JUL/AUG 2011 issue

THE MAGAZINE THAT PROMOTES UNION AND COOPERATION OF AFRICANS AROUND THE GLOBE, ENCOURAGING AN INFORMED, THINKING AND QUESTIONING AFRICAN SOCIETY.

ISSUE 22 | JUL/AUG 2011

SPOTLIGHTSINTERVIEW EXCLUSIVE

AmeliA JAckson-GrAy

MUSIC:ALEC LOMAMI DEBUTSINGLE “KINSHASA”PAGe 8

SPORTS:AFRICAN FIFA RANKINGSPAGe 12

HEALTH:HIV/AIDS: BREASTFEEDING RISKSPAGe 16

TECH:HOT PRODUCTS

PAGe 36

HEALTH: 5 WAYS TO BURN FAT

& BUILD MUSCLESPAGe 38

VISIT US ONLINE AT ADUNAGOW.NET 9 771941 717111

01ISSN 1941-7179

PAGe 28

TRAVEL:

5 GREAT AFRICAN CITIES

SPECIAL REPORTWHO WANTS AFRICA?

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EntertainmentALEC LOMANI:Hot New Single Release | “Kinshasa”From Upcoming Debut Album “Melancholie joyeuse”

08

4 A D U N A G O W M A G A Z I N E T O S U B S C R I B E V I S I TJUL / AUG 2011 WWW.ADUNAGOW.NET

C O N T E N T S W E T A L K A F R I C A N . . .

HIV/AIDS: The risks associated with breastfeeding.16

5 GREAT AFRICAN CITIES:Nairobi | Cairo | Dakar | Cape Town | Johannesburg.

28

SpotlightsFREATURED INTERVIEW with: AMELIA JACKSON-GRAYBritish born actress from hit TV shows such as Outsourced, Law & Order, and Entourage.

42

[ Editor’s Letter ]6

FITNESS:Five ways to burn more fat & tone muscle with weight training.

38Lifestyle

Culture

Health & Beauty

HOT PRODUCTS:The coolest Top 5 latest Electronic Gadgets to have.

36Tech & Finance

AFRICAN FIFA RANKINGS:The latest FIFA rankings see Nigeria, Ghana ans South Africa fall several places.

12Sports

WHO WANTS AFRICA?Featured story on the debate about the marginalisation of Africa.

20SOUTH SUDANESE REFUGEE CHILDREN’S FOUNDATION:Investing in generational Leadership.

26

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ADUNAGOW MAGAZINE“Reaching Africans Around The Globe”

PO BOX 691728 | TULSA, OK | 74169 -1728 | U.S.A.

W E T A L K A F R I C A N . . .


E D I T O R ’ S C O L U M N B y E r i c A d u n a g o w |

ADUNAGOW MAGAZINE“Reaching Africans Around The Globe”

PUBLISHER:Eric ADUNAGOW

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF:Eric Adunagow

[email protected]

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS:Yona Fares MaroDr. Ejine EzediaroAndrew Edwards

Staff Writer

MARKETING DIRECTOR:Colombe Adunagow

[email protected]

CONTACT US:[email protected]

(714) 612-2057 voice

URL:http://www.adunagow.net

ADUNAGOW Magazine [ISSN 1941-7179] is published bi-monthly by ADUNAGOW, PO BOX 691728, Tulsa, OK 74169-1728. Telephone: 714.612.2057. Postage is paid at Tulsa, Oklahoma. U.S. ADUNAGOW.NET and ADUNAGOW are trademarks of Eric ADUNAGOW. All contents are copyright © 2011 by ADUNAGOW Magazine. All rights are reserved. Right of reprint is granted only to non-commercial educational institutions such as high schools, colleges and universities. No other grants are given.

Send address changes to ADUNAGOW Magazine, PO Box 691728, Tulsa OK 74169-1728. The opinions of our writers do not always reflect those of the publisher and while we make every effort to be as accurate as possible, we cannot and do not assume responsibility for damages due to errors or omissions.

LEGAL STATEMENT: All information in this magazine is offered without guarantee as to its accuracy and applicability in all circumstances. Please consult an attorney, business advisor, accountant or other professional to discuss your individual circumstances. Use of the information in this magazine is not intended to replace professional counsel. Use of this information is at your own risk and we assume no liability for its use.

FOR MY THIRTY FIFTH Birthday, my wife threw a surprise birthday party for me. Believe it or

not, this was my very first surprise birthday bash, and she pull it off nicely. As I walked through the surprised birthday party room at Leon’s that day, I was very excited to see my circle of friends. Yes, these are people that I turn to whenever I need advice, special help, or just someone really close to talk about my situation, needs, or whatever.

We live in an era where the meaning of the word “friend” has been re-defined to someone “We know” - not even necessarily someone we have met physically. With Facebook defining internet connections as “Friends,” it’s really hard nowadays to have true friends. Sometimes I worry about this new generation of youth that really believes that their online friends are people that they can rely on, to the point that they even share personal information with them.

As we sat around the long dining table in my special reserved Birthday party room at Leon’s restaurant, every single face that I saw reminded me of a moment in my life where something meaningful happened either for me or for the person that I was looking at. No one was a stranger to me and among each other, which brings me to my second point: your friends know each others and mostly because of you being the common denominator. If you have someone that you call a friend, but who cannot name two or three more of your other close friends, then they’re really not a close friend. As we ate and drank, there were conversations everywhere at the table and I didn’t have to be the star of the show - although it was my birthday.

Your true circle of friends is usually a small nucleus of people that you can trust; mostly no more than ten. Don’t mistakenly confuse your circle of friends with people that you hang out with at common place like work, church, etc... Here are some clues that can tell you if someone is really in your circle of friends:

1. You can trust them with your life. Yes, that

Circle of Friends – Why Everyone Should have one.

person you call on life and death situation, when you feel there is no more hope for you on this earth.

2. You can share their stories as if you were their mother. You know more about them than the above average; you know their fears, ambitions, dreams, hopes, and what they will do if they had all the money in the world.

3. You have been in their house. Sorry, if you have never been to my house (past or present), then you’re really just an acquaintance. A true friend can walk to your home and navigate inside as if they’ve always lived there. They can find that special plastic cup in your pantry. This is also vice versa: you know their house like your own.

4. You can tell one unforgettable moment in their lives. Mostly, that’s how you became their “true friend.” For me for example, everyone that showed up in my surprised birthday party visited me and my wife at the hospital when we had our last baby - he was born at 23 weeks gestation and had to stay at the hospital for four months before coming home.

Life is not easy and does not come with an eraser, but true friends will help you cross the cross over hard times and remind you that there are more to life than hard times, there are plenty of great times as well. Whether good or bad, they will be there for you. Thank you to all my circle of friends. I love you all.

Reach Eric directly at [email protected]

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B y E r i c A d u n a g o w |

ENTERTAINMENT | MUSICEn

tert

ainm

ent

9A D U N A G O W M A G A Z I N ET O S U B S C R I B E V I S I T JUL / AUG 2011WWW.ADUNAGOW.NET

AFRICA IS FULL OF GREATNESS. I sometime believe that every African is extremely gifted, especially when it comes to Arts such as music, dancing, paintings,

and writing. With so many blessed talents, it is very common that someone great passes us by without being noticed at all. That is one of the reason why ADUNAGOW Magazine exists; it showcases talented Africans living among us all as normal as anyone can be, yet inside they carry with them true raw talents, waiting to be unveiled.When Alec Lomami submitted his music piece called “Kinshasa” to our Musical Editorial group for review on his upcoming album, I thought that this would be just another one of those common African American raps sung by an African boy. Yet, I was totally wrong.This music piece, sung in French, had more than just an up beat to it; the lyrics contained a very captivating subject that almost every African immigrant in the United States could relate to at one point of their lives. At the beginning, the repeating refrain in the background (“Naza mwana Kin”, translated to English from Linguala as “I’m a child from Kin” [Kin=kinshasa, capital of the Democratic republic of Congo) could lure you to thinking that this is another lame song, until you start listening to the rap from Alec.It talks about his reminescence of life in Kinshasa before

leaving his hometown for the pursuit of a better life in the United States, seduced by the American dream. At one point, he talks about how he dreamnt of making it big in the U.S.A. like Dikembe Mutombo, the retired superstar Congolese Basketball player from Kinshasa who played for the Houston Rockets NBA team prior retiring as the oldest NBA player at the time of his most recent season. Many Africans leave their hometowns in search of happiness and a better life in places such as Europe and the Americas. Alec Lomani is a product of this process, often forced by the poor living condition and the lack of a better future created by our own African politicians and leaders who are still not realizing that Africa is dying at an exponential rate because of their bad governance.As the song continues, Alec breaks down to rapping about the good old times that he had in Kinshasa and how much he misses it. At that point I really wanted to pass this message to all the young Africans that are still back home dreaming about doing the same thing as Alec; leaving home for a better life out of Africa. No one as yet to tell them that life in the United States - or anywhere else for that matter - will never be the same as in their hometowns.Alec then talks about how his pursuit of happiness was suddenly interrupted and transformed to months spent in jail doing time treated as a “n***er” according to his

A l e cL o m a m i

words, neglected as an aborted baby. One may say that these are some very harsh words, but who am I to judge? I wasn’t there during his incarceration and I did not walk into his shoes. “It’s an homage to Kinshasa, I’m kinda reminiscing how I was eager to leave to pursuit the american dream but years down the line I came to realize where home really is,” says Alec, who currently resides in Chapel Hill NC. He has been rapping since age 11 but this is his first professional recording.

“Kinshasa” is the first single of his upcoming EP titled “melancholie joyeuse” Set to be released in September. The song is available for downloads on at http://aleclomami.bandcamp.com and http://soundcloud.com/alec-lomami

Alec Lomani’s upcoming EP titled “melancholie joyeuse” is set to be released later this year (around September).

“I was eager to leave to pursuit the American dream, but years down

the line I came to realize where home

really is,”- ALEC LOMANI

African immigrants to the U.S. are more highly educated than any other native-born ethnic group including white Americans. Some 48.9 percent of all African immigrants hold a college diploma. This is more than double the rate of native-born white Americans, and nearly four times the rate of native-born African Americans.

DID YOUK N O W?

AM

L E I L A L O P E SMISS UNIVERSE 2011


The latest Fifa rankings see Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa fall several places while Zimbabwe manages a climb upward, reaching 66 in the international standings. Cote d’ Ivoire claims the top spot from Egypt.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL SP

ORT

S AFRICAN FIFA RANKINGS


The latest monthly Africa football rankings with the FIFA ranking in brackets:

Ivory Coast 1 (16)

Egypt 2 (36)

Ghana 3 (37)

Burkina Faso 4 (41)

Senegal 5 (42)

Nigeria 6 (43)

Algeria 7 (46)

Cameroon 8 (48)

South Africa 9 (51)

Morocco 10 (59)

Tunisia 11 (61)

Libya 12 (62)

Mali 12 (62)

Zimbabwe 14 (66)

Gabon 15 (67)

Sierra Leone 16 (68)

Guinea 17 (76)

Malawi 18 (78)

Uganda 19 (82)

Zambia 20 (83)

Angola 21 (84)

Cape Verde Islands 22 (91)

Benin 23 (92)

Niger 24 (93)

Botswana 25 (95)

Togo 25 (95)

Sudan 27 (103)

Central African Republic 28 (111)

Mozambique 29 (115)

Namibia 30 (119)

Gambia 31 (124)

Tanzania 32 (126)

Liberia 33 (127)

Democratic Republic of Congo 34 (128)

Kenya 35 (130)

Ethiopia 36 (132)

Burundi 37 (140)

Rwanda 38 (142)

Congo Brazzaville 39 (143)

Equatorial Guinea 40 (151)

Madagascar 41 (158)

Chad 42 (160)

Guinea Bissau 43 (162)

Lesotho 44 (167)

Swaziland 45 (169)

Seychelles 46 (177)

Comoros Islands 47 (179)

Mauritius 48 (188)

Eritrea 49 (190)

Mauritania 50 (193)

Somalia 50 (193)

Djibouti 52 (196)

Note: Sao Tome e Principe not included because of inactivity



Photos courtesy of J.C

alibre Photography

SNAPSHOTM I S S G U I N E E 2 0 1 1 P A G E A N T

Winner: Bintougbe FOFANA


HEALTH | AIDSH

EALT

H

HIV/AIDS:T H E R I S K S O F B R E A S T F E E D I N G

By Dr. Ejine Ezediaro


BIBI is dead; her body was found in the bushes yesterday.” Emeka, my husband had announced dispassionately after he got off

the phone.“Aha… …! I responded noncommittally without a flinch and cradled my frail little girl tighter to my chest. You could have imagined by my impassionate response that he could have been announcing the weather or else we were the strangest or coldest couple that you know.Unfortunately, we are neither but maybe you’ll understand our reaction better… ….. A chance reunion between our parents who were old friends led to the recommendation that we should wed. Emeka was in his swinging thirties and I was fast turning into an old maid at the ripe age of 26 if you asked our parents. We were both coincidentally single at the time. Both of our respective parents were impatient for us to wed and produce their long awaited grandchildren. They argued they had our best interest at heart. Honestly, I believed they did too.The sparks didn’t exactly fly on our first meeting but we both recognized our mutual potentials. A few dates later and after the realization that we had a lot more in common than we had ordinarily imagined, we yielded to our parents urge and wed. To my surprise it was the best decision that I had ever made.Our marriage was pure bliss, especially at the beginning. We were pleasantly surprised by our compatibility and ensuing friendship and love; more so because we were both modern and pretended rebels of sorts who had vehemently railed against arranged marriages. We had looked forward to starting a family soon afterwards. Alas, our only child, Kokoma arrived ten years later. It was miraculous that our marriage endured through the preceding years despite my in-law’s initial insistence that Emeka divorced me or wed another. My once loving in-laws had openly turned against me after our

third wedding anniversary. They swiftly advocated for an immediate divorce. My darling husband Emeka however had opted to stay with me, for better or for worse!My initial tribulation and the agony of childbirth was immediately dissipated as soon as I gazed into my new daughter’s mesmerizing eyes. Suffice it to say that I was completely in awe of our little creation. After long resolving never to fall into the category of conceited mothers, consistently portraying their children as entirely unique, I couldn’t help but become one of same clichéd set, perpetually babbling about my incomparable daughter. Our perfect life was upturned once again after Kokoma took ill at 8 months old. An initially presumed minor cold that should’ve abated after few days, turned into a protracted and indeterminate illness. Our jovial daughter, whose infectious crackling laughter usually transcends few doors away, was gradually transformed into a whining, restless and impossible to pacify infant. She refused to eat or sleep and her condition deteriorated further, upturning our once idyllic existence in tow. As her condition steadily deteriorated, Kokoma had also lost a considerable amount of weight.Our marriage was greatly tested too, no less from unprovoked arguments, contained frustrations, our helplessness and the doctors’ inability to cure Kokoma.Dr. Uba then decided to test Kokoma for HIV after an initial battery of futile tests. Kokoma had tested positive but how?I recalled my isolation while sitting by Emeka at the doctor’s crowded clinic while waiting for our HIV test reports. We were barely on speaking terms from our ensuing strife. A plug had been pulled on our hitherto idyllic union. We had bickered ferociously. Emeka was vehement in his denials and recriminations as I was in mine. Our acrimony became such that we neglected to stay united for our daughter’s sake.Kokoma was HIV positive! Positive, how and why, were queries that persistently ran through my head? I still couldn’t fathom how or why, even as we sat at the clinic today.“Mr. and Mrs. Ngere, Dr. Uba will see you.” The nurse had announced, startling me out of my reverie. We both stood and marched stiffly after her to the doctor’s office. My heart was pounding as I took a seat next to Emeka, the strain of the

last few weeks coming to a head. What if Emeka was negative and I was positive? I had contemplated for one doubtful fleeting second. “You are both HIV negative,” Dr. Uba had announced. We could hardly believe our ears but instead of rejoicing, we deigned a brief hiss of relief before asking simultaneously. “How come Kokoma is HIV positive then?” Dr. Uba offered queries instead. Were contaminated equipments employed during her birth? No, I had an uncomplicated child birth in a reputable hospital. Did Kokoma receive blood transfusions? No, never. Was she ever breastfed by another? No… but wait, I hesitated, recalling once when I had returned home unexpectedly and found our nanny, Bibi, cradling Kokoma in a breastfeeding posture. I was struck by how startled she had seemed, nearly dropping Kokoma out of her arms as she stood hastily. I had queried her about why she was so startled and shocked but she responded that I had startled her entering the room unexpectedly. I remembered thinking then that her behavior seemed odd and Kokoma was suckling when I took her away. I blamed my suspicious nature because which woman would willfully breastfeed another’s baby for no apparent reason.I thought nothing of it again. Kokoma subsequently started to decline my milk which I attributed to her usual tenacity. In retrospect, had Bibi been secretly breastfeeding and purposely transmitted HIV to my daughter Kokoma?We drove home solemnly to fetch Bibi for an HIV test. She hysterically denied suckling Kokoma or that she was HIV positive. We sent her packing back to the village instantly while controlling our murderous rage.Bibi had just lost her husband and kid and one of our distant aunts brought her from the village, proposing that she stayed with us; we had readily taken her in. She proved to be god sent. Kokoma liked her and she was very efficient with both taking care of Kokoma and practically running our kitchen. She hadn’t however disclosed the exact circumstance surrounding the deaths of her husband and newborn child whom she had initially claimed died in an accident until she had tested HIV positive. AM


Breastfeeding is without question, ideal for babies, unfortunately breastfeeding can also transmit HIV. There is approximately a 40% risk of a baby becoming infected if breastfed for two or more years by a mother who is HIV infested and not on treatment.The benefits of breastfeeding cannot be underestimated, in the sense that it helps to provide all of the nutrients needed during the first few months of life, and contains protective agents against common childhood illnesses such as diarrhoea, respiratory and other infections.Advice on infant feeding differs for HIV positive women in low and middle income countries and their counterpaarts in high income countries to reflect the fact they are more likely to be faced with limited resources and infrastructure. There is usually little access to clean water, sanitation and health services thereby making breastfeeding, a more approriate choice

to prevent increased risks of disease and even the death of the baby. Since most HIV positive women in these countries cannot safely formula feed their infants breastfeeding is the only realistic option available.WHO recommendation is that these mothers with known to be HIV-infected should exclusively breastfeed their infants for the first 6 months of life, introducing appropriate complementary foods thereafter, and continue breastfeeding for the first 12 months of life.While some HIV positive mothers in high income countries may wish to breastfeed their child, the advice from national health agencies suggests that they should avoid breastfeeding altogether because the risk of HIV transmission far outweighs the risks associated with replacement feeding. Replacement (sometimes known as formula) feeding is the only infant feeding method that does not expose

an infant to HIV and in regions of the world where clean water and facilities are available; it is usually promoted as the only option. In some countries, including the UK and the USA, there is a possibility that HIV positive mothers who choose to breastfeed may be prevented from doing so, or may be charged with child endangerment if they persist. Nevertheless the UK Department of Health advises that under exceptional circumstances, and after seeking expert professional advice on reducing the risk of transmission of HIV through breastfeeding, a highly informed and motivated mother might be assisted to breastfeed.feeding is the only infant feeding method that does not expose an infant to HIV and in regions of the world where clean water and facilities are available; it is usually promoted as the only option.


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TSPECIAL REPORT | AFRICA

WHOWANTSAFRICA?THERE has been great debate in recent years about the marginalisation of Africa and it is often argued that the end of the Cold war and a long era of dismal economic performance have combined to make the continent irrelevant. To count Africa out, however, it is to ignore two critical factors: demographics and resources. Thus, the real question is not “does Africa matter? But, “who wants Africa and why?”

DEMOGRAPHICS Standing at just under 800 million today, Africa’s population is expected to grow to over two billion by 2050 despite the fact four million children under the age of five die every year. In the 21st century Africa will have the world’s young population and by 2050, only 10% of its citizens will be over the age of 60 compared to 37% in Europe, 27% in North America, 23% in Asia and 22% in Latin America. While AIDFS is a limited factor of the population growth in Southern Africa, other regions are witnessing dramatic expansion. Nigeria’s population, for example, is expected to rise from 113.8 million today to 278.8 million in 2050. In the same time span, Uganda is projected to grow from 23.3 million to 101.5 million, Ethiopia will expand from 62.9 million to 186.5 million and the Congo will rise from 50.9 million to 202.5 million. This high population growth reflects the fact that Africa is still an overwhelmingly a rural society. The birth rate in the countryside is much higher than in the cities because women in rural areas

don’t have the same opportunities for employment and education as in the urban areas. While Africa’s population booms, the next 50 years sees European demographics shrinking from 727 million to 603 million, and aging with the percentage of citizens over 60 rising from 20% to 36%. This suggests that, without the influx of immigrants, Europe is heading to a very high tax burden and low rate of economic growth, if outright economic contraction. Africa, by contrast, will offer the global corporate community a young population and a much lower tax burden that the nation states of the northern hemisphere. The divergence in demography suggests two possible adjustments. First, Europe will have to attract large numbers of Africans to compensate for its population decline. In 2050, cities such as Frankfurt, Rome and Madrid will consist of largely elderly women cared for by young people from Africa and the Middle East. Secondly, global companies will shift production to Africa because of its young population and large supply of labour.

By Yona Fares Maro



CHINA AND THE TREASURE CHEST Africa has a treasure chest of raw materials, which will give it a large share of global commodity production far into the future. South Africa, alone, has 88% of global platinum reserves, 72% of chromium, 80% of manganese, 30% of titanium, 40% of gold, 44% of vanadium and 19% of zircon. It also has 10% of the world’s coal, 10% of its uranium, 8% of its nickel, and 17% of its fluorspar. Guinea has a third of the world’s bauxite. Botswana has 25% of the world’s diamonds. Zimbabwe has 12% of the world’s chromium as well as large platinum deposits. Niger is the world’s third supplier of uranium. And, the former Belgian Congo has large deposits of copper, cobalt, gold and other raw materials that have not even been measured. Africa is also emerging as an important factor in the global oil market. At present, it is producing 3.4 million barrels per day from field in Nigeria, Angola, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon and there is 90% probability that production will

exceed 5.3 million barrels by 2010, and a 50% probability it will exceed 6.4 million barrels.. The dominant producers continue to be Nigeria and Angola, but new production is coming from countries as diverse as Chad and Mauritania. The United States currently imports about 15% of its oil from West Africa and the level is expected to rise to 25% during the next few years. In the past, Africa’s dependence upon commodities was regarded as a liability because of large fluctuations in the price of copper, nickel, oil, and other raw

materials. The rise of China, however, has brought a major change in the character of the global commodity market and this could give Africa an opportunity to enjoy a sustained period of high commodity prices for the first time in its modern history. In 2003, China displaced the US and Europe as the world’s largest consumer of most industrial raw materials. It now consumes 22% of global copper output (compared to 16% for the US) and 21% of global aluminium output (compared to 20% for the US). Significantly, despite the high level of metal demand, China’s per capita consumption of copper and aluminium is equal to only 20% of US per capita demand suggesting that as China develops further, her share of raw metals consumption could rise to 30 – 35% of global output. Similarly, in 2005, China displaced Japan as the world’s second largest consumer of petroleum and, by the end of 2006, its consumption is expected to exceed seven million barrels per day, nearly half of which will be imported, one quarter

“Africa has a treasure chest of raw materials, which will give it a large share

of global commodity production far into

the future.”- YONA FARES MARO


from Africa. By 2015, China could be importing 10 million barrels of oil per day. Just as the need for commodities played a decisive role in shaping American and British foreign policy during the 20th Century, China’s new role in the commodity market is going to have geo-political consequences as well. When the Royal Navy converted from coal to oil during the first decade of the 20th Century, Britain’s oil needs encouraged the government-sponsored Anglo-Iranian Oil Company (now British Petroleum) to obtain exploration leases in Iran and the Mesopotamian province of Turkey. At the Versailles peace summit in 1918, Britain then carved out the protectorate of Iraq from the Ottoman Empire and dominated the country’s political system until the 1950s. Similarly, to guarantee oil supplies, the Us formed an alliance with Saudi Arabia in the 1940s and fought two wars with Iraq. The US also maintained a good relationship with South Africa during the apartheid era because of concern about the country’s raw materials. In the 19th Century and early 20th Century, the competition for Africa was between European powers such as Britain, France and Germany. In the 21st century, however, China is going to emerge as a major power on the African continent challenging Europe’s traditional dominance. This competition is going to give Africa more political leverage with other powers as well as an opportunity to enjoy more growth of exports and improved terms of trade. American policy makers have not yet focused on the geo-political consequences of China’s need for commodities, but it is potentially one of the most important events of the 21st century. Already, the country’s foreign policy agenda reflects an increasing need for raw materials. To protect short-term access, it has deployed 4,000 troops to guard its oil pipeline in

Sudan. And, to improve supply for the long-term, it has launched free trade agreement negotiations with South Africa, Chile, Australia, New Zealand and the Persian Gulf countries. In 2003, it cancelled US$1.27 billion in debts owed by 31 African countries and, very recently, President Hu Jintao toured the continent to sign new deals for energy investment. ATTRACTING FDI The United States has also tried to help African countries improve their access to credit by providing aid for the development of sovereign credit ratings. Two years ago, only four African countries had credit ratings, today they have risen to 15. They range from ‘A’ for Botswana to ‘BBB’ for South Africa, ‘B’ for Ghana, ‘B’ for Mozambique and ‘CCC+’ for Malawi. The ratings of African countries are generally levels regarded as speculative, but the fact that they have obtained ratings at all enhances their ability to obtain capital at some price. This is an important step because while there has a been a dramatic expansion of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in developing countries since the 1960s, Africa has not attracted a proportionate share of the investment flow. During the 1970s, for example, it accounted for less than US$ 1 billion per annum of FDI. This figure rose slightly in the1980s (to US$ 1.3 billion) and then jumped to US$ 4.3 billion during the 1990s largely as a result of oil. During the period 2001—03, there was a further expansion of FDI into Africa to US$ 15.5 billion or 8.4% of all FDI for developing countries compared to 5% during the period 1992—1997. The problem for Africa is that the FDI is highly concentrated. In most recent five year period, just three countries (South Africa, Angola and Nigeria) accounted for 55% of the total. The top 15 of 48 countries accounted for 80% and the bottom half got only 5%.

The resource sector dominates and nearly all of the investment going to Nigeria, Angola, Equatorial Guinea, Sudan and Chad is for oil. In Zambia, Botswana, Tanzania and South Africa, the focus is on mining. Africa needs more FDI because its levels of domestically financed investment is modest. In 2003, gross domestic investment was 20.5% compared to 25.8% in 1980. A few countries, such as Algeria, Chad, Mauritania and Angola, have investment rates of over 30% because of oil. The problems are in the non-resources rich countries. Kenya had an investment rate of only 15% while South Africa has a modest investment rate of 17%. In Zimbabwe, the country’s political crisis has caused investment to plummet to only 2% of GDP. It is interesting to note that despite the historical role private companies played in the colonisation of the continent, the most recent survey of global public opinion by the Pew Research Centre found that Africans were highly receptive to foreign investment and globalisation. According to the survey, 67% of Nigerians, 63% of Senegalese, 64% of Ugandans, 68% of South Africans, and 67% of Kenyans through that growing trade and business ties with the global economy were very good for their country. In the US and Europe, only 20—30% of people thought globalisation was very good for their country, Pew Research also found that Africans wee highly supportive of multinational companies and international organisations such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). In the survey, 69% of Nigerians, 85% of Ghanaians, 78% of Kenyans, 78% of South Africans and 84% of Ugandans thought multinational companies were a positive force. In the US, Canada and France, only 50% of the population held similarly positive views of multinational business.


Africans also indicated strong support for multilateral institutions (79% of Nigerians, 68% of South Africans, 71% of Kenyans and 63% of Ugandans) but modest support for anti-globalisation protesters (28% of Nigerians, 44% of South Africans, 22% of Ugandans and 21% of Kenyans). It appears that Africans have a set of attitudes towards the globalisation process, which should make them more competitive in seeking to attract FDI. SPURRING GROWTHOf course, the critical factor determining Africa’s ability to spur economic growth will be political governance and whether or not it can improve on the dismal record which followed independence. Encouragingly, the last 15 years have seen progress in the continent’s migration to democracy and 12 countries, including South Africa, Kenya, Senegal and Ghana elected new presidents from parties not in power. Before the 1990s, there had been only one peaceful transfer of power in Africa’s history – Mauritius in 1982. In terms of variety of different types of freedoms, however, the continent still has a way to go. The annual economic freedom survey conducted by the Cato Institute, for example, identifies only eight African countries as being largely free, including Botswana, Mauritius, and South Africa. Similarly, Vancouver Simon Fraser Institute assesses countries on a variety of factors, including size of government, property rights, access to sound money, freedom to trade, controls on credit and labour, and business regulation. It is perhaps not surprising that its rankings for Africa also highlight the problems of governance and, on a scale of one to 10 with 10 being highest, only 16 countries rank above a five. On the issue of property rights, Fraser assigns only four countries (Botswana, Mauritius, Namibia and South Africa) with high scores in the range of 6.0 - 8.0.

The World Bank and International Finance Corporation (IFC) recently produced a major report on business conditions in developing countries (Doing Business in 2005: Removing Obstacles to Growth). The report found that even compared to other poor regions, Sub-Saharan Africa had the most regulatory obstacles to doing business. Sixteen of the 20 countries with the most cumbersome business regulations and weakest protection of property rights are in Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Angola, Burkina Faso and Chad are among the bottom five. Botswana is the only African country to appear in the top 20, ranking 19tth. Together with South Africa, it still offers the most favourable investment climate in Sub-Saharan Africa. Because of these problems, Africa also has a low ranking in the Davos World Economic Forum survey of global competitiveness which covers 104 countries, including 20 in Africa. In this survey, Finland and the US occupy the top two places and Chad and Angola the bottom two. African countries with moderate scores are South Africa (41), Botswana (45), and Mauritius (48) followed by Namibia (52), Egypt (62)

and Ghana (68). The other 14 countries rank below 75, with Nigeria (93), Zimbabwe (99) and Chad (104). According to the index, Africa also performs very badly in terms of technology. In the technology survey, South Africa ranks 40, Mauritius ranks 44, Tunisia ranks 58 and Botswana 64. All other African countries rank below 70 and four – Mali, Angola, Ethiopia and Chad rank last. LOOKING FORWARD Since independence 40 years ago, Africa’s growth performance has been very erratic. In the 1960s, for example, real GDP per capita grew by about 2% per annum but it fell to a 1% annual rate in the period 1974 – 1996. Over the past 10 years, it has rebounded to a growth rate averaging about 1%. Goldman Sachs recently produced a report on the long-term outlook for Africa, which examined the continent’s improving growth prospects. The report sketched out a scenario in which African real output growth could accelerate to 5% during the next 10 years, decelerate to 4.6% for five years, and then hover close to 4% until 2030. In such a scenario, Sub-Saharan Africa’s real GDP could rise from US$450 billion in 2005 to US$910 billion in 2015, US$1.2 trillion in 2020, US$ 2.1 trillion in 2030, and US$6.4 trillion in 2050 at which point, the real GDP of the region would be nearly as large as Brazil ($7.3 trillion) and larger than Russia ($5.7 trillion) but be dwarfed by China ($44 trillion). Africa’s real GDP per capita would rise from US$686 in 2005 to US$1,170 in 2015, US$1,810 in 2025, and US$4,844 in 2050. Such numbers would be a major improvement compared to the income levels prevailing today, but still be modest compared to the per capaita real GDP of India ($18,000), China ($31,000), and G-6 – France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Uk and US ($77,600).

“Africa’s truly unique position is the fact that it will have the

world’s youngest population during

the21st Century and a potentially much lower tax burden

than Europe, Asia or North America.”

- YONA FARES MARO

The Goldman scenario suggests that Africa will be able to increase its share of global output from 1.2% recently to 2.0% by 2015 and 2.4% by 2025, but Africa will continue to be relatively low income continent by global standards. For Africa to become affluent, growth rates would have to rise into the 6 – 7% range and remain there for several years. It is possible such a benign scenario could occur with a dramatic improvement in political governance but such a scenario is unlikely to occur until after 2020. During the past two decades, Africa has been liberalising its trade policies and the average tariff has declined from 32.8% in 1980 to 16.1% during 2000 – 2002. Tariffs are lowest in Southern Africa at 12.7% and highest in North Africa at 22.5%. Africa’s tariffs are lower than South Asia (27.7%) but higher than those in East Asia (9.8%). Africa would benefit from new export opportunities because most countries currently have trade deficits. In 1998 – 2000, Africa’s import share of GDP was 44.7% while the export share of GDP was 32.4%. The export ratio was highest in South Africa at 39.1% but the import ratio there was also 54.1%. Central Africa had the second highest export ratio at 32.5% while imports were at 44.6%. The other regions have export ratios at 29% and import ratios of 40 – 45%, except northern Africa where

the import ratio is only 32% because of protectionism. SUMMARY There are no simple solutions to Africa’s problems. But a few clear themes stand out. Africans must continue to strive to improve the quality of their political governance. The industrial countries can help with increased aid and debt relief but they cannot create the preconditions for growth unless African governments offer the rule of law, good regulation, and reasonable stability. The impact of China on world trade and commodity prices offers African countries a far more benign environment for improving terms of trade and bolstering growth than at any time during the past half century. In fact, the IMF is projecting 5.8% output growth in Africa during 2006, the highest level in over 30 years. But the commodity boom can only produce a cyclical opportunity for growth. Africa’s truly unique position is the fact that it will have the world’s youngest population during the21st Century and a potentially much lower tax burden than Europe, Asia or North America. The challenge will be to match an abundance of youth and raw materials with coherent and credible policies to create the high quality of political governance which has eluded Africa since independence.

CULTURE | NON-PROFIT


SOUTH SUDANESE REFUGEE CHILDREN’S FOUNDATION:INVESTING IN GENERATIONAL LEADERSHIP

South Sudanese Children’s Foundation is a non-profit organization committed to improving the general social well-being of the children from South Sudan by building schools, providing educational resources, basic health care, food and shelter.


Digol modeled as a Nubian man in the music video for Atlanta-based music group TLC. He also served as an extra in film and television in such movies as Drumline and Stomp the Yard and the hit television show Meet the Browns.Digol has been sought after by many African pageants to participate as either a host or judge. In 2006, Digol hosted the Miss South Sudan Beauty Pageant in Kansas City. In 2007, Digol, along with Supermodel Noella Coursais, hosted the Miss Africa United States Pageant. Digol also hosted the Super Delegate Miss Africa USA Pageant in 2008, and the Miss South Sudan Beauty Pageant in Atlanta, Georgia. In 2009, Digol hosted the Miss African Beauty Pageant in Washington, D.C. Not only did Digol host the Miss African Beauty Pageant, he also servedas a judge as part of a diverse panel. While in Washington, D.C., he was appointed as a guest speaker at George Mason University at the Lost Boys Funds.He was also appointed as guest speaker at New York University School of Law dedication panel on: From Nuremberg to Africa: The Evolution of Accountability and Recovery from Conflict.The foundation has done a great job of giving tuition to college students,

as well as annually giving out a minimum of 300 backpacks. This annually backpack tradition assists our children as they prepare for the new school year. We are now collecting school supplies and backpacks to be sent to children in Sudan. We would be extremely appreciative if your company would be wiling to help this great foundation by donating supplies and/or monetary gifts. My foundation has been recognized by US Weekly News magazine, and hope to be recognized by other media outlets in the future.Here is a little more information about what is happening in Sudan:In 1984 when the civil war broke out in Sudan between the Southern Sudanese rebels and the government of Sudan, the fight took place inside the Southern Sudan, Blue Nile, and the Nubia Mountain. Most of the schools and admonitions were wounded and destroyed by the war. Much of the region had become a war zone, many civilians were killed due to cross fire. Because of this war zone, many fled into neighboring countries and lived there as refugees. Now, after 22 years, these citizens were able to go back to their hometown. Now they have to start their lives all over and rebuild their homes, as well as their schools. My hometown is called Ulang and is located in Ulang County of Upper Nile. The primary school district in Ulang County holds over 1,270 orphan children. Longechuk County of Upper Nile holds over 700 orphan children. These schools are in great need of these supplies, backpacks, uniforms, shoes, backboards, markers, desks and chairs.DonateSouth Sudanese Refugee Children’s Foundation, INC is non-profit charity organization registered with IRS as a 501 (c) (3) your contribution and support to poor and orphan children from Sudan will make a difference in the child’s life and will be extremely appreciated. All funds can be made payable to: Sudanese Refugee Children’s Foundation and can be mailed to: 3104 North Hill Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30341. Website: www.sudanesekids.org

The Staff. Digol Gak Deng: President & Founder. Yar Ajack: Vice President. Sharon Williams: Secretary. Shirly Fielder: Treasurer

Digol Deng was born in Southern Sudan in the town of Nasir as a member of the Nuer tribe. The Nuer is known in Sudan as the warrior people, and is one of the largest tribes in Sudan. In 1984, Digol was displaced by the Sudanese civil war and fled to Northern Sudan, where he completed high school in Arabic in 1992.In 1993, Digol made has way to Egypt to pursue his education. Unfortunately, it all came to a holt when the Sudanese government cancelled all of the student scholarships. Due to this cancellation, the government required that the students return to back to Southern Sudan to fight in the civil war. Instead of fighting in a war against his own people, Digol fled to Kenya and spent two years in a refugee camp.In June 1995, Digol was relocated in Atlanta, Georgia as a refugee. After arriving in the United States, he became the first Nuer male model. He appeared in several magazines regarding his modeling and acting career. He appeared in Image of Us, and Jamati magazines, and was an interview spotlight by ADUNAGOW Magazine.


FEATURED STORY | AFRICAN CITIESTR

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“Africa is beautiful, hidden, and mysteriously attractive. Once you put your feet on African soil, you’re first shocked by the landscape, and then seduced by the people, and magically hooked to its cultural richness.”

- ERIC ADUNAGOW

G R E AT A F R I C A NV A C AT I O N C I T I E SPhoto courtesy of Meron Abebe - Photographer : Ted Mebane


N A I R O B I

NAIROBI, KENYANairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya. The city and its surrounding area also forms the Nairobi County. The name “Nairobi” comes from the Maasai phrase Enkare Nyirobi, which translates to “the place of cool waters”. However, it is popularly known as the “Green City in the Sun” and is surrounded by several expanding villa suburbs. The people of Nairobi are popularly nicknamed ‘Nairobians’. Founded in 1899 as a simple rail depot on the railway linking Mombasa to Uganda, the town quickly grew to become the capital of British East Africa in 1907 and eventually the capital of a free Kenyan republic in 1963.

It is the most populous city in East Africa, with a current estimated population of about 3 million. Nairobi is currently the 12th largest city in Africa, including the population of its suburbs. The city is now one of the most prominent cities in Africa politically and financially. Home to thousands of Kenyan businesses and over 100 major international companies and organisations, including the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the main coordinating and headquarters for the UN in Africa & Middle East, the United Nations Office in Nairobi (UNON), Nairobi is an established hub for business and culture. The Nairobi Stock Exchange (NSE) is one of the largest in Africa and second oldest exchange.It is ranked 4th in terms of trading volume and capable of making 10 million trades a day. The Globalization and World Cities Study Group and Network (GaWC) defines Nairobi as a prominent social centre.

Nairobi’s sky l ine at dusk.

Nairobi C entra l Business Distr ic t .NA

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C A I R O

CAIRO, EGYPTCairo (literally “The Vanquisher” or “The Conqueror”), is the capital of Egypt and the second largest city in the Muslim World, the Arab world and Africa and the 16th largest metropolitan area in the world. Nicknamed “The City of a Thousand Minarets” for its preponderance of Islamic architecture, Cairo has long been a centre of the region’s political and cultural life. Cairo was founded by the Fatimid dynasty in the 10th century AD.; but the land composing the present-day city was the site of national capitals whose remnants remain visible in parts of Old Cairo. Cairo is also associated with Ancient Egypt due to its proximity to the ancient cities of Memphis, Giza and Fustat which are nearby to the Great Sphinx and the pyramids of Giza. With a population of 6.76 million spread over 453 square kilometers (175 sq mi), Cairo is by far the largest city in Egypt. With an additional ten million inhabitants just outside the city, Cairo resides at the centre of the largest metropolitan area in Africa and the eleventh-largest urban area in the world. Cairo, like many other mega-cities, suffers from high levels of pollution and traffic, but its metro – currently the only one on the African continent – also ranks among the fifteen busiest in the world, with over 700 million passenger rides annually. The economy of Cairo was ranked first in the Middle East, and 43rd globally by Foreign Policy’s 2010 Global Cities Index.

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Cairo’s sky l ine.

Cairo Univers ity.


D A K A R

DAKAR, SENEGALDakar is the capital city and largest city of Senegal. It is located on the Cap-Vert Peninsula on the Atlantic coast and is the westernmost city on the African mainland. Its position, on the western edge of Africa, is an advantageous departure point for trans-Atlantic and European trade; this fact aided its growth into a major regional port. According to December 31, 2005 official estimates, the city of Dakar proper has a population of 1,030,594, whereas the population of the Dakar metropolitan area is estimated at 2.45 million people.

Dakar is a major administrative centre, home to the National Assembly of Senegal and Senegal’s President’s Palace. Attractions in Dakar include major markets, Dakar Grand Mosque (built in 1964), Dakar Cathedral, Gorée Island, the IFAN Museum of West African culture, the newly completed African Renaissance Monument, clifftop walks and beaches, and Hann Park, home to Senegal Zoo.

The town serves as a port and is home to the Léopold Sédar Senghor International Airport. It is also the terminus of the Dakar-Niger railroad line.Dakar used to be the finishing point of the Dakar Rally and is a member of the Organization of World Heritage Cities. Cheikh Anta Diop University also known as the University of Dakar, was established in 1957.

The Dakar R ai lway Stat ion

The Dakar Cathedra l

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C A P E T O W N

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICACape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality. The city is famous for its harbour as well as its natural setting in the Cape floral kingdom, including such well-known landmarks as Table Mountain and Cape Point. Cape Town is also Africa’s most popular tourist destination.

It is today one of the most multicultural cities in the world, reflecting its role as a major destination for immigrants and expatriates to South Africa. As of 2007 the city had an estimated population of 3.5 million.

Cape Town is not only the most popular international tourist destination in South Africa, but Africa as a whole. This is due to its good climate, natural setting, and well-developed infrastructure. The city has several well-known natural features that attract tourists, most notably Table Mountain, which forms a large part of the Table Mountain National Park and is the back end of the City Bowl. Reaching the top of the mountain can be achieved either by hiking up, or by taking the Table Mountain Cableway. Cape Point is recognised as the dramatic headland at the end of the Cape Peninsula. Many tourists also drive along Chapman’s Peak Drive, a narrow road that links Noordhoek with Hout Bay, for the views of the Atlantic Ocean and nearby mountains. It is possible to either drive or hike up Signal Hill for closer views of the City Bowl and Table Mountain.

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Cape Town City Hal l

The Univers ity of Cape Town’s main campus


J O H A N N E S B U R G

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo’burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa. The city is one of the 40 largest metropolitan areas in the world,[6] and is also the world’s largest city not situated on a river, lake, or coastline. It claims to be the lightning capital of the world, though this title is also claimed by others.

While Johannesburg is not one of South Africa’s three capital cities, it is the seat of the Constitutional Court, which has the final word on interpretation of South Africa’s new post-Apartheid constitution. The city is the source of a large-scale gold and diamond trade, due to its location on the mineral-rich Witwatersrand range of hills. Johannesburg is served by O.R. Tambo International Airport, the largest and busiest airport in Africa and a gateway for international air travel to and from the rest of Southern Africa.

Johannesburg is one of the most modern and prosperous cities in South Africa. Due to its many different central districts Johannesburg would fall under the Multiple Nuclei Model in Human Geography terms. It is the hub of South Africa’s commercial, financial, industrial, and mining undertakings. Johannesburg is home to some of Africa’s tallest structures, such as the Sentech Tower, Hillbrow Tower and the Carlton Centre. The Johannesburg city skyline has most of the tallest buildings on the continent and contains most international organisations such as IBM, Absa, BHP Billiton, Willis Group, First National Bank, Nedbank and Standard Bank. Many of the city’s older buildings have been pulled down and more modern ones built in their place. North of the CBD is Hillbrow, the most densely populated residential area in southern Africa.

A street in Hi l lbrow, the most densely populated res ident ia l area in S outhern Afr ica

Gautrain At O R Tambo Int l Airpor t

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HEALTH | FITNESSH

EALT

H

MANY people have the impression that the only benefit of weight training is to build muscle mass and

get big. The truth is however, that weight training in its various forms is also great for burning fat and toning muscle.

Even if you’ve never been to a gym or are opposed to the idea of lifting heavy weights amongst a crowd of sweaty guys please shelve your skepticism and read on.

Let’s take a look at five ways weight training can help you get to where you want to go when it comes to fitness:

1) Cardio & Resistance Training. Most people try to burn fat by cardiovascular

workout alone. They may do aerobics, power-walk, play a sport or hit the treadmill. Cardio is an indispensible part of any fat burning regimen, though better results will be achieved when some kind of resistance training is included. Consider arm and ankle weights for example. Any power walking session will increase in intensity and in turn burn more calories with the addition of strap on weights at your extremities.

2) Burn fat while you sleep. Weight training burns fat by stressing out your muscles. This minor “damage” results in the ache you feel post workout. While your body is repairing the damage it’s consuming calories and as such burning fat. Hence, your workout continues even while you sleep!

3) Light weights & high reps: This is a great way to tone the muscle you already have. When you use lighter dumbbells for example to perform curls and a host of other exercises, you help stop the natural atrophy of your muscles that occurs as you get older. Not only will you experience the benefit of burning fat by consuming more energy, you will also start to look more toned and defined.

4) Heavy weights & low reps. Lifting heavy weights less often is the key to muscle growth. Body builders want to stress their muscles to the point of failure, so they achieve the greatest increase in size during the recovery period. They are in a constant cycle of “tear & repair” as their bodies respond to the increased demands put on them. Heavy weight training can help those wanting to burn fat also, when used as part of a complete training regimen. By stressing your muscles out in this way even once a week, you’re aiding in the growth, toning and fat loss processes.

5) Keep your muscles confused. The human body is extremely good at adapting itself to new conditions and physical demands. If you jog every day, your body rebuilds itself to perform that task. So too if you swim or do weight training. It’s common knowledge though that a good swimmer is not necessarily a good runner. We have to train for the specific task we want to perform. When you lift weights, your body will be stressed out initially, though grow accustomed to the practice over time. This adaptation leads to great efficiency and less energy consumption during the exercise.

By mixing up your weight training routine with different exercises, you can trick your body into thinking you’re starting something new each time you train. This keeps energy consumption at a maximum and burns more fat.

To conclude, there are many ways to achieve your fitness goals. By incorporating resistance training and weights into your regimen, you can get where you’re going faster and look a little more toned in the process..

Five Ways to Burn More Fat & Tone Muscle With Weight Training By Andrew Edwards

AM

GET FIT. LIVE.


Thank you Amelia for taking the time to respond to our interview questions.

[PERSONAL]AM: HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN ACTING? WAS THIS WHAT YOU DREAMT FOR WHEN GROWING UP?Amelia: Acting is all I have ever wanted to pursue as a career. I fell in love with the craft at a very early age. My grandmother was an actress and so it has always been in my blood. At school I would get involved in every school play I could. It has always been my dream growing up and as an adult.

AM: WHO ARE YOUR ROLE MODELS IN THE FASHION WORLD?Amelia: I love to look to other actresses I admire when it comes to fashion. I have always admired Kate Bosworth’s and Sienna Miller’s style.

AM: WHAT’S A TYPICAL DAY FOR YOU?WHEN YOU’RE NOT WORKING, WHAT ARE YOURFAVORITE THINGS TO DO?Amelia: I love connecting with nature so hiking, camping, backpacking, scuba diving and exploring the outdoors are my favorite

hobbies. I think you can really find yourself in nature and that is essential for any artist.

[PROFESSION] AM: WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT YOUR PROFESSION?Amelia: I love the challenge as an actress to find the truth in each moment you are involved in a scene, to truly experience something real and honest when playing a character. I love the magical child part of myself that I experienced growing up. I feel that I get to have that experience every time I act as a grown up.

AM: WHAT DO YOU LIKE LEAST?Amelia: I think occasional people can caught up with themselves in show biz and make demands that have nothing to do with the art being made. I dislike that when I see it. A big part of my training was learning tosurrender my own ego and to have humility so you are a team player whopeople can work with.

AM: WHO ARE YOUR HEROES?Amelia: James Cameron, Woody Allen, James Brooks, David Cronenberg, Nicole Kidman, Kiera Knightly, Kate Winslet, Cate Blanchet, Gwyneth Paltrow, Meryl Streep, Viggo Mortensen.

AM: WHAT’S THE SIDE OF YOU THAT THE PUBLIC NEVER SEES?Amelia: I love to cook. It’s been another passion of mine since childhood and I tend to cook alot for my friends and family. I especially love foods that are delicious and good for you, like alkaline recipies. This passion of mine is not public knowledge but will be one day when Ibring out my own cook book for an alkaline lifestyle.

AM: DO YOU WISH YOU HAD MORE PRIVACY?Amelia: I have no complaints. Although I live in LA and there are tons of places where you can go to “be seen”, those aren’t my favorite places to spend my free time. I prefer spending my spare time in the mountains or in nature where they’re aren’t many people around, so I have a lot of privacy.

AM: WHAT’S THE MOSTUNBELIEVABLE RUMOR EVER PRINTED ABOUT YOU?Amelia: I have been pretty lucky so far and haven’t seen any.

AM: WHAT WAS THE MOST IMPORTANT DAY OF YOUR LIFE?Amelia: September 22nd 2010, the day I shot Law & Order LA, I met someone very special that day.

AM: SOME PEOPLE THINK THAT AMELIA HAS IT ALL. WHAT DON’T YOU HAVE?Amelia: I feel extremely grateful for my life. I know I am truly blessed. I have my health, an amazing family who love me and who havealways supported and believed in me, who are inspiring, creative and so much fun. I have great friends, across the world that I havecollected through the years & adventures I have had so far. I feel very lucky.

AM: HOW MUCH DO YOU DRAW ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCE WHEN YOU ACT?Amelia: I believe that your talent is who you are as a person and all the experiences that you have had. We are a product of what we have

I N T E R V I E W

E X C L U S I V E

British born beauty Amelia Jackson-Gray has recently enjoyed a number of successful roles in hit TV shows such as Outsourced, Law and Order and The Mentalist thanks to a her breakout role as Vincent Chase’s love interest in HBO’s award winning show Entourage.Having already built up her credits for her work in a long list of independent films including cult classic ‘Snakes on a train’ in which her performance was praised as “the best thing about the movie”, ‘CRUSH(ED)’ and soon to be released ‘Heartland’ the sassy young actress now takes on a lead role in Hollywood’s first independent 3D movie, Deep Gold, as beautiful villainess and reports, Claire Simmons.

A M E L I AJ A C K S O N - G R A Y


experienced and you are only as interesting as an actor as you are as a person. I only ever pull from what I know and the experiencesI have had and build from there, using some creative manipulation & believability techinques when necessary.

AM: WHAT WORK ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?Amelia: I am most proud of the journey I am on, my craft as an actor is always a work in progress. It takes a lifetime of experiences to become amaster craftsman and my best work is still to come.

AM: IS THERE ANYTHING YOU’D DONE THAT YOU’D LIKE TO BURN ALL THE COPIES OF?Amelia: Yes

AM: WHAT WAS YOUR MOST CHALLENGING ROLE?Amelia: Playing Viola in Shakespeare’s play ‘Twelfth Night’ started out being the most challenging role for me as it’s like learning lines in a foreign language however once I had got those down it was one of the easiest roles to play. The language is so colorful and descriptive that it gives you so much to work with as an actor and it is so fun.

[SUMMER]AM: WHICH DO YOU ENJOY MOST: A NIGHT ON THE TOWN OR STAYING IN WITH THAT SOMEONE SPECIAL?Amelia: Easy...staying in with that special someone. I have a very special someone indeed and we love watching films together and eating great homemade food so hands down it’s what I prefer.

AM: WHAT’S YOUR ULTIMATE SUMMER VACATION GATEWAY?Amelia: I was lucky enough to just visit my top spot destination, the breath taking Dolomite mountain range in northern Italy. I would love to go back there and keep exploring. I love the mountains and I can now see why the Dolomites is one of the ultimate getaways for backpackers, in the world.

AM: WHAT’S THE BEST SUMMER FOOD CRAVING?Amelia: Baccio gelato

[CLOSURE]AM: TELL US, WHAT IS THE CRAZIEST THING YOU EVER DONE?Amelia: I auditioned for a movie over a webcam, the filmmakers could see me I couldn’t see them. It was for a role playing a scuba diver in the Philippines in Asia. I had never dived before, I had never been to Asia and I had never met the filmmakers face to face when I got offered the role. When I landed on the rural island of Cebu in the Philippines it was a complete culture shock for me being in this 3rd world country and not having any idea who I was meeting at theairport. It all worked out great luckily but I suddenly realized it was a crazy move on the flight there.

AM: WHAT ARE YOU LIKES AND DISLIKES?Amelia: I love adventure. I dislike fast food.

AM: THE MIC IS YOURS ANY WORDS OF WISDOM FOR ALL OUR ASPIRING ACTORS OUT THERE?Amelia: The craft is amazing and no matter how small you feel the job you are working on is always remember that Rome wasn’t built in a day. It takes time to get to where you want to be, have patience and keep focused on the work. When you are auditioning... that is the work, throw yourself into the role and enjoy it for what it is, who cares about the outcome its still a chance for your work to shine regardless of whether you get the job or not.

AM: ANY LAST WORDS?Amelia: Find out what you are passionate about and work at developing that. Don’t let anyone steal your dreams. If you do what you love you will never work a day in your life.

Thank you Amelia for taking the time to chat with us. We wish you plenty of success and wisdom in your career. You are beautiful.


“Find out what you are passionate about and work at

developing that. Don’t let anyone

steal your dreams..”- AMELIA JACKSON-GRAY


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JUL/AUG 2011 issue