Lighting The Road To The Future Data Club Hawaii’s Zone Grand Opening Page 6 “The People’s Paper” December 14 - December 20, 2013 48th Year Volume 33 www.ladatanews.com Special Commemorative Issue Nelson Mandela July 18, 1918 – December 5, 2013 Reflections on a Life Well Lived Page 2 Newsmaker Home Style New Orleans Decking Your Remembers Garden for the Larry McKinley Holidays Page 4 Page 7 Page 2 December 14 - December 20, 2013 Cover Story www.ladatanews.com Nelson Mandela Reflections on a Life Dedicated to the Spirit of Freedom, Justice and Equality Dorian Francis (center) is pictured above during his first trip as part of the New Orleans South African Connection (NOSACONN) earlier this year. Luther King Jr . and Malcolm X come to mind . But White minority rule . Spending 27 years in prison By Edwin Buggage Nelson Mandela is another name that has come before being released and becoming the nation’s to symbolize the struggle for equality and has first Black and truly democratically elected Presi- Nelson Mandela the Freedom Fighter become the embodiment of the continued goal of dent . After choosing to serve only one term, he When one thinks of those rare individuals who making the world a better place for all . During his continued to fulfill his life’s work serving human- are selfless leaders who fight for a cause bigger amazing life he took on the call to fight against in- ity and inspiring people around the world in the than themselves names like Gandhi, Dr . Martin justice in South Africa’s Apartheid Government of struggle against injustice . Cover Story, Continued on next page. DATA NEWS WEEKLY P.O. 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Not responsible for publishing or return of unsolicited manuscripts or photos. www.ladatanews.com Cover Story December 14 - December 20, 2013 Page 3 Cover Story, Continued from previous page. of the Southern Wild with film- ing Winnie Mandela when she makers, leading actress and the came to visit New Orleans . film’s star, Quvenzhané Wallis, and First Lady Michelle Obama Dorian Francis: at the White House . “Mandela Africans Unite always spoke of the children Every year Damon Batiste and making things better for the through his New Orleans next generation in addition to South African Connection planting imparting the spirit of brings groups to the mother- activism in them where they too land for what is a life changing would live to serve others . And experience . This was the case what we are doing is looking to for Dorian Francis, who went groom the next Mandela who earlier this year . “I have to say would lead the fight in our City that since going there the way I for a better life for all our citi- look at myself will never be the zens,” says Batiste of his work same,” says Francis, a Program and how Mandela inspired him Manager and Community Ad- to work to empower the youth . vocate who works with youth . Continuing he says, “As I looked Jerome Smith: The around and saw so many people Importance of Knowing who looked like me and many Your History and of the things they did reminded Continuing the Struggle me so much of New Orleans, it As Nelson Mandela was fight- made me feel like I’d returned ing against Apartheid in South home and it made me realize Africa, in the United States this that it is true when they say country was embroiled in a New Orleans is the most African fight against segregation in the City in the U .S . and that you can southern U .S . and against White take Africans out of Africa, but repression across the nation . you cannot take Africa out of the In New Orleans many fought, Africans .” struggled and died alongside Dorian says because of Man- many of those who have come dela they were able to do the to be part of the lore of Ameri- amazing things as far as cul- For over a decade, Damon Batiste (pictured far left) has been bringing groups of people over to South can History . One of the people tural exchange and the opening Africa through the non-profit organization of which he is the Founder, New Orleans South African who stood on the frontlines was up of South Africa . He also feels Connection (NOSACONN). He is pictured with actors Gabrielle Union (center) and Idris Elba (far right) who accompanied the group on one of their many trips. Jerome Smith, who today is that he was able to make valu- still working with young people able connections and feels that through his Treme’ Based Tam- some should consider looking Paying Homage to few men or women who leave industry leaders, both in New bourine and Fan that teaches at opportunities to do business Mandela’s Global such an indelible imprint and Orleans and in the Republic of young people about culture and and get to know more about Impact on the Struggle impact on the world that they South Africa . Since 1998 they working to better their commu- South Africa and the continent, towards Justice are remembered, honored and have produced special events in nity . “We have always taught our in general . In a lighter moment Recently, the world suffered celebrated by nations near and the City of New Orleans and the kids about Nelson Mandela and he talks about how he learned the loss of this great leader, far for centuries after they de- Republic of South Africa, these Apartheid, we also taught them that one of the poses Black men who passed away on Decem- part . There are few people for activities have allowed our or- what his life and struggle stands sometimes do squatting down, ber 5th at the age of 95 . Lead- whom even all the words in ev- ganization to serve as pioneers for and teaches about him right the South Africans do the same ers from around the world at- ery language fail to convey the of presenting art, culture and alongside Malcolm X and Mar- pose as well . And as a song- tended his memorial service magnitude and meaning of their tourism as the forefront of eco- tin Luther King Jr .,” says Smith . writer and performer when do- including President Barack lives . Without a doubt in mind nomic development . “I had the Smith has lived through a lot ing their song God Bless New Obama along with three other or heart, I know that Nelson opportunity to meet Mr . Man- and has many stories that are Orleans, he brought up some living U .S . Presidents . In his Mandela is one among a very dela briefly at his 80th Birthday sometimes not in the history young ladies and changed New remarks Obama spoke about select few .” Celebration when he was then books . He speaks of a time dur- Orleans to Soweto and now how Mandela inspired him and President and although our ing the Civil Rights Era, that in they have adopted the song as that one of his first times getting Damon Batiste’s New conversation was brief with him Chicago a group that included their own . involved in civic activism was Orleans South African encouraging me to keep doing Martin Luther King Jr ., Harry when he was a college student Connection (NOSCONN) what I am doing it was some- Belafonte and others from the Nelson Mandela’s speaking out against apartheid . brings New Orleans and thing that has stayed with me U .S . planned to go to South Legacy and Life Lessons He also spoke of Mandela’s South Africa Together and keeps me motivated in the Africa, but the trip was called for Future Generations larger global impact, “Mandela Mandela’s life is one that’s work that I am doing especially off,” he says speaking of the Nelson Mandela was a man moved a nation towards justice impacted people and inspired with young people,” says Batiste awareness of those involved who inspired so many with his and in the process moved bil- many . One such person is Da- of his meeting with Mandela . in the Civil Rights Movement courage and resilience and in his lions around the world,” Obama mon Batiste, who has for over As he continues his work as to the Apartheid regime and transcending this life his spirit of said during his speech . a decade been bringing groups one of the Founders of the Ba- seeing the parallel struggle for conviction to a larger cause lives Leaders from the national of people over to South Af- tiste Cultural Arts Academy re- Blacks in the U .S . and in South on . And while it takes a unified civil rights community also rica through his New Orleans cently receiving a “Turnaround Africa . He also spoke of many push to move the mountain of released statements on the South African Connection Arts Commission,” a grant from from New Orleans who went to some of the injustices in society .