Veteran Retired South African Media Practitioner and Renowned Author, Mr. Fakir Hassen Makes It To The Banking On Africa’s Future – 10,000 Points of Light – Hall of Fame

Brian Kazungu, 13/05/2021

BOAF, C2C and AHS ANNOUNCE THE INDUCTION OF Mr. FAKIR HASSEN TO THE 10,000 POL – 18 MAY 2021 AT THE ROYAL INDIA RESTAURANT AT 6PM

C2C and Banking on Africa’s Future (BOAF) – 10,000 Points of Light (POL) in collaboration with Africa Heritage Society is pleased to induct MR. FAKIR HASSEN, a veteran retired media practitioner and a renowned author, to the 10,000 POL-Hall of Fame.

Mr. J. Singh, Director of the BOAF-10000POL Initiative said: “I am pleased to welcome Mr. Hassen to this community of forward leaning thinkers and doers.

Africa is better because of their ideas and deeds. Against a backdrop of pervasive illiteracy in Africa, Mr. Hassen has a distinguished career in education, broadcasting and journalism spanning over 47 years in various capacities.

Mr. Hassen started his illustrious career as an educator before getting into the media industry where he pioneered the use of the media field to educate and to inform. His track record fits well into ‘The Africa I Want’ narrative which brings together literate actors who add value in their engagements.

Singh added that Mr. Hassen is a fountain of knowledge and insights that have helped define and shape the personality and character of the South African and Indian media landscape.

“I had the opportunity to listen to his conversation with Mr. Mawere on his nomination and forthcoming induction to the Hall of Fame. What struck me the most is that both Mr. Hassen and Mr. Mawere concurred on the urgency and need to inculcate a forward leaning approach to problem solving rather than dwelling on the ghosts of yesteryears.

We live in the present tense and, as such, our focus must be focused on solving contemporary problems in order to secure the future that is possible and desirable.

Mr. Hassen’s real and indelible footprints on the media industry have inspired, ignited and provoked many to emulate him.

As a consequence, just like a star which may be far away to touch, he is nevertheless the pathfinding light towards the destination where media excellence can and should be celebrated.

We strongly believe that Mr. Hassen belongs to a class of Africans who through tangible deeds are living legends that have earned the right to be celebrated under the 1873 Network’s Living Legends initiative just like under the 10 000 Points of Light – Hall Fame.

The Africa I Want is one in which identity of human beings is not tribalized but universalized since we celebrate the indivisibility of human beings.

Inducting a person like Mr. Hassan who is of Indian heritage but is 100% African is a useful reminder that Africa belongs to all who live in it. It is the content of our characters and not the colour of our skins that should divide us.”

Mr. Mutumwa Mawere, the President of the 1873 Network that is powering this Hall of 10 000 African personalities and institutions under the POL umbrella, said: “In the year 1873, Africa was borderless and when you look at the meaning of the numbers 1873, you can easily see that 1+8=9 and 7+3=10.

The difference between 10 and 9 is ONE and this leads us to ask the question – What is the power of ONE?

It is our hope that when the target of 10,000 Points of Light is reached, we will have the diversity that is a reality in Africa and we will be able to celebrate this mosaic as the driver of positive outcomes necessary to lift Africa out of the triple challenges of poverty and unemployment.

I am excited that Mr. Hassen accepted to be part of this project aimed at promoting social cohesion and inclusivity as powerful drivers to limit the isms that often divide us.”

BOAF MEDIA Director, Mr. Frederick Koomson said: “I am elated to see the deposit of a media personality into this bank of hope. I have read Mr. Hassen’s resume and I am very impressed that gems like him still exist in our midst.

I am actually provoked to create and widely share all social media platforms some media content about his rich profile so that those who believe that Africa is dark when it comes to the issue of media actors who understand the true role of the media in delivering the promise can be shamed.

We have worked on the idea of using Banking on Africa’s Future as a bridge towards media excellence, and thus, with luminaries like Mr. Hassen, I see no impediment in building a circle of media masters that can impart and share their ideas, insights, experiences and knowledge to the next generation.

I certainly will attend Mr. Hassen’s inauguration on 18 May 2021 at the Royal India Restaurant.” Koomson said.

Contact:  Project Team at The Africa I Want

Jagjit Singh

Email: [email protected]

Mobile No: 071 542 9420

Website: www.1873network.com

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