gentlemen in the next eight it’s 2844 children will be born in the
it’s 2844 children will be born in the
it’s 2844 children will be born in the next 18 minutes 2,000 people will die in
next 18 minutes 2,000 people will die in
next 18 minutes 2,000 people will die in the same amount of time of those 2,000
the same amount of time of those 2,000
the same amount of time of those 2,000 people who died four hundred and forty
people who died four hundred and forty
people who died four hundred and forty five of them will die because of
five of them will die because of
five of them will die because of communicable diseases 383 due to hunger
58 because of HIV and AIDS 30 of them
58 because of HIV and AIDS 30 of them will be because of contaminated water
will be because of contaminated water
will be because of contaminated water and eleven women shall die at childbirth
and eleven women shall die at childbirth
and eleven women shall die at childbirth in the next 18 minutes half this room
in the next 18 minutes half this room
in the next 18 minutes half this room will die every single minute of
will die every single minute of
will die every single minute of contaminated water communicable diseases
contaminated water communicable diseases
contaminated water communicable diseases hunger all these reasons are reasons
hunger all these reasons are reasons
hunger all these reasons are reasons that we can solve for and these people
that we can solve for and these people
that we can solve for and these people shouldn’t have to die so look up the
shouldn’t have to die so look up the
shouldn’t have to die so look up the person next to you and think which of
person next to you and think which of
person next to you and think which of you is going to die in the next minute
so extreme poverty was defined by the
so extreme poverty was defined by the United Nations as a condition of severe
United Nations as a condition of severe
United Nations as a condition of severe deprivation of basic human needs
deprivation of basic human needs
deprivation of basic human needs including water sanitation access to
including water sanitation access to
including water sanitation access to health etc all of these things are not
health etc all of these things are not
health etc all of these things are not just about access to income but also
just about access to income but also
just about access to income but also access to basic services I am Charles
access to basic services I am Charles
access to basic services I am Charles Marita a pragmatic idealist and in the
Marita a pragmatic idealist and in the
Marita a pragmatic idealist and in the next 18 minutes I want to share with you
next 18 minutes I want to share with you
next 18 minutes I want to share with you why we all have a moral obligation to
why we all have a moral obligation to
why we all have a moral obligation to help all those who are less fortunate
help all those who are less fortunate
help all those who are less fortunate than we have if for nothing else so that
than we have if for nothing else so that
than we have if for nothing else so that we who have more can be able to live in
we who have more can be able to live in
we who have more can be able to live in a more secure more happy more peaceful
a more secure more happy more peaceful
a more secure more happy more peaceful place I am also hoping that in the next
place I am also hoping that in the next
place I am also hoping that in the next 18 minutes none of you actually die
18 minutes none of you actually die
18 minutes none of you actually die before I finish talking so over the last
before I finish talking so over the last
before I finish talking so over the last few years I have spent every single
few years I have spent every single
few years I have spent every single November going to Cape Town for work
November going to Cape Town for work
November going to Cape Town for work every November the first week of
every November the first week of
every November the first week of November all people from the
November all people from the
November all people from the telecommunications industry converge on
telecommunications industry converge on
telecommunications industry converge on Cape Town for Africa comm one of the
Cape Town for Africa comm one of the
Cape Town for Africa comm one of the largest technology and
largest technology and
largest technology and telecommunications conferences around
telecommunications conferences around
telecommunications conferences around the world in addition to this particular
the world in addition to this particular
the world in addition to this particular conference we also have people who have
conference we also have people who have
conference we also have people who have a lot of site meetings from different
a lot of site meetings from different
a lot of site meetings from different companies talking about different
companies talking about different
companies talking about different emerging trends and topics from subject
emerging trends and topics from subject
emerging trends and topics from subject matters arm experts so a few years ago
matters arm experts so a few years ago
matters arm experts so a few years ago for the first time I was invited to Cape
for the first time I was invited to Cape
for the first time I was invited to Cape Town and I vividly remember my first
Town and I vividly remember my first
Town and I vividly remember my first trip my flight from jo’burg was
trip my flight from jo’burg was
trip my flight from jo’burg was relatively uneventful
relatively uneventful
relatively uneventful and as we descended into Cape Town I
and as we descended into Cape Town I
and as we descended into Cape Town I could not help notice the vineyards
could not help notice the vineyards
could not help notice the vineyards below the beautiful landscapes and also
below the beautiful landscapes and also
below the beautiful landscapes and also Table Mountain it was everything you
Table Mountain it was everything you
Table Mountain it was everything you think and you’ve been told it is
think and you’ve been told it is
think and you’ve been told it is absolutely mesmerizing so I walk out of
absolutely mesmerizing so I walk out of
absolutely mesmerizing so I walk out of the baggage claim TURN RIGHT pick up my
the baggage claim TURN RIGHT pick up my
the baggage claim TURN RIGHT pick up my luggage and go into the arrivals hall
luggage and go into the arrivals hall
luggage and go into the arrivals hall while I’m there there’s a car waiting
while I’m there there’s a car waiting
while I’m there there’s a car waiting for me and we get on the highway and
for me and we get on the highway and
for me and we get on the highway and drive out shocked on me not far from the
drive out shocked on me not far from the
drive out shocked on me not far from the airport to the right and to the left was
airport to the right and to the left was
airport to the right and to the left was a glaring there was a glaring sign of
a glaring there was a glaring sign of
a glaring there was a glaring sign of poverty juxtaposed against this
poverty juxtaposed against this
poverty juxtaposed against this incredible beauty and the pragmatic
incredible beauty and the pragmatic
incredible beauty and the pragmatic idealist that I am I had to struggle to
idealist that I am I had to struggle to
idealist that I am I had to struggle to really put these two things together
really put these two things together
really put these two things together unfortunately this is not an isolated
unfortunately this is not an isolated
unfortunately this is not an isolated case this right here is an image of
case this right here is an image of
case this right here is an image of Masafumi Lele
Masafumi Lele
Masafumi Lele on your left it is a community 20
on your left it is a community 20
on your left it is a community 20 kilometers southwest of Cape Town city
kilometers southwest of Cape Town city
kilometers southwest of Cape Town city where 40,000 people live in extremely
where 40,000 people live in extremely
where 40,000 people live in extremely tough conditions amenities are scarce
tough conditions amenities are scarce
tough conditions amenities are scarce and overcrowded school no police station
and overcrowded school no police station
and overcrowded school no police station and an understaffed clinic yet over 30
and an understaffed clinic yet over 30
and an understaffed clinic yet over 30 to 40% of the population of Masafumi
to 40% of the population of Masafumi
to 40% of the population of Masafumi Lele are actually infected with HIV and
Lele are actually infected with HIV and
Lele are actually infected with HIV and AIDS over the weekend the University of
AIDS over the weekend the University of
AIDS over the weekend the University of Cape Town students health organization
Cape Town students health organization
Cape Town students health organization comes to staff it hardly sufficient and
comes to staff it hardly sufficient and
comes to staff it hardly sufficient and here’s the irony of massif Mlle
here’s the irony of massif Mlle
here’s the irony of massif Mlle it’s actually a casa word that means let
it’s actually a casa word that means let
it’s actually a casa word that means let us succeed next to my Sifu Mallan lay
us succeed next to my Sifu Mallan lay
us succeed next to my Sifu Mallan lay less than 20 second – is the beautiful
less than 20 second – is the beautiful
less than 20 second – is the beautiful gated community of Lake Michelle
multimillion-dollar houses multi storeys
multimillion-dollar houses multi storeys overlooking this amazing lake surrounded
overlooking this amazing lake surrounded
overlooking this amazing lake surrounded by an electric fence but this is not
by an electric fence but this is not
by an electric fence but this is not just a challenge in South Africa let’s
just a challenge in South Africa let’s
just a challenge in South Africa let’s come back closer to home someone told me
come back closer to home someone told me
come back closer to home someone told me that behind every single affluent suburb
that behind every single affluent suburb
that behind every single affluent suburb in Nairobi is a slum deep sea how many
in Nairobi is a slum deep sea how many
in Nairobi is a slum deep sea how many of you know about deep sea how many of
of you know about deep sea how many of
of you know about deep sea how many of you have heard of deep sea I see some
you have heard of deep sea I see some
you have heard of deep sea I see some hands going up for those who don’t know
hands going up for those who don’t know
hands going up for those who don’t know it’s actually smack in the middle of
it’s actually smack in the middle of
it’s actually smack in the middle of Messiah and parklands but it’s not the
Messiah and parklands but it’s not the
Messiah and parklands but it’s not the only one
only one
only one so even further away is Mexico City
so even further away is Mexico City
so even further away is Mexico City whereby the vastness of the disparity
whereby the vastness of the disparity
whereby the vastness of the disparity just across the road is absolutely
just across the road is absolutely
just across the road is absolutely shocking when you look at these images
shocking when you look at these images
shocking when you look at these images by Johnny Miller of unequal scenes he
by Johnny Miller of unequal scenes he
by Johnny Miller of unequal scenes he does such a great job bringing to life
does such a great job bringing to life
does such a great job bringing to life this big challenge that we’re facing
this big challenge that we’re facing
this big challenge that we’re facing around the world it’s absolutely
around the world it’s absolutely
around the world it’s absolutely fascinating as well as surreal to look
fascinating as well as surreal to look
fascinating as well as surreal to look at the wealth inequality between the two
at the wealth inequality between the two
at the wealth inequality between the two sides and it stretches as far as the eye
sides and it stretches as far as the eye
sides and it stretches as far as the eye can see according to the latest World
can see according to the latest World
can see according to the latest World Bank estimates poverty rates have fallen
Bank estimates poverty rates have fallen
Bank estimates poverty rates have fallen 50 from 56% in 1990 to about 43% in 2012
50 from 56% in 1990 to about 43% in 2012
50 from 56% in 1990 to about 43% in 2012 now this is a great thing unfortunately
now this is a great thing unfortunately
now this is a great thing unfortunately the number of absolute poor people
the number of absolute poor people
the number of absolute poor people across Africa has actually risen from
across Africa has actually risen from
across Africa has actually risen from 280 million people in 1990 to 330
280 million people in 1990 to 330
280 million people in 1990 to 330 million in 2012 and what’s crazy about
million in 2012 and what’s crazy about
million in 2012 and what’s crazy about that is that that’s the entire
that is that that’s the entire
that is that that’s the entire population of Kenya poverty and
population of Kenya poverty and
population of Kenya poverty and education has actually been going down
education has actually been going down
education has actually been going down but and unfortunately it’s actually been
but and unfortunately it’s actually been
but and unfortunately it’s actually been hard to reduce it in the more rural
hard to reduce it in the more rural
hard to reduce it in the more rural areas whereby this still exists the
areas whereby this still exists the
areas whereby this still exists the picture of inequality across Africa is
picture of inequality across Africa is
picture of inequality across Africa is incredibly complex ten seven out of the
incredibly complex ten seven out of the
incredibly complex ten seven out of the ten most unequal countries in the world
ten most unequal countries in the world
ten most unequal countries in the world are actually here in Africa in addition
are actually here in Africa in addition
are actually here in Africa in addition to that most of them are from southern
to that most of them are from southern
to that most of them are from southern Africa and South Africa itself is
Africa and South Africa itself is
Africa and South Africa itself is actually the most unequal country in the
actually the most unequal country in the
actually the most unequal country in the world and when this inequality hits
world and when this inequality hits
world and when this inequality hits disproportionate levels the worst
disproportionate levels the worst
disproportionate levels the worst manifests itself so we have to solve for
manifests itself so we have to solve for
manifests itself so we have to solve for inequality and speaking of inequality
inequality and speaking of inequality
inequality and speaking of inequality the worst that manifests itself the case
the worst that manifests itself the case
the worst that manifests itself the case in point is history and looking back so
in point is history and looking back so
in point is history and looking back so I’m sure most of you know about the
I’m sure most of you know about the
I’m sure most of you know about the French Revolution the French Revolution
French Revolution the French Revolution
French Revolution the French Revolution was one of the darkest times of France’s
was one of the darkest times of France’s
was one of the darkest times of France’s history it was about ten years between
history it was about ten years between
history it was about ten years between 1789 and 1799 it kicked off with
1789 and 1799 it kicked off with
1789 and 1799 it kicked off with Bastille Day when the people actually
Bastille Day when the people actually
Bastille Day when the people actually stormed into Bastille prison and what
stormed into Bastille prison and what
stormed into Bastille prison and what happened was at this particular time
happened was at this particular time
happened was at this particular time France was going through an economic
France was going through an economic
France was going through an economic depression whereby most people were
depression whereby most people were
depression whereby most people were hungry there was no food to go around
hungry there was no food to go around
hungry there was no food to go around and unfortunately for the upper class
and unfortunately for the upper class
and unfortunately for the upper class who was stable comfortable they did not
who was stable comfortable they did not
who was stable comfortable they did not know what was happening beyond the doors
know what was happening beyond the doors
know what was happening beyond the doors or the gates of their homes worse off in
or the gates of their homes worse off in
or the gates of their homes worse off in Versailles at the Royal Court
Versailles at the Royal Court
Versailles at the Royal Court they were completely oblivious of the
they were completely oblivious of the
they were completely oblivious of the challenge that was happening
challenge that was happening
challenge that was happening most people were so destitute at this
most people were so destitute at this
most people were so destitute at this particular point that they had to resort
particular point that they had to resort
particular point that they had to resort to prostitution and theft just to put
to prostitution and theft just to put
to prostitution and theft just to put food on the table what happened was with
food on the table what happened was with
food on the table what happened was with this level of indifference the popular
this level of indifference the popular
this level of indifference the popular people actually arose and in this
people actually arose and in this
people actually arose and in this escalating crisis they revolted and they
escalating crisis they revolted and they
escalating crisis they revolted and they captured the king king louis xvi
captured the king king louis xvi
captured the king king louis xvi decapitated his head and it took this
decapitated his head and it took this
decapitated his head and it took this great cost to actually transform france
great cost to actually transform france
great cost to actually transform france into a republic unfortunately for the
into a republic unfortunately for the
into a republic unfortunately for the next ten years as I mentioned it was one
next ten years as I mentioned it was one
next ten years as I mentioned it was one of the worst and darkest periods of
of the worst and darkest periods of
of the worst and darkest periods of France’s history whereby it was known as
France’s history whereby it was known as
France’s history whereby it was known as the reign of terror but out of this
the reign of terror but out of this
the reign of terror but out of this ideals of Inuk out of this the ideal of
ideals of Inuk out of this the ideal of
ideals of Inuk out of this the ideal of liberation equality and fraternity were
liberation equality and fraternity were
liberation equality and fraternity were born now what’s interesting is that this
born now what’s interesting is that this
born now what’s interesting is that this notion of fraternity is the essence of
notion of fraternity is the essence of
notion of fraternity is the essence of Ubuntu which most of us as Africans know
Ubuntu which most of us as Africans know
Ubuntu which most of us as Africans know very well about what do we say it takes
very well about what do we say it takes
very well about what do we say it takes a village right at the end of the day we
a village right at the end of the day we
a village right at the end of the day we have to think about what we do for each
have to think about what we do for each
have to think about what we do for each other
other
other to make sure that we’re taking care of
to make sure that we’re taking care of
to make sure that we’re taking care of each other so this is tale my godson
each other so this is tale my godson
each other so this is tale my godson he’s under about two and a half years
he’s under about two and a half years
he’s under about two and a half years old and he’s one of my foger children
old and he’s one of my foger children
old and he’s one of my foger children who I absolutely love to death I’m sure
who I absolutely love to death I’m sure
who I absolutely love to death I’m sure each and every one of you here has a
each and every one of you here has a
each and every one of you here has a tale in their lives now I know that you
tale in their lives now I know that you
tale in their lives now I know that you want the best for your tale you want to
want the best for your tale you want to
want the best for your tale you want to make sure that the loved ones that you
make sure that the loved ones that you
make sure that the loved ones that you have have the best quality life that
have have the best quality life that
have have the best quality life that they can have over time however as long
they can have over time however as long
they can have over time however as long as these inequality crime goes up in
as these inequality crime goes up in
as these inequality crime goes up in security increases etc and at the end of
security increases etc and at the end of
security increases etc and at the end of the day how high can your walls be how
the day how high can your walls be how
the day how high can your walls be how much security are you going to hire to
much security are you going to hire to
much security are you going to hire to protect your family your loved ones and
protect your family your loved ones and
protect your family your loved ones and those that you really care about for
those that you really care about for
those that you really care about for those of us who have we’re continuing to
those of us who have we’re continuing to
those of us who have we’re continuing to find ourselves in our own prisons and
find ourselves in our own prisons and
find ourselves in our own prisons and the reality is there’s the prophet that
the reality is there’s the prophet that
the reality is there’s the prophet that says that if you want to go fast you fly
says that if you want to go fast you fly
says that if you want to go fast you fly alone but if you want to go far you fly
alone but if you want to go far you fly
alone but if you want to go far you fly together there’s also a Kikuyu saying
together there’s also a Kikuyu saying
together there’s also a Kikuyu saying that goes this way go today with Naqada
that goes this way go today with Naqada
that goes this way go today with Naqada what that means is that nobody berries
what that means is that nobody berries
what that means is that nobody berries themselves we therefore must give each
themselves we therefore must give each
themselves we therefore must give each other a hand with this in mind I want to
other a hand with this in mind I want to
other a hand with this in mind I want to close by telling you of how you can do
close by telling you of how you can do
close by telling you of how you can do this in your own simple way which
this in your own simple way which
this in your own simple way which doesn’t cost much but makes such a big
doesn’t cost much but makes such a big
doesn’t cost much but makes such a big difference in other people’s lives so
difference in other people’s lives so
difference in other people’s lives so I’ll give you a story about a few years
I’ll give you a story about a few years
I’ll give you a story about a few years back when I moved back to Kenya when I
back when I moved back to Kenya when I
back when I moved back to Kenya when I started interacting with a lot of
started interacting with a lot of
started interacting with a lot of artists I discovered that
artists I discovered that
artists I discovered that it was really hard for up-and-coming
it was really hard for up-and-coming
it was really hard for up-and-coming artists to be able to showcase their
artists to be able to showcase their
artists to be able to showcase their work and their talent and for those
work and their talent and for those
work and their talent and for those established ones it was hard for them to
established ones it was hard for them to
established ones it was hard for them to actually earn a decent living and the
actually earn a decent living and the
actually earn a decent living and the reality of it was such for those
reality of it was such for those
reality of it was such for those established ones they had to pay
established ones they had to pay
established ones they had to pay somewhere between 30 and 70 percent of
somewhere between 30 and 70 percent of
somewhere between 30 and 70 percent of the proceeds from their work to the
the proceeds from their work to the
the proceeds from their work to the gallery owners so what happened was I
gallery owners so what happened was I
gallery owners so what happened was I met an artist who had been looking for
met an artist who had been looking for
met an artist who had been looking for for quite some time and this artist his
for quite some time and this artist his
for quite some time and this artist his work is incredible
work is incredible
work is incredible Patrick Kanodia I don’t know if any of
Patrick Kanodia I don’t know if any of
Patrick Kanodia I don’t know if any of you know him and Patrick had a studio in
you know him and Patrick had a studio in
you know him and Patrick had a studio in banana and when I was with a group of
banana and when I was with a group of
banana and when I was with a group of friends of mine they were talking about
friends of mine they were talking about
friends of mine they were talking about how much they were trying to find this
how much they were trying to find this
how much they were trying to find this guy and I said I know him so we
guy and I said I know him so we
guy and I said I know him so we organized that they would go to
organized that they would go to
organized that they would go to Patrick’s studio and once I spoke to
Patrick’s studio and once I spoke to
Patrick’s studio and once I spoke to Patrick it was a bit too far for most of
Patrick it was a bit too far for most of
Patrick it was a bit too far for most of the people to actually go so what I did
the people to actually go so what I did
the people to actually go so what I did was I told Patrick how about you bring
was I told Patrick how about you bring
was I told Patrick how about you bring your work to an apartment that I was
your work to an apartment that I was
your work to an apartment that I was renovating and basically we cleaned this
renovating and basically we cleaned this
renovating and basically we cleaned this place on a Saturday afternoon at 12
place on a Saturday afternoon at 12
place on a Saturday afternoon at 12 o’clock as you can see there are no
o’clock as you can see there are no
o’clock as you can see there are no lights the flow is bare barely a place
lights the flow is bare barely a place
lights the flow is bare barely a place where you can have what historically
where you can have what historically
where you can have what historically people think of as an art gallery but
people think of as an art gallery but
people think of as an art gallery but what happened was that while people came
what happened was that while people came
what happened was that while people came the first one Patrick actually sold
the first one Patrick actually sold
the first one Patrick actually sold about 18 pieces of work that was in
about 18 pieces of work that was in
about 18 pieces of work that was in December 2014 in January 2015 a whole
December 2014 in January 2015 a whole
December 2014 in January 2015 a whole bunch of people kept asking me are you
bunch of people kept asking me are you
bunch of people kept asking me are you doing that odd thing again I hadn’t
doing that odd thing again I hadn’t
doing that odd thing again I hadn’t intended to do it but I called Patrick
intended to do it but I called Patrick
intended to do it but I called Patrick and he said I’ll actually get a few more
and he said I’ll actually get a few more
and he said I’ll actually get a few more artists to do this
artists to do this
artists to do this with me so they brought their work and
with me so they brought their work and
with me so they brought their work and someone else actually came in and his
someone else actually came in and his
someone else actually came in and his name is Sal so what happened with some
name is Sal so what happened with some
name is Sal so what happened with some is that he sold two pieces of painting
is that he sold two pieces of painting
is that he sold two pieces of painting that afternoon and while he was working
that afternoon and while he was working
that afternoon and while he was working out at the end of the day he pulled me
out at the end of the day he pulled me
out at the end of the day he pulled me aside and said Charles I just want to
aside and said Charles I just want to
aside and said Charles I just want to thank you for having this given us this
thank you for having this given us this
thank you for having this given us this opportunity and for the work that I’ve
opportunity and for the work that I’ve
opportunity and for the work that I’ve sold the money and the process that I
sold the money and the process that I
sold the money and the process that I have made will go towards finishing up
have made will go towards finishing up
have made will go towards finishing up the roofing of a house that I’m building
the roofing of a house that I’m building
the roofing of a house that I’m building and buying doors and windows for my new
and buying doors and windows for my new
and buying doors and windows for my new home seven months later he sent me a
home seven months later he sent me a
home seven months later he sent me a photo of himself his wife and twin boys
photo of himself his wife and twin boys
photo of himself his wife and twin boys sitting in front of their newly finished
sitting in front of their newly finished
sitting in front of their newly finished home from that moment on every single
home from that moment on every single
home from that moment on every single time that I think that I’m not going to
time that I think that I’m not going to
time that I think that I’m not going to do these archers again
do these archers again
do these archers again I remember him how such a seemingly
I remember him how such a seemingly
I remember him how such a seemingly small thing that was on my part had such
small thing that was on my part had such
small thing that was on my part had such a big deal to do with him and what
a big deal to do with him and what
a big deal to do with him and what happened is that that has now become a
happened is that that has now become a
happened is that that has now become a fully-fledged exhibition every last
fully-fledged exhibition every last
fully-fledged exhibition every last Saturday of the month in fact today we
Saturday of the month in fact today we
Saturday of the month in fact today we had one and now we hold it at dusit
had one and now we hold it at dusit
had one and now we hold it at dusit Capital FM kids club promoted we have a
Capital FM kids club promoted we have a
Capital FM kids club promoted we have a nice kids corner and that is what keeps
nice kids corner and that is what keeps
nice kids corner and that is what keeps me going every single month that we do
me going every single month that we do
me going every single month that we do this so what I want to say is that each
this so what I want to say is that each
this so what I want to say is that each one of you have to think about what is
one of you have to think about what is
one of you have to think about what is your small act that you can do that will
your small act that you can do that will
your small act that you can do that will change someone’s life and what is your
change someone’s life and what is your
change someone’s life and what is your small act that you can do that will help
small act that you can do that will help
small act that you can do that will help reduce the inequality because at the end
reduce the inequality because at the end
reduce the inequality because at the end of the day it is our moral obligation to
of the day it is our moral obligation to
of the day it is our moral obligation to help those who have less than we do
help those who have less than we do
help those who have less than we do and again if for no other reason because
and again if for no other reason because
and again if for no other reason because for those who will of if we’re going to
for those who will of if we’re going to
for those who will of if we’re going to make sure that they live in an equal
make sure that they live in an equal
make sure that they live in an equal safe society we have to make sure that
safe society we have to make sure that
safe society we have to make sure that we all rise together thank you very much
we all rise together thank you very much
we all rise together thank you very much [Applause]
”
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