News, Commentary & Social Media from African Perspective

“Blacks Without Borders” Receives Cold Reception From South African Media

29 comments

Posted by: CareTaker on February 18, 2009 Under: Africa, Community Report, Life & Culture, People, South Africa, USA



BLACKS WITHOUT BORDERS, a movie documentary of African Americans living in South Africa has made to it Showtime cable TV. The movie showcases the lives of a group of African Americans who moved to South Africa to find the American dream. Blacks Without Border — featured here on AfricanLoft in August 2008 — suggests America may not be the only land of opportunity for those immigrants. The movie aired on Showtime cable TV on February 12-16 coincides with the celebration of the Black History Month, which typically holds in February in the United States.

As traffic flow to AfricanLoft seems to be suggesting — and also the few comments to the story — the movie is a hit among African Americans. Some excerpts from the comments:

“It was astounding to see African Americans living and working in the Mother land. It was difficult to hear how many Africans do not except this as a homecoming for black Americans, although it is understandable as I continued to watch. Thank you for keeping us informed and enlightened…”

“… Can anyone have what the people on TV have, what other strings are attached, if any. What was presented on TV was unbelievable, it was a pretty picture.”

“I watched the documentary on Showtime today. It was amazing. Over the last several years, I have had this uncontrollable desire to travel to Africa. This documentary was the proof that I needed…”

“Blacks without Borders was totally incredible!! My name is Bridget, a 37 yr. old African American woman. Who was thoroughly inspired by the extremely successful African Americans displayed in this movie. Bravo, Showtime!”

“My husband and I really enjoyed this documentary. It was very enlightening to us. We are planning a trip to South Africa within the next year. We will study and become informed on the culture of our people.”

It’s strange though that South African bloggers and news media are silent about the movie. A quick search on the South Africa-based blog aggregator — Afrigator — didn’t yield entries from South African bloggers. One would expect the movie be well publicized in South Africa, at least on the blogs.

Some thoughts ran through my mind while searching:

  • Should the media and blog black-out be seen as a form of subliminal message that there is more to the movie that meets the eye?
  • Maybe the apparent indifference of South African media and bloggers is really nothing significant — just another manifestation of an isolationist stance characterized by a typical disinterest in non-South African issues and events?

But this documentary should have been an exception since it offers an uncommon positive dimension to the otherwise bad publicity South Africa has attracted in recent times.

Whatever the reasons may be, it would have been nice to read the impressions of South African bloggers about the movie.

“Blacks Without Borders” is a production of 20 Four 7 Productions (Stafford and Judy Bailey). The documentary will be featured at the African Film Festival, holding in New York on February 19.

Related posts:

  1. BLACKS WITHOUT BORDERS: Movie Captures African American Lifestyle in South Africa
  2. South Africa Xenophobia: Who Owns the Land…and What happens after the foreigners are gone?
  3. Talents Deferred
  4. End of an Era: Hundreds Attend Memorial for “Mama Africa” Miriam Makeba
  5. South Africans Burn the Welcome Mat
  6. £10,000 Caine Prize for South African Writer Henrietta Rose-Innes
  7. Immigrant Tale: I’m being Harassed at Work!

29 comment(s)

  1. Dave | Feb 18, 2009 | Reply

    An interesting observation! I’m curious to know the reason for the media black-out too. And I did search other South African aggregators — AMATOMU and MUTI, no entities from SA blogs or media. It is strange indeed.

    My limited knowledge of the SA blogosphere is not any different from your impression — they are inward-looking and predominately tech and life-style blogs. But what about the mainstream media – News24, Thought Leader, The Times, etc.

  2. Kwabena Lumumba | Feb 18, 2009 | Reply

    We should not be too surprised by the reception. Most Africans on the Continent have not been educated about the scattering of its people; especially not to the extent that they would be sympathetic to us. Also, think of how they feel when we return and instantly have a higher standard of living than most of them; they have only seen this occur when foreigners come that don’t look like them. Alike it to the attitude many lower income Blacks in America have towards wealthy Blacks. Nonetheless, we all must develop a process of interaction and orientation that gets us pass this mess, paving a way for our children’s global future. If we can do better there, we must go; I’m confident we will make a great contribution there too. To those that oppose others doing better, they shall forever remain is squalor – we can all benefit from this, if we place our tribal petty difference aside!

  3. CareTaker | Feb 19, 2009 | Reply

    Thanks Dave & Kwabena.

    The silence is strange indeed. South Africans write about 60% of the blogs in Africa (according to Afrigator numbers). Compared to other Africans, they have the best access to the Internet, good broadband connections and generally more web savvy. Yet, one even one report about the movie.

    Kwabena, other African blogs and media houses can be excused but not the South Africans!

  4. Kwabena Lumumba | Feb 19, 2009 | Reply

    Thanks to Dave and Caretaker,

    I stand corrected! I appreciate you both educating me about the blog communities and internet access in South Africa. It would be great if we had a focus agenda and organ that put African countries to shame for ignoring one of its greatest resources – the African population in the diaspora.

  5. SHONDA | Feb 20, 2009 | Reply

    I THOUGHT THE MOVIE WAS OUTSTANDING! I ESPECIALLY LIKE HOW THE AFRICAN AMERICANS CAN DO BUSINESS WITHOUT RESTRAINTS! IN AMERICA,THE WHITE MAN IS “THE MAN” BUT IN SOUTH AFRICA YOU ARE YOUR “OWN MAN”(PERSON OF SUCCESS)! TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!!!

  6. Leon Houston | Feb 20, 2009 | Reply

    While pure capitalism was the motivation to succeed by one of the successful newcomers in medicine, it seemed silly to me to even mention it. Forget reminding me of northern California, appreciate where you are in time and space, Africa. Roger that, Kwabena! Shock may be the reason for silence and confusion for no blogs. This is a 3 Dimensional problem with opportunity that 2 Dimensional thinking cannot see! We have to be over the horizon thinkers with a 360 degree sphere of need based problem solving attitudes while being quite respectful of socialogical paradigms with governmental overwatch neophite anxiety. OK what it means is we can help each other and should for our children, since it is God’s will to allow us this opportunity to communicate at this level! Can you feel the reasonance, it’s like a violin string with multiple frequencies making one note that we all can hear. It is in our DNA folks, instinctively we will succeed if we walk by faith not by sight. Let’s put away childish things and be Adults in the spirit, since this will be quite a spiritual battle we will be engaging ourselves into this century. This is the first time that AA’s have experience in such a broad range of skill sets with an African led government that is open to international input of this magnitude. I remember when Zimbabwe was recruiting in the early 90’s, this is unlike that time, we have no choice but to engage each other to a level that we may be in shock over! Major responsibilities will come out of this collaboration, so buckle you seat belts and put your 3-D glasses on for we are in for an intellectual ride unlike anything that we could conceive of in our dreams! George Duke, composer, jazz artist had a song that said ” prepare yourself for what’s coming.”

  7. Kemian | Mar 6, 2009 | Reply

    I truly enjoyed “Black without Borders”, to the point that my next trip will be to south Africa. I feel that any African American with a dream to make in this world and make a difference should consider the real opportunities in the mother land. As for me; I am not ashamed of being a capitalist. Because our American know how and drive it’s what’s going to allow us to make a living for us, our people, and building a new Africa. A 21st century Africa, that’s nothing to be ashamed of. And as far as the South Africans, and the rest of us; we should me more concern about our suvival as a people. That should take center stage. But as for us in this country, we should extend the hand of brotherly love to them first.

  8. Tlangelani | Mar 8, 2009 | Reply

    As a South African living in the State, I liked the documentary. But I should warn people that the reception its getting from South Africans is simply because this is nothing new to them. They know how wonderful the country is. The international media likes focusing on the media, hence this is quiet interesting, but thats just how far it goes. It may be a surprise to many Americans, but not to South Africans. And I should mention the fact that Joburg has a lot of rich people, so nobody stands out, so the idea that the people on the documentary have a higher standard than the people who supposedly should have given this documentary noise is baseless. Go to Joburg with your millions, you will regret having taken it there if you thought you will standout. This is nothing new to us. Its good for the ignorant nation America is. Maybe you will get to know Africa for how it is, not what the media wants you to think.

  9. Tlangelani | Mar 8, 2009 | Reply

    The international media likes focusing on the bad things. Thats what I wanted to say.

  10. shonamat | Mar 16, 2009 | Reply

    I am a south african citizen living in the United states. I also agree with Tlangelani that this is not big news at all especially amongst the black communities. I will be surprised if those African american individuals are recognised as such except by a few people who knows them.To a lot of people in South africa those guys are just like any other black South africans who made it, and there are plenty of them to count.
    To me it makes sense that the South African media is not making noise about this issue, why would they make an issue out for 12 African american individuals while thousands of black South Africans are doing the same thing. I must say I have not watched the whole video maybe some other rich black South Africans are featured there as well, I stand corrected. I am just glad that the video will remove some of the myths that a lot of people have about Africa. The sad part about this is for my selfish reasons, I used to tell people not to mess with me since I used to play with the lions and elephants so I can longer do that.
    Xenophobia is everywhere, even here in the US

  11. CareTaker | Mar 17, 2009 | Reply

    @ Tlangelani & Shonamat

    Thanks for the comments, I have been waiting to get some reaction from the S. African readers on this matter for a while.

    I’m not looking for the media to just ‘make noise’ over the success of 12 men. And yes, it may not be a big deal to the you and other natives that tremendous opportunity exists in your country, but given the bad press on S.A in recent times, I felt the movie documentary was an excellent opportunity for the local media and bloggers to tell other good stories of success in the country.

    The majority of Americans that saw movie liked what they saw and are open to visiting your country. What an excellent PR!

  12. Jane Dzembo | Mar 18, 2009 | Reply

    As an African I take offense that African-Americans have just “discovered” Africa. The African-Americans who do go act like they are better than the Africans there. Many whites go, learn the language and live among us so just becasue we share the same skin color does not entitled African-Americans to a group hug or acceptance. African-Americans find it difficult to believe that for some of us from Africa, living in the US is a step down from the lifestyle we are accustomed to back home. And yes, South Africans come in all colors, black, white, tan, etc.

  13. Bill Delaney | Mar 19, 2009 | Reply

    I read through all the blogs until the end, where Jane Dzembo, offered the mental attitude that I get from the current group of African Immigrants to the US. In the 60’s we had a lot in common, as Julius Neyerrere, of Tanzania and many Ethiopean friends guided our understanding of the motherland, and brought FESTAC to all who cared. The world comes in all colors, but those she seems to admire brought apartheid to Africa, and the Americas. An African doctor that I work with said she refuses the history that separated us, because she does not want her kids to feel like victims. It is denial that allows us to remain victims

  14. Jane Dzembo | Mar 20, 2009 | Reply

    I do not admire those that brought apartheid to South Africa. My caveat is that not all African-Americans are coming to Africa to look for their heritage. Most are simply coming to exploit, just like the white man did and let us not think that because we have the same skin color that we are brothers. Exploitation can come in any color, remember the freed slaves who went to Liberia and then reinstituted slavery there by assigning inferior status to the indigenous Liberians they met there? These freed slaves, called Americo-Liberian, was only 2% of the population there but they ruled Liberia for over a hundred years and thought they were better than the other blacks.

    So, come to Africa, and not just South Africa. The beaches of Mombasa, Kenya are out of this world and see other parts of Africa as well and help to make the continent better. But do not use Africa as a plantation to make money. This is what I am saying.

  15. Ronnie | Mar 23, 2009 | Reply

    Greetings Ms. Dzembo,
    I as an African-American woman, I have eye-witnessed first hand, the Africans, Jamaican, South Americans, that have come to my country, in search of jobs and a means to support their folks back home. They’ve taken advantage of the social programs, hospital care and what ever else is available or whatever they can get away with on several occassions. Even up to marrying someone that they pretend to love just to stay in this county. So please, get off of your high zebra and know that people are people wherever they’re from. If someone comes to Africa to make an honest living, bravo! At least they’re being deceitful or ripping the system off to stay there.

    Peace and Blessings

  16. African American | Jul 20, 2009 | Reply

    Ronnie,

    I think you’re mistakened. Ms Dzembo has some valid criticism in regards to “anyone” traveling abroad. When you travel abroad, particularly moving to another country, it’s etiqutte to learn the language, culture and history of your destination. No one except for Jose, the Thebo Trust Founder and President, bothered to know it.

    As for the “social programs” commments. Plenty of people in America, black and white use social programs. Who cares if someone knows how to work the system. The immigrants aren’t exploiting it. Most African immigrants I have seen, are less likely to get on welfare because it’s frowned upon. In Houston, half of all Black owned businesses are owned by Nigerians according to Black Enterprise magazine. If someone is on welfare, they use it as a hand up not a handout. Take notice.

    Also, you are very close minded if you actually think South Africa is the only country in Africa that has modern cities and rich people. Almost every country in Africa has rich people and nice facilities. Have you been to Africa?

  17. Andre | Aug 12, 2009 | Reply

    I find it interesting that Ms Dzembo chooses to go out of her way to find the good intentions of white people and yet finds it hard to believe that practically all african americans have nothing but the best intentions in visiting or moving to africa. “We are not exploiters” we Black Americans have always fought for black people and other exploited people all over this world to be free and to have equal opportunities they have.

    The few African Americans who do believe in capitalist exploitation (Black Republicans) would never consider moving to Africa and you should consider that perhaps some of those whites who live among you and who have learned your language have done so precisely for exploitive purposes.

    I have many African friends who have immigrated to America who tell me of such things as Whites who have even intermarried yet still look down upon them.

    You do remind me of some of our misguided “Black Conservatives” in America…. Your ignorance and nievete’ is astounding but it does give us a glimps into the mentallity that allowed us to be put into this situation for hundreds of years as well as what we have to fight against in our own people to overcome this.

  18. Paul | Aug 26, 2009 | Reply

    would like to know what station will broadcat on 8/27/09

  19. James Dixon | Aug 27, 2009 | Reply

    I would like to know when BLACKS WITHOUT BORDERS playing on showtimes.

  20. Kentari | Sep 22, 2009 | Reply

    Hey Brotha,

    I don’t know if *BLACKS WITHOUT BORDERS* will air again on *SHOWTIME*, but you can order the DVD @ :www.blackswithoutborders.net For $20.00 U.S. Dollars.

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  26. desiree | Jul 15, 2010 | Reply

    I live and work in South Africa and it inspering to know that we have our fellow brothers and sisters who are considering to come to our beautiful country whether to work and stay or on vacation, but i don`t have to jump just because finally South Africa has been discovered as investment destination or just better alternative for those who want to start their lives here. South Africa is full of so many people from around the world who have decided to call it home, including many from the continent itself.

  27. ari | Jul 25, 2010 | Reply

    to desiree
    I am glad that you are open to African Americans coming over to South Africa. However,noone( aka African Americans) are expecting anyone to jump because South Africa has somehow been finally discovered by a couple of Americans rather, the documentary was really for African Americans who had no idea of what South Africa had to offer. We did not get to see( or were made aware)that the country could be an alternative to living in the U.S. We do not get to see that on tv.

  28. desiree | Jul 26, 2010 | Reply

    dear Ari

    I total agree with you, the European media has potray our continent negatively it is up to us to change that I am deeply grateful that finally the world has seen. We like it or not we do need people who will bring and move this country forward economically and socially not only South Africa but the rest of the continent. There is still a lot of fighting, poverty and political injustice to other African States unless we weed out that we are not free unless we as Africans stand together we can change the negativity that we have as a continent.

  29. ClubPenguinCheats | Jul 30, 2010 | Reply

    I feel that any African American with a dream to make in this world and make a difference should consider the real opportunities in the mother land. As for me; I am not ashamed of being a capitalist.

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