COLLECTIVE VOICES CALLING for REASON Adam Neill, Capetown
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COLLECTIVE VOICES CALLING FOR REASON Adam Neill, Capetown. When you sell our history, you sell your soul We Ask You To Save The AFRICA CENTRE at 38 King Street, Covent Garden Ngugi Wa Thiong'o Out of the Africa center in the heart of London has come history. Over the years the center has captured the heartbeat of the continent in the world. Please let it not die adura onashile I grew up going to the nights that were put on at the Africa centre, from live music to club nights to comedy and its demise is a sad and unnecessary waste. Surely it is possible with good programming to restore it to the hub of African activity it used to be? Buildings have history, when they go something goes with them which is why we preserve them and what they stand for, so that each generation never forgets the one before, so that each generation can see the journey of its people. Paul Anderson (MBE) This is so sad and it seems of vital importance that our leaders listen to the calls from within and from those from the outside. Cyrille Cartier Please renounce the sale of Africa Centre and listen to the voices of the people who have signed their name against lack of transparency, against privatization of a communal good and for democratic process. H OLABODE OSENIE THE TRUSTEES SHOULD BE TOLD OF AN AFRICAN ADAGE THAT SAYS IF A MAN SELLS HIS PROPERTY CHEAP HE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO BUY IT BACK AT THE SAME PRICE.WE SHOULD BE PROTECTING WHAT WE HAVE LIKE OTHER NATIONS OF THESE WORLD PROTECTING THEIR MESEUMS OF ALL KINDS. OTUNBA H OLABODE OSENIE John Aldridge Hold on. If you are going to sell up, then do it properly at an open meeting. My vote will be against selling, partly, as I have good memories of meetings here in the 60s, including one with the late Eduardo Mondlane who was sadly assassinated soon afterwards, and partly because I believe greater efforts can find a viable future for the centre. For example, Kwame Akuffo's recent African art show was excellent. John Denison I have a number of interests in different African countries and know a number of people in London of African origin. I am very concerned that this sale is proposed without due consultation and appears suspiciously over-hasty. Lawrence Mbugua The Diaspora cannot afford to lose such a central location. We've left the Africa Centre slide into disuse but that is no reason not to get engaged. Better late than never. Melvin Cox The African Connections Research and Education Fund (ACREF) strongly opposes the sale of Africa Centre. Vital institutions in our community must be maintained, supported and expanded. Herty QUAO I think selling the African Centre is not the best option. Stephen Rockel When I first arrived in London in 1978 I had a joyous evening at the Africa Centre dancing to Dudu Pukwana, my first exposure to South African live jazz. I have been hooked ever since. This place is central to the postcolonial African experience in the UK, and gave a warm welcome to friends of Africa like myself. Please find a way to keep it open, and revive the great programming that used to exist. Catherine Gegout Please do not destroy history and culture Ghislaine Lydon This was a gift to the African people. There is a saying in French "Donner, c'est donner. Reprendre c'est voler." In other words taking this gift away would constitute theft. Nick James Since the 1980s going to the Africa was a huge highlight for any visit that I made to London. I have loved it and hope that it can be sustained in that location. Joshua adekeye This is an outrage, to say the least, I really hope this helps Diana Jeater The Africa Centre was an essential element in my development as a world expert in Zimbabwean history - and in my recognition that Africans need the resources to become experts in their own history. This is a unique and hallowed space where genuinely free speech nurtured insights and aspirations across generations. We need it now as much, if not more, than ever. And 'We don't mind that the building is a dive - what interests us is if there is a vibe.' Kakra Akuffo Fellow Africans and friends of the Centre, can we not start a campaign to buy this place up ourselves? For once let us put our money into this. It's not always we have to wait for someone to rescue us. Every little helps. Any takers on this? Douglas Johns Once again, we see Trustee's, who are the Servants of those who have put them in place, trying to reverse roles; primarily it would seem, for greed on their part! Now is the time to stop the frankly evil behaviour, that is being perpetrated by a minority of irresponsible people! Oladele Osinuga It would be a travesty and great disservice to Africans in diaspora if the Trustees proceeded to the sale of this iconic building. The profits to be made from such sale should not be made at the expense of what is of benefit to Africans the value of which is immeasurable and unquantifiable. It is in our hearts and the drive for profits shouldn't be used as an excuse to deviate from what the building was initially intended for by its donors. rod Gilmore I spend many happy hours in the Africa centre dancing and socialising. It would be a shame to see those memories torn down! Martin Osengor 38 King's Street, Covent Garden provides a central and strategic location for the African community to meet and interact! The Africa Centre has a high heritage value which ought to be passed down to the younger generation! The board ought to reconsider the sale of this historical site for the benefit the younger African generation! Very little consultation has been carried out to justify the Sale! Gavin Durrant It is a unique and wonderful venue with a great history of events and exhibitions. Frederic Mudzingwa This place has been an inspiration for black people and it has symbolised black aspirations for generations. It will be synonymous with destroying those aspirations which have kept black people going. It will be a traverse of justice. Jessica Thomas What you must understand is that the importance of a building is not the construction itself, but the cohesion it promotes inside. The Africa Centre has been an integral part of the community for nearly 50 years, how can that presence be ignored? The longer people continue to undertake decisions focused entirely on money, the slower society will develop. Leonard Harding The Africa Centre is a cultural Hub and for many Africans and other nationalities alike a symbol of togetherness and unity it means something to the community and must remain open for the droves of people that congregate there. Nathan Banana The building has become a part of the African society, a little big Africa in London. I hope the Trustees do reconsider and withdraw their intentions to sell. Dayo Israel The Africa Center is as Symbolic to Africans as Buckingham Palace is to Britain. Please save the Africa Center and help foster community relationship in the African Community John Mukungunugwa Africa Centre is not just a meeting place for Africans but a cultural centre for those who want to learn about African cultures. It links London with Africa in a very social and humane way. Rather than selling the centre, more funding should be found for its improvement for the benefit of Londoners and its visitors. Christina Ndlovu NOT SEPARATE AFRICA. Babajide Peters please keep the Africa center open Mataya Chewaluza I have been going to the Africa Centre since 1967. I got my first job there as Administrative Assistant under Margaret Finney. There is no place like the Africa Centre where people from all across Africa can meet and learn about each other. It is the greatest cultural centre for African people in the United Kingdom. Music. Food and Culture. ZENZO NCUBE The trustees of this centre must do more to include all African communities in the UK. The main reason the centre struggles today is simple lack of inclusion of all African communities some of whom could assist and financially support Tirzah Loewenstein It's been a valuable part of my being in London ever since I arrived here from Zimbabwe in 1970 and I'd hate The Africa Centre- and its activities - to disappear. Gary Horsman It's 34 years since i first went there! Mabinty Samura This has been a meeting place for people not only of Africa and the diaspora but also for those who love this great continent and all that it has to offer. Please rethink your decision. Sara Aisu Please save it. Francis Puemo The centre MUST remain open at all costs nick cash Have fond memories of the Africa centre having played there as a musician. Huge shame to close another venue and cultural centre. Munyaradzi Dangarembizi Please let us maintain the African Cultures meeting place! Erin macdonnell I love the Africa centre . I've spent so much time there, and it has inspired my life. Stella Chiweshes first lecture and performances were held there, and I’m now a player. I've enjoyed language lessons there too, and many, many amazing concerts. Garry Ellison I have grown up with fond memories of the Africa Centre. I am 43 and through life I have been encouraged about the human-ness of all people by places like the Africa Centre, seeing people co operate and integrate in life.