Hungarians Support Afrique Internationale FC Club

By Hakeem Babalola

Members of the Afrique Internationale Club de Football were delighted at receiving football kit which include footballs and jerseys from three sponsors presented to them on March 21 at the famous TROFEA restaurant in Budapest click and read more

A Night Out at an African Party

By Archie Bonka

I recently attended an African party held at the GŐDŐR CLUB. The party was organised by the ONE WORLD PROJECT, RADIO TILOS and THE AFRICAN-HUNGARIAN UNION.

Whilst party is part of our social life, I couldn't help wondering why most programmes involving Africans in Hungary have to be all about party.

I mean, why can't we have lectures, symposiums, forums for the enlightenment of youths and so on? This is a serious issue that I think should agitate the minds of our brothers living in Hungary.

Anyway, my first impression as I entered the club was the civil organisations' display of their logo, t-shirts and other souvenirs. Going further, I saw the FAIR TRADE stand where Babylon Shop displayed African handicrafts, clothes and musical instruments.

I quickly noticed that Babylon Shop was the only African stand at the event. Mr. Umar, a Senegalese owner of the Babylon Shop, criticised the organisers for their failure to invite a dance groupe to radiate the occasion with authentic African rhythm.

Meanwhile, I was marvelled at Loraint Attila's beautiful Masai tribal pictures on display which shows the contagious and wreathed smiles on the faces of the indigenous people. They look proud in those marvellous pictures, and I am proud that these people have managed to keep their culture and ways of life in this era of American culture that pervades our world.

It is to their credit that they have kept their culture since time immemorial up to 21st century. In case you don't know, those smiles are a symbol of Hakuna Matata.

I kept doing my things until I met the programme manager, Ms Ujszázi Gyórgyi who offered a cup of well blended coffee which according to her, comes directly from the source. Ujszázi then explained to me the significance of this fair trade.

"Due to the patiality of the World Trade Organisation concerning pricing of commodities from third World producers," she says. "the programme is to bring awareness to the general republic and consumers at large of the negative effects poor pricing have on producers from the so-called their World countires".

She was passionate when she told me that the proceeds from the sale of these commodities which are being sold in many Bio shops in Budapest would be used to upgrade the standard of living associated with these poor producers.

I also met Ms Ágnes Zolyani of TAITA foundation, a non profit organisation supporting 28 orphans whose parents died from AIDS virus in Kenya. In response to my question on where the funds came from, Ms Zolyani confides in me that such "funds usually come from individuals".

However, I was astonished to see different kinds of African musical intruments beautifully displayed at the ETNO AFRO SOUND stand. These are the instruments one can only fream of seeing in Hungary. The most interesting perhaps, is the big calabash full of water with a medium one turn upside down, and whenever you tap on the medium one upside down then you get good sound we usually get from drumming.

At the African-Hungarian Union stand were rare African wooden antiques I believe dated back from 18th century. It comes from shrines or palaces because they are not known to be privately owned. Most of these sculptures are from Benin, Congo, Guinea, Nigeria and so on. A particular one caught my attention: the Oba Ile Ife's head.

Finally, I watched the AFRO MAGIC band with its new Afro beat style with full of noise that can block ones ear drums. The show was not all that bad, but I hope the organisers would invite more Africans next time.

Anti–Racism Day Marked in Hungary

By Hakeem Babalola

The five-member panel with four European and one African spoke about the need for tolerance among people in order to promote atmosphere conducive for different cultures to evolve, which according to the head organiser, Lőrincz Marcell, is the essence of being a human click and read more

Barack Obama - A More Perfect Union - Part 4

Barack Obama - A More Perfect Union - Part 3

Barack Obama - A More Perfect Union - Part 2

Barack Obama - A More Perfect Union - Part 1

Self-Portrait Programme for Migrants

By Hakeem Babalola

The Hungarian Association for Migrants (MENEDÉK) is currently organising a self-portrait project at SRLY Restaurant on Király street 50. The event is expected to take place every Sunday from 10-4 pm and will last for five weeks.

According to Mészáros Attila, MENEDÉK programme coordinator, the purpose of the project is to allow the migrants express themselves in different ways such as writing, photography, drawing, painting and so on.

“We hope that more Hungarians would become friendly toward migrants, refugees and the Gypsy,” he explained through an interpreter, adding that his organisation wants to reach at least 1.5 million people through constant campaign and exhibition.

The first segment which was designed to open up the participants took place on April 13. Although it failed to pull enough crowd, those in attendance were happy to be part of the programme.

Al-Jari Rami, 19, who is a refugee from Iraq described the programme as beautiful. “It is good because you can speak about yourself,” he said.

Rami came to Hungary in early 2007 and is now at Catering School from where he expected to proceed to the University. He described Late Saddam Hussein as a dictator who destroyed everything in Iraq.

His two sisters - Lara and Sara - also attended the programme. They said that they too like the programme and would like to make their lives in Hungary.

Yemisi who came from Nigeria 2 years ago simply said the programme was all right without elaboration. “I don’t discuss my personal life,” she asserted.

Meanwhile, the organisers are deliberating whether to change the day and time of the programme in order to attract more participants.

Hungarian Minister Inaugurates African Hungarian Platform

By Archie Bonka

The Hungarian Foreign Affairs Minister, Gönc Kinga, on Thursday April 10 officially opened another forum in which Hungarians and Africans could share mutual ideas in the hope to improve the lot of their "people".

The event which was held at the Vista Travels Conference Centre was tagged Magyár Afrika Platform.

Speaking with this reporter, Gal Lászlo, co-president of the organisation, shed light on the reason behind this particular platform. He said: "Since there are a lot of individual civil groups, businesses, NGO's with the same objectives to help develop both continents in terms of business and humanitarian, it would be a great idea to come together".

In attendance were crops of African diplomats in Hungary and top business executives who used the occasion to promote their interests.

Ambassador Joao Miguel of the Republic of Angola reminded the audience on the importance of doing business in Africa. "Hungary can achieve a lot in terms of trade and development," he said.

Although his speech was accorded with applause, it failed to convince certain people who strongly believe there should be more Africans in an event that largely focuses on Africa.

Perhaps it was this development that prompted Mr. Tunde Komolafe, the General Secretary of the African Hungarian Union, to pose a question which, according to this reporter was not satisfactorily answered. Mr. Komolafe had asked the reason why there were very few Africans in such an event that largely concentrates on Africa.

Apparently, it was different strokes for different folks when his Excellency, the Algerian Ambassador to Hungary extended his invitation to the Hungarian President to visit Algeria in order to explore new areas for the development of Algeria.

Entz Boldiszar, the honorary Ghanaian Consulate, also said that Hungary has a lot to gain if it can liaise with the Ghanaian students who studied in Hungary and who are now holding top positions in both government and professional fields.

The following are the orgarnizations under the platform: Afroaid Egyesület, Afrikáért Alapitvány, Ahead global kht, Be fair!Alapitvány, Emberi Jogok védelméért és a Nemzetkőzi Jog Kutatásáért, Kőzhaszmú Egyesúlet, Hello Africa Egyesűlet, Magyar Kőztársaságban Akkreditált Tiszteletbeli Konzuli Testület, Szahara Alapitvány,Taita Alapitvány, Vilagsuli Alapitvány.

Heartless Cops

By Hakeem Babalola
Matters Arising

The three women left home for their daily bread with the hope to return to their loved ones as soon as possible. They were wrong. For, the police reckless disregard for lives would shoot and fall such bubbling high spirits. This is another police noisily domineering; tending to browbeat the citizens Click and read the story

Oh Woman

By Archie Bonka
On Women's Day

Oh woman, oh woman, oh woman
beautiful woman, you are a joy
to be around with

oh woman, oh woman, oh woman
that look in your eyes never ever
tell lies

oh woman, oh woman, oh woman
that smile on your face is so
contagious that one cannot hold
but to join you in your smile

oh woman, oh woman, oh woman
your guts and wits are unbeatable
and when your new born babies
were delivered into the world
all the joy spread around you
and afar

oh woman, oh woman, oh woman
you are like gold, always precious
and pretty

oh woman, oh woman, oh woman.

Nigerian Samuel Peter Knocks Out Oleg Maskaev in 6 Round

Bertha and Dava

By Hakeem Babalola

They entered the stage with one aim: to entertain Hungarian crowd. However, it seems they have done more than that within the short period of five months when the African Melody Band was born. They have had twenty three concerts in Budapest and other cities like Aba, Szolnok, Kis Koalasz and, Pécs. click and read more

Anti-Racism Concert Held

By Archie Bonka

In continuation of the Anti-Racism Day which was observed worldwide on March 21, the Far From Home Foundation on March 29 brought people together under one roof at NAPHÁZ, Budapest, to party away the sorrow associated with racism.

Although the event tagged Anti-Rassist Festival did not pull enough crowd, the few who attended were treated with different shows like singing and dancing which delighted the organiser.

Answering questions why she prefers musical concert to lectures and symposium in schools, colleges and universities, Obazeh Zsuzsanna said that she chose musical concert because it has a unique way of uniting different races. "I have just started the foundation," she explained, adding that she would definitely include lectures and symposium in the future.

Meanwhile, the audience said that they were satisfied with the performances exhibited by the groups. Ndombolo African Dancing Group, an all white girls, wooed the crowd with tribal dance from Senegal to the extent that they had to repeat at the audience request. Salsa Dancing Groupe also displayed the stuff they are made of under the blaring sound of Latino music.

Marian Mbaye, leader of the Ndombolo African Dancing Group, spoke about the reason why she chose African Dance instead of Ballet Dance. "I simply fell in love with African Dance and its affiliation while visiting Dakar, Senegal. The experience motivates me to establish this group and we have performed in various places in Hungary and outside".

The star of the night, Kandech Evelyne of the Mega Star fame also proved her mettle when she ignited the hall with her soulful voice that vibrated through the auditorium. Kandech thrilled the crowd with many songs including that of Nora Jones and classical Wild West.