Afro Tv

Tags

American Dream, BBA, Bedazzled, Buari Ville, Generations, Jacobs Cross, MTA, MTV Base Africa, Rush, Shuga, Studio 53, Top Shayela, WUA

This post is inspired by the countless hours I spent during the easter weekend  watching re-runs of long running South African soap ‘Generations‘. Southern Africans may be familiar with the show which can be compared to the ‘Bold and Beautiful’ ie rich powerful family being the center of the show. (Generations had the Mokora’s while Bold had the Forresters). Even though I had already watched those episodes many years ago, I didn’t mind re-watching because they reminded me of home (Africa) and seeing people of my color on TV, which American TV doesn’t really have. So I thought I’d share some new and old African centered TV shows in case anyone is as nostalgic as me

SHORTS

WHATS UP AFRICA

Funny man Ikenna Azuike hosts ‘Whats Up Africa’, a weekly video blog offering commentary on current affairs on the African continent mixed in with latest African music videos and a blog of the week. It’s great for laughs so tune in. Watch the latest episode below:

THE AMERICAN DREAM: AN AFRICAN TALE

I first heard about this show via Africa is A Country, then saw it on Clutch magazine . It’s something I can definitely relate to. ie people messing up my name (i’ve been called Monique Kapamawe and so many other things), the whole ‘Do you speak African thing’ etc. The best part is that you can email the show’s creators and have your own story told.

 REALITY TV

BIG BROTHER AFRICA

BBA is back for another season next month. My sisters kept me updated on every season since I hardly watch it anymore. Speaking of which, did you know Karen just got engaged? Cherise won the very first BBA. She’s Zambian and everyone fell in love with her famous ‘Tumba Dance’. I will definitely be tuning in this season because contestants enter as pairs, so it will be double the drama. I used to have dreams of being on BBA. Till I realized my parents would probably disown me for drinking, swearing or something.lol

TOP SHAYELA

This show which is broadcast on South African channel Vuzu Tv can be called ‘The African Version of CRIBS’ which was on MTV. South African socialities and celebrities give you sneak peeks into their fabulous houses, lives, shoes etc. Check out an episode featuring radio personality, reality tv star, tv host and fashionista Bonang Matheba. I WANT her entire wardrobe!lol

STUDIO 53/ 53 extra 

I used to LOVE studio 53. As in I wanted a job as a host of that show which was hosted by Gateano from Big Brother Africa and Rosie. Each week, one of their reporters would explore a new african country, attend an event etc and report on it. The original show no longer airs except on the Africa Channel and was replaced by 53 extra which is dominated by Nigerian events. To be honest, I’m not sure why it’s stilled called S 53 if they only focus on one country, but maybe that’s just me. Eku Edewor who I featured in the ‘Seeing Double’ article hosts with Mercy Dolapo.

BEDAZZLED

Bonang Matheba who you watched in the ‘Top Shayela’ video has her own show called ‘Bedazzled’ which has her camera team follow her around as she hosts different events, poses for the covers of magazines etc. She’s living my dream life (*sigh)

MTV BASE MEETS

MTV Base meets gets young Africans together to ask burning questions to people they admire. The episode below features Africa’s richest man Aliko Dagnote.

BUARI VILLE

Nollywood actress Nadia Buari of ‘Beyonce’ fame apparently has a reality show lined up which she stars in with her family. The pilot has been out for a while, but I’m not sure if it’s been picked up yet though.

  MANDELA’S DAUGHTERS REALITY SHOW

When Nelson Mandela’s grand daughters announced that they would have a reality TV show, I was kind of shocked. Mandela is known as being quite reclusive, so this show will be interesting (it will not feature him  though). The women have insisted that it won’t be a ‘Keeping Up with the Kardashian’ type show. US networks were interested in the show, but I haven’t heard word about it’s air dates yet.

SCRIPTED

SHUGA

I have raved about this show enough and have even written about it for Young African Visionaries Magazine in an article titled ‘Shuga and Sex: Changing the way African Youth deal with Sex’, but in case you’ve been living under a rock, it’s about the love triangles among a group of Kenyan college students. Check out an episode below. I cannot wait for next season!

RUSH

While I impatiently wait for Shuga to return, I’m looking forward to this new ‘set- in Kenya show’ which Marie introduced me to a few days ago. I checked out the pilot and it looks so juicy. Definitely one to watch.

JACOB’S CROSS

I’ve heard about this show for years, but I’ve never actually watched it. However, from what I hear, its a brilliantly written . According to tvsa, the premise is as follows “Jacob’s Cross is a South African television drama series made by M-Net Original Productions, about powerful oil magnates battling for Africa’s rich off-shore oil resources.Set in both South Africa and Nigeria, the story centres around businessman Jacob Makhubu and his quest to build the next great South African empire.” It stars popular South African actor Hlomla Dandala or ‘Derek Nyati’ from Isidigo.

MEET THE ADEBANJOS

Looking for an African version of the ‘Cosby Show?’ ‘Meet the Adebanjo’s may be the answer. It offers a glimpse into the life of a Nigerian family in London and it’s pretty relatable for Africans raised in the diaspora.

NO 1 LADIES DETECTIVE AGENCY

Think Africa’s version of Nancy Drew. Initially based on a series of books by Botswana born  Alexander McCall Smith which my childhood best friend was obsessed with, the book became an HBO show starring singer/actress Jill Scott Anika Noni Rose. I really wish there could have been a second season. There was a movement to revive the show, but I’m not sure what happened after.

FASHION GHANA

This is Africa’s version of ‘Fashion Police’ meets ‘What not to Wear’. Panelists rate looks worn by mostly Ghanaian celebrities to events in the first half of the show. The second half features a makeover.

So there does it! Of course there are tons more shows, so maybe I’ll do a part 2, but based off the ones above, which ones are your faves? Any new one’s you’re excited to see? Any tips on shows I should check out? PS: I omitted soapies, but you can youtube Isidingo, Generations etc. Please let me know in the comment section below. Oh, and one last thing: Anyone have an uncle/aunt/ relative that owns an African TV show? Because I do want my own show please

Run Naawa Run!

Tags

Kenya, Kourage Athletics, Oliberte, Sawa Shoes, Schier Shoes, Sole Rebels, The Athlete, Town of runners

* Picture Credit: Ben Quinton.

I spent four years of my life in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and one of my most vivid memories is seeing hundreds of Ethiopian men, women and youth training for long distance running, which is a sport that Ethiopians dominate at the Olympics and major marathons. Heard of Haile, Gebrselassie  Kenenisa Bekele or Deratu Tulu? They all hail from Ethiopia. Kenyan’s also dominate long distance running as well. Inspired by the fact that I’ve been seeing a couple of documentaries focused on African long distance runners, plus the fact that it’s spring aka time to ‘get those summer bodies in check’, I’ve decided to spotlight African athletic brands that may be giving Nike a run for their money. The title says ‘Run Naawa Run’ because that’s my cousin’s name.

KOURAGE RUNNING (KENYA)

I first heard about this Kenyan brand via their twitter page, and a few weeks later, they were profiled on CNN! Kourage Athletics produces athletic wear in a factory located in the Rift Valley, which is home to some of Kenya’s greatest athletes.

*Pics via Kourage Athletics

SAWA SHOES

Sawa has one of the most interesting ‘About US’pages of a brand I have ever read. They state “We are told here and there that the climate of the planet is going crazy……when the snow falls in Africa, we will be ready to produce the best ski boots….and snowboards!”. In the meantime, they produce some pretty cool shoes.  I love the fact that the bottom of the shoe has the map of Africa. I’m not sure exactly where in Africa they are produced unfortunately.

OLIBERTE (Ethiopia, Liberia, Kenya)

My friend Marketing Extraordinaire Cynthia Tabe wrote a solid article via Africa Fashion Guide on ‘Oliberte’ which is made in Ethiopia, Liberia and Kenya with plans to expand in Cameroon, Congo, Zambia and Uganda in the future. They also plan on producing womens boots for this fall, and sandals for Spring 2013 season. A collection of laptop cases is in the works as well. There’s an interesting article titled ‘How Oliberte, the Anti Toms makes shoes and jobs in Africa’ 

SOLE REBELS (Ethiopia)

Sole Rebels are the kind of shoes athletes would wear off the field, court, pitch etc. They look really comfy , eco- friendly  and made in Ethiopia. They have a large selection of products that can be viewed here. 

SCHIER SHOES (NAMIBIA)

I found out about this brand in an issue of Arise magazine. Apparently, it has been around since 1938 and currently employs about eight Damaran artisans to produce the ‘vellies’ as they are called in Swakopmund, Namibia. Schier are also big on being eco-friendly as they used vegetable dyed Kudu leather to create their shows.

Town of Runners

I started the post talking about Ethiopian runners, so I thought I’d mention a new documentary called ‘Town of Runners’ about two young girls Hawii and Alemi from the Oromia region of Ethiopia who aspire to be world class runners. Its showing at the Tribeca Film Festival this month so I hope to check it out. Meanwhile, Bekele and Tirunesh Dibaba will be making waves at the upcoming Olympics.

The Athlete

Abebe Bikila is arguably the most famous long distance Ethiopian runner. He was known for running barefoot and was a two time Olympic champion. He’s also the subject of a recent movie called ‘The Athlete’.

PS: This post is in memory of my cousin Naawa Simakoloyi who passed away exactly two months ago and was a rising soccer star.

#Haute #African #Events (March Ed)

Tags

Face 2 Face Africa, Face Africa, Haute African Events, Spoek Mathambo, Washington Roberts, YAL

Happy new month to you all!

It’s time for yet another edition of #Haute #African #Events wrap-up. March was a busy month for #teamafrosocialites. We attended everything from galas to parties (including my bday) and more. Check out my review below.

1. YAL Symposium

Marie and I attended the ‘Africans in the Diaspora‘ townhall meeting in New York city in early March. This was right after the whole #KONY2012 hoopla, so we thought it would be an interesting discussion. The opening speech was by the founder of Sahara Reporters and he gave an honest and controversial speech on Africans leading revolutions. For the rest of the evening, we were broken into different groups and discussed various topics like education and more.

2.  SPOEK MATHAMBO CONCERT

For some reason, my professor scheduled an exam the same day as Spoek Mathambo’s album release concert at SOBS for his album ‘Father Creeper’. To say I was gutted was an understatement. I felt better when Spoek told me that he would be back in July so I could get an interview with him then. Anyway, my good friend and photographer extraordinaire Shako Oteka was there and captured these AMAZING pics.

3.  MY BDAY

Of course my 23rd bday was a #Haute #African #Event. lol. Well except from the Dj who wasn’t ‘current’ in his music selection. I celebrated at the ‘Made in Africa’ party with my friends. I have to thank the organizers for taking care of me and my friends that nite, and my lovely friends for the gifts,cards, their presence and the surprise bday cake.

4. FACE AFRICA GALA

I couldn’t attend the Gala due to school, but Marie went and said it was a great event. Face Africa is an organization that works to provide clean water in Liberia and was founded by the lovely Saran Kabba Jones. Here are more pics via Afrikanspot.

5. WASHINGTON ROBERTS A/W 2012 PRESENTATION

Washington Roberts is one of my dear friends. Love him! He presented his new collection at the Cellar Bar at the Bryant Park hotel last weekend, so I had to go and support him. I saw some of the outfits before the presentation (privileges of having a designer friend) so I knew it would be awesome, but I was still blown away by the lovely gowns. I can see myself in every one of them! What do you think?The pics are by Kris Lau.

6.  FACE 2 FACE AFRICA MAG LAUNCH.

Face 2 Face Africa launched their new print mag last Friday, so after Washington’s presentation, we (Marie, Angie and I) afrosocialited our way to the event. It was great  catching up with all our Afropolitan friends. The Dj’s were on point as well because we were some of the last people to leave.lol. For more pics, check here. In case you were wondering about my outfit, I was wearing a skirt by H and M, tank top and Motorcyle jacket  by forever 21, necklaces by Heritage 1960 X Naija and clutch by Clutch Culture.

So that does it. What #Haute #African #Events did you attend in the month of March, and what events are you looking forward to attending this April? Let me know in the COMMENT section. And don’t forget to tune into Radio Afro Australia every single Thursday from 7 to 9am nyc time, 1-3 Central African Time and 7-9pm Perth time to listen in to my #Haute #African #Events segment.