tors in the early stages of

the Silicon Valley, and cele-

brated the success of the

African Americans particu-

larly in the field of Biotech-

nology, STEM and R & D.

Amarantus Biosciences,

Ramsell Corp and Aphios

Inc. were among the hon-

orees for their breakthrough

medicines and research for

Alzheimer's, Parkinson Dis-

ease, Cancer and more.

Mr. John Templeton, Presi-

dent of Venturata Economic

Some 50 of the Most Im-

portant African Americans

involved in Science, Tech-

nology, Engineering and

Maths (STEM) were hon-

ored at the first Innova-

tion and Equity Symposi-

um held in San Francisco,

California (15 January

2015).

The Consul-General was

invited to participate as

both speaker and panelist.

The event paid tribute to

African-American innova-

L.A. MISSION

Jan.-Feb. 2015

Innovation & Equity SymposiumInnovation & Equity Symposium

Development Corporation as well as others ex-

pressed significant interest in the advancement

of R & D enterprise in South Africa.

(l-r) Dr. Trevor Castor, Consul-General

Ndaba and Mr. Derek Lawson VP at

Cornerstone Consulting & Technology

(l-r) Dr. Trevor Castor, President & CEO of Aphios Corporation, Mr.

Gerald Commisiong, President & CEO of Amarantus Biosciences,

Consul General Ndaba , Mr. William John Templeton, President of

Venturata Economic Development Corporation and Ms.

LaShauna Nichols

Consul-General Ndaba addressing the Sympo-

sium on the topic; “Opportunities in SA and

the African continent for the Sons & Daugh-

ters Africa’s in the 6th region in ”

(l-r) Mr. Eric Flowers, President & CEO of Ram-

sell Corp, Mr. William John Templeton, Man-

aging Director of Venturata and Consul-

General Ndaba

Last but not least, this Mission can look back with pride that we finally prevailed in pushing the City of Los

Angeles to declare the 18th of July as the Mandela International Day. The Mission had also succeeded in

having the City of San Francisco pass a similar proclamation in July 2013.

We aspire to raise the African flag even higher in 2015. In this regard, we have joined hands with our Afri-

can American friends in the Silicon Valley in a movement that aims to recognize the innovative achieve-

ments in Research & Development and STEM work by Africa’s own Sons and Daughters in the sixth region.

Regards,

Ndaba

From the Desk of the Consul-General

Photos taken at the Photos taken at the

Innovation & Equity Innovation & Equity

SymposiumSymposium

The year 2014 ended on a very high note for the mission in LA in its quest to place the Afri-

can continent in its rightful place on the United States, West Coast map. We have hosted,

amongst others, a high-level KZN Trade and Investment delegation in its roadshow to show-

case the Province. The delegation was introduced to Bankers, Industrialists, Venture Capital-

ists and Corporations operating in LA, Portland (Oregon), San Francisco and the Silicon Val-

ley. We were equally honored by a short visit by the Chairperson of the AU Commission, Dr.

Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, whom we introduced to our interlocutors in the creative arts, STEM as well as to

the Consular Corps and the leaders in the African American communities. Also visiting our shores was the

Executive Director of UN Women and the former Deputy President of South Africa, Ms. Phumzile Mlambo-

Ngcuka.

Ms. Nichol Bradford, Exec. Director

of the Transformative Technology

Lab at Sofia University; Speaker/

Panelist at the Innovation & Equity

Symposium

(l-r) Ms. Moza Mjasiri-Cooper, Consul-General Ndaba, Mr. James Nagenda and Ms. Maryam Ibrahim

Ms. Maryam Ibrahim, Ms. Moza Mjasiri-Cooper

“ Comrades for Life” “ Comrades for Life” “ Comrades for Life”

There is without a doubt an unshakeable fraternal bond between Tan-

zania and South Africa. Cousin sisters, Ms. Moza Mjasiri-Cooper and

Ms. Maryam Ibrahim have always associated themselves with the

struggle for liberation and social justice in South Africa. Ms. Moza Mja-

sari-Cooper served as a volunteer for four years at the ANC office in

New York under the late comrade Mr. Johnny Makhathini (the then

ANC Chief Representative to the

UN in New York). She has contin-

ued to be a Cde. sister over the

years and has always identified

herself with the struggle for a

just, free, democratic, non-racial

and non-sexist dispensation in

South Africa.

This Mission continues to work

with Ms. Mjasiri-Cooper and her

network of “friends” of South Afri-

ca. Ms. Maryam Ibrahim recently

visited her cousin sister, Moza

and met Consul-General Ndaba

at the funeral of Cde. Amanda

Wash whose obituary appears

on the last page of this newslet-

ter. Comrade Maryam requested

the CG to extend her greetings

to some of our comrades who

were in exile in Tanzania but

who are still alive.

Maryam worked at the Palm

Beach Hotel which was frequent-

ly used by ANC leaders and ca-

dres like the late Joe Modise,

Chris Hani, Thomas Nkobi, Stan

Mabizela all of whom she knew

very well. Maryam looked after

our people so well that she al-

ways found accommodation for

them at very short notice, without

complaining or moaning .

Tanzanians & South AfricansTanzanians & South AfricansTanzanians & South Africans

Comradely ties between SA and Tanzania certified at the official opening

of the Honorary Consulate of Tanzania in the Bay area.

(l-r) Mhe Mwigulu Nchemba Madelu Mbunge, Deputy Secretary General

of CCM,CG Ndaba, Ambassador Liberata Mulamula of Tanzania in the U.S.

and President of Tanzania, H.E. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete and Honorary

Consul of Tanzania, Ahmed Issa

The KwaZulu Natal MEC for economic

development, tourism and environ-

mental affairs, Mr. Mike Mabuyakhu-

lu lead a high – level delegation com-

prising of the former MEC for finance

Mrs. Ina Cronje, CEO of Trade and

Investment KwaZulu Natal Mr. Zamo

Gwala, HOD of Department of Eco-

nomic Development, Mr. Desmond

Golding and the CEO of the Richard

Richards Bay Industrial Develop-

ment Zone, Mr. Pumi Motsoahae.

The delegation visited Los Angeles,

Portland and San Francisco where it

participated in business, trade and

investment seminars.

“An Unsung Hero & Heroine in STEM Education”“An Unsung Hero & Heroine in STEM Education”“An Unsung Hero & Heroine in STEM Education”

(Left) Dr. Eugene Visser is the first white South

African A-MAN , Inc. (International Science Dis-

covery and Learning Centre) STEM student to

receive a PhD in electronics at the Cape Penin-

sula University of Technology

(l-r) Dr. NkosinathiSishi, Superintendent General

KZN Dept. of Education, Dr. Bettye Walker and

Prof. Hal Walker attending the Official release of

the KZN Matriculation results (2013) in Durban (l-r) Prof. Hal Walker and guest, Bobo Matjilla

at the XPRIZE Global Education briefing

In the words of the great Ameri-

can President, Franklin D. Roo-

sevelt,” Walk softly but carry a

big stick,” the Walkers do exact-

ly that.

Born in New Orleans, Professor

Hal Walker is a pioneer in the

field of electro-optical technolo-

gies. Mr. Walker has earned

fame as an innovator and col-

laborator in the realm of energy-

related technologies using la-

sers in the fields of scientific,

industrial and military applica-

tions.

True to the words that “behind

every successful man is a wom-

an,” in 1991 Hal along with his

wife, Dr. Bettye Walker, founded

the non-profit corporation African

American Male Advisors Network,

Inc. (A-MAN) as well as the Inter-

national Sciences Discovery and

Learning Center (ISD&L) in Ingle-

wood, California. Hal’s many in-

novative projects and collabora-

tions include:

Participation in the first

global telecoms U.S. Satel-

lite research program

(RELAX)

Plasma fusion projects

such as TOKOMAT which

took place at Princeton Uni-

versity and Los Alamos Lab.

The Apollo XI mission that

adopted a multi -state

K1500 laser ranging sys-

tem.

The first laser-targeting sys-

tems for the U.S. Army

(1981-)

Worked in collaboration

with, Physicist, Lee Ste-

phens on the Battery Ex-

change system

New and Advanced laser

optical technologies to the

National Immigration Facili-

ty at Laurence Livermore

Laboratory.

Professor Walkers’ photograph is now on permanent exhibition at the Smithsonian National Museum of American

History in the section “Science in American Life– The New Moon. Continued on next page

A profile of Prof. Hal &Dr. Bettye WalkerA profile of Prof. Hal &Dr. Bettye WalkerA profile of Prof. Hal &Dr. Bettye Walker

Prof. Hal Walker explaining to Ms. Bobo Matjila Outer Space Exploration

The Walkers are no strangers to

South Africa. Their relationship

with the country began way back

in 1998 dubbed, “The year of Sci-

ence and Technology in South Afri-

ca,” when they took a group of

young African American students

to South Africa. The Walkers and

the group of students were grant-

ed an audience with the Founding

President of South Africa, Nelson

Mandela. Having briefed Presi-

dent Mandela on their mission in

South Africa the Walkers were

commanded by the President to

assist students in South Africa

who come from previously disad-

Profile cont.’…Profile cont.’…Profile cont.’…

vantaged communities. Since that

“Madiba” command in 1998 the

Walker’s have never looked back.

They have been involved in vari-

ous STEM projects, in Mamelodi

and Khayelitsha. The Mission in

LA also assisted them in acquiring

permanent residency status in

South Africa. The Walker’s now

spend 3-4 months of each year,

visiting their projects in South Afri-

ca. The Mission was instrumental

in having the Walkers introduced

at the official release of KZN Ma-

triculation results in January

2013, which was attended by the

Premier of KZN, Dr. Zweli Mkhize,

the then MEC for Education Mr.

Senzo Mchunu and the Superin-

tendent General of Education, Dr.

Nkosinathi Sishi. The Walker’s

have become international collab-

orators for STEM education in

KZN as envisaged in the La Mercy

Science, Technology, Engineering

and Math Academy. The Mission

in LA prides itself in working close-

ly with the Walker’s in advancing

the gateway STEM education, not

only in KZN, but the whole of

South Africa.

“Smiling faces” say it all, Gugulethu High School students in SA

having first encounter with computers, donated by of Prof. and

Dr Walker

The LA Mission has been privileged to collaborate with brilliant men and wom-

en, one of whom is Mr. Hugh Molotsi, Vice President of Intuit Labs Incubator.

Mr. Molotsi, a fellow South African, is an accomplished Computer Engineer;

having worked his way up through established corporations. He is one of the

top executives in his industry. Hugh graduated Summa Cum Laude from the

University of Mississippi and continued his studies at Santa Clara University

where he participating in a Graduate Fellowship. Mr. Molotsi has over 24 years

of experience beginning as a software engineer at Hewlett-Packard, and mov-

ing up the ladder at Intuit as Director of Small Business Group & Director of

“ I had the pleasure of meeting

members of a Trade Mission from

KZN (South Africa) who were

visiting San Francisco Bay Area.

The group aspires to develop a

innovation hub in the Zululand

Region below is the picture with

Consul-General Ndaba to whom I

owe thanks for the connection.”

MR. HUGH MOLOTSI, VICE PRESIDENT,

INTUIT LABS INCUBATOR Engineering. Mr. Molotsi’s leader-

ship and innovation led him to as-

sume the position of Vice President

of Technology and currently holds

the position as Vice President of In-

tuit Incubator Labs.

Leading the way in innovation Mr.

Molotsi has received several awards

including the Sam Cook Innovation

Award in 2002, 2003, 2006 and

2009 as well as the Excellence in

leadership Award (2005/2006). Mr.

Molotsi was also a recipient of the

Intuit Founder’s Innovation Award in

2011. Mr. Molotsi’s work speaks for

itself; having a passion for creativity,

innovation and leadership continues to

drive him forward as he trains and de-

velops emerging leaders in his sector.

Hugh has expertise in developing inno-

vative new solutions for small groups,

running lean groups and launching new

products. Among many skills he has a

passion for grassroots innovation, and

is an expert in developing easy-to-use

software. Mr. Molotsi uses his

knowledge in diversity and inclusion as

he develops frontline leadership and

practices team building.

Understanding the importance of social responsibility Mr. Molotsi, has partici-

pated on several boards including Fresh Lifelines for Youth (FLY), Qualys (a

cloud IT security and compliance company) and AT&T Engineering Advisory

board to lend support to the College of Engineering.

“ Long hidden from our eyes & reach in the Silicon Valley has been the suc-

cess story of one of our own, Cde. Hugh Molotsi. SA has a good reason to cele-

brate the discovery of one of her own, who has shown his talents in far off

lands in the US and in Asia. I believe the KZN is on the right track in connect-

ing with Intuit Lab incubator, of which our Hugh is the Vice President.”

~CG Ndaba

“I lead Intuit labs, an internal in-

cubation team in Intuit’s Innova-

tion and Advanced Technology

Group that incubates strategic

businesses and helps grassroots

innovation teams develop their

concepts into products they can

experiment with customers.”

~ Mr. Hugh Molotsi

“One of our OWN in “One of our OWN in

the Silicon Valley”the Silicon Valley”

The Mission has been working together with the San Diego

Zoo in highlighting the plight of the rhino in South Africa

and beyond her borders. It was in the light of this narrative

that the mission introduced Ms. Sjoroos, President of Pre-

cision Diagnostic Laboratories in California into this pro-

ject.

Ms. Ursula Sjoroos, has been instrumental in assist-

ing SAN Parks to raise funds in the United States to

fight against the decimation of the rhino population in

the Kruger National Park. She now wishes to join

hands with Ezemvelo Provincial Wildlife Parks in Kwa-

zulu-Natal (KZN).

The Consul-General of Chile, Mr. Tagle, paid a courtesy call

on Consul-General Ndaba. He was given some orientation

on the importance of the Los Angeles County, the Bay area

and by extension California in the economic well-being of

the United States. This same was done with the Honorary

Consul of Tanzania, Mr. Ahmed Issa and the Consul-

General of Angola Mr. Martinho Codo in 2013 and 2014

respectively.

Consul-General Ndaba, Ms. Ursula Sjoroos, Presi-

dent of Precision Diagnostic Laboratories

Consul-General Ndaba, Consul-General Tagle,

Consul-General of Chile

CG Ndaba, Ms. Thami Ngubeni of Radio 2000 SABC

and Mr. Gregory Johnson of KJLH radio, owned by

Stevie Wonder

Consul-General Ndaba was recently inter-

viewed by Ms. Thami Ngubeni in her one hour

radio talk show. The interview took place in

Ms. Ngubeni’s studio in Los Angeles and was

broadcast live in South Africa by the SAFM

radio station.

“Mission Connections”“Mission Connections”

(l-r) Mr. Guyon Gaynair, Jamaican

Songwriter & Poet, Consul-General

Ndaba

(l-r) Mr. Guyon Gaynair, Belizian Songwriter

& Poet, Ghanian Sondgwriter & Drummer,

Mr, Remi Kabaka

(l-r) Bishop Ramalaine of South Africa, Mr. Douglas

Nelson (fmr) Comptroller at the City of Los Angeles,

and Prof. Hal Walker of A-MAN STEM, Inc.

(l-r) Ms. Valencia Ramalaine, Consul-

General Ndaba and Bishop Ramalaine

The Consul-General is mobilizing the two musicians, Mr.

Guyon Gaynair and Mr. Remi Kabaka to participate in the

African Cultural connection event on 28 July 2015. This

event is part of the Special Olympics (25 July –2 August

2015), whose honorary patrons are President Barack

and First Lady Michelle Obama. The Mission is currently

working with the conductor of the Inner City Youth Or-

chestra of Los Angeles, Mr. Charles Dickerson and the

Ladysmith Jr. Mambazo in a joint participation to pro-

duce a blend of acapella music, (unique to South Africa)

and orchestral music, the fusion of which would be the

first of its kind in the world.

A Celebration of the Arts A Celebration of the Arts A Celebration of the Arts

Consul-General Ndaba, Prof. Jack Bermingham, Dean of Highline College

Dr. Debra Cooper, Phd, CCCST Science

Policy Fellow; Advisor to the State Sen-

ate Foreign Relations on

Senator Kevin De Leon, Presi-

dent Pro Tempore, CG Ndaba

Mr. Prisco Ramos, Consul-

General of Brazil , Consul-

General Ndaba (RSA), Mr.

Serge Petrow, Consul-

General of Russia

CG Ndaba and Dr. Rich-

ard Soyombo, Executive

Director for the Center for

International Trade Devel-

opment

Consul-General Ndaba,

Prof. Boatamo Mosupyoe,

Cal State University of

Sacramento, Mr. Don

Taylor, Asst. VP for Aca-

demic Programs and Glob-

al Engagement

Professor Jack Birmingham representing

Highline College in Washington Seattle, Pro-

fessor Boatamo Mosupyoe representing Cal

State University of Sacramento, Mr. Don Tay-

lor representing Cal State University of Sac-

ramento, and Dr. Richard Soyombo repre-

senting the Center for International Trade

Development and Skyline College in Oakland

have a common interests. They are among

academic leaders who have bought into the

idea of making their academic institutions

and organizations aware of Africa and oppor-

tunities in the continent as it moves into full

integration. They are partnering with the Mis-

sion in LA in its quest to fly the African flag

on the West Coast of the United States.

At the reception hosted by Senator Kevin De Leon, pictured with the Consul-

General, the latter was honored to meet with a Sacramento based Neurosci-

entist, Dr. Debra Cooper (PhD. Neuroscience), also pictured with the Consul-

General. The CG plans to expand the Mission’s outreach with Dr. Cooper

and the pioneers in STEM and R & D based in the Silicon valley. Her name

and credentials have been submitted to Mr. John William Templeton for her

inclusion at the next event to honor Black Scientists and R & D Specialists

to be held on 20 April in San Francisco.

BRICS countries will soon be mak-

ing their presence felt on the West

Coast of the United States. At the

behest of the CG, Consul-General

Serge Petrow of Russia will be

hosting a working dinner in San

Francisco on 18 March 2015. The

CG’s of China and India, who were

not present at the CSIRF, have also

been invited to join in the dinner.

Forging New RelationshipsForging New RelationshipsForging New Relationships

1942– 2015

Andrae CrouchAndrae CrouchAndrae Crouch

Bishop Clyde Ramalaine, a good friend of the Mis-

sion in LA, visited Los Angeles recently to pay his

respects to a departed close friend of his and our

struggle in South Africa, Pastor Andrae Crouch.

Reverend Crouch was a well-known gospel singer ,

arranger, producer and song writer. Pastor

Crouch wrote his first award winning hit song at

the tender age of 14, and went on to become a

legend in his own right, even being honored with

his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

The Mission took advantage of Bishop Rama-

laine’s presence and introduced him to some of

our interlocutors such as Pastor Kevin Saul, the

Walker’s and many others. Bishop Ramalaine

does not need any introduction as he knows all

the players that matter in this region. The Consul-

General hosted the Bishop and his wife at the Offi-

cial Residence.

Bishop Clyde Ramalaine addressing guests at the funeral

of Pastor Andrae Crouch

(l-r) Prof. Hal Walker, Consul-General Ndaba, Dr. Bettye Walker, Bishop

Clyde Ramalaine at a reception hosted by the CG at the residence

MS. Amanda Wash In Memoriam ofIn Memoriam ofIn Memoriam of

Amanda Mae Earl Wash was born of John Lewis and Louis Earl on

August 13, 1928, the third child of seven, in Birmingham, Ala-

bama. Shortly after her birth the family moved to Detroit Michigan.

Amanda was educated in the Detroit public schools and became a

nurse. She married Edgar J. Wash in 1948, and daughter LaVerne

Thorpe was born to this was born to this union. Amanda moved to

Los Angeles, California in 1960 where she lived until her recent

move to Arizona due to illness. Amanda accepted Christ as her

savior at an early age.

In 1972 Amanda joined the Peace Corps and worked in Niger for

two years as a nurse. The time spent in Africa changed her life.

She was deeply touched and inspired by the plight of African chil-

dren. She spent the majority of her life working to improve the

children’s condition in some way, working with other nurses and

doctors to gather medicines, medical equipment, clothing, books,

school supplies and other needed items to send overseas. Every

year she would send a shipping container full of supplies to Africa

using donations of space on cargo planes and ships to send sup-

plies. Kalafong Hospital in Tshwane,SA has also been a beneficiary of

Amanda’s largesse.

Amanda was the first person of color to serve on the board of Sister Cities

International and is an honorary member of that board today. Amanda has

been recognized for her civic work and her work to benefit the children of

Africa. She is an honorary citizen of Zambia, and a hospital ward was named

in her honor in the city of Lusaka. She started A Foundation For African Chil-

dren Today (AFAFCT) in 2002 to carry on these good works. Amanda has

traveled extensively to Africa and Europe, to China and Cuba and Costa Ri-

ca, to name a few.

Amanda had a generous spirit, and was always trying to help others, volun-

teering for Salvation Army LA and YMCA Ketchum. She was guided by strong

Christian values and lived life fully.

Excerpt from the Consul-General’s Eulogy

“In closing I would like to paraphrase the words of Abraham Lincoln, “ The

world will little note, nor long remember what we said here, but it will never

forget what theydid here.” May Amanda be at peace in her eternal rest. May

she enjoy the rewards she has earned in her lifetime. May the family and

relatives of Amanda derive some measure of comfort in the knowledge that

we, who knew Amanda as a friend, share with them their grief. May they find

solace in the inspiring memories of the exemplary life that our sister and

friend Amanda lived.” ~CG Ndaba

Ms. Amanda Wash

Ms. Maryam Ibrahim, Consul-General

Ndaba at Ms. Amanda Wash’s

celebration of life

Ms. Moza Cooper

6300 Wilshire Blvd. Ste. 600

Los Angeles, CA 90048

323.651.0902

www.dirco.gov.za/losangeles.com

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