My friend Kapasa Musonda who I’ve known since I lived in New York while she lived in LA, had a launch for her new collection for her brand ‘Mangishi Love’ at her studio and I had to go and support, because as you know I love to support talented African designers. As the models came down the runway, I oohed and aahed at almost every outfit which I NEED IN MY LIFE NOW! I will definitely be purchasing some outfits from her accessory line ‘Gishi Love’ and the clothing.
WHAT I WORE: You know how at NYFW, attendees usually wear outfits from the designers showing? I did the same and wore a bowtite that Kapasa made me as a bday present, which I also wore as a hair accessory at the Tweetup/Swap Shop. I paired it with black leggings, a green open back top, yellow belt, nude shoes and a gold necklace. I had the outfit approved by my stylists at Sarchu’s Vintage house ofcourse!
My friend Heather invited me to a screening of a documentary called ‘The Carrier’ at Top Floor in Lusaka. Heather and I had been meaning to meet up for the first time forever, but something always happened, so it was great to meet her finally.
The Carrier is about a woman named Mutinta who is the first wife of her husband, who has two other wives. One of the wives Brenda is infected with HIV via their husband, who insists on having more children despite his status. Mutinta is pregnant at the start of the movie and is HIV negative. The film is set in the Southern province of Zambia. Unfortunately, I could not stay for long, as I had to go to the Mangishi Love fashion show, but the few minutes I did watch were interesting and I would love to know what happened at the end of the film.
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
I love a good horror movie. Not the whack unscary ones like Final Destination or where the black guy dies first (well thats most American horror movies though). Anyway, as you know, last weekend was Friday the 13th and though I spent it packing up my parents house, I wished I had spent it reading this horror book by Nnedi Okafor called “Akata Witch”. According to Amazon,” Twelve-year-old Sunny lives in Nigeria, but she was born American. Her features are African, but she’s albino. She’s a terrific athlete, but can’t go out into the sun to play soccer. There seems to be no place where she fits. And then she discovers something amazing – she is a “free agent,” with latent magical power. I need to pick it up! The author talks more about the inspiration behind the story below. She also wrote “He Who Fears Death” as well,which is another book I must pick up.
Speaking of African books, did you know there is an African book club? I discovered it last year and was pleasantly surprised.They post reviews,recommendations of books and send out newsletters every Month.
Here are some Friday the 13 appropriate movies I would watch.
NKIRU
If you’re into African film and visit African sites and blogs focused on culture, you may have heard of the film Nkiru which was shot by Bolaji, A Nigerian who went to film school in LA then returned to his country. He has since set up 37th State which produces original content. Nkiru explores a popular mermaid myth and received lots of attention from Africans in Africa and in the diaspora. Bolaji was even featured on MTV Base Africa’s ‘Touching Base’ series. I really hope he would show in NYC and I would volunteer PR services for free if he did because I really would love to see Nkiru and I just love seeing creative young and gifted Africans
PUMZI
Another Friday the 13th appropriate film would have been ‘PUMZI’. It screened at Parsons last fall for their Afrofuturism class during a talk where Kenyan film-maker Wanuri Kahui spoke. I missed it because of school in Albany *sigh), but I’m glad to know it’s available on Amazon as part of a collectors series for Africa’s First. It’s about a post apocalyptic world.
Any African inspired or African Friday the 13 movies you would recommend for the next Friday the 13th? Will you be checking out any of the films? Share below.
I’m always online going through probably 15 blogs, websites and tumblrs a day. It’s a fashion thing I guess. Always have to be on top of the latest it bag, brand, etc. So I was on the film website Shadow and Act a few days ago(brilliant website btw) and came across a trailer for a documentary called “Punk In Africa”. I really love African films (got a chance to see Restless City and Viva Riva last year and MUST SEE Kinyarwanda and Pariah and more films this year), so naturally I checked out the trailer and I would like to see more. More on that later. Anyway,the same time I was exposed to this trailer,I saw a fashion brand called Afro Punk on facebook and all of a sudden, Afro Punk is everywhere. And it’s super interesting to me so I thought I’d share.
Definition of Afro Punk (According to every college students favorite and professors least fave site Wikipedia. Seriously,that site is awesome)” Afro-punk (sometimes spelled Afropunk or AfroPunk) refers to the participation of African Americans and other black people in the punk and alternative music cultures. Afro-punks make up a minorityin the North American punk scene. However, they represent a majority in the punk culture in predominantly black regions of the world that have burgeoning punk communities, such as in parts of Africa. There are many punk rock bands with black members, and several with lineups that are all black.
AFRO PUNK FASHION BRAND
When I saw this brand on facebook, I really liked it because it’s different from what is usually associated with African fashion(ie outfits that are elegant and can be worn to weddings,church etc). The brand is called Bukky and their first collection is called AF’ PUNK is rugged and the kind of stuff I would wear if I went to Coachella. It also reminds me of some of Rihanna’s denim outfits in “We Found Love“.Afro Punk brand should definitely reach out to Rih Rih and Coco and Breezy to rock their outfits,don’t you think?
If I was going to Coachella, I would balance out the grundge with pieces from Loud Culture.
Pics from Loud Culture website
MUSES
My little sis KK introduced me to the tumblr of these twins called Nyane and Mpho.They are from South Africa but reside in London. I’ve been addicted to their tumblr ever since and I call them South Africa’s version of Coco and Breezy. I think their style is Afro Punk. Their pics are below.What do you think?
FILM/MUSIC
The Trailer for the documentary Punk in Africa is below. According to the Shadow and Act, “it..
“Tells the story of the multi-racial punk movement within recent political and social upheavals experienced in three Southern African countries – South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe – tracing the music to its roots in the underground rock music of early 1970s Johannesburg, to the Soweto Uprising and the militant anti-apartheid hardcore and post-punk bands of the 1980s, to the rise of celebratory African-inspired ska bands in the democratic era of the 1990s, to tToday, as an emerging generation of bands continue to draw on this legacy to confront the political challenges of contemporary Zimbabwe and the uncertain identity issues of the Afrikaans minority in South Africa.
There’s also another film about Afro Punkness, though its not particular to African Punk Music and is directed by James Spooner.
AFRO PUNK
There’s even an Afro Punk festival which takes place in Brooklyn, New York but was cancelled last year due to Hurricane Irene.
More info on the origins of Afro Punk in Africa can be accessed on good old Wikipedia.
*BONUS: Just found this Afro Punk mix via the folks at Okay Africa. Check it out.
So,what do you guys think? Would you wear the Afro Punk inspired outfits to Coachella or any other music festival? ie OppiKoppi in South Africa(which I have vowed to one day attend.I’ll do a post on that soon).If you live or lived in NYC,would you attend the Afro Punk festival? Do you listen to Afro Punk music? Any bands to recommend? Please share.
