Angola

Preparing the Angolan Media for the 2008/2009 Elections

Search For Common Ground (SFCG) worked with the National Election Commission (CNE) and Angolan National Syndicate of Journalists (SNJA) to promote responsible, representative media coverage to support participatory, peaceful elections in Angola. This project fits within a wider vision to transform Angolan society over the long term from a culture of violence to one characterized by coexistence, security, social justice, and popular participation.

SFCG's primary activities included establishing an advisory committee which met for the duration of the project, conducting a national level workshop and training-of-trainers, conducting provincial workshops for the media, and producing national and provincial level radio programming which provided information and facilitated constructive dialogue around the elections process. SFCG organized a conference for civil society and government representatives to identify key issues regarding the constitutional reform process and possible mechanisms of collaboration between civil society and the public.

SFCG is also used its radio programme Andangola to encourage dialogue between political leaders and civil society advocates on general governance issues and in particular, the constitutional reform process. The program Bazi Madie focused on youth and civic education.

SFCG and partner the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) aided local journalists by releasing the second edition of "Responsible Electoral Coverage in Angola: Manual for Journalists." This manual, directed at and distributed to Angolan journalists, provided them with a grounding in Angola's election law, the electoral code of conduct, conflict sensitive reporting in the lead up to elections, and useful tips for reporting on Election Day.

Media Projects

"Angola Solta a Tua Voz" (Angola Lift Up Your Voice) is the title song and the name of the new CD that SFCG produced in Angola. The CD features the most popular musicians from across the musical and geographical landscape of Angola. Each song is a duet between musicians who normally would not perform together -- merging generations of popular Angolan musicians -- blending different styles of music from different areas of the country -- and symbolically marking the beginning of a new era in Angola characterized by inclusion, participation, and unity.

Music in Angola is an influential communications tool; people listen to what musicians say, giving their music and words power. This initiative is a response to the Government's announcement that parliamentary elections would be held in September 2008. The last elections, held in 1992, returned the country back into violent conflict. The goal of "Angola Solta a Tua Voz" is to motivate and inspire citizens to participate in the newly emerging democracy and play an active role in the decisions that will shape their future, and the future of Angola.

The CD was launched by a series of high profile events in Luanda, including a public concert attended by over 2,000 people, 3 television programs featuring the musicians and SFCG staff, radio programs, TV and radio spots, newspaper articles in every major newspaper, and an invitation only event for the media and VIP officials. The Ambassador to Angola from the European Union, speaking at this event, reflected that this is exactly the type of initiative needed in Angola and he hopes there will be more initiatives of this kind. The CDs were widely distributed thru radio and TV stations, to schools, and through music distribution channels.

This builds on the success of SFCG Angola's previous music initiative, which took place while the conflict was still ongoing. The song "A Paz a Que Povo Chama" (The People Are Calling for Peace) became the anthem for peace in Angola, and was played during the signing of the peace accords. Several of the artists who participated in the 1998 groundbreaking project, also participated in "Angola Solta a Tua Voz".

"I feel real pride in seeing this new younger generation of Angolan artists taking on this responsibility and using music as a messenger of peace, and as a tool to build the kind of society we want."
-Felipe Zau, a revered Angolan musician who was involved in both projects

"It is my belief that this project will be remembered 30 years from now, marking the beginning of a new time here in Angola."
-McK, a popular young rapper

Watch the video for "A Paz a Que Povo Chama"

Listen to "Angola Solta a Tua Voz" featured on Public Radio International's "The World", heard on NPR.

Download "Angola Solta a Tua Voz" at Amazon.com or Emusic.com

SFCG Angola thanks the following donors for their support