As the streaky violet and amber skies met with the ochre of the setting sun, a convening of the Sandbox Nairobi hub began at Ethiopian-Eritrean cuisine restaurant Smart Village off of the busy corridor of Ngong Road in Nairobi, Kenya.
This gathering was to be a special one as it happened to coincide with the visit of Ghanaian Sandboxer MacJordan Degadjor who was in town. Also present was filmmaker turned geeky music icon Jim Chuchu, filmmaker Alicia Sully, photojournalist and writer Jonathan Kalan and co-ambassadors Sebastian Lindstrom and Mark Kaigwa. Chief Nyamweya, former lawyer turned film noir graphic artist was also present.
Light conversation followed as each person spoke of their next couple months. Sebastian would be off to South America to film social enterprises, a gig which Jonathan Kalan shared with Sandboxers some weeks back. Jonathan was unable to go as he would be leaving for Jordan to teach storytelling and narrative at a course in Amman. Jim and his band Just A Band were preparing for their SxSw performance and mini-tour through Austin and were about to release their video art exhibition "Kudishnyao" (an onomatopeic reference to how Kenyan children mimic the sound of a gun.) Alicia would be leaving for Zambia to embark on a filmmaking project while MacJordan returned to Accra to pursue his new venture and prepare to monitor the Ghanaian elections. Part of the discussions saw him introduce everyone to the Azonto dance craze in Ghana and remark on how Kenya didn't have real food, compared with Ghana that is.
The conversation quickly shifted as the banquet arrived: two mixed dishes served on a pair of large trays each lined with a bed of injeera covered with goat, beef, mince, spice and various greens. The feast began as laughs and lighthearted moments of life in Nairobi and the contrasts of Ghana were had. There were also reflections on a small informal get-together with various friends of Sandbox Nairobi which took place at the Ngong Racecourse over the previous weekend that saw a casual introduction to Sandboxers as they picnicked and watched racehorses jet up and down the track.
As the night wore on, the discussion pivoted on the future of Sandbox on the continent, from the expectations of members so far, to their future ambitions and aspirations and what they were prepared to give, contribute and share to make it happen. A challenge was set to each member to what they would do as their assignment and this is currently being prepared to be published in the weeks to come.
Lastly, a dedication and introduction to Azonto...
