Save the Africa Centre Campaign Backs Heavyweight Proposal to Save London’s Iconic Africa Centre

International Mon 18-07-2011

Save the Africa Centre Campaign Backs Heavyweight Proposal to Save London’s Iconic Africa Centre
By Toby Orr | Save the Africa Centre Campaign

The Save the Africa Centre Campaign – a grassroots campaign group backed by some of Africa’s highest-profile figures and leading UK politicians – has welcomed the announcement by Oliver Andrews, Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Africa Centre, that the Board will halt the sale of the Africa Centre while a significant new proposal is considered in detail.

Save the Africa Centre Campaign

The Save the Africa Centre Campaign

The proposal to rejuvenate the premises at 38 King Street - put forward jointly by Hadeel Ibrahim, Executive Director of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, and David Adjaye, the award-winning architect – is accompanied by expressions of interest from heavyweight donors and has the backing of a range of organisations committed to using the revamped site. The proposal has the support of the Save the Africa Centre Campaign.

The Africa Centre, 38 King Street, London

The Africa Centre, 38 King Street, London | Courtesy of The Financial Times.com

The Trustees have agreed to a stay of execution on the sale of the Africa Centre for four weeks, to explore thoroughly the new scheme laid out in the proposal, to engage the broader African community and to base their final decision on a transparent and public rationale.

The proposal outlines a two-phase plan to raise money to cover urgent renovation costs and then create a sustainable business through which the Centre can be redeveloped and the very best African arts and cultural programming can be delivered at the Centre’s iconic site in the heart of London’s Covent Garden.

The Save the Africa Centre Campaign is consulting with campaign supporters on the use of the Africa Centre, working constructively with Hadeel Ibrahim, Adjaye Associates and other interested parties during the proposal period.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu - backed by global music stars Youssou N’Dour and Angelique Kidjo as well as Mayor Boris Johnson and former UK Africa Ministers, Baroness Kinnock and Peter Hain – has appealed directly to the Trustees to hold a proper consultation on the future of the Centre.

In an impassioned plea, Archbishop Desmond Tutu said: “My message to the Trustees would be – this place is no ordinary building site… I appeal to you please listen to the appeal from the very, very many who have written to you to say ‘have second thoughts, look at other options”

Dele Fatunla, spokesman for the Save the Africa Centre Campaign, says:

“It can only be good news that the Trustees of the Africa Centre are pausing for thought to consider this new vision for the Africa Centre at its current site. From the very start, we have campaigned for an open and transparent process. This is a heavyweight proposal, and we appeal to the Trustees to give it their full, honest consideration.”

Further information is available on the Save the Africa Centre Campaign website or by contacting:

Toby Orr
toby.orr@portland-communications.com
+44 7736 175311

Dele Fatunla
delefatunla@googlemail.com
+44 7988 577637

Posted By: Allan Kapten

skip to top

Your Comments

skip to top

African Artists Portfolios

Stephen Garan'anga is a Mixed Media Artist

Frank Chukwujekwu is a Mixed Media Artist

Click To View All African Artist Portfolios

Kaafiri Kariuki at the Creativity Gallery

Shades of Time: An exhibition by Kaafiri Kariuki at the Creativity Gallery National Museum of Kenya

News By Regions

Featured Artist Portfolio

Title: Making Ways
Name: Tabitha Wa Thuku
Country: Kenya
Medium: Mixed media on heavy canvas
Size: 149 X 140 cms
Click here to view