to Oslo, Norway. The program included workshops, performances and meeting with artists and organizations in the community of Oslo. Although Oslo was VERY cold, it was a great exchange program.

I have a lot of respect for Kwani Experience. The members are young, and SO dedicated to their art and expression. They literally do not want to go off stage when they play live! And, although they were quite unknown in Norway, they soon built a gang of fans through their intense performances. The workshops were with students in primary and secondary schools, and were both vibey and educational.

Our host in Oslo was Nordic Black Theatre and MS Innvik, the incredible cultural ship located at the harbour next to the Oslo Opera House.

Ebukhosini Solutions: BOOKS OF AFRIKA

EBUKHOSINI SOLUTIONS CC is a South Afrikan registered, Black-owned and managed, Close Corporation offering consultation and services related to community development, youth empowerment, leadership training, events, conferencing, social upliftment and cultural education. Ebukhosini Solutions delivers custom made, efficient services to a wide range of clients.

The company was founded in 2002 by Brother Buntu (Amani Olubanjo Buntu) and through expansions in 2008, the company is now co-owned by Sister Tebogo Buntu, Ras Sipho Mantula and Brother Buntu.

Contact us today about books, services and advice!

Phone: 011 830 2546
E-mail: info [at] ebukhosinisolutions [dot] co [dot] za

THE AFRIKAN LUNCH continues... and continues!

Good things cannot stop!

Prepare yourself for another serving of great food and inspiring company!

INVITATION: GAC Azania and Ebukhosini Solutions invites to yet another informal get-together with good food, great company, informal discussions and relaxing vibes of jazz/reggae/soul. R25 buys you an Afrikan Value Pack including a tasty meal, fruits and juice. Bring your friends. Child/family-friendly atmosphere.

NOTE THAT THE AFRIKAN LUNCH WILL CONTINUE EVERY 1^ST AND 3^RD SUNDAY OF EACH MONTH. See list of dates below

THE AFRIKAN LUNCH – The 6^th Serving

Sunday 16 March 2008

Time: 1pm

Address: Ebukhosini, 24 – 6^th Street, Fietas (Vrededorp)

Information: 011 830 2546, 083 993 2997, gacsecretariat [at] gmail [dot] com

Please, send mail/SMS to indicate your attendance, so we can secure enough food!

Also, grab your chance to purchase a copy of the incredible book "When We Ruled" by Afrikan scholar, Robin Walker. This book is a highly authoritative, in-depth overview of Afrikan history, examining comprehensively the history of Afrika and her people since ancient times. Covering 10.000 years of history. Based on 200 years of research material. R600

THE AFRIKAN LUNCH; Reviving the Afrikan Family!

UPCOMING AFRIKAN LUNCH DATES (all at 1pm)

Sunday 16 March 2008

Sunday 6 April 2008

Sunday 20 April 2008

Sunday 4 May 2008

Sunday 18 May 2008

Sunday 1 June 2008

Sunday 15 June 2008

AFRIKAN HISTORY MONTH Seminar 9 February 2008

AFRIKAN HISTORY MONTH 2008

 

Afrikan History Month is celebrated in February, and once again Global Afrikan Congress Azania will host several events to remind us of the great legacy Afrika has left us with; Inventions, technology, medicine, philosophy, leaders and vast historical treasures. In these current trying times, a challenge rests upon us to equip ourselves with knowledge of our past, understand the challenges in the present and plan for the restoration of Afrika's greatness. Hence we have chosen the following theme for Afrikan History Month 2008: Rethinking our Past, Present and Future.

 

 

Afrikan History Seminar 9 February

 

The first event will be a seminar/conference/gathering where we look at the HISTORY OF FIETAS and the HISTORY OF OUR POWERFUL CONTINENT, AFRIKA

 

Program: Speakers, presenters, poets and singers will guide the procession with vital information and inspiring upliftment.

 

Date: Saturday 9 February

 

Time: 12 noon to 6pm

 

Venue: Jan Hofmeyer Recreation Centre

 

Address: Crnr 1st Street/Krause, Fietas/Vrededorp

(between Braamfontein and Auckland Park)

Johannesburg, South Afrika

 

Stalls: There will also be arts and crafts stalls

 

Food: Will be for sale at reasonable price.

 

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WELCOME! Bring your family and come celebrate Afrika! Hosted by GAC Azania

 

More information: 011 830 2546 – 084 781 5587 – gacsecretariat[at]gmail[dot]com

 

See photos from other Afrikan family events at www.brotherbuntu.blogspot.com

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Quotes

 

"If a race has no history, if it has no worthwhile tradition, it becomes a negligible factor in the thought of the world, and stands in danger of being exterminated."

Carter Godwin Woodson, (1875-1950), Founder of Black History Month

 

"History is a clock that people need in order to tell their political and cultural time of day. It is also a compass that tells as people how they should be located on the map of human geography. The role of history is to tell a people where they have been, what they have been, where they are, and what they are."

John Henrik Clarke (1915-1998), Distinguished Afrikan Scholar

 

"We are shaped by what contains us as we shape what we contain."

Sekou Toure (1922-1984), Guinea's first President