Raise Your Right Hand Ring For Africa

Beyoncé Knowles, Jennifer Lopez, and Patricia Arquette helped support the Diamond Information Center's Raise Your Right Hand Ring for Africa campaign at the 64th Annual Golden Globe Awards® red carpet, generating $30,000 for three special projects that will directly benefit various African communities. Raise Your Right Hand Ring for Africa is part of the diamond industry's ongoing efforts to raise star-powered support for important projects and causes that are vital to the continued prosperity of key diamond-producing nations around the world, particularly southern Africa.

Beyoncé, who wore a spectacular 25-carat grey, yellow and white Diamond Right Hand Ring by diamond jeweler, Lorraine Schwartz is contributing $10,000 to Link-A-Child (www.linkachild.org), a project Beyoncé personally visited during a trip to the African continent. Link-A-Child is a not-for-profit organization that serves to care for the more than 7 million child orphans and motherless babies in Africa who are abandoned. The organization connects children to people who take care of them, and to potential corporate and individual donors who provide aid to orphanages in all 26 states in the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria. Link-A-Child's belief is that, through generating proper public awareness, everyone will share in the moral vision to help rehabilitate these children by showing their support and ensuring they receive basic needs such as food, clothing, shelter, healthcare and education to give these children a proper chance for a prosperous life and future.

(Photo Credits: PR Newswire Photo Service)

Uh Oh Tsotsi's In Trouble

Looks like Presley Chweneyagae, the star of last year's Oscar-winning South African film TSOTSI is in a little bit of trouble. BBC is reporting that he was arrested on Tuesday for allegedly possessing a fake driver's license. So far, not much has been divulged about the incident, other than that he was caught when he attempted to convert a forged Ivory Coast license into a South African one. Chweneyagae's in the clear for now as his case was postponed until late February to give him time to complete work abroad. BBC's got the full story at: news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6297739.stm

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(Photo Credits: Provided Courtesy of Tsotsi Films)

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MIMI Mambo Link: Coming To Theatres: TSOTSI www.mimimagazine.com/february2006/02-02-tsotsi01.html

Oscar Nominations

The Oscar nominations have been announced and Dreamgirls leads films in nominations (you've got to see the movie if you haven't already, it's absolutely fantastic)! Notable nominations include Forrest Whitaker in the Best Actor category for his portrayal of Idi Amin Dada in Last King of Scotland (another excellent film that you should see if you haven't already). Although Will Smith is also nominated in that category, we're predicting that Whitaker is poised to nab the Oscar as he already picked up the Golden Globe a few weeks ago. As we predicted, Djimon Hounsou picked up a Best Supporting Actor nomination for Blood Diamonds (yes, you should see Blood Diamonds if you haven't already ... Hounsou will pull at your heart strings and DiCaprio will blow you away with his Afrikaans accent). We suspect that Eddie Murphy who was also nominated in the Best Supporting Actor will nab the award (his role in Dreamgirls required him to sing and act, both of which he did exceptionally well).

African films didn't fare well out as well as they have in the past couple of years in the Best Foreign Language Film Category (South Africa had a nomination two years ago for Yesterday and won last year for Tsotsi), but this year Algerian film Days of Glory (Indigenes) got a nomination.

Designer Spotlight: Haimi Design

Haimanot Deboch has been interested in art and design since she was in kindergarten in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. As a child, Haimi (as her family calls her) saw elements of design in simple things such as dogs, houses, and so forth. From then on, she took a keen interest in art. Every year in high school she would win the prize for being at the top of her sewing class. Today, Haimi is an established designer in Washington, DC.

Always looking to her homeland for inspiration, Haimi uses the distinctive hand-woven cloth of Ethiopia for her dresses, trimming them with the traditional designs that are woven into the fabric. A mix of the modern and the traditional, Haimi Design has something for all ages with its collections for children, women, brides and men alike (www.blengrafix.com/haimidesign).

(Photo Credits: Provided Courtesy Of Robin Bingham For Haimi Designs)

Telling It Like It Is

SAB1's four-part mini-series Society premiered this week to rave reviews, being hailed as the African Sex and the City. Society is helmed by first-time female producers Makgano Mambolo of Miss Kwa-Kwa and Mazinyo dot Q, and Lodi Matsetela, award winning writer for Home Affairs and City Ses’la. The business partners formed their production company Puo Pha, which means “ tell it like it is,” two years ago.

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When asked about the series, Mamabalo and Matsetela, explained that many young African women aspire to Western ideals and values of success, so the show asks: “What are the repercussions of this new, foreign lifestyle?” It's about time that media about African women is done by African women! How refreshing ... and inspiring.

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(Photo Credits: Provided Courtesy of SABC 1)

Must See TV

The empowered black careerwoman and her desire to be the best in whatever she does, from business matters to her personal life, is explored in SABC 1's four-part mini-series Society.

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The Cast of Society Lele Ledwaba, Sibulele Gcilitshana, Zandile Msutwana and Samele Tylbooi

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Society begins with four high-school friends, reunited after the fifth friend in their crew commits suicide. Too busy chasing their dreams, the women failed to pay attention to each other, and guilt-ridden, they decide to follow a social tradition by forming a burial society, hence the name of the show (during the apartheid era, black communities set up informal saving schemes, known as "societies," to assist each other in burying their loved ones, because they were barred from using the existing financial infrastructures that were reserved for the white population).

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When trouble sets in, like a funeral, they are the first to arrive to prepare food for mourners and make sure that arrangements are followed through. But in the new South Africa, where neighbours don’t know each other, these women find themselves without a sense of community and things like a society are foreign. In addition to the changes in society, the women have to face their own issues--looking for love, hoping for a family, dealing with failing relationships, seeking wealth ... and all the themes that we women can relate to.

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Part Sex and the City (modern career women) meets Desperate Housewifes (reunited by a dead friend) and all African, Society depicts the real pains, secrets and dreams of the empowered black woman. The series airs on Thursdays on South Africa's SABC1.

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(Photo Credits: Provided Courtesy of SABC 1)

Africa Miranda

If you don't know Africa Miranda's name right now, you will by the time the GRAMMYS air this February. A native of Montgomery, Alabama, the Cape Verdean beauty was selected as one of the Top 12 finalists in the "My GRAMMY Moment" campaign, where unsigned artists vie for a special performance slot on the 49th Annual GRAMMY Awards with multi-GRAMMY nominee Justin Timberlake. Africa's goals for the future are to be internationally recognized as a performer as well as to work with artists who have paved their own paths musically and reshaped their genres of music, some of her top choices being: Prince, Sade, Pharrell, Madonna, and Andre 3000. Africa also wishes to demonstrate her range in the performing arts by successfully crossing over into film and television. MIMI is definitely rooting for the rising star.

Find out more about Africa Miranda at www.myspace.com/africamiranda

(Photo Credits: Provided Courtesy of CBS)

Real Life Films: Beat The Drum

Beat the Drum is a thought-provoking story which chronicles the journey of Musa, a young boy who is orphaned after a mysterious illness strikes his village. In search of his uncle and the truth about what is killing his people, Musa sets out for the big city. He sneaks aboard a truck driven by Nobe, a father of four girls but no boys, who tries to help Musa find work in Johannesburg. However the streets are already teeming with other orphaned ‘street kids.’ Urged by his determination to survive and his growing social awareness, Musa finds a way to make an honest living and returns to his village with a truth and understanding his elders have failed to grasp.

An all South African cast and crew shine in this emotional and timely drama reminding us how one small voice can be the brave start of colossal change – uniting a village, a township, and even a nation. To view the film's trailer and learn more about Beat The Drum, visit www.beatthedrumthemovie.com

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(Photo Credits: Blid Alsbirk)

Steal Goapele's Style

From Africa to the Orient and all lands near and far, the much sought after Bay Area stylist/designer Andrea Lamadora of House of Mamasan, who has designed for stars including South African songbird Goapele, artfully makes creations like nouveau riche, bohemian-goddess and street chic coexist in perfect harmony in what she coins "urban ethnic couture." With a new Spring/Summer 2007 collection thememed "Spices Around the World" which includes long layered chiffon, ethnic fabric sashes and kimonos, House of Mamasan is in high demand. For more information, visit: www.houseofmamasan.com

(Photo Credits: Provided Courtesy Of Sasha Brookner)

MIMI Features Link: www.mimimagazine.com/february2006/02-02-goapele01.html

Rudi: Miriam Chemmoss Is Back

We are so excited to see that internationally acclaimed urban singer (and coincidentally, October 2005 MIMI Cover Girl (www.mimimagazine.com/october2005)), Miriam Chemmoss, is set to celebrate the release of her latest single, a Swahili love song titled Rudi, on Wednesday January 31, 2007 at New York City’s Pianos (158 Ludlow Street, NYC). This is the latest in a series of opportunities and events which are helping 2007 shape up to be Miriam Chemmoss’s most successful year yet. The January 31st show, will mark Miriam’s first live performance to promote her new release with Gasuza Media LLC.

Future show dates, new singles, and everything else you want to know about Miriam Chemmoss will be posted on her website: www.myspace.com/miriamchemmoss

(Photo Credits: Provided Courtesy Of Gasuza Media LLC)

MIMI Features Link: Miriam Chemmoss's Confessions www.mimimagazine.com/october2005/01-07-miriamchemmoss01.html

Obama Is One Step Closer

Today Barack Obama took one step closer to running for President, when he announced on a video posted on his website that he has filed paperwork to form a presidential exploratory committee that will allow him to raise money and put together a campaign structure. Obama said, "For the next several weeks, I am going to talk with people from around the country, listening and learning more about the challenges we face as a nation, the opportunities that lie before us, and the role that a presidential campaign might play in bringing our country together." Obama will go into details about his bid for President on February 10th.

We'd love to see him run and can't wait for an official announcement! Learn more about Obama by visiting obama.senate.gov

MIMI Africana Link: 10 Reasons Why Barack Obama Should Run For President www.mimimagazine.com/2007/january/03-01-obama01.html

We Have A Dream

"Everyone has the power for greatness, not for fame but greatness, because greatness is determined by service."

... Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Today we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the great Reverend’s legacy, which among many other noble things included a commitment to service. In the spirit of Dr. King, ask yourself: how do you use your life to best serve yourself and the world? Check with your local area community centers to find out how you can commit today (and many more) to service. To learn more, visit www.mlkday.gov

Miss Kenya Swiss Evelyn Müller

20-year old Evelyn Müller is the current Miss Kenya Swiss. The daughter of a Kenyan Maasai mother and a Swiss father, Evelyn's natural good looks and statuesque height opened up doors for her in the fashion industry as both a model and fashion consultant. Before winning the Miss Kenya Swiss title, Evelyn already had a lot of international exposure on the catwalk doing international runway shows for fashion labels like Mexx, Wolford, Extremo, Bellazza, Luisa Cerano and others.

As Miss Kenya Swiss 2006, Evelyn will be the spokesperson for the Kenyan Community in Switzerland and will, during her reign throughout 2007, be involved in charity activities both in Kenya and Switzerland. Evelyn has chosen integration and racism as one of the issues Kenyans in Switzerland face, and tribalism, corruption and HIV/Aids as one of the issues confronting Kenyans in Kenya; and she plans on using her status as Miss Kenya Swiss to generate public awareness of these issues.

2007 promises to be a busy year for Evelyn, who was also the 1st runner up of Miss Zurich a few months before she became Miss Kenya Swiss, and therefore doubles as the current deputy Miss Zurich. Get your updates about Miss Kenya Swiss at www.kenyaswiss.net

(Photo Credits: Provided Courtesy of Winnie Ojanga for Miss Kenya Swiss)

MIMI Lifestyle Link: Vanity Fair www.mimimagazine.com/april2006/02-04-kenyaswiss01.html

Adventurous Accessories

Madagascan retailer Mad Imports' 2007 spring/summer collection has arrived. It's filled with tantalizing colors, candy colors and striking silhouettes. Our favorite: the Gigi clutch in teal. You can preview the entire collection at www.madimports.net

(Photo Credits: Provided Courtesy Of Mad Imports)

MIMI Style Link: The Beauty Behind The Bag www.mimimagazine.com/october2005/01-07-madimports01.html

Justice For Rwanda's Former First Lady?

Many are wondering whether Rwanda's former first lady, Mrs. Habyarimana, will ever be tried for her alleged involvement in the Rwandan genocide. According to the BBC, the former first lady fled to France and sought political asylum--which French officials denied. Mrs. Habyarimana, however, continues to reside in France and maintains that her and her family are being used as scapegoats.

Rwanda's Justice Minister, Tharcisse Karugarama, has an entirely different take on the former first lady, describing her to the press as a "category one" genocide suspect, and adding "How can she sit and dine with French security and judicial authorities?... What they should be doing is to apprehend her and bring her before justice in Rwanda or before the ICTR [UN's International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda] in Arusha or any other court that can try her." BBC has the details at news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6251425.stm

Julia Sarr: Sweet Melodies From Senegal, The Gambia and France

Although the collaboration between the Senegalese-Gambian singer Julia Sarr and French flamenco guitarist Patrice Larose to create the album, Set Luna, might seem odd at first blush, the result is music that is out of this world. Not long ago, each performed in the backing bands of more established artists, Sarr with Lokua Kanza and Larose with Marcio Faraco, yet their album, Set Luna, sparkles with a new fusion that is fueled with genuine star power. Together, Sarr and Larose smoothly blend Brazilian bossa nova, French chanson, Spanish flamenco and Senegalese mbalax. Stand out tracks on the album include Waruna and Flor De Mi Secreto. Listen to tracks from Set Luna and purchase the album at Amazon.com.

(Photo Credits: Provided Courtesy Of Sunnyside Records)

United For Africa

MIMI loves a good cause, and here's another one we just had to share with you ...

International sports apparel manufacturer Puma, Senegalese rapper Akon, and Ghanaian footballer Boris Trenkel are just some of the big names that have lent a helping hand to German-based organization United For Africa. United For Africa seeks to act against the concept of Africa as the "lost continent" and to attract the attention of the German public not only to the poverty of millions of people on the African continent, but also to the people's potential and the continent's signs of hope.

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Among the intitiatives that United For Africa has spearheaded are: a limited edition clothing collection designed by Puma, a music CD Africa Plays On featuring artists such as K'naan,(available on Amazon.com) and a book The African Game featuring soccer players photographed by Nigerian filmmaker and photographer Andrew Dosunmu (available on Amazon.com)

(Photo Credits: Boris Trenkel and Georg Meierotto)

To learn more about United For Africa, visit www.gemeinsam-fuer-afrika.de

Model Style: Liya Kebede

Ethiopian born supermodel Liya Kebede graces fashion runways wearing the hottest looks, but when she's off the runway she's known for having casual-chic style. Kebede abides by one rule of style: you don't have to be dressed up to the nines to be stylish. Kebede says, "You can pull off a jeans look, especially with heels, for just about any occasion." In true hobo-chic form, Kebede says she can't live without her Converse sneakers and Moroccan style tunics and embraces a unique and sometimes eclectic style. When asked about who she considers a style icon, Kebede gave an unconventional response: Chinese actress Maggie Cheung. Kebede explains, "The dresses in the film In the Mood for Love were amazing. They fit Maggie Cheung perfectly, which is so important for great style."

To achieve Liya Kebede's boho chic look, pull together: (1) a piece of funky jewelry, (2) a tunic, (3) a belt, (4) your favorite pair of comfortable jeans, and (4) heels (even though Kebede prefers sneakers, heels add height).

(Photo Credits: Charles Shapiro)

And The Movie Nominees Are ...

Djimon Hounsou (Benin) is an award show favorite, already picking up 3 nominations this year for his role in Blood Diamond. In 2006 Hounsou was nominated for and won two awards in the Best Supporting Actor Category at the Washington DC Area Film Critics Association Awards as well as the National Board of Review. 2007 is looking even better with 4 nominations for: (1) a Screen Actors Guild Award (Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role), (2) a Broadcast Film Critics Association Award (Best Supporting Actor), (3) a Black Reel Award (Best Supporting Actor) and (4) an NAACP Award (Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture). Is an Oscar nod next?

Chiwetel Ejifor (Nigeria) is on a role as well (excuse the bad pun). His roles in Kinky Boots and Children of Men have earned him 2 Black Reel Awards nominations for Best Supporting Actor. He is also nominated for 2 Golden Globes; first, for Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television for his role in the HBO TV Series Tsunami and second, for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy for Kinky Boots. Two is definitely Chiwetel's lucky number and maybe he'll walk away with all two awards at the two respective award shows where he has been nominated!

African actresses are definitely holding their own in the award show circuit. Thandie Newton (Zimbabwe) picked up an NAACP Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture nomination for her role in the The Pursuit of Happyness and, for her role alongside Chiwetel Ejifor in Tsunami, Sophie Okonedo (Nigeria) picked up a Golden Globe Nomination for Best Performance by an Actress in a Mini-Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television.

As for movies about our favorite topic--Africa--that are doing well, so far The Last King of Scotland (a fictional account about former Ugandan dictator Idi Amin Dada) and Blood Diamond (a fictional account about conflict diamonds originating from Sierra Leone) have generated a lot of positive critical buzz.

MIMI Mambo Link: Coming To Theatres www.mimimagazine.com/november2006/02-08-movies01.html

And The Music Nominees Are ...

The Grammy Awards are just a month away and African artists have swept up a notable number of nominations: six to be exact. Sengalese rapper Akon was nominted for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for his single Smack That, featuring Eminem. Also up for a Grammy is the critically acclaimed album Blessed by South Africa's Soweto Gospel Choir in the category Best Traditional World Music Album. But the biggest buzz surrounds the Best Contemporary World Music Album where four of the five nominations have gone to Africans: Cameroon's Richard Bona for Tiki, Mali's Salif Keita for M'Bemba, South Africa's Ladysmith Black Mambazo for Long Walk To Freedom and Mali's Ali Farka Touré for Savane.

I Am African, You Are African, We Are African

At the front line of the global war against the AIDS pandemic is Somali-born supermodel Iman. As the ambassador of Keep a Child Alive, Iman has sought to raise awareness of the program's one-dollar-a-day program that provides lifesaving antiretroviral drugs for children and families with AIDS in Africa. As part of her mission to raise awareness about Keep A Child Alive, Iman created the “I Am African” campaign which enlisted the help of countless celebrities including Gwyneth Paltrow, Lucy Liu and Seal who all declared "I Am African." Predictably, the campaign generated controversy, especially among bloggers who were less than pleased over using Paltrow, Hollywood's "All American Girl," to promote the slogan "I am African." However, Iman says, "I was trying to come up with something that was unique but tying back to Africa. I came up with I Am African because I do believe that we all originated from Africa."

Irrespective of the controversy behind the campaign, the ultimate message is one that should not be forgotten: for a donation of one dollar a day, antiretroviral drugs that make AIDS a manageable chronic illness rather than a death sentence are provided to people living with HIV in various parts of Africa. For more information on how you can help, please visit www.keepachildalive.org

(Photo Credits: Keep A Child Alive)

MIMI Extra! Extra! Link: AIDS In Africa www.mimimagazine.com/december2006subscribers

Designer Spotlight: African Mosaique

Here are some of Ethiopian designer Anna Getaneh's 2006-07 Sanlam South Africa Fashion Week creations from her label African Mosaique (www.africanmosaique.com):

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(Photo Credits: Ivan Naudé)

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MIMI Style Link: Stylemaker: Anna Getaneh www.mimimagazine.com/april2006/02-04-annagetaneh01

Oprah Backlash?

We all know that Oprah Winfrey used $40 million of her own money to launch a school for poor South African girls and that on the following day Gordon Brown re-iterated his promise of $15 billion of aid, pledging to make universal primary education a key foreign policy goal (mimimagazine.blogspot.com/2007/01/oprahs-gift-to-south-africas-girls.html). However, it seems as though Oprah's and Gordon's philanthropy is not being well received by everyone. In a press release by ActionAid International, David Archer, Head of Education at ActionAid International said in part:

“Both these interventions should be welcomed for the attention they bring to education, especially to the education of girls, but Oprah and Gordon could be doing so much more ...
Only 150 hand-picked girls from poor households will enroll in Oprah’s boarding school. This number may rise to 400 and there’s no doubt they’ll receive an excellent education and some will emerge as future leaders. But there are over 40 million girls who have never been inside a classroom ... Oprah’s $40 million could have benefited many more girls by challenging discrimination and violence and by improving the quality and accountability of existing schools. Creating a new elite will be less effective than improving the system for all girls."

For the full press release, visit www.actionaid.org/index.asp?page_id=1530

Tanzania's Foreign Minister Snags Top UN Spot

Ban Ki-Moon, Kofi Annan's successor to the post of United Nation's Secretary General, has picked Tanzania's current Foreign Minister, Asha-Rose Migiro, to serve as his deputy. BBC and the International Herald Tribue have details about the appointment at news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/6235907.stm and www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/01/05/news/UN-GEN-UN-Deputy-Secretary-General.php

Work It!

We're happy to see Missy Elliot modeling pieces from her Spring/Summer 2007 Respect M.E. line (www.adidas.com/missy) rather than the typical rail thin models, and we're even more exicted about hitting the gym in style!

(Photo Credits: Provided Courtesty Of ADIDAS)

Spring/Summer 2007 ADIDAS Sleek Series Preview

Check out what's going to be hot in sportswear this spring and summer seasons courtesy of ADIDAS' Sleek Series (www.adidas.com). Loving everything from the natural hair to the whimsical floral print jacket, but the ultra short mini is definitely not a good look to rock past the teen years.

(Photo Credits: Provided Courtesty Of ADIDAS)

The Real World

Nineteen Ethiopians turn their cameras onto their own lives and invite you to share their very personal perspectives at www.ethiopialives.net From diverse backgrounds and different parts of the country, the photographers give a rare insight into life in Ethiopia now.

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Wonder what it would be like to be an eighteen year old living in Addis Ababa? Check out some of these photographs taken by Betelhem (Beti) Abate:

Beti:

Beti and her grandmother Desta Belachew:

Beti's mother Tshary and their neighbour Wegayhu:

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(Photo Credits: Provided Courtesy Of EthiopiaLives.net)

The Alluring Miss Du Plooy

Following in the footsteps of Charlize Theron (2004) and Noni Gasa (2005) the striking doe-eyed Taryn Du Plooy was 2006's South Africa's MOTO Face, the prestigious title given to the country's most glamorous figurehead representing South Africa's only national fashion platform-the 2006 Sanlam South Africa Fashion Week (SAFW). Du Plooy is more than just a pretty face. She's an athletic 19-year-old Boksburg native who is studying towards a career in Fashion Design and Retail Buying with ambitions of herself becoming a fashion designer. During her three year career as a model she's taken on ramp work for events such as the 2005 SA Fashion Week, SA Elle Paris Fashion Show and the Revlon Fire and Ice Ball in the Seychelles. Du Plooy has also appeared in notable print and television campaigns for premier international brands, and is no stranger to magazine shoots, with fashion spreads for Style and Y-Mag and many others. Du Ploy cites her versatility and professionalism among her key assets when it comes to modeling, describing herself as a "committed all-rounder." Du Plooy adds, "I've experienced and seen so much while modeling over the past few years."

(Photo Credits: Provided Courtesy Of Sanlam South Africa Fashion Week/Total Exposure)

MIMI Features Link: Noni, Noni, Noni! www.mimimagazine.com/november2005/01-08-noni01.html

Uru: Rock Meets African Hip-Hop

Nigerian singer Uru is bringing a new sound to the African music scene with her music, which she describes as "a blend of Rock and African Hip-Hop." A risk-taker at heart who includes Radiohead, Salif Keita, Bob Marley and Janis Joplin among her influences, Uru adds "I like to take chances and have fun with music, and make a difference while I'm at it!" Visit www.myspace.com/urumusic and urumusic.com to hear Uru's eclectic music and decide whether she stands out from the crowd of up-and-coming singers or if she's too eclectic for anyone's tastes.

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(Photo Credits: Provided Courtesy Of Tantrum Records)

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MIMI Mambo Link: On Her Way To The Top www.mimimagazine.com/may2006/02-05-tiwasavage01.html

Oprah's Gift To South Africa's Girls

Former South African President Nelson Mandela and local dignitaries joined Oprah Winfrey in celebrating the opening of the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls ‐ South Africa—a private learning and residential environment for grades 7‐12 that engenders high standards of academic achievement and service leadership for girls who show outstanding promise despite their social circumstances. "I know that this Academy will change the trajectory of these girls’ lives," said Oprah Winfrey. "They will excel and pass their excellence on to their families, their nation, and our world."

"This school will provide opportunities to some of our young people they could never imagine, had it not been for Oprah. The key to any country’s future is in educating its youth. Oprah is therefore not only investing in a few young individuals but in the future of our country. We are indebted to her for her selfless efforts. This is a lady that has, despite her own disadvantaged background, become one of the benefactors of the disadvantaged throughout the world and we should congratulate her for that," said Nelson Mandela.

To find out more about the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls, please visit www.oprahwinfreyleadershipacademy.org

(Photo Credits: Daniel Ingegneri)

An Oldie But Goodie!

Take a look at this photograph of 2005's Face of Africa's Top 10 that MIMI dug up from the archives. Even among beautiful model hopefuls, winner Kaone Kario of Botswana (bottom row, center) stands out.

(Photo Credits: M-Net/YIP Photography)

MIMI Features Link: Kaone Kario: The Face Of Africa www.mimimagazine.com/december2005/01-09-kaone01

Unleash Your Inner Goddess

South African label Sun Goddess (www.sungoddess.co.za) was created by husband and wife team, Thando and Vanya Mangaliso. They say they did not get into fashion for the sake of fashion, instead, they were seeking to make a positive contribution to the reconstruction of the South African identity. The appeal of the label lies in the lovely and exciting design combinations of modern fabrics, embellishments, and a dose of pure nostalgia. These gorgeous dresses are from their 2006-07 Sanlam South Africa Fashion Week collection.

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(Photo Credits: Ivan Naudé)

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MIMI Style Link: Urban Elegance www.mimimagazine.com/april2006/02-04-stonedcherrie01

Presley The Poet

Last year's breakout star Presley Chweneyagae (from the Academy Award winning film Tsotsi) is back in the spotlight making a brief guest appearance as "Poet" in the four part SABC mini-series When We Were Black, a love story set against the backdrop of apartheid. The mini-series began airing on South Africa's Youth Chanel on December 21, 2006 to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the 1976 Soweto Uprisings. Here is Presley with some of his castmates:

(Photo Credits: Provided Courtesy Of SABC 1)

MIMI Mambo Links: Coming To Theatres: TSOTSI www.mimimagazine.com/february2006/02-02-tsotsi01.html

Soulful. Passionate. Real.

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MIMI loves Nigerian R&B singer Banky. He has a smooth and fresh sound that both strikes a sweet nerve and shows the polish of an artist who is here to stay. Our favorite tracks: My Regret and Don't Wanna. You can check out these songs along with Banky's other songs by visiting his official website: www.bankyw.com or his myspace page: www.myspace.com/banky. We caught up with Banky for an interview, and here is what he had to say:

MIMI: How much of your music is inspired by real life experiences? And, on a related note is the song My Regret about anyone or any situation in particular?
Banky: Almost all of it... 90% + - I tend to write most of my music from stuff that I've already gone through myself. If you're going to talk about something, it helps to have already gone through it. That way you can express yourself better, because you actually KNOW what you're talking about. Whether it's a song about being in a club or the deepest most beautiful love song, it helps to have been there. And yes, My Regret is definitely from a personal experience. But I think I tell enough of that particular situation in the song...

MIMI: How do you want your music to inspire your listeners?
Banky: I want my music to cause people to feel something. Whether a song makes u laugh or cry, whether it turns u on, or makes u think. Whether it makes u want to dance, or makes u want to pray, or whether it inspires u to do greater things ... I just want people to feel something real when they listen to me. I want them to be able identify with what I'm saying, and I want to be able to have an impact on them.

MIMI: What 3 things in life would you tell a man not to take for granted about a woman?
Banky: Her heart, her intelligence, and her "everything else. ''

(Photo Credits: Provided Courtesy Of Empire Mate$ Entertaiment Inc)

Get To Know Thuli Thabete

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Thuli Thabete is the niece of Yvonne Chaka Chaka who is making waves as an actress. She started off in music, but parted ways with her African-soul band, Seed, to pursue acting. After months away from the spotlight, Thuli Thabete reappeared on the South African Film and Television Award-nominated comedy, City Ses’la, in the role of Phumzile. It looks as if her aunt’s influence and elusive X factor has rubbed off on her. Catch Thuli Thabete on SABC1's City Ses’la, Tuesdays at 20:30.

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(Photo Credits: Provided Courtesy Of SABC 1)

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MIMI Features Link: Breaking All The Rules: Sphiwe Olivia Nkosi www.mimimagazine.com/2007/january/03-01-sphiwe01

January 2007: All About You

The January 2007 issue of MIMI is now available, and to celebrate MIMI's two-year anniversary, this issue is "All About You." South African gospel singer Rebecca Malope graces the cover.

All About MIMI Link: Volume 3, Issue 1: All About You www.mimimagazine.com/2007/january

Welcome To MIMI's Blogspot!

The MIMI Magazine Team has launched MIMI's Blogspot as a complement to the magazine and to give a stronger voice to African women. Here, you will find posts about the same topics that MIMI covers in the magazine (style, music, politics, culture, celebrities ...), but with a different focus in content. Be sure to check MIMI's Blogspot often as we plan to update it on a regular basis.