Latest news with #AfricanCulture
Entrepreneur
29-05-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
Build Your Own
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. You're reading Entrepreneur United Kingdom, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. Louisa Olafuyi didn't set out to be an entrepreneur. But as the co-founder and COO of Kunda Kids, a London-based children's media company creating educational storybooks, animations, and an app that celebrate African culture, history, and languages, she's become one of the most vital voices in reshaping how children see themselves in the stories they read and watch. "I never set out to be an entrepreneur, but looking back, I've always had an entrepreneurial spirit: curious, restless, and a bit rebellious," she reflects. It was during lockdown - a period marked by isolation, the birth of her son, and the backdrop of global racial reckoning - that something shifted. "I became a new mother, desperate to raise my son on stories that celebrated his culture and that of others." In the absence of those stories, she and her husband - co-founder Dele Olafuyi - started writing their own. The first print run sold 10,000 copies within weeks. "That sparked a curiosity about representation beyond books, including edtech, animations, and live-action." From that spark came Kunda Kids, a London-based children's media company with an ambitious mission: "To tell stories that centre African heritage and culture in a way that's modern, joyful, and globally accessible." Olafuyi puts it plainly: "It's about more than representation. We wanted to build a mirror and a map, a way for children to see themselves and the world more clearly." But vision alone doesn't build a company - especially not in a landscape where, as Olafuyi points out, "early-stage capital for Black-led businesses in the UK is shockingly limited (0.02%)." Access, she says, or rather "the lack of it," was one of the biggest early challenges. "We were bootstrapping belief in a landscape that wasn't built with us in mind. That made every step heavier but also sharper." Children's media, she adds, is "a tightly-knit, traditional world," and they had no legacy connections or insider playbook. But that outsider status became a source of strength. "Instead of seeing that as a barrier, we treated it as an opportunity. We weren't bound by 'how it's always been done,' and that freed us to build something truly original." They didn't mimic traditional models of publishing or animation. "We reimagined them in a way that felt modern, digital-first, and globally inclusive." When they couldn't find a seat at the table, Olafuyi says, "we built our own and designed it for more people to sit at, not fewer." Economic pressures in the UK haven't made things easier - but for Olafuyi, constraints have driven clarity. "It's a climate that demands sharpness, focus, and deep intentionality," she says. "Are we solving a real need? Are we building something sustainable, something that will matter not just now but in ten years?" Despite the challenges, London has left an indelible mark on Kunda Kids' creative DNA. "The city is a true melting pot, and it's been beautiful to reflect that diversity through characters and narratives that feel both local and universal." One of their titles, Afam and the New Yam Festival, captures that spirit: rooted in Igbo traditions, but exploring broader themes of identity and belonging. "That resonance matters," she adds. But Olafuyi is clear that while the UK was the launchpad, the goal was never local impact alone. "The UK will always be home for us… But as we grow, so does our mission: to reach children everywhere and ensure that every child, no matter where they are in the world, can see themselves in the stories they love." To stay ahead of trends, Olafuyi leans on her 15-year background in brand innovation and culturally driven content, including time at Unilever and Cambridge University Press. "What all those roles had in common was one thing: the ability to listen." Listening, she believes, is her superpower. "This week alone, I've kept 15-minute slots open every other day just for feedback calls with viewers of our show." Her inspiration comes from a mosaic of sources - "child development, fashion, music, street culture, emotional well-being research" - but her role is to connect the dots. "To create content that's not only relevant but also resonant." At the heart of it all is culture - not just what's made, but how it's made. "Culture is what you tolerate, reward, and repeat," she says. With a team spanning continents, alignment without uniformity is key. "I care about fostering entrepreneurial spirit across the team, but it also requires trust, autonomy, and freedom to try new things." And for those thinking about starting their own venture? "Start small, but think big. The temptation is to launch big and fast, but what matters most is building something real, something useful." She continues, "You don't need to disrupt, just deliver. Know your why, because the journey will test it repeatedly. Surround yourself with people who challenge you, not just cheer for you." "And finally," she says with a nod to the journey she's taken, "don't wait for perfect. Start before you're ready, and learn in motion." It's advice rooted in experience, resilience, and a refusal to wait for permission. For Olafuyi and Kunda Kids, the story is only just beginning - but already, the table they've built is one where more children can finally see themselves reflected. And celebrated.
News24
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News24
The power of Lorraine Moropa's puff
Beloved for her role in The Queen, Lorraine Moropa has shared both her talent and joy with fans. She recently opened up about portraying Letsatsi, a God-fearing church woman, in the Showmax original Not My Type, saying: 'I could easily empty myself and use my body as a vessel to carry her personal journey, navigate her world and evolve with her.' Whether she's fully immersed in a powerful role or living out a radiant love story, Lorraine continues to embody beauty, grace and unapologetic hair confidence. Our ode to her hair moments: Stacked puffs The two high puff buns on the top of the head have each been made of smaller afro puffs stacked vertically. The hair is neatly parted down the middle and the puffs are tightly coiled showing the natural texture. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lorraine SA (@ Culture and coils Styled to frame the face while showcasing the hair's full texture, the look is complemented by traditional beaded accessories, including a headpiece that rests across the forehead and adds cultural flair. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lorraine SA (@ Grace in every coil The high puff is brushed up and gathered into a full, rounded puff at the crown of the head. The edges are laid, giving it an elegant finish that complements the looks. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lorraine SA (@ Beauty and curls The tightly coiled curls are styled in an Afro. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lorraine SA (@ Power puff perfection The high puff ponytail with a smooth finish at the crown leads into a natural-textured afro at the back. It balances elegance beautifully. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lorraine SA (@
BBC News
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
African culture brought to Jersey schools for awareness week
School children in Jersey have been learning about African culture and Friends of Africa CI charity has been visiting schools across the island as part of Africa Awareness charity spoke to pupils and answered questions about what it means to be African and they also shared African Katsande, from the charity, said: "We need to embrace our differences as well as our similarities." Ms Katsande said African and Caribbean people made up 1.7% of Jersey's population She said that was a relatively large population for the island and "schools have been responsive to our campaign".Jayden and Georgia, both seven, were among the pupils who enjoyed a presentation from the charity at Rouge Bouillon Primary said "it was fun and fantastic" to take part."I had so much fun with the dancing and wriggling," he said. Georgia added: "It's been really good."I might learn more and I think it would be really cool to learn about different countries that I'm not from."As part of the awareness week, Friends of Africa is also hosting fashion and food stalls in the Royal Square from 16:00 BST until 20:00, as well as a free nightclub event for African music. Ms Katsande said the charity was looking to potentially extend their work next year to include care homes.
Vogue
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Vogue
The Sacred Malian Henna Ceremony That Signifies the Transition From Girl to Woman
Across many cultures, a wedding is the most important signifier of one's transition from girl to woman—and it rings especially true for Malian people. The entire marriage process can last for weeks as the bride goes through a host of ceremonies, rituals, and parties that allow her to step into a fresh chapter with her husband. You're shedding your singledom, in a way, as bride-to-be, Fanta Diabate tells Vogue, with a henna ceremony setting the stage for future nuptials—adorning her in intricate designs along the hands and feet that tell the world: 'I am a Malian bride.' 'The henna ceremony really does feel like a rite of passage,' she continues. 'It's not just about the designs but the symbolism, the gathering of women, the wisdom shared, the blessings…. All of it creates this sacred pause before stepping into marriage. It's deeply emotional, honoring where I've come from while preparing me for this new chapter.' Photographed by Denise Stephanie Photographed by Denise Stephanie For her wedding, Diabate has tapped Djouma Kebe, an artist hand-picked by the bride's mother to create her djabi, or traditional Malian henna. What sets Malian designs apart from other cultures is their usage of geometric patterns. 'Straight lines are often arranged into a repeating triangle motif that represents both fish and their skeletons,' she says. 'The bones, like the fish itself, are not easily separated—symbolizing the strength and unity desired in marriage. Fish also represent good fortune and abundance. As the triangles increase in size, they embody the hope of catching a bigger fish with each try—a metaphor for growth and prosperity.' And rather than Diabate having an exact design in mind, she showed Kebe her inspiration and allowed the artist to freestyle. 'You want it to be unique to you,' she continues, emphasizing that no bride's djabi is the same.
News24
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News24
Nandi Madida's love for her natural hair – ‘You are soothed, you are calmer'
Presenter, actor and media personality Nandi Madida reveals a deep appreciation for her hair, the rich African culture that inspires it and the admiration she has for her daughter Nefertiti's love for her natural kinks. Nandi pens a touching tribute to the crown that she and South Africa so adore. 'Just as an African, I'm so inspired by this colourful continent. Not only are we genetically the most diverse continent in the world, we're also the cradle of humankind, so everything kind of started here and you can see it. We're just vibrant. 'Everyone borrows from here but it's all rooted here. And so, I love playing and having fun with my hair. I love also ensuring that, especially particularly young people but people of all ages, understand how powerful our hair is. And I always say one day when I'm no longer on this earth, I hope I did somehow influence some kiddies out there who will be adults by then to just love their hair and how to work around it. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nandi_Madida 🇿🇦 (@nandi_madida) 'Hair has been so important to me, not only as a media personality and making a statement with my hair but also just as an African child. We have a very painful past and so something as simple as hair has been ostracised for so long where people felt less than because of their hair. 'And so, I was very lucky that I came from a family and read the likes of Steve Biko, who were so invested in ensuring that we were enlightened as a people and understood what the system was trying to do by breaking us down and instead build us up. And so, I'm always intentional about building us up. 'My daughter has the most gorgeous hair and this big 'fro, and she does all these beautiful hairstyles and she loves it! She just loves her kinks. She doesn't have any FOMO and that's so much progress whereas we would put chemicals on our head wanting to look like a blonde barbie, so just to see how there's been so much progress. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nandi_Madida 🇿🇦 (@nandi_madida) 'I would first apologise to my hair and say for putting you through chemicals where to the point that you got really burnt and permanently damage your skull. So, I'm sorry for that and though you were very young and weren't aware and no one was aware what was happening. May you heal and, from that, I've intentionally ensured that you're healed, that you are comforted, that you feel soothed. 'You are soothed, you are calmer. You're growing, you love your kinks. You can just be for who you are and enjoy your crown.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nandi_Madida 🇿🇦 (@nandi_madida)
