Luke Smith Memorial Service
Our community sadly lost Luke Smith at the hands of a barbaric attacker over the weekend at Courtney Place, Wellington. While police investigation is on the way, our deepest condolences go the Smith family at this time and may God grant them the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss. Brian who is Luke’s dad shared on the news that “He was our whole life. He was a young, energetic 21-year-old who was full of life and lived life to the fullest,” Luke’s memorial service will take place this Saturday 12 October at 2pm in Trentham Masonic Center, Islington Street, Trentham, Upper Hutt. During this time there will be talks to remember Luke and you are all invited to attend and stand by the family. To support cost for the family at this time, there are two give-a-little funds open to everyone to contribute: JusticeForLuke set up by The Blackhouse and Support Needed to Honor Luke’s Resting Place set up the Family Priest (Duane Greyling). ACCW is working with the family and members in our community to provide additional support through this very difficult period. We also would like to acknowledge the support provided by David Walters and family, and Liya from The Blackhouse including others to numerous to mention. See you all at the memorial service.
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
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/
Ubuntu Learning Hub – Session 9
The Ubuntu Learning Hub continues Session 9 Session 9 Adult Topic is: The New Zealand Curriculum Refresh Session 9 Youth Topic is: DJ101-All the skills you need to start your DJ journey At the end of the sessions, participants would have gained: Parents knowledge about the curriculum refresh and youth knowledge about essential skills in DJ technique and profession We have two fantastic speakers Vanessa de Souza-Cameron and Eddie Ennion who are experienced with the Ministry of Education and professional DJs respectively. Venue: Johnsonville Community Centre, 3 Frankmoore Avenue, Johnsonville, Wellington Date: 10 June 2023 Time: 12noon to 3pm Three simultaneous sessions for all family groups:– The Adult session will be facilitated by our Education Lead Elma Behring– The Youth session will be facilitated by Eddie Ennion– The Children session will be facilitated by Fasya Enegbuma and Narisara Nixon There would be lots of food and drinks during the sessions for all participants. Please register using the link below and we look forward to seeing you on Saturday(https://forms.gle/NgC 1Jt 1bq tyB8) In the spirit of Ubuntu, inform your friends and families who are yet to receive information about this learning hub.
Ubuntu Learning Hub – Session 8
The Ubuntu Learning Hub continues Session 8 Session 8 Adult Topic is: Nutrition and Healthy Lunches Session 8 Youth Topic is: Start-Up 101 – The ABC’s of starting your business tomorrow At the end of the sessions, participants would have gained: Parents knowledge about essential dietary requirements for children and youth knowledge about essential skills in entrepreneurship We have two fantastic speakers Hannah Aldersley and Warkina Tujuba who are experienced nutritionist and business innovator respectively. Venue: Johnsonville Community Centre, 3 Frankmoore Avenue, Johnsonville, Wellington Date: 3 June 2023 Time: 12noon to 3pm Three simultaneous sessions for all family groups:– The Adult session will be facilitated by our Education Lead Elma Behring– The Youth session will be facilitated by Eddie Ennion– The Children session will be facilitated by Fasya Enegbuma and Narisara Nixon There would be lots of food and drinks during the sessions for all participants. Please register using the link below and we look forward to seeing you on Saturday(https://forms.gle/NgC 1Jt 1bq tyB8) In the spirit of Ubuntu, inform your friends and families who are yet to receive information about this learning hub.
Official Complaint Against Mike Hosking’s Africa Denigration Statement
Under the ethics of journalism, Mike Hosking was given a job to present objective discourse but ended up denigrating people of African descent in one of his morning talk shows. While this cannot be argued to be a one-off statement or statements made in error, a repeated pattern has been observed in Mike’s derogatory use of the words “Sub-Saharan Africa”. Members of the African community have raised several complaints to the ACCW Board about this pattern of behaviour. This complaint arose from the discriminatory statement by Mike Hoskings on Live Radio NewstalkZB in company of invited guests Labour Party MP and Cabinet Minister Megan Woods at approximately 8:15am Wednesday morning on 17 May 2023. During this time, Mike Hosking made the comment “no, no, no, don’t find some sub-Saharan African country that’s useless then comparing us to them”. A recording of this statement is available at (https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-demand/week-on-demand/). When this statement was made, there was laughter in the radio studio heard across homes, vehicles, offices, gas stations, farms, parliament, courts, security stations, ships etc in New Zealand. This context of the discussion in the radio studio centered on the low literacy and numeracy rates in New Zealand compared to other countries in a recent education report. Within less than a week on 23 May, Mr Hosking again on the same platform made the following comments in an exchange with Prime Minister Chris Hipkins on the apparent rise in ram raids: “No, no, I’m not interested in anywhere else in the world. I’m not interested in some sub-Saharan African country you can quote”. A recording of this statement is also available at (https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-demand/week-on-demand/) The process for making complaints is outlined on the BSA webpage (https://www.bsa.govt.nz/broadcasting-standards/broadcasting-code-book-2022/the-codebook/). We hope all complaints can reach the Broadcaster within 20 days of publishing this content over the radio. Below is the courier sent along with the complaint. The ACCW Board has taken the first steps towards addressing this wrong done to our community and we are calling on all Africans in Aotearoa and friends of Africa to begin submitting similar complaints using the template below. Multiple complaints will go a long way in increasing the weight of this complaint. We are also exploring other avenues such as the Broadcasting Standard Authority (BSA) and formal petition to New Zealand Parliament for review of The Broadcasting Act to strengthen actions against such behaviour. After making a submission, please share a copy to info@africancommunity.org.nz for collation and further action as deemed necessary until a resolution is achieved. As we await response from NZME Radio Limited, do share this complaint processes above widely as everyone has a right to seek redress for all wrong under New Zealand law. If you are impacted by this statement, Reach Out Counselling has offered to provide free counselling sessions (https://reachoutcounselling.com). We are grateful for this kind gesture from Reach Out Counselling.