Screening 'W.A.R Stories: Walter Anthony Rodney'- by Clairmont Chung

By Sanaa & Culture

Clairmont Chung exchanging a word about his book & documentary on
Walter Rodney with a fan from South Africa
at Soma Book Cafe in Dar in April 2013

On the 13^th of April'13 at Soma Book Café in regent estate near Morocco, Dar es Salaam; Clairmont through Soma invited a few inquisitive minds to come see the screening of a documentary titled ‘W.A.R Stories: Walter Anthony Rodney.’ 

Portraying the life of an activist from Guyana in the Caribbean (Walter Rodney was assassinated in his home country in 1980) through the words of those who knew him. Dr Walter A. Rodney the man in question spent a considerable time in Tanzania as a lecturer at the University of Dar es Salaam during 1966-1968 and 1970-1973 where he wrote his most popular book ‘How Europe Underdeveloped Africa’.

The documentary as well accompanied a book on the same figure titled ‘Walter A. Rodney-A promise of Revolution'-written by Clairmont Chung. This book which was launched in the same month in Dar es Salaam at UDSM grounds. Was on display at the entrance with a red cover and a silhouette of a man with an Afro, wearing glasses and looking rather handsome in a rough 1970’s kind of way.

Abby Sykes accompanied by Present but Absent band
(with Sodoki (extreme right) and Vita Malulu left)
at the screening of W.A.R in Dar

As you got through the entrance you would be met with a live band ‘Present as Absent’ with their leader ‘Sodoki’ playing the guitar to smooth afro fusion beats. Also performing with them was Abby Sykes the guitar man, whose music coincidentally has a strong Caribbean influence.

Before long Clairmont was on stage after being introduced by Demere Kitunga the Director of Soma Book Café; in his address which was short and heartfelt he said. “I really appreciate you for coming. It’s good to know that you’re interested in history and the history of Africa…Walter A. Rodney believed in the uplifting and self emancipation of everyone…”

It was my first time hearing of this man Walter, already having spoken to Clairmont before the screening of the documentary I learned. Clairmont grew up in Guyana but now works as an attorney in New York. He had made this documentary within six years from his own pocket. The reasons being he was touched and inspired by this figure growing up and knew there’s more that the African youth of today can learn from him. "...By knowing more positive African male figures in their lives apart from Jay Z..." this he adds with a chuckle.

Finally it was time to see the documentary; though the subject matter was serious the soundtracks ensured a light vibe making it friendly to scholars as well as everyday individuals like myself. This involved reggae music when scenes came from Guyana and Jamaica and some bits of Afro pop fusion and acoustic drumbeats when the scenes came to Dar es Salaam.

The figures in the documentary included mono interviews with Amiri Baraka- the late acclaimed African American Author, Poet and Activist who met Walter in Dar es Salaam. Asha Rodney the daughter of Walter Rodney as well our own Prof Issa G. Shivji the retired Law Professor who was the first chair of the ‘Mwalimu Nyerere Pan African Studies’ at UDSM and Mr Walter Bgoya, the Director of ‘Mkuki na Nyota’ the publishing house that published ‘How Europe underdeveloped Africa by Dr Walter Rodney.

Having seen the documentary and now almost finishing the book, it’s with utmost delight to enter a world of African History that I can only recommend you read for yourself through this book available at Soma Book Cafe & TPH.

The documentary may be harder to reach for yourself as it’s not commercialized in his own words when audiences at the café asked where they could get hold of it. “This has been my baby and I strongly believe it shouldn’t be viewed without discussions afterward…”

Among the things I found interesting from the documentary was the assertions from Asha Rodney who mentions how her mother Pat Rodney held things together in the family; how without her it wouldn’t have worked out for them at all.

A still from the documentary that Clairmont Chung created
 in memory of Walter Rodney that he screens
privately around the world this was in Dar at Soma Book Cafe

Highlighting the need to bring to light the stories of women behind strong men activists in the limelight; as the responsibilities that shoulder these men means their family take a back seat. Case in point Walter lost his life at the tender age of 38 leaving three children when he was assassinated by a bomb which was given to him under the ruse of being a walkie talkie.

Also in the documentary was the assertion that Mr Rodney was a scholar who didn’t end his knowledge dissemination in the classroom. This was a man who integrated with the communities of Rasta Farais in Jamaica so much so. That when he was exciled in 1968 from Jamaica.

After learning of the ban, students at UWI, Mona where he was teaching began a demonstration under the leadership of the Guild of Undergraduates, closing down the campus and later gaining momentum from residents throughout the city. Resulting in millions of dollars lost from property damages and young lives being lost from the onslaught of the law enforcement.

It brings me pride that this man was then welcomed to Tanzania where though he had his political differences at times with our Mwl. Nyerere. He as well managed to give such rife knowledge to our university students at the time.

As Walter Bgoya pointed out in the documentary “University of Dar es Salaam back when Walter was here was filled with passionate exchanges on knowledge and social affairs…”

Reading further in the book you have Prof Shivji point out “The students were very militant, and at the revolutionary front…Then in 1968 we established the organ of the University Students African Revolutionary Front which was called Cheche. This was a cyclopedia student journal…In the first issue, Rodney had an article. He wrote something on labor.”

When the documentary finished we had a following discussion which revealed interesting thoughts on the work. Clairmont invited the audience to give their views of the social challenges we face today as Africans and whether we could draw anything useful from Walter's story.

A brave member managed to voice the need for Africans to not get too steeped in the idea of a conspirator from Europe against Africans. Rather that we’re all part of one human whole and any injustice on the Africans should be considered in a global context like any other injustice in the world.

This rose a bit of debate where a friend of Rodney’s who was among the audience responded and I quote “When I read ‘How Europe underdeveloped Africa’ I came to much the same thought as yourself mainly; whilst it was important for Walter to have written that book in that way. We have to remember that text is a text on an earlier one, namely the text by George Padmore about Africa Imperialism…”

A still from the documentary that Clairmont Chung created
 in memory of Walter Rodney that he screens
privately around the world this was in Dar at Soma Book Cafe

Another member didn’t agree, she was a current exchange student in UDSM at the time. Native to Nigeria but citizen of Germany-Olajumoke Adeyanju said “I don’t think you’ll find the solution of African problems by taking a world view, I think we have to reflect upon our selves. I am not saying that we have to segregate ourselves…I think we as Africans have to walk hand in hand and fight against these imperialist impacts”

Perhaps the summation came well from Clairmont himself “…The internal combustion engine that drives the car was invented by an African, the communication system that supports the cell phone was invented by an African, the air-conditioner was invented by an African…the internet was invented by an African descent individual…I could go on and on, the imperialist system doesn’t allow Africans to own knowledge…I don’t disagree with you mind you.

Because in the final analysis if there were no Africans in the world somebody else would pay that price and if they were only Europeans in the world they would be slaves too. In fact they were slaves; it’s the system…when we say Europe we don’t mean white people. We are really talking as Walter I think describes. A system controlled from Europe and its children but could we beat back that system without Europeans, more than likely not…”

As you can see this was one interesting discussion many more spoke including Usu Mallya of TGNP and Kepta Ombati of ‘Akiba Uhaki Foundation’ from Kenya.

Some curious minds at the screening of '
W.A.R Stories-Water Rodney' in
Dar es Salaam-SOMA including singer
songwriter Abby Sykes in the middle 

Walter Rodney the African Activist we were all inspired from who died trying to uphold the working class and oppressed in his country. Was the first African Caribbean man to call Indians black and mentioned toward the end of his life that the blackest man in South America was Fidel Castro. No wonder he could inspire such open discussion on ways forward for our social movements here in the country and with the African Diaspora at large.

Finally our evening came to an end sadly I forgot to ask Clairmont Chung to sign my copy of the book. Still I got a photo; honestly it’s a beautiful thing to engage in a cup of 20^th century African History. 

In a way that inspires and connects you to the larger responsibility we hold as the existing working class generation of this continent and country.

This article was first published in The East African Newspaper with this link to the online copy
http://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/magazine/Story-on-the-life-of-Walter-Rodney-comes-to-Dar-/434746-1905612-item-1-11af63pz/index.html

Soma's Michungwani Street Library Dar celebrates 1 year

By Sanaa & Culture

Among the keen kids of Michungwani Street Library
enjoying the Chap Chap fine art lesson

Soma Book Café, a readership and learning agency from E&D publishers in Dar es Salaam a year ago embarked to start a (Michungwani Street Library-MSL) library with children. With no building in essence it's a street library involving young children from the ages of 6 on to early teens meeting every Friday and Sunday under Soma’s supervision.

Ms Demere Kitunga (last right) Mkurugenzi. Soma akihojiwa
na mwandishi mwingine juu ya shughuli
hii ya kushereheka mwaka mmoja kwa MSL

Here upon being given books by Soma (mostly in Kiswahili) they choose which to read for the day. Then later in reviewing the book work to procure art activities around the story, be it song composition and delivery, poetry performances or fine art depicts.

The group meets close to the vicinity of Soma Headquarters in Dar es Salaam at Michungwani Street by Mikocheni ‘A’ primary school. Thus the load of its members is kids from the primary school with others from the neighborhood close by.

On the 27^th Sept ’14 the group which began with 32 registered kids was to celebrate one year since their enrollment with Soma street library. “We wanted to expose the kids to other delights in the art world that will continue to nurture their imagination fueling their curiosity ensuring they continue to read…” SOMA’s Director Ms Demere Kitunga.

Halima Mashaka toka Michungwani
Street Library akitupa hadithi ya
 'Katope' kwa mbwe mbwe na ndirimo

The celebration took a regular event from the art center ‘Nafasi Artspace’ which every month hosts their ‘chap chap’ sessions. That involves fine artists working with children on mini art projects as well a showcase of performing art.

So ‘chap chap’ was joining hands with Michungwani street library to celebrate art; starting at 4pm on this Saturday evening. The venue was the football grounds of Mikocheni ‘A’ primary school with permission from the school. Already kids were under one tent ruffling the feathers of the present fine artists on the scene including ‘Vita Malulu’ and ‘Lutengano Mwakisopile’. Who were there to guide them in making a portrait on mini brown paper bags.

It was quite heartwarming to see these kids who you could tell; by their reverence of the materials in front of them (they were quite careful not to mess things up). That this was a treat they cherished and don’t get to do often.

Leo Mkanyia (with lead guitar) at the celebration
of one year for Michungwani Street LIbrary of Soma

A fact well observed when you looked at how the regular kids of ‘chap chap’ present (many of which are expatriate off springs) were carefree ready to make a mess or not trusting the result will follow the freedom of allowing themselves to be. “It’s times like this when I love my job; working with these kids is a real highlight…” Jan Van Esch, current director of Nafasi Artspace.

Before long the performances on stage began and today as ‘chap chap’ was with Soma. This began with a few performances from the kids of Michungwani street library. First we had few kids in line walking in choreographed step whilst singing then reciting a welcoming poem (ngonjera).

Dogdogo Center Ngoma troupe performing
for Michungwani Street Library 1 yr annivesary

We then heard a folklore recited by the group with lead orator being Halima Mashaka she gave a beautiful theatrical recite. Relaying the story of ‘katope’ which here was given a few twists in plot and acted out as a semi play, this was great save for the live soundtrack coming from the school band. 

They could well do with some proper percussion lessons, starting with getting some real Tanzanian drums instead of the March band European counterparts they were using. Ofcourse this is a witness to our failing education curriculum which negates art lessons in it’s primary level teaching.So indeed it was a good thing the events that followed on the stage, gave the children of Mikocheni ‘A’ primary school a peek into various real delights of art.  

Bendi yetu ya Mikocheni A ikijaribu na dhana zake
hafifu kuwabeba wenzao waliokuwa wakighani jukwaani

First up we had Umoja Flying Carpet-TZ, a group of young Tanzanian artists brought together by Scandinavian countries. They gave a scintillating performance which included dance with talented upcoming dancer ‘Ally Mzuri’ and music with varied instruments including the canon and violin.

We as well had a traditional dance from ‘Dogodogo center’ it was a delight to see them dance a traditional ‘ngoma’ from Tanzania (a seeming rarity in professional dancers from Dar es Salaam).

We also heard two music giants in afro fusion from Tanzania them being Vitali Maembe and Leo Mkanyia getting the crowd wild. It was a real treat Leo ended up playing the harmonica and we were just lost. Vitali while getting you lost in his music as well got you thinking with those thought provoking lyrics of his. I am sure the kids of Michungwani will never forget this night thanks to Soma and Nafasi…