Mothers Day 2024
News & Events Mothers Day 2024 November 29, 2025 To the mothers that make everything work To the resilient, nurturing, and beautifully strong African and women around the world. Today, as we celebrate Mother’s Day, our heart overflows with gratitude and admiration for each and every one of you. You are the backbone of families, the pillars of strength in communities, and the embodiment of love that knows no bounds. In every corner of Africa and New Zealand and around the world, you rise with the sun, ready to face whatever challenges may come your way. With grace and determination, you carry the weight of responsibilities, often with little recognition but with boundless love. From the bustling cities to the serene villages, your unwavering dedication to your children, your families, and your communities shines brightly like a beacon of hope. You are the queens of resilience, turning hardships into opportunities, and adversity into triumphs. Your hands, weathered by toil, weave the fabric of our society, stitching together the tapestry of our culture with threads of wisdom and compassion. Your love knows no boundaries, transcending language, ethnicity, and creed. You teach us the true meaning of selflessness, showing us that love is not just a word but a verb a constant act of giving, nurturing, and sacrificing for the ones you hold dear. In your embrace, we find solace, in your wisdom, we find guidance, and in your love, we find our strength. Today, and every day, we honour you, celebrate you, and cherish you. May your hearts be filled with joy and your spirits lifted high as we pay tribute to the remarkable women who shape our lives and inspire us to be better every day. Happy Mother’s Day to the queens of Africa, whose love knows no bounds and whose legacy will endure for generations to come. The Data In a study about African women adjustment in New Zealand, Adelowo (2021) accurately surmised the resilience of African women in New Zealand as “The adjustment of African women could be defined as the presence of wellness – positive functioning. Because the women have imbibed their cultural norms and values they have been able to demonstrate autonomy, environmental mastery, personal growth, positive relations with others and purpose in life (Ryff, 1989, p. 406). African women are not dangling persons in as much as they have imbibed and make use of their values from their culture, they have not estranged themselves from their ‘new community’ that of New Zealand. They have been able to use values and ethics from their culture to plan and pursue their goals in New Zealand. The women demonstrated their belief in their inner strength, resilience and courage although the changes they have had to adapt to challenged their identity. Yet they were able to rediscover themselves by imbibing ethics, values and norms from their culture to cope with their new life, they were able to achieve this by fulfilling their roles as African women. The women have demonstrated that they are the bearer of the culture, a mediator and transmitter of knowledge. It is to be acknowledged that the conception of woman as nurturer and first teacher is demonstrated by the women.” the full thesis can be found (https://openrepository.aut.ac.nz/items/25d90b33-ed29-4cad-a189-3624148b8ded). Read about the Forbes 50 over 50 influential women (https://www.forbesafrica.com/woman/2023/03/15/50-over-50-success-at-every-age-2/) and a list of 2023 influential African women’s list (https://www.africa.com/avance-media-announces-2023-most-influential-african-women-list/). ACCW 2024 Women’s Event is currently under planning to celebrate all women in our community, do look out in this space for further update. A recap of the 2022 edition of this event can be found here (https://youtu.be/I-TjviCPZ2g?si=YHl9yB0ybnH5ZLoa). Latest Posts ANZAC Day 2024 ANZAC Day 2024 25/04/2024 by African Community Wellington A solemn… Read More 25/04/2024 Expression of Interest for ACCW Board Role Expression of Interest for ACCW Board Role 12/04/2024 In the… Read More 21/04/2024 2023 Year End Message Read More 24/12/2023 Load More View all news
ANZAC Day 2024
ANZAC Day 2024 25/04/2024 by African Community Wellington A solemn moment to remember the brave men and women who lost their lives during war. Anzac Day is observed on 25 April. It commemorates New Zealanders killed in war and honours returned and serving servicemen and women. The date marks the anniversary of the landing of Australian and New Zealand soldiers – the Anzacs – on the Gallipoli Peninsula in 1915. The aim was to capture the Dardanelles and open a sea route to the Bosphorus and the Black Sea. At the end of the campaign, Gallipoli was still held by its Ottoman Turkish defenders. Thousands lost their lives during the Gallipoli campaign: 87,000 Ottoman Turks, 44,000 men from France and the British Empire, including 8500 Australians. To this day, Australia also marks the events of 25 April. Among the dead were 2779 New Zealanders, about one in six of those who served on Gallipoli. They may have ended in military defeat, but for many New Zealanders then and since, the Gallipoli landings signalled that New Zealand was becoming a distinct nation, even as it fought on the other side of the world in the name of the British Empire. Anzac Day was first observed in 1916. The day has gone through many changes since. The ceremonies that are held at war memorials up and down New Zealand, and in places overseas where New Zealanders gather, are modelled on a military funeral and remain rich in tradition and ritual. Read more at https://nzhistory.govt.nz/war/anzac-day/introduction. For live updates across New Zealand follow https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/515156/anzac-day-follow-live-updates-from-across-aotearoa It is great to see Africans turning up to mark the day during the dawn commemoration. As we mark the day in New Zealand, let us also take a moment to remember the Africans who lost their lives in wars. To read more on some of the African contribution to the war click Key Battles in Africa and Kenya World War I Museum.
Expression of Interest for ACCW Board Role
Expression of Interest for ACCW Board Role 12/04/2024 In the last African Community Council of Wellington (ACCW) Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on 15 October 2022, a 12-Member Board was elected. The Board according to the ACCW constitution is made up of the President, 2 Vice Presidents, Treasurer, Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Immediate Past President and 5 Members. Regional ethnic/multicultural membership is also encouraged to ensure all African communities are represented on the council. The Board regularly invites affiliate organisations such as the Victoria University African Student Association, external collaborators and members to present proposals. In addition, to effectively manage Board functions and initiatives, there are six sub-committees. In some instances, the board has sort requisite skills for leads in the subcommittees which report to the Board. The sub-committees are: Health and Wellbeing Sub-committee Planning and Events Sub-committee Policy and Academic Sub-committee Youth and Sports Sub-committee Media and Communication Sub-committee Men, Women and Children Sub-committee Over the course of 19 months, the Board has had a few resignation in line with section 26(c) of the ACCW constitution and inactive status based on section 26(e) of the ACCW constitution. While it is challenging for the Board to deliver on its vision in line with the wider African community aspirations, the Board is now looking to fill seven vacant roles in the Board via this Expression of Interest (EOI). If you have the zeal to serve the African community, possess progressive vision and equipped with adequate skillset, do fill out this EOI. According to the ACCW constitution, there is no hinderance to volunteering for service on the Board apart from Sections 23.3, 25.6, 25.8 and 25.9. The EOI will remain open until positions are filled or the next AGM in October. Submit EOI here.
2023 Year End Message
Notice of Departure and Funeral Arrangement (Octavius Jones)
It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Octavius Jones. Octavius while carrying out his doctoral studies at Victoria University of Wellington was an active member of the African community. He regularly took part in the Kiswahili workshops run by Africa Connection Aotearoa (ACA) and passionately shared about his time in Africa and his connection to the continent. His family have put together a Go Fund for his funeral, follow the link to donate. The funeral will be livestreamed from Ecclesia Christian Fellowship, 1314 E Date St, San Bernardino, Ca. 92404 on Tuesday 21 November 2023 by 11am till (PST) (This would be Wednesday 22 by 8am NZT). Join through the YouTube link below: Octavius is a Colorado State University former graduate student, instructor, and esteemed member of the Department of Ethnic Studies. Octavius was a former Peace Corps volunteer who completed his M.A. in Ethnic Studies (with a Certificate in Women and Gender Studies) in 2017. After teaching at CSU, he won a prestigious Fulbright scholarship to conduct research in New Zealand, where he was working on a Ph.D. in Māori Studies at Victoria University of Wellington. Visit Colorado State University to view the family notice. Octavius was an exceptional scholar, who delved in the intersections between ethnic and gender studies and the natural sciences. To those of us fortunate enough to know him, he was a kind, compassionate soul with a bright smile who sought to make the world a better place. Octavius traveled the world extensively in his short life, making friends and building relationships wherever he went. He was the embodiment of beauty and understood well what it means to create community across differences. Visit his Facebook page to view some of the memories shared by friends. Octavius was a member of the Blackhouse crew delivering afrocentric contents for listeners across the globe (see sample of his contributions in the YouTube video). He also contributed to the Black Creative Aotearoa platform with some exceptional write-ups in this link. The New Zealand Consulate in Los Angeles has a great video on his work on cultural relationship to marine ecosystem in this video. His incredible aura and exceptional brilliance was trail blazing and his passing has left a void in the community. His legacy will continue to inspire others and his memories will live on in our hearts. Our prayers and condolence goes out to his family.
African Community September Hui
We believe in the strength of our community, which is founded upon positive and consistent dialogue. The ACCW Executive Committee, representing all of us, has been diligently working on establishing robust structures to support our future initiatives. We are delighted to share that significant progress has been made in this regard. Now, it is the perfect moment to engage with you, the heart of our community, to better understand your desires and needs so that we can serve you even more effectively. The monthly hui aims to engage in an open discussion on matters of paramount importance to our community. This includes a transparent review of the actions undertaken by the current committee and an exploration of future partnerships, events, and activities that will bring substantial benefits to our community. Date: Thursday 28 September 2023Time: 6:30pm-8:30pmVenue: ZoomRegistration Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUkc–hrT4iE9OhpxV8gUJBB5wYBfNJF0pN Agenda Your active participation is invaluable, and we look forward to coming together as a community to strengthen our bonds and pave the way for a brighter future. Please save the date, and let us work together to make our community thrive. A Zoom link to join the hui will be sent immediately after registration. Below is the full communiqué from ACCW President.
New Zealand General Election Workshop
ACCW is running a New Zealand General Election Workshop in collaboration with Generation Vote. The aim of this workshop is to improve awareness and knowledge on the voting system in New Zealand. The workshop also aims to foster empowerment for our African community voters in the forthcoming general election. Date: 01 October 2023Time: 1pm -2pmVenue: Johnsonville Community Centre, 3 Frankmoore Avenue, Johnsonville, Wellington 6037 Let us make our votes count!
Health and Wellbeing Sector Expression of Interest
This is a call for our community who work in health and wellbeing affiliations to register their details with ACCW. The Health and Wellbeing Committee of ACCW is establishing a database that lists people in our community with particular professional skills and areas of interest in the health sector. We recognise that such individuals are key stakeholders in advocating and promoting good health and wellbeing within the African Community of Wellington. The database will be referred to for consultative and collaboration purposes. This initiative will assist the ACCW Health and Wellbeing Committee to provide timely and effective support to members of the community and wider social support organisations in the Wellington Region. Some examples of areas of need currently identified include but are not limited to securing African health and wellbeing practitioners to speakers at events, provision of timely health advice to organisations such as Red Cross, Women’s Refugee etc, and effective African representation on National Health Boards. We would also like to acknowledge that while in some instances, this community engagement comes with koha, in other instances it is simply a good time to give back to the African community. By providing your details you consent to storing of your information by ACCW Health and Wellbeing Committee. This information is to be used to get in touch with you for consultative and collaborative purposes. If at any point you decide your information should no longer be stored, please email info@africancommunity.org.nz To register your interest, click the link Expression of Interest Form
Ubuntu Learning Hub – Session 10
The concluding Ubuntu Learning Hub Session 10 Session 10 Topic is: Understanding New Zealand Bicultural Framework and Marae Visit At the end of the sessions, participants would have gained: We have Kaikaranga and Kaikorero who will be speaking on our behalf as we get invited on to the Marae. Kaumatua will brief us on the history of the Marae then a Poi workshop and a talk on the role of Children in Te Ao Maori by Sammie Heemi. Please arrive early to respect local customs and bring a plate for lunch. Email info@africancommunity.org.nz if you need transportation to the venue (carpool arrangements can be made). Venue: Orongomai Marae, 1/9 Railway Avenue, Maidstone, Upper Hutt 5018 Date: Saturday 19 August 2023 Time: 10:30am to 3pm In the spirit of Ubuntu, inform your friends and families who are yet to receive information about this learning hub. To catch-up on what has happened in the Ubuntu Learning Hub till date, see https://africancommunity.org.nz/ubuntu-learning-hub/
The Power in You: Ladies in Pink Celebration
The African Community Council of Wellington (ACCW) is happy to bring to you another remarkable celebration of women in our community. The theme for this year is centred on ‘The Power in You’, a time when we ladies come all out to celebrate. This year’s edition promises to be more spectacular than last year, check out last year’s highlights below. Date: Saturday 15 July 2023 Venue: Lower Hutt Event Centre Time: 3:30pm to 10:30pm Dress Code: Pink/Gold attire strictly RSVP: Compulsory (women only) – RSVP closes 30 June 2023 RSVP Link: Click here