African Independent relaunched as a magazine – P4
REWRITING the continent’s narrative was the inspiration behind the launch of African Independent magazine, says editor Saarah Survé.
At the launch at Si Cantina Sociale in the new Silo District at the V&A Waterfront last Thursday, Survé said: “At a conference I recently attended in Johannesburg, these were the words that first came up when people were asked what they think about Africa: ‘poverty, starvation, disease, war, bad infrastructure, overcrowding, dependent’.
“The Western world’s view of Africa. What is depicted on television, in movies and in the media.
“Now imagine if we could change that to words like ‘innovation, technology, hope, solutions, investment… independent’. This is what my team and I aim to do.
“African Independent magazine is rewriting the continent’s narrative.
“We will keep you informed about what is happening on the continent, the advances that bright young Africans are making, their inventions and innovations.
“When you pick up a copy of African Independent, I want you to be inspired and willing to spread the positive news about Africa.
“Whether it is about the man from Mthatha who invented his own rocket fuel, or the woman who addresses socio-political shifts through art.
“We are here to remind you why Africa’s best is the world’s best. Rewriting Africa’s narrative starts with us.”
Zachariah George, the co-founder and chief investment officer of Startupbootcamp Africa, gave the keynote address. Startupbootcamp Africa is Africa’s leading multi-corporate-backed venture accelerator programme.
George is also the founder of Cactus Advisors – a specialist corporate finance advisory firm and micro venture capital fund specialising in high-growth, high-impact African tech ventures. He is a prominent investor in several of Africa’s leading tech startups, including Flutterwave, HouseME and Recomed.
George has chosen Africa as his base to make a difference.
The toast was given by Dr Iqbal Survé, executive chairman of the Sekunjalo Group and Independent Media.
Guests were entertained by the Sekunjalo Delft Big Band.
The new magazine will be available at select Pick n Pay, Exclusive Books and Spar stores, and airport lounges at the three major airports in South Africa (Cape Town International, OR Tambo and King Shaka), as well as African airports and major hotels in Botswana, Kenya, Mozambique, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The June/July edition of the magazine, the Youth Issue, will be on the shelves from June 11.