Culture

After amassing incredible $80m net worth, music icon, Akon, now devotes time to African causes

Published

2 years ago

April 19, 2022

African-American music icon, Aliaune Thiam, known in the entertainment world as Akon, has always been one star who has refused to forget his African roots throughout his illustrious career, and had been dedicated to making life better on the continent.

And after amassing a whopping $80 million net worth, the Senegalese-born Akon has decided to devote his resources and time for African causes and not just in his home country.

Back in 2015, Akon had said in an interview that the reason for his dedication to African causes was because the charities that are currently on the continent did not always help the people they claimed to help.

“One thing I’ve realized about Africa is that only the organizations that involve Africans themselves are successful,” he had said.

“A lot of corporations that come with their own policies and try and implement them in Africa fail horribly.

“The advantage we had is that all three founders (of his charity) are Africans, so we were able to navigate through each country a lot faster.”

Over the years, Akon has used his success as a musician to lobby for positive change throughout Africa and his vision has helped provide new opportunities for Africans from all walks of life.

Since 2015, Akon, a Platinum-certified star and five-time Grammy award nominee has done so much more for Africa than most charities have for decades, providing electricity for mo 1000 households across the continent and in the process, being able to light up the land through affordable renewable energy with the power of the sun.

One of Akon’s charity, Akon Lighting Africa, are now installed in 14 African countries and, for the first time ever, a number of households, villages, communities, schools, and health centers that are located in rural areas are all now connected to electricity – all thanks to Akon’s desire to make a difference.

Akon also has various charities he runs and supports across Africa which includes the Konfidence Foundation, his own charity for underprivileged children in Africa.

Other charities and foundations he supports are the Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Clothes Off Our Back, Hip-Hop Summit Action Network, NoVo Foundation, ONE Campaign and Peace One Day.

Related Topics:Africa Akon Featured Music

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Culture

South Africa announces inaugural Creative Arts Awards

Published

18 hours ago

November 28, 2023

Akanimoh Etim

The South African Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Zizi Kodwa, has announced the inaugural South African Creative Arts Awards which is scheduled to hold between March and April next year.

Making the announcement on Tuesday at a news conference, Kodwa said the awards would be bestowed on South Africans and literary creatives in various sub-domains who exhibited outstanding artistic and technical outstanding achievement.

“It will be the most desired recognition in the South African creative industry,” said Kodwa.

“The awards will be exclusively for creatives from across cultural domains who push boundaries of their creative abilities and show devotion to excellence,” the minister added.

The announcement of the Creative Arts Awards is coming a few weeks after the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development, Tourism, and Environmental Affairs withdrew support for hosting the South African Music Industry Council (SAMIC) Awards, also known as SAMAS.

Culture

20th Marrakech International Film Festival kicks off in Morocco

Published

2 days ago

November 27, 2023

Akanimoh Etim

The 20th edition of the Marrakech International Film Festival successfully kicked off at the weekend at the Palais des Congrès in the Ochre City, Morocco, with a plethora of distinguished figures from the world of cinema, art, culture, and media.

The weeklong festival which kicked off under the watchful eyes of King Mohammed VI, and will run till December 2, began with the customary procession of festival attendees, including Moroccan and international film greats who graced the red carpet with colourful klieglights, with American actress Jessica Chastain serving as the president of the jury.

Among the awarded are Danish actor, Mads Mikkelsen who was honored with a career achievement award for his remarkable contributions to films like “Another Round,” “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” and “Casino Royale,” where he portrayed a memorable James Bond villain.

In an interview with journalists after receiving his award, Mikkelsen expressed gratitude to the organisers.

“Marrakesh welcomed Scandinavian filmmakers ten years ago by paying tribute to them. So we have a shared history, and they have helped us to make a name for ourselves. We are very grateful to them,” he said.

Mélita Toscan du Plantier, Director of the Marrakech International Film Festival, highlighted this year’s packed programme with strong films and great directors, noting that the festival would feature a predominantly female jury, with six women and three men.

British actress, Tilda Swinton also emphasized the importance of film festivals, saying:

“Film festivals celebrate the opportunity in cinema to put yourself in someone else’s shoes and to reach a kind of agreement about the human experience. So film festivals are always valid.”

The opening film, Richard Linklater’s action-comedy, “Hit Man,” set a lively tone for the festival, while over 70 films, including Michel Franco’s “Memory” starring Jessica Chastain, and Matteo Garrone’s Italian immigration drama “Io Capitano,” are expected to be showcased at the event.

Moroccan Prince, Moulay Rachid, who is leading the foundation responsible for the festival, while delivering his welcome speech, emphasized that it served as an invitation for discovery, empathy, and sharing.

He added that despite challenges like Israel’s war with Hamas and a recent earthquake in Morocco, the organizers aimed to showcase cinema from Morocco, the Middle East, and Africa.

“The Marrakech International Film Festival stands as a bastion of peace, bringing people together for discovery, empathy, and sharing,” he said.