At the table of history

At the years end, Africa Web TV can look back at a very uplifting year. We started the year not knowing where we were heading. As 2013 draws to a conclusion, we know exactly where we stand and know where we want to be in the years ahead.

It has been a momentous year for Africa Web TV. There have been a few deep lows and lots of highs. On the low side, all our raw video archives from the beginning of Africa Web TV till October 2013 (including videos films and some special documentaries we were working on) got lost due to a crash of our backup system. 2 terabytes (2000 gigabytes) of work gone! There are hardware companies that can recover the lost data. However, the kind of money they are charging means we will have to put less emphasis on recovering the data for now. An African proverb; when the king’s palace gets burnt down, the replacement palace is always bigger and better! Speaking of which, we now back up all our new materials on 2 external hard disks.

On the plus side we released 40 quality videos on various subjects, peoples and places in this our first full year of operations. Yes we know, it seems like Africa Web TV has been broadcasting longer but we actually started at the end of June 2012. 2013 has seen us;

• At the queen’s palace covering the presentation of papers by an ambassador.
• Covering some great events and meeting some very inspiring people from the business, fashion world to people in power and politics. We met inspiring and talented people young and old from across all continents.
• Restyle our website www.africawebtv.nl, launch a profile page on Facebook (www.facebook.com/africawebtv1) while the Africa Web TV community page on Facebook (www.facebook.com/africawebtv) grew and gathered more than 1230 likes.
• Releasing some films and music videos from African artists through the Africa Web TV channel (We even had the honour of releasing a short, silent but very moving Brazilian film on Africa Web TV).
• Travel extensively to places like Kenya, Poland, Germany, Belgium, France etc. to gather content which we have shared with you.
• Improve on the quality of our video production. We brought in a second even more powerful multi-purpose video-camera which gave/gives us more flexibility.
• Increase our public service video aid to some Africa oriented non-profit foundations. Africa Web TV was contracted by some huge organisations to make some promos behind the scenes. (You don’t get to see those on our channel, but we are proud these organisations (Samsung, to name just one) see and appreciate the quality of our work).
• Having a first Africa Web TV video cross the 18,000 views border on Youtube. (To put that into perspective, the total views for our 41 videos from June till December 2012 was just over 17000).

2013 has helped shaped our destination. In 2014 we are taking this thing to the next levels. Watch out for regular self-produced skits and drama in the course of 2014 on Africa Web TV! We hope to bring you (in our own special way) a weekly news show about Africa. In addition Africa Web TV is acquiring the necessary equipment to start broadcasting live when necessary on our Youtube channel. People and business can contact us to broadcast their events; private or public live through our online channel.

Last but not the least; Africa Web TV is looking into the possibilities of setting up its own studio Africa Web TV in Rotterdam or Amsterdam where we have more production and editing possibilities. Africa Web TV is a small organisation with big ambitions and goals. You know where to be next year. Our contents speak for themselves. We are just starting. Africa Web TV is proof that quality does not have to be expensive. For organisations looking to partner and/or sponsor Africa Web TV, this is your chance to board the flight.

We like to thank all who have been a part of the journey in 2013. Africa Web TV thanks Monique, Blessing, Fiona, Faith, Kees, Yvet, Sonie, Edith. Special shout out to Sam & Sheila (for their help in Kenya). We thank our bloggers; Khady, Liesbeth & Femke too. Some of these great and talented people stepped out of the Africa Web TV bus in 2013. Some stepped in while others stayed in their seats. Whatever happens, they have been or continue to be a part of the Africa Web TV history. We take our hats off to you! To all we interviewed or came across in the course of our work, we say thank you.

One last thought, one of the major reasons Africa Web TV originally started was/is to give Africans a way to share their views and thoughts, promote their businesses, show their talents etc. However, one of the major frustrations we have faced is that most Africans seem to want to keep whatever they are doing under the radar. Many see the media as a wild beat that must be avoided at all costs. They are missing an opportunity to shape their own image and destiny. If a European sees a camera and a microphone he sees an opportunity. If an African sees the same, he sees a threat! Remember, the one who does the talking tells the story. If you don’t tell your story, others will tell it. Or like that anonymous philosopher said; if you are not sitting at the table of history, then you are the dinner! Happy 2014!