News, Commentary & Social Media from African Perspective

Vanity Fair focuses on Africa

19 comments

Posted by: Jola on June 12, 2007 Under: Africa, Feature, Life & Culture, People, Photo, Politics & Policy

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If you don’t do anything else this summer, please pick up a copy of the July 2007 issue of Vanity Fair which is guest edited by Bono and shines the spotlight on Africa using a series of covers photographed by Annie Leibovitz.The covers feature icons like Desmond Tutu, Maya Angelou and Muhammed Ali as well as occupants of the seats of power – Condoleezza Rice, President George Bush, US Senator Barack Obama;royalty Her Majesty Queen Rania of Jordan; major philantropists Bill and Melinda Gates, Warren Buffett, celebrities with a track record of using their stardom to make a difference Oprah Winfrey, Brad Pitt, George Clooney, JayZ, Alicia Keys, Madonna, Chris Rock and native son and daughter of Africa – Djimon Hounsou and Iman as well as Bono himself.

Each individual is paired with another for twenty covers, the content of which remains the same and includes a tribute by President Bill Clinton to President Nelson Mandela, one of the founders of MTV – Tom Freston- telling all about his discovering West African music in Mali, author and journalist Binyavanga Wainaina introducing us to Generation Kenya.

This is one issue of Vanity Fair that will have people talking and like Bono says in his editorial piece will make the world realize that Africa is an adventure and not a burden.

Related article: http://www.africanloft.com/vanity-fair-covers-africa/



19 comment(s)

  1. Misi | Jun 12, 2007 | Reply

    That’s right, Bono Africa is a beautiful place filled with lots of adventure. And us Africans need to start appreciating what we have rather than agreeing with the rest of the world that we are disastrous. Am definitely going to grab me a copy.

  2. Papa Shongo | Jun 13, 2007 | Reply

    Brilliant idea that slide show of yours, this is the only place I’ve seen those covers presented that way. Pretty cool initiative from Vanity Fair also. I’ll make sure I buy one copy. You may also want to check out BOno’s Project (RED) site at http://www.joinred.com/

  3. Omotaylor | Jun 13, 2007 | Reply

    Oh how I love Africa. Forever proud to be one.

  4. Papa Shongo | Jun 14, 2007 | Reply

    Finally bought mine yesterday, I can’t keep my eyes off of it. And oh, on the train (metro, subway) when i read it people keep starring as if they were thinking “oh look an he must be African, awww how cute, Africa’s so cool right now” :-D

  5. Donald Thieme | Jun 15, 2007 | Reply

    I definitely plan to pick this up. Thank you for the helpful review.

  6. Refinedone | Jun 21, 2007 | Reply

    ..I really dont see how that benefits African? are they donating money again? or what?

    If we are so proud about African( as if it’s one country) what are we doing personally? or do we have to wait for Bono to hook up with Cosmo or Ovation before we get invovled oursleves?

    I really would like to know what the big deal is?

  7. Jola Naibi | Jun 21, 2007 | Reply

    @refinedone – Although I read that a percentage of sales of this issue of the magazine will be given to organizations working to improve life in Africa, I don’t think that was the particular aim of this. It is a celebration of Africa…a lot of people and believe me when I tell you they exist because I have met them, view Africa as a continent of beggars and fail to see anything of value on the continent. The articles featured in the edition are shining the spotlight on the continent in a way that is not usually done and can change points of view

  8. Refinedone | Jun 21, 2007 | Reply

    … yes all well and good, but who are the ones “sportlight” Africa?

    Black Americans i.e. “the west” ah! lest not for get Bishop Tutu!( is that the only icon we have in Africa?)

    So are you telling me we dont have successful Africans that could have done the cover? since it all about improving the image the western media has presented about Africa.
    I just think it about time “Africa” did that job herself.

    I still am not impressed…to each his own.

    I will not be buying the mag. If i want to donate to projects that are helping countries in Africa, I’ll do that without the aid of VanityFair Thank you.

  9. Jola Naibi | Jun 21, 2007 | Reply

    I had the same reaction as you in terms of thinking that they should have had the average Africans adorn the cover – but let’s be realistic, I think they were being strategic and they would get less people stopping to buy the magazine if they had some person who was virtually unknown on the cover… it would not turn heads. But if you read the magazine, it is nothing but purely African. From the Lazarus Effect to Generation Kenya to the article on music in Mali. It is a complete celebration of Africa. I am not trying to convince you to buy the magazine, but just thought I’d throw that out there in case you thought the magazine was full of articles were about the Africa-trotting adventures of celebrities, because it isn’t.
    But more than anything else, like you said, to each his own…I don’t expect everyone to share the enthusiasm I had on reading the magazine and I appreciate that you don’t.

  10. Refinedone | Jun 21, 2007 | Reply

    I appricate what you saying about the content, but you make my point…why would you think we don’t have icons in Africa the would get ppl buying the mag.( if it’s all about getting to know the beauty of our Africa)

    I just believe it defeats the purpose…”To promote African, we’ll put up pictures of Americans” do you see why I can not share in your enthusiasm of the publication.

    Thanks again for your time.

  11. CareTaker | Jun 21, 2007 | Reply

    This VF publication is generating quite a bit of dust over the Internet – the dialogue b/w Jola and Refinedone captures the two schools of thought. Whether one buys the magazine or not doesn’t diminish its core purpose – sell Africa. Yes, one can question the connection of Warren Buffet to Africa and all that, and ask why more indigenous Africans are not on the cover – these are all valid points. What about the intent of the magazine? Could this make up for the other flaws?

  12. CareTaker | Jun 21, 2007 | Reply

    I just bought a copy of VF Africa btw, I haven’t even had the time to read it yet.

  13. Papa Shongo | Jun 21, 2007 | Reply

    Let’s be real here, the personalities on the cover are only a strategy to get Westerners to purchase the mag as Jola Naibi mentioned, period. Hopefully all of you out there get that. As for the icons you mention dear Refinedone, you can find them along with a bio inside the magazine. But you would know that if only you bothered browsing the mag.

  14. Refinedone | Jun 22, 2007 | Reply

    Papa Shongo…That IMO is not good enough…if, dear I say it again the purpose of the Mag was to “spotlight” Africa!

    …so I will not BOTHER browsing.

  15. Refinedone | Jun 22, 2007 | Reply

    CareTaker- the intent is good, about time the well meaning ppl of the west enligthen the few that would just buy every rubbish their press/media tell them about African.
    But I say let them work in the frontline with Africans and not treat us like children.

    I will tell you what vexes me about things like this- In art school I once had a debate with one of head of department about why African artifacts have to be returned, do you know what his final point after much exchange was? That we would not know how to presever them!….WHO CARES! they are ours to do as we please, and not need the west telling us how to look after them.

    …so for me this is just another example of “do us a favour”

  16. Refinedone | Jun 22, 2007 | Reply

    meant to say “doing us a favour”

  17. T | Jul 11, 2007 | Reply

    Two things:
    - Yes, the Vanity Fair has some delicious articles and features.
    - The slideshow rocks! You did that?

  18. Lulu | Aug 5, 2007 | Reply

    I on some points agree with “refinedone”, why does it take another man to spotlight Africa; and when done why do they treat africa as if it were one country, with one language, and one religion, ‘one’?

    I love the idea of celebrating Africa and its beauty. However, we Africans must start doing so on our own! Why is it getting so much recognition when “Vanity Fair” covers it?

    Yet, we (generally) won’t cough up a few bucks for our upcoming “African” publications.

    I’m just a little baffled, and thought I would share my ideas. Feel free to contact me with your response or outlook.

  19. Jola | Aug 17, 2007 | Reply

    @T – Thanks and yes.

    @ Lulu – I think most of the issues you raised have been addressed in previous comments that I made…at least that’s the way I see things from my angle. But I appreciate your sharing your view

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