“YOU CAN’T BE WHAT YOU AIN’T SEEN…”

It is under this very typical American saying and indeed significant global trend – of the power of audio/ visuals in our lives that we are proud to present our finished pilot phase of the Unsung Heroines.

Upon officially launching the series at the New World Cinema- Dar es salaam in March this year, a 16years old girl (Julie D Robert) at a local school came to the producer and said: “Thank you for making these films, I am so proud to be an African Woman, before I looked into the cinema from America and Europe for women to imitate but now I am proud to have African women I can look up to!” This testimony has given us the team of Abantu Visions a new motivation and pride in our product. We knew at the conception of the series that it was important but we did not know HOW important it was for the series viewers.

Unsung Heroines is generating excitement among those who have seen the pilot series. The production began two years ago. The idea conception though goes way back 2003 while in Johannesburg; I had the pleasure of meeting Mama Winnie Madzikela Mandela at a private function. I then asked my self indeed what is she doing today? How many people know of the very crucial role she has played in today’s famous Rainbow nation? Does the African youth know of the sacrifices made and hardships she went through in order to be where South Africa is today. I then went to her and introduced myself to her and asked her if I could make a film on her. That’s how it all began. One thing led to the other and today we have what is known as “Unsung Heroines- African Female Leaders” presented by none than our very own the Queen of African Pop – Angelique Kidjo. For those versed in the donor jargon it is a basket funded project; meaning that the financing comes from various donor agencies. In our case the main funder is the Royal Norwegian Embassy here in Dar es salaam, the Swiss Development Corporation as well as the Royal Netherlands Embassy. We are still looking for more funds to produce the rest of the seven episodes.

Initially broadcasting was scheduled for mid 2008 with SABC Africa- now International. Given the latest development though at Auckland Park, the exact dates are yet to be known. The first episode though featuring President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has already been broadcast on TBC One (Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation) on the 8th March 2008. Other stellar women to be featured in the series include: the Maputo Express, Maria Mutola of Mozambique; The Green Lady Prof Wangari Maathai; Dr Ngozi Nkonjo of Nigeria; Professor Habiba Bouhamed Chaaboubouni of Tunisia; Dr. Asha-Rose Migiro the United Nations Deputy Secretary General of Tanzania just to name a few. Since the main objective of the series is to provide the youth with African role models to emulate, Abantu Visions has approached FAWE – Forum for African Women Educationalists- to be their partner, as one of the significant distributors of the episodes. Unsung Heroines is an Abantu Visions Production : Pius Muta is the Production Manager, camera is by Brand Jordaan and Beatrix Mugishagwe is the Director as well as Executive Producer.

By Beatrix Mugishagwe
Board Member of Southern Africa Communications for Development (SACOD)

The team is now in the final stages of collection and collation of data from Namibia and Mozambique which will conlcude the first phase of the skills audit.

A special thank you is extended to Anne-Marie Lavigne in Mozambique for her persistant follow-up with the collection of completed questionnaires which has proved extremely valuable and successful.

Contact with Angola is proving more challenging, however Vincent Soares, SACOD National Representative, is providing valuable assistance with access to the relevant stakeholders.

Follow-up is in progress in Swaziland and Lesotho.

Gina Bonmariage & Eugene Vambe Jirira.

Gina Bonmariage and Eugene Vambe Jirira (VJ), have been commissioned to conduct the SACOD Skills Audit for the film and video industry. The overall purpose of the SACOD investigation is to provide a quantitative and qualitative picture of the film and video industry in the Southern African region, and to investigate and identify current and future skills needs and articulate skills gaps.

A productive week was spent in Maputo on the Mozambican phase of the skills audit. Beginning with a number of already known contacts from previous interaction with stakeholders in Mozambique Gina met with established members of the industry, including those in the broadcast sector, as well as some new and up and coming practitioners one of whom, Dino Ribeiro, was particularly helpful, offering his service to ensure that information and the questionnaire, in Portuguese, was circulated as widely as possible.
Enthusiastic support was also offered by Canadian Anne-Maria Lavigne who,  in her position working closely with the producer’s organisation Amocine, and with a partcular focus on training, is well placed to assist.

Gina was also well received by the cultural attaches of France, Spain and Italy.

Follow up with those in Mozambique, as well as the initial contacts made with individuals in Angolas is in progress, and the prompt response from the maximum number of stakeholders is of prime importance to the success of the project.

“A highlight was my visit to the  Scala cinema in Maputo which was built in the 1940s and which is owned by Promarte, houses their offices, and is host to a video club and occasional productions and other events. Even if only a shadow of its old glory, and knowing what investment would be required, one feels inspired by the potential of this venue,” says Gina Bonmariage

Following on from his participation in the SACOD meeting in Swaziland in November 2007 where he primed a number of the SACOD members on the upcoming project, VJ’s interaction with practitioners in Swaziland and Lesotho has also received a positive response and follow up is on track.

“We are continually appreciative of the vital support and assistance we are receiving, and the time taken by stakeholders to participate in this skills audit.”

Gina Bonmariage & Eugene Vambe Jirira.

Gina Bonmariage and Eugene Vambe Jirira (VJ), have been commissioned to conduct the SACOD Skills Audit for the film and video industry. The overall purpose of the SACOD investigation is to provide a quantitative and qualitative picture of the film and video industry in the Southern African region, and to investigate and identify current and future skills needs and articulate skills gaps.

May we in the audiovisual industry use the skills we have to expose the circumstances within Southern Africa, and the malaise within the South frican society that have given rise to such deplorable violence against our fellow Africans, and to try to overcome the betrayal of trust.

Gina