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The Link Africa is dedicated to stories that connect Canada to Africa. We tell stories of Canadians in Africa and Africans in Canada. People who are making a difference and breaking new grounds in culture, politics, science and business. If you have an interesting story, we'd love to hear from you. Share your thoughts, videos and photos. Plus, we're on Twitter and Facebook.
The Canadian film 'Liberia 77' is showing at this year's Vues d'Afrique International Film Festival in Montreal. It tells the story of two Canadian brothers who return to Liberia after the war, hoping to recapture memories of their childhood. The Link’s Africa webpage editor, Awa Dlodlo, saw the film and joins Marc Montgomery in studio.
Earlier this week, Awa Dlodlo introduced us to a Canadian grant recipient who hopes to influence policy makers in Africa. Today, she joins Marc Montgomery to talk about another achiever, a young South African woman who won a prestigious Sauvé Scholarship.
The Centre d'encadrement pour jeunes femmes immigrantes (CEJFI) is an organisation whose mission it is to improve the living conditions of young immigrant women. The Link’s Africa page web editor Awa Dlodlo tells us about a special CEJFI course that helps women start a day care business.
Truckers and sex workers in Africa are vulnerable to various diseases, but thanks to mobile clinics they now have access to much needed medical care given by a non-governmental organisation called North Star Alliance. The Link’s Africa page editor Awa Dlodlo has the story.
Sixteen years ago, Sylvie Mercier fell in love with gumboot dance, a compelling art form conceived by black miners in South Africa during the repressive apartheid era. Today, she fuses gumboot dance and the traditional Quebec gig in her choreography. The Link's Africa's editor, Awa Dlodlo spoke to Mercier about what drew her to this compelling art form.
Samito Matsinhe was born in Maputo, Mozambique. He was introduced to music at an early age and studied piano and percussion. In 2005, he moved to Montreal and studied music at McGill University. Since beginning his career, he has performed alongside Sara Tavares, Lorraine Klassen, The New Grove Orchestra and artists from all over the world. Now, Samito has just joined the Canadian hip-hop band, Radio Radio which sings in the Chiac-language which is unique to the province of New Brunswick’s Moncton region. He spoke to The Link’s Africa editor, Awa Dlodlo about his experience and how he has made it as a musician on the Canadian music scene.
Almost ten years ago artist Hendrikus Bervoets, decided to join in the fight against HIV/AIDS. He founded Arts for Aids International, conducting art workshops around the world to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS ,and as a tool to help young people in South Africa talk about HIV/AIDS -related issues in their communities. So far more than 10,000 young people have attended art workshops in over 300 schools in Canada, Europe and Africa. Awa Dlodlo spoke to Hendrikus Bervoets to find out how his workshops are making a difference in young people's lives
Every year, Montreal’s Darling Foundry visual arts centre chooses a foreign artist to be a resident for six months, and provides that artist with organisational and technical support, promotion and networking opportunities. This year’s resident artist, Dineo Bopape of South Africa, talks about her Canadian experience with The Link’s Africa page editor Awa Dlodlo.
JUBA, South Sudan — On a bright and blisteringly hot afternoon in late August in 2011, a few weeks after South Sudan became independent, a group of 50 South Sudanese parliamentarians took part in a workshop on effective policymaking led by Jeffrey Kroeker, a Canadian political consultant. The workshop was part of the ongoing plan to build government institutions in South Sudan.
The Dare to Wear Love exhibition is the Textile Museum’s first to be devoted to the celebrated work of top Canadian fashion designers who have created original pieces to raise awareness and funds for grassroots organisations who are turning the tide of HIV/Aids in sub-Saharan Africa.
The Link’s Africa page editor Awa Dlodlo spoke to the curatorial director for the museum to learn more about this special project.