An open letter from
Tayo Fatunla in Addis Ababa

I was very honoured to give a lecture on cartoon as a visual commentator at the Addis Ababa University - School of Journalism and Communication in Ethiopia as news from Ethiopia over the years has not been encouraging. It has always been about famine, hunger and fighting. As a Nigerian cartoonist though, I was very keen and determined to go as it would be an opportunity and experience for me and I really wanted to assist in improving the skills of the few Ethiopian cartoonists in the country.

On arrival at Bole Airport, Addis Ababa it was to my great surprise that the airport was of Western standard. I was very angry! Angry at the fact that the wrong impression has been given by the Western media to the rest of the world about Ethiopia being a country, of gaunt looking, starving children and adults which was simply not true! There was nothing of that sort. I arrived in the early hours of the morning and had to take a taxi to my hotel. Yes hotel not a hut, nor a shanty!

Later that day, I was met by my Ethiopian hosts Mesfin Belachew who was the co-ordinator for the cartoon course at the University and the Acting Dean, Dr. Gebremedhin Simon who together with other staff at the School of Journalism and Communication at the University, looked after me very well.

Food was in plenty. The school was fully equipped with modern computers and technology and a modern building which many other nations cannot boast of. The students were so eager to meet me and gain from my experience not only as a cartoonist and cartoon tutor but in particular as a Nigerian cartoonist.

The workshops were successful. They enjoyed my teaching about cartoon as a visual commentator, the effective purposes of cartooning techniques, the business of art, animation and the knowledge required to draw cartoons. I had also prepared prior to my travelling to Ethiopia, a presentation/workbook for each attendee and did practical lessons within the group. Their desire now is to project Ethiopian cartoons and Ethiopian journalism beyond Africa and be part of the global phenomenon called....The Internet!

The students all received certificates for successfully completing the three-day course on cartooning. Ethiopia has rising cartoonist stars. In fact, I was impressed to see a number of good female cartoonists as well.

This friendly nation can go the distance just like its world renowned athletes. When Ethiopians greet, they great with all their being. It's a wonderful and respectful sight to see.

African nations can survive without begging for alms or handouts. Instead of ‘Make Poverty History in Africa', ‘Make Corrupt Leaders History' and the mineral resources and wealth of the nations as well as development and education will reach towns and villages across the lands.

I visited Addis Ababa's market which is said to be the biggest in Africa if not the world. I was told that you could get almost anything at the market. All goods of western production and influence were there! Lots of travellers stop in Addis Ababa for their onward journeys. Semien Hotel where I lodged was always buzzing with nationals from different countries from around Africa and the West.

The world press should highlight the good of this country known as the “Horn of Africa” due to its geographical location on the map of Africa, not just the bad!

This lecture was organised by Terje Skjerdal, Assistant professor, Gimlekollen School of Journalism and Communication, Kristiansand, Norway.

© TAYO Fatunla