RSA-Overseas - The Expat Portal: Weekly Magazine

This week Baby Rosita, who was born in a tree during the floods which devastated Mozambique earlier this year, arrived in the United States. World press welcomed her on arrival at the Ronald Reagan Airport in the world's most powerful city.

While your average American citizen are not readily received into Congress at Capitol Hill, but Cecilia Chirindza, a women from a rural village and mother of the four month old baby, was invited to a reception there. Delegates, ambassadors and Congress members have been speaking about the woman who conceived her daughter under the most extraordinary circumstances, but Chirindza is not able to understand a word of what is being said.

"It is very different" has been the response from mother Rosita, a native speaker who has had the largest television networks across the globe pointing cameras at her.

After flying more than 24 hours on the upbeat airline, Virgin Atlantic, she was booked into a posh hotel in the city centre, The Gregory Luxury Hotel, worlds away from the Mondelane village where Chirindza lived before the floods.

Although she must have been jet lagged and exhausted, the attractive 23-year old Mama Rosita in a African tailored leopard -print dress and painted nails, answered multiple questions through her interpreter at the press conference the day after her arrival. At times she looked distant, although no sign of nerves or camera-fright was visible.

"My husband cannot see me on TV, because we don't have a TV," Chirindza said to her travel companion and translator after an interview with the BBC. Baby Rosita proved to be the world's most photogenic baby, and throughout the conference she delivered baby-talk and charming smiles to her audience. Mother and daughter were invited to the Howard University Hospital where they both received an extensive medical examination. Howard University was recently the recipient of a prestigious award by President Thabo Mbeki for its contribution to the Struggle. Baby Rosita's check-up was closely filmed by approximately six television channels.

Chirindza and her daughter are in Detroit at present, were they are scheduled to visit churches. They will return to Washington D.C. for another couple of days filled with the political uproar which their visit has created. Their visit is seen by the Black Caucus members as an opportunity to suggest the cancellation of Mozambique's debts. "People talk about her, and they might feel the need to help," said Maria Leonor Joaquim, Counselor to the Embassy of the Republic of Mozambique in the United States.

A new world would have dawned upon Baby Rosita, if she was old enough to comprehend the differences between her developing country and the worlds superpower.

A proposal was made to take the mother and baby to Disney World - a suggestion that could only come from a clueless American. Theme parks are not for babies who need their regular sleep, and mothers who have to breast feed.

© RSA-Overseas & Matheson Communications

Katie Koekblik Column
Ilda Jacobs

Washington D.C. - Het jy gedink jou gewroeg deur die Afrikaanse klasse op skool was geheel en al verniet? Die Amerikaners het nuwe status aan onse Taal gegee deur die dollars uit te diep vir 'n enkele Afrikaanse word.

Derek Matheson,' n Suid-Afrikaanse meganiese ingenieurs-ontwerper in Washington D.C., is 'n volle vyftig dollar ryker.

Hy dink nou met diepe eerbied terug aan sy 1975 Afrikaans onderwyser by SACS Hoër in Nuweland, ene Mevrou Marijke Basson. Destyds het Derek gedink die Taal was nou eenmaal nie "cool" genoeg om die meisies te beindruk nie; ten minste was die grammatika klasse heel handig in die Weermag.

Matheson het himself in 1980 in die VSA gevestig, en sy Afrikaans beperk tot private geselsies wat sy Amerikaanse kinders en vrou nie kon afluister nie.

'n Tyd gelede het 'n Amerikaanse vrou hom uit die bloute gekontak.

"Do you speak Afrikaans?" het sy hom met rollende 'r're gevra.

Matheson is gevra of hy beskikbaar sou wees vir oorklanking in Afrikaans. Hy was nie juis geintereseerd nie, maar toe hy hoor wat hulle vir sy dienste - in Afrikaans natuurlik - aanbied, het hy onmiddellik die ou skool woordeboek gaan opdiep. Fyftig dollar per uur is nie te versmaai nie.

Op die groot dag is 'n Afrikaanse sprekende aupair van Washington net 'n foonoproep ver op"standby" gesit .

Matheson het met herinneringe aan sy Afrikaans onderwyseres in die studio ingestap - ook met die verwagting om ten minste 'n volle dag in die studio deur te bring.

'n Enkele vel papier is aan hom oorhandig met die word "Welcome" daarop. Sou hy dit kon vertaal?

Ja, dankie, Mevrou Basson. Natuurlik is Afrikaans 'n besondere taal met status, wie sou hom vyftig dollar vir 'n enkele Engelse word betaal!

Kytie Koekblik would like you to respond to her tongue-in-cheek running commentary on suburban life in America in this editorial. Fresh off the boat, she is ready to explore and experiment with American bath plugs and to drive on the other side of the road.

You can contact her at JULUKA Magazine.

© RSA-Overseas & Matheson Communications

Mandela's silence on outcome of Iran trial
Ilda Jacobs

Washington DC - The House of Representatives passed an amendment to cut World Bank funding to the Islamic Republic of Iran in the ongoing attempt to have the sentence of 13 Jews overturned. The funding for AIDS/HIV programmes in poor countries will now be increased by 10 million US dollars.

Iran Trial

The Jews were convicted in the Iranian courts on the first of July for their co-operation with the Zionist regime and membership of the espionage network."

The amendment, proposed by Congressman Brad Sherman, signals the US displeasure with the Bank's recent decision in May this year to resume lending $231-million to Iran.

"The World Bank ignored the trial of 13 of its Jewish citizens on ridiculous espionage charges just because of their religion," Sherman said. The amendment transferred the money from the World Bank to a programme which fights HIV/AIDS in Africa. The funding for the AIDS program has been increased from $202 million to $212 million.

The Iranian Jews, ranging from a 17-year student to a perfume merchant, were detained for one year before they were tried. The trials were closed to the public and press, and the defendants were denied legal council of their choice. In a recent statement issued by the United States President Bill Clinton, the Iranian government is called upon to remedy the failings of these procedures immediately.

"International human rights organisations, the Special Rapporteur on Iran for the United Nations' Human rights Commission, the United States and many other nations have denounced the seriously flawed judicial process by which these sentences were determined." Clinton said.

The basic norms of criminal justice were violated, according to a memorandum issued by the B'nai B'Rith International, the worlds' largest Jewish organisation.

The organisation's president, Richard D. Heidemann, is a Washington, D.C.-based trial attorney. Heideman said the proceedings were political show trials, conducted with utter disregard for the rights of the defendants. "The judge also served as the prosecutor. No evidence of espionage - apart from coerced 'confessions" - was introduced." Said Heidemann. Heidemann called on "all governments that live by the rule of law must protest loudly and take appropriate action against Iran, which must be held accountable for these gross misdeeds."

During May this year former South African president Nelson Mandela angered the Jewish communities in his support of the Iranian government. Mandela was reported to have called on foreign governments to avoid criticizing the Iranian courts.

"From all observations, it would seem that the trial is fair and just," Mandela said.
"The trail is purely a domestic matter in which citizens of the Islamic republic are being tried. Foreigners should avoid any action that may be regarded rightly or wrongly as interference in the internal affairs of a sovereign state."

Mandela received the assurance of Iran's spiritual Leader Ayatollah Ali Khameini and President Mohammed Khatami that the trial would be fair. On a visit to Israel in October last year, Mandela angered Israeli officials when he asserted that the Iranian Jews would get a fair trial. Israeli Foreign Minister David Levy publicly rebuked Mandela in a press conference and denounced the statements of the Iranian leaders. He also said Mandela had access to better lawyers that the Iranian Jews. "If you had to rely on such lawyers during your captivity its is doubtful whether you would have been here today."

The Jews on trial were allegedly spying for the US- and Israeli governments. Both governments denied the allegations.

Rallies all around the United States have been held in support of liberty and justice for the Iranian Jews.

Congressman Sherman, said at public rally on Monday in La Fayette Park across the road from the White House, that the charges were trumped-up. "Jews in Iran are not allowed near anything of military or strategic significance," Sherman exclaimed.

"Our superpower and the Central Intelligence Agency would not be interested in a minority group with no access to anything significant." Sherman said. Sherman said it is time to go beyond decrying the trial, and proposed sanctions against Iran. He emphasized that sanctions against the Islamic country, would not include a bar on the export of grain.

"We are not in dispute with the people who eat bread - we are in dispute with the government." Sherman said. He proposed the bar of luxury American exports to Iran, such as caviar.

"Given the scourge of HIV/AIDS, which is raging out of control in Africa, it makes sense to save the lives of more people in poor countries while sending a message to the World Bank and our allies that Iran needs to know that if the men are not freed, they will suffer economic consequences."

© RSA-Overseas & Matheson Communications

Internet delivers dollars for S.A. Roots
Ilda Jacobs

Washington DC - The initiative of a group of former South Africans to raise funds via an e-mail chain letter, has evoked an overwhelming response from South Africans around the globe.

The ChaiSouthAfrica campaign have raised 60 000 US dollars which will be donated to Jewish homes for the aged and disabled in South Africa. The philanthropic fund was set up with the Community Foundation of the United Jewish Federation of San Diego.

The large emigration of a once thriving Jewish community, cuts in government subsidies and high inflation have resulted in the deterioration of these homes, which have been in existence for many years.

The first allocation of 35 000 US dollars to eight SA homes has just been made, and should reach the homes within a few weeks.

"South Africa has given us so much good, we felt it was our responsibility," says Claire Ellman, a San Diego-based founder member of ChaiSouthAfric who grew up in Cape Town.

The project was launched in San Diego in April this year by approximately twenty former South Africans who "wanted to take care of their own."

An e-mail letter was sent out and South Africans were invited to forward the letter to family and friends. The organisation asked for donations in multiples of eighteen, since Chai means eighteen.

"Eighteen is the lucky number for Jews" Ellman said, "Chai means eighteen in Hebrew, which symbolises life. We are bringing life to South Africa."

The donations came rolling in from all over the world, ranging from 18 to 18 000 US dollars. A donor from San Diego who requested that his name would not be published, gave 18 000 US dollar, ecquivalent to R135 000 rand. From as far as Hong Kong, the Channel Islands and Australia, people opened their hearts and wallets.

"How refreshing it is to hear that expat South Africans think so much about their roots that they are quite prepared to offer such constructive assistance" said Dr Solly Lison, a board member from the Cape Town based Glendale Home for the Jewish Handicapped.

The South African homes have welcomed the financial assistance. Most of these homes are staffed by volunteers and their needs vary from vehicles to transport their residents and nurses, to basic maintenance.

The Sandringham Gardens home in Johannesburg, is currently facing financial trauma. Out of their 460 residents, 300 are accommodated in the Frail Care/Hospital section, and the cost of caring is very high. Other homes face similar difficulties.

"75% of the children of residents in one home in Cape Town, have emigrated, and the situation is similar in other homes" Ellman explained. "Although our parents, brothers and sisters in these homes have access to adequate medical care, these homes have huge needs."

Maintenance, salaries for their staff and transport are pressing needs in these homes.

ChaiSouthAfrica, despite its success, will be an ongoing project to raise funds.

"The needs will get worse." Ellman said, although they were very surprised with the success of their first effort.

" We thought it was just a little pilot thing" a gratefull Ellman said, "About 3 000 e-mails were sent out."

ChaiSouthAfrica has already explored future options. Although the organisation is currently based in San Diego, the organisation is setting up contacts in other cities across the States. Initiatives from all over the world are encouraged.

Recently the organisation hosted a telethon after a committee member donated her office space for the event. They have also started up a basic website. Soon bulk mail will be posted off to various destinations of South African Jews across the globe. Already a member has taken the initiative to host a fashion show in aid of ChaiSouthAfrica.

"In America you can get a tax deduction for a donation made," Ellman explained, "and we are trying to set up these mechanisms in Canada, London and Australia.We want to establish an annual campaign."

© RSA-Overseas & Matheson Communications

Rainbow grooves in grunge capital
Ilda Jacobs

"Mama Africa" - South African singer Miriam Makeba and the popular South African act, Tananas, are about to perform in the heart of the grunge capital, Seattle. The WOMAD USA festival is taking place in Washington state during the weekend of July 28th to July 30th.

The World of Music, Arts and Dance (WOMAD) have brought artists from across the world together to celebrate many forms of music worldwide. The line-up for the festival is drawn from a variety of cultures and countries.

The WOMAD USA festival this year features more than 40 artists. Festinos can travel from West-Africa to South East Asia by strolling from stage to stage.

South Africa's representatives at this festival are true voices for our diverse amalgamation of sounds and cultures.

Miriam Makeba is the single most influential female performer and legend of her lifetime. She was in exile for 30 years, and her music echoed the hopes and aspirations of her people throughout the world. She gave voice to millions of people during the apartheid years, and ever since her return to home, Makeba is still highly committed to peace and freedom. Her music draws on African hi-life, Latin grooves and jazzy nuances.

Her most outstanding quality, is her powerful, distinctive voice, that has been described as "deep as the Indian Ocean and sparkling as the diamonds of her own country."

During 1988, three outstanding musicians joined forces in what became known as the Tananas. Gito Baloi, the Mozambique -born bass guitarist, Steve Newman on guitar and Ian Herman on drums conquered Namibia, Swaziland, Mozambique, France, Sweden and Japan. Their music has been described as an eclectic combination of jazz, afro rhythms and a melodic acoustic sound. Within four years the Tananas released four albums, and after a long hiatus during which the band members were involved in other musical projects, the Tananas re-emerged.

The Tananas is scheduled to play twice on the ATA Big Top stage, once on Friday afternoon and also on Saturday. Miriam Makeba is to perform on the main stage mid Sunday afternoon.

Earlier in April, the Tananas performed at the South African equivalent of WOMAD USA, the WOMAD Benoni 2000. It was only the second time that WOMAD was brought to South Africa, and performers from as far as the UK performed in South Africa. Live music was offered on three stages, and workshops were offered to children and adults.

South African artists Gloria Bosman and trance-rock act Fetish performed at WOMAD SA.

Opportunities for interaction with world-class performers also exist at WOMAD USA. Workshops and lectures throughout the festival are providing a platform for world performers and spectators to engage in cultural exchange.

The final event of this world music festival in the heart of the trashy rock capital, Seattle, is the Grande Jam on Sunday night, brings performers from various continents and cultures together on the main stage for an unforgettable performance.

Features & Briefs

UBUNTU IN MOSSEL BAY
Clothing designer Zandra Klapwijk is a self-empowered artist who has lived in many countries, at times in less fortunate circumstances.

   Once in Paraguay she found herself to be poor and powerless. She started painting tropical t-shirts; sold outrageous outfits to tourists in the Caribbean and eventually returned to her roots in Mossel Bay.

   Today her cultural experiences are resources for her "wearable art" - hand embroidered garments produced by her company, Ubuntu.

   "This drives my plight for South African unemployed woman" she says. Ubuntu Hand Embroiders provides women with the opportunity to acquire creative skills.

   Ubuntu refers to the African tradition of working together, caring and sharing", and this is Zandra ultimate objective, "to help people, to teach them a skill to be independent."

   Approximately 40 women have been trained to produce hand embroidered panels, and more women are being trained.

South Africa reporter
Matheson Communications announced the arrival of Ilda Jacobs to their team. Matheson Communications, U.S. Representatives for Africa Eye News Service, recruited Ilda as part of their continuing commitment to provide opportunity for young journalists in South Africa to gain valuable experience abroad.
Ilda graduated from Rhodes University, Grahamstown, in November 1999 with an honors degree in Arts Journalism, Drama and Afrikaans-Dutch.
We want our readers to be the eyes and ears for Ilda as she fulfills their commitment to provide news coverage to South African newspapers, magazines and various news services.
Please don't hesitate to email us leads, story ideas and assistance.
Ilda is interested in a broad spectrum of stories, ranging from hard news to Africa or South African related information.

CASH & CARRY BID FAILS
Two men totter into an East London post office supporting a third. The third isn't saying much at all.
   The three stand in the queue, nonchalantly awaiting their turn. The guy in the middle doesn't join his two buddies in conversation and seems pretty relaxed, despite the fact that it's he who is being "helped" to the counter to draw out his life savings - R760.
   The two men prop Nonjaduja Kinikini, 61, against the counter and tell the clerk what's required. The clerk, suspicious, to say the least, calls PO officials who try to take his fingerprints.
   But old Nonjaduja's fingers are too stiff. They ask for his signature, and it's then that his sister, Ethel Tlodi, 54, arrives on the scene and fesses up, saying he had "just died".
   "My brother visited a clinic and he was told to eat nutritious food because he was under nourished. That is why he decided to draw out the money," she said.
   Needless to say, the family of the recently departed left the post office without the dead man's savings.

Courtesy Out of Africa International

SA PARAMEDICS IN FLORIDA
Three South African paramedics are currently training with the Boca-Raton Fire-Rescue Fire Fighters in Boca Raton, Florida. The exchange between the rescue squads enables SA and the USA to share ideas on patient care and treatment.

   The three paramedics from Benoni, Jonathan Grobbelaar, Rhett Davis and Peter van der Spuy have been riding as observers with the Boca Raton Paramedics. The South African public will benefit from the exchange as it is orientated towards better patient treatment.

   Seminars on a variety of emergency medical topics are offered, as well as participation in hands-on skill labs. The seminars are geared to enable the rescue teams to provide the most advanced and current emergency medical services to the public.

   The two teams are currently participating the this year's Clincon International Advanced Life Support Competition. The competition is an annual event sponsored by the Florida Emergency Medical Foundation and will be held in Orlando until July the 16, 2000.

   Advanced Life Support refers to the highest level of pre-hospital care now available, including drug- and intravenous therapy, advanced airway management and cardiac defibrillation.

   During the competition, the teams will be judged on their emergency medical procedures. Scenarios are presented to the rescue teams and they are judged for their capabilities. Patient assessment, prioritising injuries, safety and control are only a few categories by which they are judged.

   The South African paramedics have been fortunate to attend the training program with the Boca Raton squad.
   Boca Raton have won the competition for two consecutive years, 1998 and 1999. Last year's competition took place in Cape Town in conjunction with the South African Emergency Services Institute's 23rd biannual conference, Emergency Services Africa 99.

   In addition to being the overall winner, the Boca Raton Rescue Squad won four awards in different categories last year. The team has won more awards at the Clincon competition that any other emergency medical services agency in the history of the event.

© JULUKA Magazine and RSA-O