In celebration of Black History Month, Africare, together with the Embassy of South Africa, hosted the official documentary preview of "A Positive Vision for Africa," a documentary that aims to raise awareness of the hard work and determination of community organizations in Africa through the story of the South African township of Mamelodi.
Ajani Husbands, recent foreign service officer at the Department of State, began filming the documentary in South Africa this past summer. Husbands is both producer of the film and founder of the Mamelodi Project, a burgeoning non-profit organization dedicated to encouraging positive depictions of the African continent. Husbands raised the necessary funds to take a crew of three to South Africa to film and conduct interviews over a period of seven weeks.
In his remarks, guest of honor Mr. Derick Moyo, Deputy Chief of Mission at the South African Embassy, stressed the importance of realizing that though there are still difficulties in Africa, the continent is showing many positive trends such as high economic growth that are often overlooked.
These sentiments were echoed by Husbands, who said "I was inspired to take on this project once I witnessed first-hand the dedication and hard work that goes into these community organizations. These are the images of Africa we just don't get in the media, the images of Africans being successful."
Peter Persell, Southern Africa Regional Director for Africare, expressed Africare’s pleasure in supporting a young African American filmmaker who has taken an interest in community development in Africa, a concept that Africare, through its multiple projects across the continent, strives to promote.
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The young, enthusiastic crowd of approximately 100 attendees enjoyed a preview of the film, a still photography exhibit, South African wines supplied by the South African Embassy, and food catered by the African Students Organization of American University. A raffle raised $310 for the Mamelodi Project. Also in attendance was Aurelia Brazeal, former US ambassador to Ethiopia.
Africare is a leading non-profit organization specializing in African aid. It is also the oldest and largest African-American led organization in that field. Since its founding in 1970, Africare has delivered more than $710 million in assistance and support — over 2,000 projects and millions of beneficiaries — to 36 countries Africa-wide. Africare has its international headquarters in Washington, DC, with field offices currently in some 23 African countries.
