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INSIDE AFRICA
Africa's Water Woes; "Running the Sahara"
Aired March 21, 2009 - 12:30:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ISHA SESAY, CNN ANCHOR: Hello, I'm Isha Sesay. This is INSIDE AFRICA, your weekly look at life and issues on the continent. On our show this week, a closer look at Africa's water woes as we mark World Water Day, an initiative started by the United Nations to bring attention to the clean water crisis around the world.
Now, one A-list Hollywood celebrity is doing his part to highlight the problem in Africa by documenting an extraordinary feat by three men. We want to start off by showing you a little bit of the trailer for the documentary film "Running the Sahara," which was actually produced by actor Matt Damon. Then take a listen to my fascinating interview with Damon himself, and Ray Zahab, one of those three incredible runners.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MATT DAMON, ACTOR: Imagine running 50 miles per day for more than 100 days in an unprecedented personal challenge. Three ultra runners, good friends, test physical strength and mental toughness running across the entire Sahara desert.
SESAY: Ray, the basic question everyone has on their mind is what on earth motivated you to go on such a journey?
RAY ZAHAB, PROFESSIONAL RUNNER: I've always had a fascination for the Sahara and a love for the people of the Sahara on the many visits that I had to the Sahara before actually running across the entire thing. So I think the -- I was compelled to -- to run across the Sahara to experience the whole thing, to want to see the entire continent of Africa in the north and experience it all.
SESAY: And Matt, how did you end up execing a feature documentary on this incredible adventure?
DAMON: I heard about these three totally insane people who wanted to run across the Sahara desert, and -- and we decided at my company that it was just something that we -- we had to document. And it was bound to make for a really interesting film.
And we also were, you know, were interested in a clean water crisis there, and we thought that the film could raise some awareness about that, and also we could use it to -- to launch a foundation and use the actual expedition to identify some smaller NGOs that are working on water initiatives in Africa, and we could use the film as the platform to raise money, raise awareness and -- and then identify kind of personally places that we thought the money could be put to very, very good use.
ZAHAB: Running 50 miles a day, it's a challenge. It's going the distance, it's pushing myself to my limits.
SESAY: Ray, for your part, tell me about the challenges you faced. Obviously physical challenges, but just the mental elements as well. I mean, were you prepared for what you actually encountered once you got out there?
ZAHAB: You know, that's a great question. Actually, the first 30 miles into this expedition, I was sore. So I mean, it was going to be 111 days of sore. I lost something like 40 pounds during that expedition. Physically, it was unbelievably demanding. But as I always tell people, this stuff is 90 percent mental. The other 10 percent is all in our heads. I mean, you really have to be focused on what the end goal is in order to get to the end of each day.
Emotionally and mentally, absolutely, it was the most difficult part of this expedition, because you are away from family, you are away from the people you care about the most, and you're enduring this incredible physical challenge every single day. So, just getting to the end of each day was a huge accomplishment for us.
SESAY: This expedition takes the runners and the crew through diverse African countries. I'm just wondering what kind of impression these different places made on you. I mean, how did you feel about seeing just this -- the rich tapestry that is Africa?
DAMON: Well, that's one of the things that the film I think captures really well. It's really beautiful, and the expedition that these guys went on, it was through one of the most beautiful places on our planet. And you know, that we really were aware of going into it, that was, you know, we wanted to -- to certainly capture, you know, the Sahara in all its -- in all its glory. And I think the film does a good job of that.
But I mean again, I think there -- there were different impressions. There were things like the beauty of it, but at the same time, the understanding we all came to that a kid dies, you know, because of lack of clean water, sanitation every 15 seconds. A child under the age of five dies somewhere on our planet for something that we take completely for granted. So I think that had a big impression on all of us.
I mean, Ray, every expedition that he goes on now, his whole career doing this kind of stuff from that -- from that expedition forward is with an eye towards improving the lives of -- of kids somewhere, you know, around the world. So I think all of us involved with it, really, left the film changed in wonderful ways.
SESAY: And Matt, what about the foundation? What's the next step with it? What will we see? What will we hear from you going forward?
DAMON: Well, we've got over 100 water projects across that route already, which is great. We've raised 4.5 million bucks, and hopefully, you know, that's just -- that's just the beginning. Yeah, we're hoping to merge with WaterPartners, who've been in the stage for a really long time and they -- terrific people there. So we're just hoping to grow it and keep -- trying to raise awareness and just keep reminding people of -- of this issue, because it's just such a big issue for so many people all over the world.
SESAY: The foundation Matt Damon mentioned, the H2O Africa is one of many NGO's trying to bring clean water access to Africa. Charity Water is another, and we will show you how the man behind that foundation is hoping artwork in a busy New York City markets will help in his fight.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SESAY: Welcome back to INSIDE AFRICA. The World Health Organization estimates as many as 270 million Africans do not have access to clean water. That's nearly 40 percent of the continent. Those are numbers Scott Harrison, founder of Charity Water, wants to change one village at a time. And he hopes to bring attention to the problem through an exhibit in New York City's busy Chelsea Market.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SESAY: The throws (ph) on the wall make it look like an art exhibit. The yellow cans appear to have been carelessly left behind, and the fountain filled with coins seems like a simple wishing well. That's what a casual observer might think while walking by.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I thought they just put that in here for, you know, decoration.
SESAY: But together, there is a greater meaning to it all. The photos and the yellow cans tell a story. Tossing a coin into this well will help fill those cans and improve lives.
SCOTT HARRISON: So, this was Rwanda.
SESAY: That's the hope of Scott Harrison, founder of Charity Water. He set up this exhibit in New York City's bustling Chelsea Market to bring attention to Africa's clean water crisis. And for those who stop and take a closer look, his point is clear.
HARRISON: I interviewed this lady, and she told me that there was bone and hair in her water. The water would come down into a sort of ravine, and that's where she collected it. And then, you know, we shot the same scenario here on the upper East Side of New York and, you know, what would it look like?
SESAY: Harrison formed Charity Water after a trip to Liberia, where he followed a group of humanitarian doctors. He quickly learned that so much of the disease he was seeing was caused by a lack of clean water.
HARRISON: Women were literally pulling out leaches from their water and showing us, you know, these leaches crawling around. They said, look, you know, we're pretty careful, we pour the water through our, you know, our dresses and -- but sometimes the little leaches they -- they get through, and they crawl up -- you know, our necks. It's unthinkable.
SESAY: So, Harrison set out raising money to bring wells to African villages, and so far, his foundation has funded 1,200 projects in 14 countries.
HARRISON: So, this photo really speaks to the long waits, and this is an eight-hour line. You can see the people just stack up the jerry cans.
SESAY: It's the story Harrison has heard that drives him. Women walking five hours to a water source, children kept out of school to help their mothers on their long journeys. He hopes these photos tell the stories that will drive others too.
HARRISON: And all of this here, this is -- you know, this is cow defecation, it's cow urine. So, three months later, 5,000 hours later, this is what it looked like. This is the exact same spot. And this was the water coming out of the taps.
SESAY: Harrison says he will collect the money thrown into this wishing well in a hope he can fulfill the wishes of an entire village or more.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SESAY: We'll have more in just a moment. Stay with INSIDE AFRICA.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SESAY: Welcome back to INSIDE AFRICA. Singer Asa has influences you won't often find in one performer. She has lived in both Paris and Lagos, Nigeria. She has had hits on the radio in African and has sold thousands of copies of her CD in France. And we caught up with her as she was right in the middle of her first U.S. tour.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SESAY: The liveliness of Lagos. The purr of Paris. Asa's music is a tale of two cities.
ASA: When you listen to my songs, you want to ask where she's from, and I like that.
SESAY: The 25-year old was Paris-born and Lagos-raised. Now, she's a continent hopper with a budding career. Asa's debut self-titled album sold more than 100,000 copies in France. She won the Prix Constantin Award for best new French artist, and she's wrapping up her first U.S. tour.
ASA: The reaction is just almost the same everywhere I go. They understand, they relate with the subject.
SESAY: The music is of pain and peace, love and loss. The lyrics travel over chords of soul and reggae, folk and jazz.
ASA: I grew up around music, you know, music on the street, music from Afrobeat, music everywhere. And I still listen to all kinds of music. So I'm a fusion, you know.
SESAY: Asa said she was a lonely child because her parents were always traveling and working, but her father's record collection gave great company.
ASA: I just found solace in the melodies. You know, he had from Marvin Gaye, Fela Kuti, to Bob Marley, and also to church music, to, you know, street music. There was music everywhere.
SESAY: So, Asa learned guitar and began to feed on the sounds of her environment. Her songs play with the rhythm and pulse of Lagos.
ASA: There's rush. There is energy. There is this outburst of -- you know, you feel like you have to be in the goal, you know.
SESAY: And her style sings to the freedom and flow of Paris.
ASA: It was an eye opener. There was so much creativity, there was individuality, which we do not have back home.
SESAY: The result is a kaleidoscope of sounds. It's the fusion of acoustic guitar with layers of reggae and folk. It's a blend of soft- spoken English with smooth Yoruba, one of the main languages of Nigeria.
ASA: I bring both worlds. I like to be local, but global, you know.
SESAY: This approach has propelled Asa into the spotlight. She's already opened for music stars like Beyonce, John Legend, and Snoop Dogg. Still, Asa can be modest about her success.
ASA: It's a little bit difficult coming to the industry, you have to be different, you have to...
SESAY: Different, and perhaps determined. So, Asa draws some confidence from a popular politician, U.S. President Barack Obama. She says the African-American leader inspires her to follow her own voice.
ASA: As an African, I feel things that I've heard in the past. This is where you are, this is where you are going to be. I feel this doesn't work. That doesn't make sense no more.
SESAY: Asa, whose name means hope, is taking off. Fresh off her first U.S. tour, she'll head off on a small tour of Africa, before settling back in Paris for whatever comes next.
ASA: It's the beginning. I'm always at the beginning, and I just want to continue to do what I love.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SESAY: Now, for something that's not quite music, but more just horns making noise. But they will be very popular horns indeed when the 2010 World Cup tournament comes to South Africa. Here is Robyn Curnow with the story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ROBYN CURNOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT: They sound like the buzzing of swarms of bees, and look like plastic trumpets. Called the bubuzella (ph), this noisy horn is a cultural icon for South Africa's football fans. So much so that FIFA, the football governing body, has ruled that bubuzellas will be allowed in the stadiums during the 2010 World Cup tournament.
These Capetown musicians are members of a bubuzella orchestra, challenging work considering the instrument only plays one note.
PEDRO ESPI-SANCHEZ: This does not have to be a noise maker. We can make music with this.
CURNOW: Bubuzella has its roots in age-old African traditions.
ESPI-SANCHEZ: It started millennia ago, when an African shepherd was bored out there in the field, and he found this horn, a kudu horn possibly, with a hole in it, and he blew into it. And like this, you know, a raspberry into the horn.
CURNOW: This factory is turning out bubuzellas ahead of the World Cup football. The owners are hoping tens of thousands of overseas fans will buy their bubuzellas.
NEIL VAN SCHALKWYK: We're giving the world something positive and very loud.
CURNOW: Along with the bubuzella, these flamboyant makarapa hats are also an iconic part of South African football. This husband-and-wife team create makarapas, cutting, molding and painting reconstruction hardhats into garish football headpieces.
(on camera): This is the bubuzella ...
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is bubuzella.
CURNOW: But it's a two in one?
JAN MAGANA. I put makarapas on my head, I put my bubuzella here (inaudible), blow like this.
CURNOW (voice over): South Africans are hoping that the distinctly South African words, bubuzella and makarapa, will be part of the World's Cup experience in 2010. Robyn Curnow, CNN, Johannesburg, South Africa.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SESAY: Now, you just saw there a couple turning construction hats into decorations the fans could wear. Those helmets are also being used in Lagos not for fun, but to avoid a traffic ticket. That's all to come when INSIDE AFRICA continues.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SESAY: Welcome back to INSIDE AFRICA. There is an effort on the way in Lagos to make motorbikes safer. A new law by the governor is mandating all riders wear helmets. But it's falling on deaf ears for drivers who can't afford the proper safety gear. Our Christian Purefoy explains.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CHRISTIAN PUREFOY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: With this construction safety hat, Mohammed Abdulkareem is taking precautions. Not against the notorious potholed roads of Lagos, Nigeria, but instead from police, making all motorbikes taxis like Mohammed wear crash helmets.
"Helmets don't protect the entire body, so I wear the helmet because I'm afraid of being arrested by the police," says Mohammed, "not to protect me from accidents."
Commonly known as "Okadas," motorbike taxis are a popular and fast option for navigating Lagos' busy roads, but they're also extremely unsafe.
Using Okada on Lagos roads is a terrifying experience. You've got (inaudible), cars, trucks, everything coming to you from all directions. Out here, one of the very few things you can do to make your trip a little safer is to wear a safety helmet.
Previously not enforced, Lagos's Federal Road Safety Commission is now cracking down on any Okada driver or passenger not using a crash helmet. There are no official figures, but accidents are a daily occurrence, and often deadly. And an incorrect helmet, the commission warns, can actually be more dangerous than using no helmet at all.
JONAS AGWU: In the event of a crush, this breaks instantly, and this also breaks. And this would even further complicate the injuries that you would sustain, because it is not strong enough to protect you.
PUREFOY: But Mohammed is distrustful of government policies that he blames for their limited job opportunities, forcing him to risk his life on Lagos roads every day.
"I'm angry because the government is already making us suffer," says Mohammed, "with their levies and police harassment. I want helmets to be optional."
It's all part of an attempt by the new Lagos governor to clean up Lagos. Not, he says, to discriminate against Okadas.
RAJI FASHOLA, LAGOS GOVERNOR: You see, it is not in our interest to take people out of jobs. Our responsibility is to create more jobs, more safe jobs.
PUREFOY: Mohammed knows Okadas are dangerous. But his green helmet is a reminder to government that he would prefer a safer job. Christian Purefoy, CNN, Lagos, Nigeria.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SESAY: Thank you for letting INSIDE AFRICA be your window to the continent. There's much more ahead next week. We're leaving now with more sounds from Asa. Enjoy.
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