ANF August 2023 Community Newsletter

Hello Reader, 

Find out why we’re going to New York, how you can advocate for better representation of Africa, meet the latest narrative champions in our community, and how South London Gallery is celebrating the Nigerian diaspora in London.

What’s Happening at Africa No Filter

1. We’re going to New York: What does it take to get Africa better represented? Africa No Filter will be in New York during UNGA to host a series of events that interrogate stereotypical narratives. The ANF Great Debate will bring together storytellers, journalists, funders, media, and pop culture platforms to unpack stereotypical representations of Africa in the U.S., while Africa Unscripted is gathering over storytelling about Africa and being African. Follow updates on our social media platforms.

2. We are demanding #BetterReporting for Africa: If you follow news coverage about Africa, you’ve probably noticed that many stories are unnecessarily framed around war, insecurity, and poverty which leads to an exaggerated focus on the continent’s “bad side”. This month, we advocated for #BetterRepresentation for Africa by flagging biased representations and highlighting good stories about the continent in global media. Stories like DZATA’s gave the world a fresh take on Africa, but some, like this BBC article  shifted focus from the Ashenda festival to an unrelated civil war in Ethiopia. Spot a noteworthy story? Share with #BetterReporting. Join us to call out problematic reporting about Africa while showcasing what good looks like. Tag us @Africanofilter on your posts and we’ll join the conversation.

3. We got into the business of filmmaking: What does it take to make it in the movie industry in your country and globally? You need a compelling script, sales agents, editors, producers, and other networks that can take your film to the finishing line. These and other aspects of making movies were unpacked in the Africa No Filter Academy Presents: The Business of Filmmaking masterclass. The deep dive into the world of movies was presented by Victoria Thomas, director, producer, and founder of the Republic of Story.  Watch the recording here.

4. We advocated for better storytelling in philanthropy: ANF  Executive Director Moky Makura spoke on the ‘The Importance of Narrative & Storytelling in Philanthropy’, why narrative matters and why it’s important to start telling the story of Africa beyond stereotypes of a broken and dependent continent that lacks agency, at the 2023 Innovations in International Philanthropy Symposium that brought together funders.

Keeping up with ANF Narrative Champions

Meet the journalists working on alternative stories about maternal and child health, agricultural productivity, financial inclusion, and gender equality as part of the Gates Foundation/Storify Africa Fellowship:

1.Sihle Gcilitshana is a social justice activist, social entrepreneur, writer, and multidisciplinary research scholar whose work focuses on human rights, social justice, and transformation.

2. From the bustling streets of Nairobi to the remote villages of Togo, Lucy Githugo is on a mission to uncover the untold narratives that shape our world.

3. Masbé Ndengar is a blogger and human rights activist passionate about human rights, justice, and democracy.

4. Nelle Mandengue has over a decade of experience as a journalist and photographer. He covers business, economy, culture, society, innovation, and tech for Forbes Africa.

5. Science journalist Kate Okorie champions ethical storytelling as a tool to tell better stories about the intersections between health, climate change, gender, and politics.

6. Climate activist and environmental science journalist Uyapo Mahajana’s work illuminates the link between climate justice issues and social issues like poverty, homelessness, food security and migration.

7. Emebet Demeke is a journalist and podcaster. She also produces and hosts a TV show called Mama Africa, which focuses on gender and family issues.

8. Journalist and filmmaker Thuku Kariuki is the co-founder and production manager at Afrika Live Media. His short stories, features and documentaries are mainly on environmental and water issues.

9. Meti Teshome is a multitalented journalist who believes in telling African stories that promote a more accurate and nuanced understanding of the continent and its people, and an appreciation for Africa’s contributions to the world.

10. Dorcas Bello is a multiple award-winning multimedia journalist and the brains behind the Unzipped Stories Africa podcast.

Shifting Narratives
- documenting the narrative progress we’re seeing

South African artist Esther Mahlangu has been honoured with a mural in New York City. The mural, which was created by Imani Shanklin Roberts, features the Ndebele motif that Mahlangu popularised globally. It will be on Franklin Street and the West Broadway Citi Bike station in Tribeca for a month.

Peckham in Southeast London is also known as Little Lagos, thanks to the influence of the Nigerian diaspora in the area. And now, Little Lagos is under the spotlight in an exhibition calledLagos, Peckham, Repeat: Pilgrimage to the Lakes. The group exhibition features film, sculpture, photography, and installation. It’s at the South London Gallery until 29 October 2023.

South Sudan’s national basketball team made history by  qualifying for the 2024 Olympics. It will be the country’s first appearance at the prestigious event. The Bright Stars, as the team is called, is ranked 62nd in the world. The competition will be held in Paris.

Africa is changing its climate narrative from being defined by crisis and disaster to harnessing the socio-economic possibilities and innovations that solve climate issues while promoting development and prosperity. This is what Kenya’s President William Ruto said in his speech at the first African Climate Summit. “For a very long time, we have looked at this as a problem. There are immense opportunities as well,” as he stated.

Could Africa be on track to develop an HIV vaccine? Researchers in Uganda are testing two HIV vaccines, called PrEPVacc, along with two forms of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to test if the vaccine is effective in preventing the spread of HIV.

That’s it. Remember to follow us on social media at @Africanofilter.

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