The Al Jazeera English series, Tutu’s Children, will feature an emerging generation of African leaders. Archbishop Desmond Tutu, internationally renowned social rights activist and humanitarian, tries to establish a new network of African leaders committed to addressing their respective countries’ most difficult problems. The documentaries, of which four will be aired, follow the activities of participants in Tutu’s programme.
The series particularly focuses on the lives of the five very different participants as they are coached to become a “moral task force’ for Africa.
Filming took place over seven months in the newly appointed leaders’ home cities and during coaching in Tunis, Cape Town, Kigali, Johannesburg, Oxford and London and provides exclusive access to the young leaders’ reactions to controversial issues such as racial hierarchy, corruption, privilege and western democracy.
“Tutu’s Children offers a rare chance to witness a turning point in the lives of those who may one day change the course of Africa’s history. The travails of our onscreen characters will entertain and will also give our viewers a strong glimpse into the big issues affecting Africa,’ said Paul Eedle, Al Jazeera director of programmes.
The participants are:
Marc van Olst, Private Investor, 36
Van Olst is from South Africa and lives in Johannesburg. Originally from a privileged background, Van Olst left his job as a partner with a global management consultancy firm to become a private investor. He uses his commercial knowledge to help small businesses that benefit society in some way. His vision is to help boost local economies and, in turn, help bring about an African economic renaissance.
Dr Zied Mhrisi, Media Entrepreneur and Public Health Expert, 34
Dr Mhrisi is from Tunisia and lives in Tunis and he claims that “we are here to establish a new style of leadership, not more dictatorship!’ He is the founder of Tunisia’s first English news website, Tunisia Live, and he also hosts radio shows, writes articles and assists NGOs. In his capacity as a medically trained professional, Dr Mhrisi has also worked to treat Africa’s biggest public health problems and taboos.
Swaady M. Martin-Leke, Tea Company CEO, 33
Martin-Leke is from Cote d’Ivoire and lives in Lagos and Johannesburg respectively. She says “if you were to scan my heart, you’d see the shape of Africa’. She is the CEO of YSWARA, a luxury tea company. Martin-Leke was a child refugee who fled two violent coups with her family and has lived in 11 countries. She is determined that African women should be treated equally in a man’s world and controversially only employs females and buys from women.
Lydie Hakizamana, Publishing Entrepreneur, 30
From Rwanda and living in Kigali, Hakizamana describes herself as an “accidental entrepreneur who never expected leadership success’. After returning to Rwanda as a teenager after the genocide, her generation had apparently lost all hope in the future. Through stories, Lindie believed that that hope could be restored. In her spare time she began selling stories from a small store and now her company is involved in spreading English literacy in schools by representing UK publisher Pearson in Rwanda, bringing some happiness to thousands who are still devastated by the brutal genocide.
Ndumiso Luthuli, Legal Advisor, 36
As a witness to the anti-Apartheid struggle, Ndumiso, who is from South Africa and lives in Johannesburg, firmly believes in the power of the law to protect civil liberties. Hailing from the volatile township life in Johannesburg, Luthuli went to Oxford after which he started his own law firm. He now plays an important role in South African business.
The series begins on Thursday 10 January.
Watch Tutu’s Children’s trailer
