ArchiAfrika-April-Magazine-English-final-v2

As ArchiAfrika and AiD embark on
engaging in the discourse of preservation and
conservation, these old memories come to
mind, and remind us all of the need to engage
and preserve something of the old Ghana and
Africa that we used to know. AiD has selected
the Children’s Library, a design of Max Fry
and Jane Drew, as a case study of how buildings
can be improved through restoration rather
than decimated by directionless renovation.
Now back to Hugh Masakela, who is our
featured personality for this edition of our
Magazine. To me he embodies the aspirations
of a new Africa- proud of its heritage, while
embracing modernity: a redefinition of what
Africa stands for in this global world. He is
the embodiment of the true ‘adventurer in the
diaspora.’ Hugh and his extraordinary wife
Elinam and their children are dear friends of
ours and we are honored that they agreed to
be part of this issue.
With our upcoming theme for 2013 being ‘All
Roads Lead to Lagos’ one cannot ignore the
symbolism of Hugh Masakela being featured
in this issue, as he was very good friends with
another great African activist, Fela Kuti from
Nigeria. Their music is the voice of Africa
and a constant reminder to all us of why our
culture matters.
Hugh Masakela is the kind of advocate for
the cultural and creative renaissance of Africa
that ArchiAfrika wants to be associated
with, and to learn from.Hugh, thank you
for being ‘a shining light’ and a great role
model for creative people engaging in Africa’s
development agenda. AYEKOO!
Regards,
Joe Osae Addo
Chairman, ArchiAfrika Foundation
Above: Sketch by Joe Osae-Addo
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