Issue # 11
Public Servants
Why are Africa's good civil servants marginalized?
How dedicated officials help the public from within corrupted systems In many countries in Africa, public services are inadequate or dysfunctional. Yet some public servants manage to provide effective healthcare, public transport, emergency assistance, or necessary paperwork, despite corrupt or mismanaged systems. But why are these practices ignored, or sometimes even deliberately side-lined, rather than used as examples for emulation, by the authorities? Why do good civil servants so often seem to...
How dedicated officials help the public from within corrupted systems In many countries in Africa, public services are inadequate or dysfunctional. Yet some public servants manage to provide effective healthcare, public transport, emergency assistance, or necessary paperwork,...
This year ZAM Magazine would like to give you – our readers, followers, fans and new friends – something in return for your support: the chance to buy a striking artwork! All the work at this exhibition has been donated by prominent artists including Clifford Charles, Nat Mokgosi, Ignacio Gumucio, Anton Corbijn & Berend Strik, Patricia Kaersenhout and Ruan Hoffman. We also have some surprises planned for the opening with the unveiling of significant new work and a special donation just recently...
This year ZAM Magazine would like to give you – our readers, followers, fans and new friends – something in return for your support: the chance to buy a striking artwork! All the work at this exhibition has been donated by prominent artists including Clifford Charles, Nat Mokgosi,...
Ten years after Nelson Mandela’s passing, the Amsterdam Bijlmerbios, in collaboration with ZAM, features the amazing reconstruction of the 1963/1964 trial that convicted Nelson Mandela and his comrades to life imprisonment. In 1964, Nelson Mandela and his co-defendants barely escaped the death penalty. This reconstruction of the ‘Rivonia Trial’ tells a story more relevant than ever. Judge De Wet considered the accusation of high treason to be proven, but ultimately decided not to impose the highest...
Ten years after Nelson Mandela’s passing, the Amsterdam Bijlmerbios, in collaboration with ZAM, features the amazing reconstruction of the 1963/1964 trial that convicted Nelson Mandela and his comrades to life imprisonment. In 1964, Nelson Mandela and his co-defendants barely...
This event is no longer the domain of older white men. Seated in the lounge of the All-Africa Protoport (AAP), visitors have a view of lush green landscapes and futuristic transport systems and buildings. Brightly coloured models display the work of the African Conservation Effort (ACE), set up to repair the damage done to the continent’s ecoregions by former colonial powers. This fascinating installation was created by the artist Olalekan Jeyifous (Ibadan, Nigeria), who received the Silver Lion...
This event is no longer the domain of older white men. Seated in the lounge of the All-Africa Protoport (AAP), visitors have a view of lush green landscapes and futuristic transport systems and buildings. Brightly coloured models display the work of the African Conservation Effort...
[Text in English below] In aanwezigheid van tientallen vrienden en supporters nam Bart Luirink op 22 november afscheid als co-ordinator van ZAM. In het Amsterdamse No Man’s Art Restaurant & Gallery werd Luirink gehuldigd voor de ontwikkeling van het platform tot een toonaangevende showcase van Afrikaans talent op het gebied van onderzoeksjournalistiek, kunst, fotografie en opinie. Luirink vormde het destijds door het Nederlands instituut voor Zuidelijk Afrika uitgegeven tijdschrift in 2007 om tot...
[Text in English below] In aanwezigheid van tientallen vrienden en supporters nam Bart Luirink op 22 november afscheid als co-ordinator van ZAM. In het Amsterdamse No Man’s Art Restaurant & Gallery werd Luirink gehuldigd voor de ontwikkeling van het platform tot een toonaangevende...
“It feels good to take back some of the resources”, Trevor Noah, the youngest winner of the award ever, said in his words of thanks at the ceremony in the Royal Palace in Amsterdam on Tuesday, 28 November, 2023. The Prize, launched 65 years ago with Charlie Chaplin as its first recipient, comes with an amount of 150 000 euros. This years theme – In Praise of Folly, the title of Dutch humanist and philosopher Desiderius Erasmus’ (1466 – 1536) most famous book – was ‘made for Noah’. The South...
“It feels good to take back some of the resources”, Trevor Noah, the youngest winner of the award ever, said in his words of thanks at the ceremony in the Royal Palace in Amsterdam on Tuesday, 28 November, 2023. The Prize, launched 65 years ago with Charlie Chaplin as its first...
Henry Kissinger, who sexed up the art of diplomacy in the eight years between 1969 and 1977, will turn 100 in May this year. Given his age, and his long influence on global affairs, several “anticipatory obituaries” have been written. Some laud Kissinger’s role in the shaping of East-West relations while he was in office as US Secretary of State. And many in their commentary on the decades beyond continue to call him a “statesman” . Radical critics have pointed to Kissinger’s ruthless methods –...
Henry Kissinger, who sexed up the art of diplomacy in the eight years between 1969 and 1977, will turn 100 in May this year. Given his age, and his long influence on global affairs, several “anticipatory obituaries” have been written. Some laud Kissinger’s role in the shaping of...
A new ZAM transnational investigation into migration from five African countries shows that, in many cases, the urge to leave is so desperate that migrants consciously risk extortion by smugglers, abuse, exploitative labour, and even death. In the vast majority of cases, awareness campaigns about these risks, financed by the EU and the UK, do not convince people to stay at home. A majority of interviewees in Uganda, Kenya, Cameroon, Zimbabwe, and Nigeria told ZAM team members that they would leave...
A new ZAM transnational investigation into migration from five African countries shows that, in many cases, the urge to leave is so desperate that migrants consciously risk extortion by smugglers, abuse, exploitative labour, and even death. In the vast majority of cases, awareness...
Lezers van ZAM kunnen meedingen naar een gratis exemplaar van het onlangs in vertaling verschenen veelgeprezen boek van de Nigeriaanse schrijfster Ayòbámi Adébáyò. Twee afgewisselde levensverhalen geven een veelzijdig beeld van de meedogenloze samenleving in Nigeria. De Nigeriaanse schrijfster Ayòbámi Adébáyò schetst in haar roman 'Alles wat had kunnen zijn' ('A Spell of Good Things') twee parallelle levens: van een jongen in een gezin dat tot armoede vervalt en een jonge vrouw uit een rijke...
Lezers van ZAM kunnen meedingen naar een gratis exemplaar van het onlangs in vertaling verschenen veelgeprezen boek van de Nigeriaanse schrijfster Ayòbámi Adébáyò. Twee afgewisselde levensverhalen geven een veelzijdig beeld van de meedogenloze samenleving in Nigeria. De Nigeriaanse...
A selection of thirty designs by the Nigerian illustrator and designer, will be on display at Amsterdam-based record shop Rush Hour Store. An exhibition organised by Africadelic in collaboration with Mano A Mano Produções and ZAM. A selection of thirty designs by the Nigerian illustrator and designer, will be on display at Amsterdam-based record shop Rush Hour Store. The renowned artist, best known for his long-standing collaboration with Fela Kuti, the father of Afrobeat, will be present at the...
A selection of thirty designs by the Nigerian illustrator and designer, will be on display at Amsterdam-based record shop Rush Hour Store. An exhibition organised by Africadelic in collaboration with Mano A Mano Produções and ZAM. A selection of thirty designs by the Nigerian...
An official state visit from 18 October 2023 offers a great opportunity to acknowledge the Dutch complicity in slavery and oppression. Remarkably, when the Dutch government and the King recently apologized for the Dutch involvement in slavery, South Africa was not mentioned. Who remembers the history of Indian Ocean slavery? How does this history affect people in current-day South Africa? And why is this history largely forgotten in the Netherlands? For thousands of years, |xam, Khoekhoe, and many...
An official state visit from 18 October 2023 offers a great opportunity to acknowledge the Dutch complicity in slavery and oppression. Remarkably, when the Dutch government and the King recently apologized for the Dutch involvement in slavery, South Africa was not mentioned. Who...
The historical novel De zwarte Napoleon by Vamba Sherif is now published in an English version, titled The Emperor's Son. The author tells in this essay how the novel grew and how the story of the extraordinary leader Samori Touré came to dominate it. Some years ago, while researching my family story, I stumbled upon two pieces of information that would change the trajectory and form of what would later become my novel, The Emperor’s Son . I discovered that a relation of mine in the distant past...
The historical novel De zwarte Napoleon by Vamba Sherif is now published in an English version, titled The Emperor's Son. The author tells in this essay how the novel grew and how the story of the extraordinary leader Samori Touré came to dominate it. Some years ago, while...
September 12 marked 46 years since Stephen Bantu Biko was beaten and murdered by the police under the apartheid government. The murder only served to amplify his stature, historical significance and message. This is neither an analysis or critique of his politics, but rather what it means for me. I also want to reflect on why I believe we will be well served as a society to always consider the meaning of black consciousness politics as we fight for a better future. Steve Biko’s black consciousness...
September 12 marked 46 years since Stephen Bantu Biko was beaten and murdered by the police under the apartheid government. The murder only served to amplify his stature, historical significance and message. This is neither an analysis or critique of his politics, but rather what it...
ZAM Events presents an open discussion on the themes of the African diaspora’s liquid roots and how artistic expressions act as both resistance and reconciliation. In collaboration with Afrovibes Festival and De Balie Join our panelists Farren van Wyk , Christl Wolfram and Julia-Beth Harris in an open discussion as we delve into the complexity of the African diaspora's liquid roots, tracing their path from Africa to the Americas, the Caribbean, and the West. Giya Makondo-Wills moderates the talk...
ZAM Events presents an open discussion on the themes of the African diaspora’s liquid roots and how artistic expressions act as both resistance and reconciliation. In collaboration with Afrovibes Festival and De Balie Join our panelists Farren van Wyk , Christl Wolfram and...
In 2009, during her much-cited TedX talk, writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie warned of the dangers of a "single story." Referring to her native Nigeria, she said, "Every time I am home I am confronted with the usual sources of irritation: our failed infrastructure, our failed government, but also by the incredible resilience of people who thrive despite the government, rather than because of it." That resilience is expressed not least in the works of new generations of African investigative...
In 2009, during her much-cited TedX talk, writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie warned of the dangers of a "single story." Referring to her native Nigeria, she said, "Every time I am home I am confronted with the usual sources of irritation: our failed infrastructure, our failed...
Op deze editie staat de heruitgave van Yambo Ouologuem’s veelgeprezen roman, De Onvermijdelijkheid van Geweld, centraal. Met schrijver Vamba Sherif, vertalers Martine Woudt en Gertrud Maes, uitgever Jurgen Maas en panelleden Chidi Ebere Onwuka, Yasmine Allas, Anja-Hélène van Zandwijk en Wim Bossema. Alsnog is het meesterwerk van Yambo Ouologuem, De Onvermijdelijkheid van Geweld, in de toptiens van Nederlandse boekhandels verschenen. De redenen voor dit wonder zijn het succes van een andere roman,...
Op deze editie staat de heruitgave van Yambo Ouologuem’s veelgeprezen roman, De Onvermijdelijkheid van Geweld, centraal. Met schrijver Vamba Sherif, vertalers Martine Woudt en Gertrud Maes, uitgever Jurgen Maas en panelleden Chidi Ebere Onwuka, Yasmine Allas, Anja-Hélène van...
As a South African non-binary artist and academic, Sincuba moves between and combines various media, including painting, drawing, photography, video, performance, textiles and installation. 12 years ago, Sincuba first exhibited at Gallery 23 in Amsterdam. In the meantime, they have pursued academic studies in London and Cape Town, worked as teacher and exhibited internationally. Wonderful to welcome Sincuba back after 12 years since their graduation from the art academy in Arnhem! Thembeka Heidi...
As a South African non-binary artist and academic, Sincuba moves between and combines various media, including painting, drawing, photography, video, performance, textiles and installation. 12 years ago, Sincuba first exhibited at Gallery 23 in Amsterdam. In the meantime, they have...
The award-winning South African artist has taken a new path with a dominance of painterly gestures over collage elements. It represents the yielding to ‘a steadily intensifying urge.’ In this series of intimately scaled paintings, created in his Amsterdam studio, Matloga delves deeper into his connection with the fictional figures he portrays. He writes: I have developed a growing curiosity towards the characters I have assembled in my collages over the years. In my pursuit of comprehending their...
The award-winning South African artist has taken a new path with a dominance of painterly gestures over collage elements. It represents the yielding to ‘a steadily intensifying urge.’ In this series of intimately scaled paintings, created in his Amsterdam studio, Matloga delves...
The collection of Carla & Pieter Schulting represents an era of ever-growing interest in contemporary art from the continent. African painting has boomed in recent years. It reflects the self-awareness with which the continent's artists look at themselves and their position in the world. During this period, Dutch collectors Carla and Pieter Schulting acquired a large collection of paintings - supplemented by some sculptures and photographs - from many African countries. Many of the artists in the...
The collection of Carla & Pieter Schulting represents an era of ever-growing interest in contemporary art from the continent. African painting has boomed in recent years. It reflects the self-awareness with which the continent's artists look at themselves and their position in the...
The annual Black Achievement Month, showcasing the extraordinary talents of people with African roots opens on October 1st with Find Your Eyes . In this unique show, pioneer of hip-hop theatre turned award-winning photographer, Benji Reid mixes Afro-futurist imagery with hard-hitting tales from his life and adventures. The show brings dancers and photography into the fold to create images in real-time in front of the audience. Benji draws from the well of his life experiences – exploring...
The annual Black Achievement Month, showcasing the extraordinary talents of people with African roots opens on October 1st with Find Your Eyes . In this unique show, pioneer of hip-hop theatre turned award-winning photographer, Benji Reid mixes Afro-futurist imagery with...
Contemporary dance from Tanzania, theatre from South Africa, performance from Mozambique, Masterclasses from Ivory Coast and Nigeria and so much more at the 20th edition of Afrovibes. The waters of the oceans served as ancient migratory routes for trade and carrying people away from their territories. But the oceans also connect continents and cultures. Water also features in healing rituals and ceremonies in many African cultures to come to terms with the past. This year’s festival, with shows in...
Contemporary dance from Tanzania, theatre from South Africa, performance from Mozambique, Masterclasses from Ivory Coast and Nigeria and so much more at the 20th edition of Afrovibes. The waters of the oceans served as ancient migratory routes for trade and carrying people away from...
