Week of 27th January: Central African Republic, South Sudan, Congo Dialogues, Come Rhyme with me, Africa Xtra history and Reasoning, Nigeria 2015 elections, iCAN Networking, 100 Black Men of London Open Day

Emesiere (hello in Ibibio)

This week Proud to be African Clothing has another wide selection of topical, entertaining and educational events.

South Sudan and Central African Republic feature this week as does Nigeria’s upcoming election with Professor Attahiru Jega. Photographic exhibitions from Congo, networking with iCN and the Black Solicitors Network, music, movies and more

Enjoy the week and keep hold of your umbrella

Monday 27^th January

From 12.00pm Autograph ABP presents When Harmony went to Hell: Congo Dialogues: Alice Seeley Harris and Sam Baloji at 1 Rivington Place, EC2A 3BA. This exhibition of rarely seen photographs by English missionary Alice Seeley Harris detailing the atrocities in Belgian King Leopolds II rule  of the Congo Free State dating from 1904 sits alongside newly commissioned work by  Congolese contemporary artist Sam Baloji. Running till March 7^th

At 1.00pm the Centre for Africa Studies presents the Africa Business Group Seminar: Can South Sudan Escape the Resource Curse? in Room 16, College Buildings,  SOAS, Russell Square, Thornhaugh street, WC1H 0XG. Chaired by Dr Jonathon Di John (SOAS) Annie Dunnebacke (Global Witness) and Emma Vickers (Global Witness) will review South Sudan progress and challenges as the worlds newest country, that draws 98% of its revenue from the oil industry. Tickets are £15.00 (£5.00 students) from here.

At 3.30pm Chatham House presents Conflict in Central African Republic: Religion, Power and Prospects for Reconciliation at Stirling Square, Citi Offices, 5-7 Carlton Gardens, SW1Y 5AD. Archbishop Dieudonne Nzapalainga (Archbishop of Bangui) and Imam Omar Kabine Layama (President of the CAR Islamic Community) will present their views on the crisis, the effects of neglecting the countries poverty indicators,, the effects of spill over and the long term consequences of communal hatred. To attend contact Chris Vandome. 

At 7.00pm Lets Watch screens Think Like a Man at Juno Bar, 134-135 Shoreditch High Street, Shoreditch, E1 6JE. This comedy chronicling the lives of four women who’s lives are changed when they start using a self help book is followed by a post show discussion on the topics raised. More details of this FREE event here 

At 8.30pm BBM/ BMC presents Africa: Xtra History and Reasoning Session 3- Beyond Slavery: Understanding History at the Mayors Parlour, Harrow Civic Centre, 1 Station Road, Harrow, HA1 2XY. This presentation by Toyin Agbetu covers ancient African civilisations, the world’s first universities and cultures. RSVP this FREE event here.

Tuesday 28^th January

At 8.30am is Business in Africa Pays at Bishopsgate Court, 4-12 North Folgate, E1 6DQ. This event is a platform for foreign businesses to learn how they can receive expert advice, generate funding, invest in companies and operate safely. Expert speakers include executives from Emirates, Sung, Steve Murphy (Hitachi), Richard Putley (Executives in Africa) and others. Tickets are £50.00 from here.

At 10.00am OMFIF launches Emerging Africa: How the global economy’s ‘last frontier’ can prosper and matter at The Travellers Club, 106 Pall Mall, SW1Y 5EW. Chaired by Lord Desai (OMFIF) with Dr Kingsley Moghalu (Central Bank of Nigeria) and respondent Rezia Khan (Standard Chartered Bank) this report launch reflects the experiences of Dr Moghalu as Deputy Governor of CBN and his thoughts on how the region can become a key player in international economic affairs. RSVP by email 

At 5.00pm ADDAA presents The Diasporas role in African Agriculture and Food Security in Committee Room 18, House of Commons, SW1A 0AA. This roundtable discussion held in conjunction with the All Parliamentary Group for Debt, Aid and Trade will be chaired by Alison McGovern MP, will address the question of Africa’s potential to feed itself, and the role African diaspora can play in it. Felix Kupay (ADDAA) will introduce ADDAA’s aims and activities, Karima Ola (African Development Corporation) will discuss the unique contribution of the Diaspora within the Agriculture and Food Security Sector, Professor Lawrence Haddad (Institute of Development Studies) will discuss how the diaspora can contribute to Agriculture and Food Security policy research and a presentation on the current UK Government priorities for the development of African Agriculture and Food Security. Register for this FREE event here.

At 7.00pm AFFORD presents Sierra Leonean Health Matters in Room G3, SOAS Main Building,. The report ‘Sierra Leonean Health Matters: Mapping the potential for Sierra Leonean professionals to contribute to their home country’s health sector’ by Moses Okech and Denise Awoonor-Renner, gives an overview of UK based Sierra Leonean healthcare workers, their geographical spreas, employment and professional profiles and how they can address healthcare shortages in Sierra Leones healthcare system. RSVP this FREE event by email. 

At 7.00pm is Heaven and Earth: Church Education amd Monastic Culture in Ethiopia in the Khallili Lecture Theatre, SOAS. This documentary film presents the development of indigenous Christianity in an African setting. Followed by a Q&A with director Mackonen Michael, chaired by Dr John Campbell (SOAS). Tickets are £7.00 (£5.00 students) from here

At 7.45pm is How to be Immortal at The Albany Theatre, Douglas Way, Deptford, SE8 4AG. This bold and funny play about love, science, death and immortality with live music deals with three twisted tales of love, death and DNA. Followed by a post show discussion, tickets are £12.00 (£10.00 concs) from here.

Wednesday 29^th January

At 6.00pm the Royal African Society presents The Central African Republic: Explaining the crisis in the Grand Committee Room. House of Commons, Westminster, SW1A 0AA. Chaired by Lord Jack McConnell (Great Lakes APPG) a panel of experts will discuss the latest developments in the CAR, identify key players in the conflict, with the historical background, in addition speakers will discuss regional and international efforts to alleviate the crises and its humanitarian impact with Arjan Hehenkamp (Medecins Sans Frontieres), Caesar Poblicks (MSF), Peteris Ustubs (European External Action Service). Register for this FREE event here. 

                                                         Thursday 30^th January

At 11.30am Chatham House presents Nigeria’s 2015 elections: Expectations, Priorities and the Independent National Election Commission at Chatham House. Chaired by Richard Downie (Centre for Strategic and International Studies) with Professor Attahiru Jega (INEC) who will discuss the existing and emerging challenges to Nigeria’s upcoming 2015 election. To register contact Chris Vandome

At 5.00pm Chatham House presents The Battle for Mozambique: The FRELIMO-RENAMO Struggle, 1977-1992 at Chatham House, 10 St James Square, SW1Y 4LE. Chaired by Mats Berdal (Kings College London),  Stephen A. Emerson (author The Battle for Mozambique: The FRELIMO-RENAMO Struggle, 1977-1992)  will present the key findings of his book and discuss RENAMOs past and present with Alex Vines (Chatham House) and its role in Mozambique today.  To attend this FREE event contact Chris Vandome. 

At 6.00pm Global Native presents Financing Zimbabwe’ s New Rural Farmer at the London School of Economics and Political Science, Room STC.S421, 4^th Floor, St Clements Building, Houghton Street, WC2A 2AE. This presentation explores the financing mechanisms available to rural, small scale farmers, examining a case study of Zimbabwean diaspora working to achieve that goal. Register for this FREE event here. 

At 6.00pm is the iCAN Social Network Evening at Tompkins, 4 Pan Peninsula Square, South Quay, Canary Wharf, E14 9HN, this is an informal social networking for African and Caribbean professionals. Register for this FREE event here or just turn up. 

At 6.00pm the Centre for African Studies presents Climate Change in Northern Tanzania in Room 116, College Buildings, SOAS. This presentation by geographer Ben Wisner discusses a project to evaluate the impact of climate change in the Kilimanjaro and Pare Areas. This is a FREE event

At 6.30pm is Onani: An exhibition exploring the heart of Africa at The Salvation Army International Headquarters, 101 Queen Victoria Street, EC4V 4EH. This exotic collection of paintings, photographs and handcrafted artefacts inspired by East Africa. Register for this FREE event here.

From 6.30pm to 8.30pm the 100 Black Men of London hold their Membership Open Day at the CAN Mezzanine, 49-51 East Road, N1 6AH. This community based Black led organisation that is focussed on delivering programmes focussed on mentoring, education and economic empowerment will be holding an Open Day covering what they do, their history and strategic vision for the future and how you can develop leadership, project management, speaking, communication and team building skills. Register for this FREE event here or email for more details. 

At 7.00pm Magenta Dating hosts Mix and Mingle (Black Singles Event) at All Bar One, 106-107 Houndsditch, EC3A 9BD. This social mixer event for professional black singles is scheduled to break the January detox and hopefully match a lucky couple in time for Valentine’s Day! Admission is £10.00 from here. 

Friday 31^st January

At 10.30am Chatham House presents Division and Conflict in South Sudan: Domestic Politics and Key Actors at Chatham House. Dr Annette Weber (SWP) and Peter Biar Ajak (Centre for Strategic Analysis and Research, South Sudan) will examine the political context n South Sudan, the key stakeholders in the current conflict and negotiations, recent and possible changes to the South Sudanese government. To attend contact Chris Vandome. 

At 6.30pm is the Black Solicitors Network Monthly Networking Night at Corney and Barrow, 10 Paternoster Square, St Pauls, EC4M 7DX. This event is open to lawyers, students and professionals of African and Caribbean origin. There are optional ice breakers at this informal event. Its FREE to attend, no need to register

At 7.00pm is Come Rhyme with Me... at Cottons Islington, 70 Exmouth Market, EC1R 4QP. This relaxed spoken word evening hosted by Dean Atta and Deanna Rodger with a Caribbean feel and a Caribbean summer will feature an Open mic, Sarah Perry, Anthony Anaxagorou and Karim Kamar and Bella Spinks. Tickets are £12.50 with supper (£10.00 concs) or £7.50 entry only (£6.00 concs) from here. 

At 8.00pm is Concious Kongo with Mulele Matondo Afrika, Lapango Ya Banka and RDC Soldier at Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, Shoreditch, E1 6LA. These 3 incredible Congolese bands will perform in a mix of English, French, Lingala, Twa and other Congolese languages fusing pop, jazz, hip hop and African rythyms. Tickets are £12.50, £10.00 in advance from here

Saturday 1^st February

At 5.00pm the Mayor and Mayoress of Harrow host Intergenerational Family Fun Evening at Harrow Civic Centre, 1 Station Road, Harrow, HA1 2XY. Kwaku will be holding an intergenerational quiz, story telling by Naa Lorkoi Abotch and a Sankofa Bos handicraft workshop as well as a light meal. This fundraising event for the Mayor’s charities is £5.00 from here. 

At 7.00pm KMT presents Mama Africa Unplugged with Mosi Conde at Fairly Square, 51 Red Lion Street, Holborn, WC1R 4PF, part live interview, part workshop and live performance with resident DJ’s KMT and Oya Bun, admission is £5.00 all night, more details here.

Sunday 2^nd February

At 9.00pm Tiwani Contemporary presents Pride at Tiwani Contemporary, 16 Little Portland Street, W1W 8P, the first solo exhibition by Nigerian photographer Andrew Esiebo on barbershops across 8 West African cities (Lagos, Cotonou, Accra, Abidjan, Monrovia, Bamako, Dakar and Nouakchott), running till 8^th February.