Ailing Mandela 'Opens Eyes' and Smiles When Told of Obama Visit

-

June 26, 2013

NBC News is reporting that ailing former South African President opened his eyes and smiled when he learned of U.S. President Barack Obama’s scheduled visit to South Africa.

Keir Simmons and Charlayne Hunter-Gault write:

“Anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela ‘opened his eyes’ and smiled after being told of President Barack Obama’s imminent visit to South Africa, his daughter said Tuesday, adding to speculation that the two men might meet.

The 94-year-old remains in a critical condition, South Africa’s government said Tuesday as relatives gathered at his home for a family meeting that local media reports described as ‘urgent.’

The anti-apartheid campaigner and democracy icon has been in hospital with a lung infection since June 8. His condition was downgraded over the weekend from ‘serious but stable’ to ‘critical.’

President Obama is due to leave Wednesday for Senegal, his first stop in a tour of Africa, before heading to South Africa on Friday.”

Read more at NBCNews.com.

Like The Burton Wire on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter @TheBurtonWire.

Mandela: Family Holds Vigil; Archbishop Offers Prayers

By

-

June 26, 2013

Former South African president Nelson Mandela is being held up in prayer by family, friends and the religious community. (Google Images)

The New York Times is reporting that family members are holding a vigil for ailing anti-Apartheid activist and icon Nelson Mandela. Mr. Mandela had been suffering from a lung infection and reportedly took a turn for the worse over the weekend when his health status was changed to critical by hospital officials.

Declan Walsh of the New York Times is reporting that singing crowds gathered outside the hospital where Nelson Mandela, South Africa’s former president, lay in a critical state for a third consecutive day on Tuesday, as family members held an emergency meeting at his ancestral village.

Walsh writes:

“Mr. Mandela’s eldest daughter, Makaziwe, at least two grandchildren and clan elders gathered at Mr. Mandela’s retirement house in Qunu, the remote southern village where he grew up, according to news media reports.

The subject of the meeting was not publicly disclosed, but Naplisi Mandela, an elder of the Mandela family, told the South African Press Association that they had gathered to discuss ‘delicate matters’ — a euphemism widely interpreted to mean preparations for Mr. Mandela’s death.”

CNN is reporting that Cape Town’s archbishop led Mr. Mandela’s family in prayer on Tuesday, calling for “a quiet night and a peaceful, perfect, end” for the former South African president.

Robyn Curnow and Brent Swails write:

“Archbishop Thabo Makgoba prayed with Mandela’s family at the Pretoria hospital where the anti-apartheid icon remains in critical condition, the South African Press Association reported.

‘Fill them with your holy courage and the gift of trusting faith, and take away their fears so that they may dare to face their grief,’ he said, according to a copy of the prayer posted on the bishop’s website.”

Read more at NYT or CNN.

Like The Burton Wire on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter @TheBurtonWire.

U.S.: Paris Barclay Named First African-American DGA President

By

-

June 24, 2013

Paris Barclay is the first African-American named president of the Director's Guild of America. (Google Images) — Paris Barclay is the first African-American named president of the Director’s Guild of America.
(Google Images)

Shadow and Act is reporting that veteran television director and writer Paris Barclay has been named president of the Director’s Guild of America (DGA). He is the first African-American to be named to this position in the history of the organization. Sergio writes:

“The outgoing DGA president, Taylor Hackford, said about Barclay, that ‘There are few members who have served the Guild as thoroughly and in as many capacities as Paris Barclay – and all while maintaining an impressive career as one of the most active television directors in the business I’m thrilled to see him take his place as the next DGA president and I know he’ll do a terrific job navigating the DGA through whatever terrain may lie ahead.’”

Barclay’s directing credits include “Sons of Anarchy,” “Glee,” “NCIS: Los Angeles” and “NYPD Blue.” He has served four terms on the national board as first vice president and has co-chaired the guild’s Diversity Committee since 2004.

Richard Verrier of the Los Angeles Times reports that Barclay is humbled by this honor. He writes:

“‘I am profoundly honored to be elected president of the DGA,’ Barclay said to delegates at a union convention in Los Angeles on Saturday. ‘The DGA has worked for more than three-quarters of a century to advance the creative and economic rights of directors and their teams, and I look forward to continuing this strong tradition of service. As the son of a glass blower and a tile maker from Chicago, I am extremely humbled to have the honor to serve in the footsteps of the legendary leaders of the DGA like Frank Capra, Robert Wise and Gil Cates.'”

To learn more about Paris Barclay, visit Shadow and Act.

Like The Burton Wire on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter @TheBurtonWire.

Nigeria: Mobil Must Pay Court Ordered $83.4 Million Tax

By

-

June 23, 2013

Mobil has been ordered by a Nigerian court to pay $83.4 million in education taxes owed from 2008. (Google Images)

The Associated Press is reporting that Nigeria’s Tax Appeal Tribunal has ordered Mobil Oil Nigeria to pay $83.4 million in education taxes owed from 2008.

The official News Agency of Nigeria reported Mobil’s lawyer argued that the assessment breached an agreement with the government and the Nigerian state oil company allowing Mobil to deduct all taxes due to other agencies from the tax paid to the federal and state governments.

The five-man appeal tribunal ruled the agreement expired in 2003 and was never renewed. Chairman of the five-man tribunal, Mr. Kayode Sofola (SAN), said the amount represented the company’s education tax liability for 2008.

Read more at the official News Agency of Nigeria.

Like The Burton Wire on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter @TheBurtonWire.

Nelson Mandela in Critical Condition

By

-

June 23, 2013

Anti-Apartheid activist and former South African president Nelson Mandela is in critical condition at a Pretoria hospital. (Google Images)

Media outlets are reporting that former South African President and anti-Apartheid activist Nelson Mandela is in critical condition. President Jacob Zuma, who visited with Mr. Mandela today, says doctors are doing “everything possible” to improve the health of 94-year-old civil rights icon, who has reportedly taken a turn for the worse over the last 24 hours. Former president Mandela was hospitalized in Pretoria on June 8 for a recurring lung infection.

The Burton Wire is holding Mr. Mandela and his family in prayer. Share what Mr. Mandela’s legacy means to you in the comments section.

Check back with The Burton Wire for updates on the status of Mr. Mandela’s health.

Like The Burton Wire on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter @TheBurtonWire.

Bill Duke's 'Dark Girls' Documentary on OWN Tonight

By

-

June 23, 2013

Ethiopian actress Tsehaie Kidane speaks appears in Bill Duke's documentary 'Dark Girls' which examines how colorism impacts black women. (Screen capture) — Ethiopian actress Tsehaie Kidane appears in Bill Duke’s documentary ‘Dark Girls’ which examines how colorism impacts black women. (Screen capture)

Seminal actor/director Bill Duke’s documentary Dark Girls will premiere on OWN, Oprah Winfrey’s Network tonight at 10 p.m. EST. Dark Girls explores issues of colorism and internalized racism that black women face in society at large and within black communities. Duke’s motivation for making the film came out of his personal experience.

Clutch magazine’s Britni Danielle reports that Duke stated:

“It came out of an idea I had based upon my childhood, what I’d gone through and seen, and what I’d seen people that I loved go through, like my sister, my niece, and other children in my family, and in my life, and I wanted to really give a voice to the voiceless.”

Dark Girls – Trailer from American Film Showcase on Vimeo.

Although Dark Girls debuted on the festival circuit in 2011, this is the first time that the documentary will air on television. Prior to the airing, Academy-Award nominated actress Viola Davis, Tony award-winning actress Phylicia Rashad, Academy award-winning actress Alfre Woodard and celebrated actress Gabrielle Union will sit down and chat with Winfrey at 9 p.m. on OWN about their experiences as black actresses in Hollywood as part of her “Oprah’s Next Chapter” series.

Like The Burton Wire on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter @TheBurtonWire.

Bill Duke’s ‘Dark Girls’ Documentary on OWN Tonight

By

-

June 23, 2013

Seminal actor/director Bill Duke’s documentary Dark Girls will premiere on OWN, Oprah Winfrey’s Network tonight at 10 p.m. EST. Dark Girls explores issues of colorism and internalized racism that black women face in society at large and within black communities. Duke’s motivation for making the film came out of his personal experience.

Clutch magazine’s Britni Danielle reports that Duke stated:

“It came out of an idea I had based upon my childhood, what I’d gone through and seen, and what I’d seen people that I loved go through, like my sister, my niece, and other children in my family, and in my life, and I wanted to really give a voice to the voiceless.”

Dark Girls – Trailer from American Film Showcase on Vimeo.

Although Dark Girls debuted on the festival circuit in 2011, this is the first time that the documentary will air on television. Prior to the airing, Academy-Award nominated actress Viola Davis, Tony award-winning actress Phylicia Rashad, Academy award-winning actress Alfre Woodard and celebrated actress Gabrielle Union will sit down and chat with Winfrey at 9 p.m. on OWN about their experiences as black actresses in Hollywood as part of her “Oprah’s Next Chapter” series.

Like The Burton Wire on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter @TheBurtonWire.

ABFF 2013: 'The Best Man' Stars Reunite for Sequel

By

-

June 22, 2013

Malcolm D. Lee, Nia Long, Sanaa Lathan, and Morris Chestnut — ‘The Best Man Holiday’ Director Malcolm D. Lee and cast Sanaa Lathan, Nia Long and Morris Chestnut discuss the sequel to 1999’s ‘The Best Man’ at ABFF 2013.
(Photo Credit: Wilson Morales)

As if the Miami Heat clinching the NBA Championship weren’t enough to make this a hot weekend, then the 17th Annual American Black Film Festival (June 19-23) is another one. Featuring festival screenings, diversity panels, Bill Duke’s acting boot camps, pitch sessions and a myriad of activities, ABFF 2013 has proven to be as valuable as ever in helping to expose and promote black films in addition to offering resources for aspiring filmmakers. Stars, executives, directors, writers, producers reunite at the same time each year to fellowship, network and share accomplishments and opportunities with attendees. One such event was the panel discussion featuring the stars of ‘The Best Man Holiday,’ a sequel to the 1999 comedy hit. Check out the video below (courtesy of Blackfilm.com):

In addition to reuniting casts, another type of reunion is common — that of those who attend ABFF, win awards, and go on to critical success. Such is the case with Ryan Coogler, writer and director of the critically acclaimed film Fruitvale Station. Coogler won the 2011 ABFF HBO Short Film competition with his film ‘Fig’, earning him a $20,000 reward and giving him the necessary exposure to continue moving forward in what is sure to be an outstanding film career. While many think of film festivals as party central, there are real differences being made in the lives of aspiring filmmakers and those persevering in an industry that is not always kind to people of color.

This story was written by Nsenga K. Burton, Ph.D., founder and editor-in-chief of the award-winning news site The Burton Wire.

Like The Burton Wire on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter @TheBurtonWire.

ABFF 2013: ‘The Best Man’ Stars Reunite for Sequel

By