POST EVENT PRESS RELEASE ~ ‘NEVER AGAIN’ ROYAL PURPLE NIGHT
OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF BETTY MAKONI’S AUTO-BIOGRAPHY & FUNDRAISING DINNER FOR GIRL CHILD NETWORK CHARITY
For Immediate Release
Hundreds of guests witnessed Betty Makoni book launch by Princess Deun Adodyin-Solarin
The usually quiet small town of Thurrock, ensconced in the suburb countryside of Essex, United Kingdom was awakened agog with activities on Sat 13th April 2013 as people thronged into the idyllic setting to attend the long awaited event of the year tagged – ‘Never Again Royal Purple Night’. It was a Fundraising Dinner Dance and Official Launch of Betty Makoni Official Autobiography-Never Again– CNN Hero & Founder/CEO of Girl Child Network Worldwide. The colour theme for the event was all shades of Purple.
Proceedings kicked off at 5.00pm with an Exclusive Television Documentary interview hosted by Lorraine Dzidzai Dymund Chinouriri with Muzvare Betty Makoni and Special Guest Speaker and Chief Launcher Princess Deun Arize Adedoyin-Solarin alongside other Speakers & Participants Linda Satinburwa, Stephanie Chiyangwa , Fikelephi Jackson and as well as Business coach Patricia Stephanie Gillian. Thereafter Guests were welcome to an open bar drinks reception as they arrived, as well as a Photo-shoot with the Chief Host & Founder/CEO of GCNW Betty Makoni and other Trustees on the Royal Purple & Cream Carpet. Guests were also treated to some Beautiful medley of music to set the pace as Guest Artist Roy Mourton played the piano with such dexterity.
By 5.45 Guests were welcomed into the ‘Thurrock Room’ by the Director of Ceremonies for the night Ms Pauline Long –Founder/CEO of BEFFTA. Shortly after the Royal Procession made up of Muzvare Betty Makoni, GCNW Chair Board of Trustees & Global Spokesperson Princess ‘Deun Adedoyin-Solarin; other Trustees Vicky Banda –Secretary GCNW; Joan Holland & Juliet Williams. Also Speakers Linda Satinburwa; Stephanie Chatingwa; Special Guest Mr Ian Henney, were all ushered in with Traditional Drum Beats led by Specialist Royal Talking Drummer Ayan De First and his Cultural Ensemble from West Africa. Ayan De’First played Talking Drums for HM The Queen at her Golden Jubilee celebrations and is a regular Guest Artist of Hrh Prince Charles.
The event that was graced by the presence of Thurrock Cllr Mrs Bukky Okunade & Deputy Mayor of Lambeth Mr Adedamola Aminu who also spoke and pledged their support of GCN. The evening started with prayers said by Trustee Joan Holland followed by an opening speech by Trustee Vicky Banda. First two Speakers were Linda Satinburwa & Stephanie Chiyangwa who both spoke very powerfully with emotion. Guest Artists that performed on the night were Magdalene Adenaike Founder ‘Music Relief’ with her song ‘Love That is Real’; Elisheba with her song ‘Pursuit of Happiness’ and Jarman with his song ‘Africa Arise’. The highlight of the night was the Official Book Launch by Hrh Princess ‘Deun with the Traditional Ceremony & her Coronation of Muzvare Betty Makoni as the ‘Yeye Ashiwaju Omoba’ of Afrika ~ The Pan-African Mother Leader of all Princesses’ This was a very colourful yet Sacred investiture accompanied with Traditional Drumbeats, Songs, Prayers & Eulogies as Princess ‘Deun carried out the ceremony with the deftness of a true African Royal and invoked Blessings upon Muzvare Betty Makoni, the newly installed Pan-African Princess. Everyone stood at attention to witness this Phenomenal traditional Ceremony which is the 1st of its kind, to bestow on Muzvare Betty Makoni, a Great Daughter of Africa the Grand Title of overall Pan-African Princess for the amazing work she has been doing in Africa & across the Globe to bring about a better quality of life to Girls, Women & Children the world over. The natural progression after this ceremony was Guests being served a sumptuous 3 course Dinner.
After dinner Guests watched a short film by Demetria Karonga, which chronicled a chapter 1 of Betty Makoni’s book, showcasing her Mother’s story. Then came other distinguished Authors & Book Critiques who also added flavour to the night by reading out & speaking on chosen excerpts from the book ‘Never Again’ namely – Christine Chitenderu-Mthombeni; Fikelephi Jackson; Tola Onigbanjo; Mary Akangbe; Spiwe Harper; Adedeji Yusuf; Lara Williams; Anita Koroma; Linda Kute. Video clips from the films Tare & Tapestries of Hope were presented by Lynn Chikosha, a Research Scientist working on Needs Assessments of Girls in Africa, so they can get funded. Michelle Blessing came all the way from Scotland to personally present Muzvare Betty Makoni a ‘Life Achievement Award’ from Africans in Scotland.
Another Special Guest who flew in from Zimbabwe is the Honourable Mr Ian Henney who gave a moving speech laced with humour, as he pledged his full support of GCNW by making a public announcement of his Charity, the Ian Henney Foundation’s Donation of £120.000 to the GCNW Girl’s Appeal Fund; he also pledged his Personal weekly donation of £20 by Direct Debit to the Charity.
After dinner, was the Fundraising which was ably handled by Glo Diamond & Leah Africa Design. There were numerous items donated for auction as well as the GCNW Charity shop.
The ‘NEVER AGAIN’ Purple event was indeed a huge success, with all tickets sold out. Each Guest was made to feel like Royalty from start to finish. The night rounded up with a call by Guests, to have this as an annual event. Guests then Celebrated the successful event with music & dancing to close the night.
The event was made possible with support from the organisers and supporters – Founder/CEO of GCNW Muzvare Betty Makoni and the Chair Board of Trustees Princess ‘Deun Adedoyin-Solarin alongside other Trustees Vicky Banda; Joan Holland & Juliet Williams would like to Appreciate everyone that supported the event through Purchase of Dinner Tickets; Companies that Sponsored and Donated their Products & Services. The Chair Board of Trustees Princess ‘Deun Adedoyin-Solarin distributed personally signed ‘Thank You’ Cards on the night, to acknowledge the kind gesture of every individual & each organisation i.e. Annenberg Foundation, Linda Satimburwa official filming; Divine Events Creations – Decorating; Lynn Chikasha- shoes; Marie-Claire N Kuja & Kathleen M Milliken donated books; Ayan De First –Master Royal Talking Drummer; Lara Williams proceeds from Skin Products; Patricia Stephanie Gillian- books& clothing, World Cargo International, KE Delights, Zuwa Re, Fotogenic, Tracy Mugadza, Elizabeth Harac, London Centre for Social Impact, Tariro Chinyamukobvu, Princess Deun Adedoyin-Solarin; Restored UK, Sekai Ngwerume, Kudzai Kofi, Association of African Women, Guests who bought dinner tickets that raised £4825, Amanda Bongi(Volunteer), Grace Manyika, Theresah Tholanah, Demetria Karonga and Film Crew, Parkers4Events; Femi Ibiwoye-NaijaDJ
Media: Zimpowerfm, Bulawayo24,The Zimbabwean, AfroNews, Princess Arize! Ben TV Sky 182, Pauline Long Show Ben TV-Sky 182, Joseph Adamson & AILTV, Thurrock Gazette, CNN, The Inquirer-London and Thurrock, The South African, ZimEye, POWORDFUL, ZimDiaspora
GCNW Official Website ~ www.girlchildnetworkworldwide.org Official Facebook Pagehttps://www.facebook.com/events/547184761979215/565813830116308/?notif_t=like
Inserted by Her Royal Highness, Princess Deun Adodyin-Solarin- Chair of Trustees
©GCNW, April 2013
Betty Makoni Official Autobiography 