AFRIPOL PERSONS OF THE MONTH: JAY-Z, MADONNA AND CHARLIZE THERON

With this raging global recession and Africa’s distress there are still individuals who are always willing to offer a helping hand. These individuals – JAYZ, MADONNA AND CHARLIZE THERON are willing to standup and to be counted. They have contributed to the well being of Africa by offering their time, prestige and resources in making our world a better place.                                                           

  JAY-Z: The rap music mogul and successful capitalist have contributed to Africa by advocating for “water for life “project in partnership with United Nations. Water might be abundant in the world but the clean drinking water is scare, this has become a crisis in Africa.  Jay-z and UN clean drinking water project has become an enlightenment tool on the issue of water crisis in the world.  It has been said that almost 2 million children perished due to poor water sanitation and waterborne diseases. Jay-z in his New York concert raised over $250,000 for Play Pumps International for its water project in Africa. Together with MTV he lunched a water project travel to Africa and producing a diary video – showcasing children traveling miles to fetch water for drinking and domestic consumption. This water project will aid to stop many children from sicknesses associated with water crisis and free them from waterborne diseases. With the rural provision of clean water, life will be easier for women and children who normally travel long distances seeking for drinkable water.

 MADONNA: The popular musician and Hollywood actress have on going project in Malawi, a country in Southern Africa. Madonna lunched her Malawi Foundation in 2006 to carry out humanitarian projects in the country where she previously adopted one child and another recently. Madonna and her partner Michael Berg stated, “We choose Malawi because we refuse to turn our backs on those in dire need. In the fourth poorest country in the world, Malawians face an unfortunate combination of disease, drought, poverty and a lack of critical resources. Confronting these extreme problems on a daily basis exacts a great toll. And few bear the brunt greater than the country’s women and children—particularly the 2,000,000 orphaned and vulnerable children.” Madonna is currently building a Girl’s School in Malawi and she promised to replicate the school in other parts of Africa. Education is a key to progress and success in 21^st century and many girls are left behind in Africa. Education will open doors for life time learning and opportunities. Madonna must be given credit for her vision and good will that will change the life of girls and young women in Malawi. She contributes resources and time to this noble project. Recently it was reported in the news that Madonna raised 11 million dollars for his Malawi project in Brazil.

CHARLIZE THERON: The Hollywood movie star was born and grew up in South Africa. She has never forgotten her country of birth. Charlize Theron frequently traveled to his native land South Africa where she lunched his African Outreach Project which provides a comprehensive education on AIDS/HIV including testing and computer training in less privileged communities. On her “First mission, the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project worked in collaboration with Oprah ‘Angel Network provide lead funding to create a mobile health and computer unit designed to improve the health and social development of youth in Umkhanyakude District in the KwaZulu-Natal Province. The mobile health clinic was officially launched on November 8, 2007 at a school assembly attended by local dignitaries, representatives from Oprah’s Angel Network and Ms. Theron. Since the launch, additional support has come from the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), helping to provide additional mobile units. The units now serve approximately 10,000 students from 12 high schools, visiting each school for one week each month. In addition, the units have serviced over 8,000 community members during weekends and school holidays.” She is doing a great job in the country of her birth.  Theron deserves to be commended and acknowledged.                                                                     

JAYZ, MADONNA AND CHARLIZE THERON are citizens of the world and because of their steadfast commitments to our collective humanity The Management and Staff of Afripol chose them as the PERSONS OF THE MONTH- NOVEMBER.

 Mr. Emeka Chiakwelu is the Principal policy strategist at Afripol Organization. Africa Political and EconomicStrategicCenter (Afripol) is foremost a public policy center whose fundamental objective is to broaden the parameters of public policy debates in Africa. To advocate, promote and encourage free enterprise, democracy, sustainable green environment, human rights, conflict resolutions, transparency and probity in Africa.  www.afripol.org