EdiTOR’S nOTE

issue No 3 • New African woman • October 2008

contents

3 Your Views — Readers’ letters

COVER STORY BLACK HISTORY MONTH (UK) 6 Salute to Africa’s Heroines 10 The black female in modern history

Man’s Viewpoint 14 Homage — Because you are worth it 16 Say no to sexualisation of women

Homage — Because you are worth it Say no to sexualisation of women

African fashion and beauty

African fashion and beauty 20 South Africa:

the new fashion frontier the new fashion frontier features 24 The sad tale of women drug mules of women drug mules 26 How women are breaking poverty breaking poverty cycle

Money matters 30 The Credit Crunch —

The Credit Crunch —

Survival Tips

African culture 32 The history stitched in

The history stitched in

African textile

16

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Editor: regina Jere-Malanda Art Director: Jason Venkatasamy Group Publisher: Afi f Ben Yedder Editorial Assistant: carole Lambert Publisher: Omar Ben Yedder Production Manager: Michael Messam

All pictures AFP unless indicated. Registered with the British Library.

The UK and the African Diaspora at large are celebrating Black History month. We hope you will fi nd our cover story on gallant African Heroines insightful and inspirational.

I am currently so into beautiful Alicia Keys’ new song and video Superwoman which aptly solidifi es our homage to the black woman. “Everywhere I’m turning, nothing seems complete, I stand up and I’m searching, for the better part of me, I hang my head from sorrow, slave to humanity, I wear it on my shoulders, gotta fi nd the strength in me, Cause I am a Superwoman. For all the mothers fi ghting for better days to come, and all my women, all my women sitting here trying to come home before the sun, and all my sisters coming together say yes I will, yes I can. Cause I am a Superwoman”

nothing seems complete, I stand up and I’m searching, for the better part of me, I hang my head from sorrow, slave to humanity, I wear it on my shoulders, gotta fi nd the strength in me, Cause I am a Superwoman. For all the mothers fi ghting for better days to come, and all my women, all my women sitting here trying to come home before the sun, and all my sisters coming together say yes I will, yes I can. Cause I am a Superwoman”

And three of our brothers, writing from a male point of view, agree and pay touching homage to black women

And three of our brothers, writing from a male point of view, agree and pay touching homage to black women worldwide in salute to our worthy achievements worldwide in salute to our worthy achievements and gallantry. I would like to specifi cally draw your and gallantry. I would like to specifi cally draw your attention to Robert Cooper’s article on the sexual objectifi cation of black women. How many of you out there don’t agree? Let us know.

attention to Robert Cooper’s article on the sexual objectifi cation of black women. How many of you out there don’t agree? Let us know.

While the saying “beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder” will always ring true, the issue of black beauty and fashion remains one that is generating a lot of debate and interest from opposing views. But true to our ethos to tastefully portray African beauty, we bring you a double spread of gorgeous home-grown fashion and beauty from the new citadel of world fashion — South Africa.

the beholder” will always ring true, the issue of black beauty and fashion remains one that is generating a lot of debate and interest from opposing views. But true to our ethos to tastefully portray African beauty, we bring you a double spread of gorgeous home-grown fashion and beauty from the new citadel of world fashion — South Africa.

We are honoured by the feedback you have given so far and encourage you to continue doing so as

We are honoured by the feedback you have given so far and encourage you to continue doing so as New African Woman lays anchor. We wants this to be a magazine every black woman should feel part of, and be comfortable with.

Point of refl ection: Oprah Winfrey: “I am where I am because of the bridges that I crossed. Sojourner Truth was a bridge. Harriet Tubman was a bridge. Ida B. Wells was a bridge. Madame C. J. Walker was a bridge. Fannie Lou Hamer was a bridge, ”

Who is your bridge? Until next month, stay inspired! regina Jere-Malanda - editor

October 2008 New AfricAN n

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