Education

In a bold bid to dispel the stereotype of "West is Best", Adamu Waziri and his team decided to be the change they want to see. Bino and Fino, a cartoon series about a brother and sister launched the later part of 2011, with a pilot episode to celebrate Nigeria's independence day. Bino and Fino  live with their grandparents ‘Mama’ and ‘Papa’ in a modern day city in Africa and it is aimed at three to five year olds.

It was created out of a desire to meet an an industry demand for more ethnically diverse children’s entertainment, especially for viewers from a Black African heritage globally, whether residing on the African continent or in diaspora. Fun and educational in content, Bino and Fino will help teach children about counting, colours, animals, culture and will also help teach children major African languages.

Says Adamu Waziri - “I want to create a brand that’s as good as Dora the Explorer, Charlie and Lola, quality wise, made in Nigeria, that is educational, and also shows positive aspects of Nigerian/African culture, not just to Nigerian or African kids but to kids everywhere,”

Bino and Fino join the list of already existing African children's cartoons like Kenya's “Tinga Tinga Tales, and South Africa's “Jungle Beat” which focus more on the rich fauna of Africa. Bino and Fino, however, bring a more unique edge and hope to put a smile on the younger African generation by relating more to the activities of their everyday life.

Despite the operational challenges, the makers of Bino and Fino have finally packaged a DVD which is available on the market and through their site at www.binoandfino.com

Youtube preview=  http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=WRsYNNZiuQc#!

The Teachers College at Columbia University will host a series of panel discussions and film shows, on March 17-18, to commemorate 100 years of the South African ANC. The activities will all be held at the Teacher’s College Building on  525 West 120th Street

Below is the itinerary of events:

Saturday, March 17

Room: The Chapel; Price: Free

5:00 PM: Film

NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH by John Kani (78mins)
Nothing But The Truth is a gripping investigation into the complex dynamic between those blacks who remained in South Africa and risked their lives to lead the struggle against apartheid and those who returned victoriously after living in exile. In New Brighton, South Africa, 63-year-old librarian Sipho Makhaya prepares for the return of the ashes of his brother Themba, recently deceased while in exile in London after gaining a reputation as a hero of the anti-apartheid movement. Internationally recognized, multiple award-winning actor John Kani is the lead actor in this film version of the internationally acclaimed award-winning play Nothing But The Truth which he also authored.

6:30PM Panel Discussion : CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF ANC

Panelists: Panel Discussion with Tseliso Thipanyane, Godfrey Sithole, and Tselane Tambo.

Sunday, March 18

South African Films

Room: 263 Macy

Price: $11 adults, $9 for students and seniors per show. Day pass: $20

2:00PM MINING FOR CHANGE, A STORY OF SOUTH AFRICAN MINING(NY Premiere) by Eric Miyeni, Navan Chetty (72mins)
From the optimism of the 1955 Kliptown Freedom Charter to Mandela’s astonishing statement in 1992 that he had been unable to ‘persuade’ the G7 at Davos to ‘allow’ South Africa to nationalize its mines, Mining For Change tracks the intriguing history of the country’s most important industry. The failures of the Mining Charter and new calls for nationalization are debated by scores of heavyweights, from Oppenheimer and Malema to Ramaphosa and Mandela, who reveal back room discussions on the global pressure that forced the nationalization u-turn. New voices in the mining industry, as well as labor and rights groups uncover the wealth, systems and interests that have kept the industry as untouchable as it is.
The film steers a considered path between social and business aspects, measuring debate
about the need to transform against the need to stay globally competitive. Compelling cinema and essential viewing for anyone interested in the real future of South Africa.

4:00PM BEHIND THE RAINBOW by Jihan El-Tahri (124mins)

Will power consume the dream?

Behind the Rainbow explores the transition of the ANC from a liberation organization into South Africa's ruling party, through the evolution of of the relationship between two of its most prominent cadres, Thabo Mbeki and Jacob Zuma. Exiled under Apartheid they were brothers in arms, under Mandela they loyally labored to build a non-racial state, now they are bitter rivals. Their duel threatens to tear apart the ANC and the country, as the poor desperately seek hope in change and the elite fight for the spoils of victory. Behind the Rainbow features key interviews with ANC current and former leaders including Jacob Zuma, Kgalema Motlanthe, Pallo Jordan, Thabo Mbeki and Terror Lekota.

Discussion with film director after the screening

6:30PM HOMECOMING by Norman Maake (90mins)

Charlie, Thabo and Peter, three "MK" veterans from the armed branch of the African National Congress, return to post-apartheid South Africa in 1996 after years of exile. It will not be easy for them to find their place in society again. Charlie dreams of opening a club, Thabo has to patch up his relationship with his wife and son and Peter continues to work in the Party and investigate the traitors of the ANC. Continuously hampered as he delves into the Government's files, his ensuing investigations provide shocking revelations of the identities of the traitors. Pared down from a successful mini series for the South African Broadcasting Corporation, Homecoming draws its plot from the real life experiences of acclaimed filmmaker and writer, Zola Maseko, a former "MK" soldier of the ANC. Morman Maake (26) is perhaps the most promising young director from South Africa. He studied at ADFA, a dynamic young film- and drama school in Johannesburg. He has several films to his name, amongst which Sweet Home (1999), Soldiers of Rock (2003), and Homecoming

For more information about the events, Contact: www.NYADIFF.org - Tel: 212-864-1760

THE COUNCIL OF YOUNG AFRICAN LEADERS, LEAD NIGERIA, AfriMETRO, & CUNY UNIVERSITY STUDENT SENATE HOST:

AFRICANS IN THE DIASPORA TOWN HALL

"The Role of Youth in Socio-Economic and Political Transformation in 21st Century Africa"

What: A discussion for Africans in Diaspora to discuss major issues in Africa. This event seeks to mobilize the collective talents and ideas of African youth through conversation on issues related to innovation, growth, sustainable development and economic opportunities for youth. This event will also provide a comprehensive leadership program that challenges the understanding of key opportunities related to social economic transformation for youth. The event will conclude with a drafted communique summarizing the discussion to governmental and non-governmental organizations. Guests will have an opportunity to bid for a pair of round-trip tickets to Nigeria or Ghana, sponsored by ARIK Airline.

Speakers:

Omoyele Sowore, Founder - Sahara Reporters

Patrick Hayford, Director - United Nations Special Adviser Office on Africa

When: Friday, March 9th 2012

Time: 5:30pm -10:00pm

Where: Brooklyn College CUNY Graduate Center for Worker Education,  25 Broadway, 7th floor, New York, NY 10004

I’m sure many African students have parents like Mrs. Omokerode as seen in the picture above. Like her, many of our parents tend to suggest, or rather tell us to become doctors, lawyers, engineers etc. God forbid we decide to become music producers, professional dancers, or fashion designers! Should we decide to pursue alternative career choices we are often met the same exact reaction of Mrs. Omokorede from our own parents and family members. How many times have we heard our parents say, “You should study medicine, law, nursing, engineering or business? That is where the money is!”? Only transcripts replete with science and math related subjects are regarded as true education, never mind a course load of other liberal art courses. Our parents need realize that our generation is comprised of talented and versatile minds that do not have to follow the same paths.

Be sure to watch the clip HERE for some extra laughs!