Africa Unite Newzine
June Edition Vol 1.2
In this edition we will be
discussing about the issues of sexual violence in conflict zones and the growth
of the Africa Unite Movement (AUM) in the coming months and years.
In this month we have
working on AUM in Europe and the possible creation of the following initiatives
in the UK over the next year. They are :
1. The creation of an Africa Unite Centre.
2. The creation of an annual Africa Unite Festival.
3. The creation of an International Reconciliation
Conference
4. The creation of our new website for Africa
Unite Party & Our movement.
The Arab Spring…and
the Arab winter….
So
after May elections I decided that it was time to spread my wings and fly to
the Diaspora and share our vision for a pan African solidarity movement. My
first stop was Cairo in Egypt which is the continents largest or second largest
city ( Some say Abuja is bigger) – I met a very famous journalist who was
covering the Arab Spring and in fact was one of the sparks that lit the fire
there in 2011. Her name is Sharifa Amin and she got famous by resigning from
the state run media at a time she witnessed the lies of the Mubarak government
in reporting what was happening. She has also worked in Ghana and has met the
son of the ex president Kwami Nkrumah. When I spoke about the AUM she was very
excited because she immediately understood the power of the vision we carry in
our hearts to unite ALL Africa.
She
said its even worse now than before the revolution of Tihar square. They are
arresting the young activists and imprisoning them and stifling free and fair
expression. It is also worse now for women and there are many sexual assaults
happening anywhere where demonstrations take place.
But
we agreed that we have to stop looking west and east…we need to start looking
within…and within means Africa within… we need to join hands and solve our
common problems together.
And
that’s what we are doing with the AUM.
Building relationships
My next stop was
Edinburgh in Scotland to witness the opening up of another South African
steakhouse called “ Shebeen” owned by a friend of mine for many years- in fact
since childhood. His vision is to create a South African food franchise right
across Britain and the world. He discovered a method of making better and
tastier and even cheaper steaks than his competitors. He has to turn away
people at the doors every weekend.
But
the aim for us at the AUM is to promote reconciliation amongst the Diaspora
with those things we have left behind in our countries. In the Uk much of that
racism and bitterness has been carried here by what ahs happened there. My
message is this: we must not give up on our land as patriots. We must continue
to fight for justice for all and an end to reverse apartheid. We must be proud
of our heritage but at the same time we need to embrace our brothers and
sisters across the continent…and all of this requires money- funds…
So I am also here to
raise funds for the movement because without fuel... there is no fire!
My next stop was
Manchester where I visited another friend who lives there and is a professional
musician married to a Zimbabwean. I came across many Africans of all the
nations in Manchester and spoke to one of the reverends of the Anglican Church
of Manchester about this new phenomenon of migrancy.
He
said: “ the future of the Anglican church in my parish and I believe in
England is Black”
I
have also looked into seeking funding from the Manchester Arts Council since
the last Africa Centre in London has closed down – and none exist in the UK
dealing with pan-africanism. I feel we shall have perhaps 3 or even 4 in the UK
in future – one definitely in Manchester – and one in London- but I believe the
first one will be in Bristol because it was the centre of the British Slave
trade and historically and spiritually it is a meeting point of the past, the
present and the future as it was the main port that transhipped slaves form
Africa to America.
The
other centres we hope will be in London and Edinburgh in future. But definitely
there will be at least 3.
The
aim of these Africa Centres is to conscietise the Diaspora to what it is
to be an African…we need to move away from colour…away from being Arab African
or Euro- African and start to see ourselves all as “ Africans” .
Consequently,
I have been building relationships all over the UK with anyone interested in
Africa to create these Africa Unite Centres.
Play that funky music white boy!
So
I decided on 12TH June to go into voluntary exile for around 5
years…why? Because life in South Africa with Zuma is not an option. I only see
more and more corruption and more and more recession and suffering under his
dictatorship. The ANC has become an increasingly repressive and unaccountable
regime and it does not respect the law of the land, the constitution or
human rights anymore. By staying I become complicit in this criminality and my
conscience will not allow it. Besides I have “ other fish to fry” –And on top
of all of this The South African people are themselves politically
illiterate; and have been cowed by their own ignorance into voting in pure
criminals who are as bad as the old apartheid regime was. It is as if they have
gone into a very deep sleep.
My
job is to awaken them …and I will…from a distance…
So
as a proud exile I have turned my attention on other nations around Africa to
build the movement and the party. Our next step is to create an annual, music
festival in the Bristol area which will be held every July. It will be called “
The Africa Unite Festival and we are already negotiating with groups that are
here for example “ Siyaya” and others from The Gambia who play the Kora ( Jali)
We
want to unite all Africa with music! Ive been listening to Junior Reid and the
game- one blood and we need to look at ourselves not as black orwhite but
having one red blood…you tube it – it’s a great song!
I will be going down
to Glastonbury to see what support we will get from Michael Eavis who is the
owner of the Glastonbury Farm. I hope he will be open to our proposals. All
proceeds will be going towards setting up the Africa Centres and promoting the
AUM in Africa to further the revolution of consciousness right across the
continent like a wildfire. To this end we will be also setting up a community
company here in England to monitor the progress of this vision.
As
Wayne dyer once said: “ Don’t die without playing the music that’s inside of
you!”
………………………………………………………………………………….
TO BE CONTINUED- IM GOING TO WATCH THE FOOTBALL!!!
