We continue our education series with an exploration of a concept brought up in the previous show – cultural capital. Mainstream academics locate the theory of cultural capital in respect of education to French sociologist Pierre Bourdieu in the 1970s where he suggests that it is “a form of capital that is convertible, in certain conditions, into economic capital and maybe institutionalized in the form of educational qualifications.” (1)

Yet, in the 1960s, the pioneers of the Black “Saturday School” movement had already recognised the centrality of cultural and historical grounding, not just for academic achievement but to resist the impositions of a racist society more generally. (2)

This aspect was emphasised by Bro. Ldr. Mbandaka on our previous show:

“Cultural capital is an asset. A base from which we can increase our ability to generate value in anything for ourselves… It is about how by living and practicing our culture we generate benefits for ourselves. We can see the transformation taking place in economics, in science and technology. We can see benefits, how practicing our spirituality empowers us as a people. How the use of our language empowers us as a people. This thing called cultural capital is of profound importance. If we look at other people, how they draw on their culture to empower themselves.” (3)

However, in the current context the vehicle of Saturday Schools are perhaps not as viable as they once were as the sector is going through something of a decline, requiring the need for new initiatives. (4)

Enter the School Of New Africa (SONA). Founded by musician Fuse ODG and his business partner Andre Hackett. SONA is a gamified learning platform on African History, Culture & Language that includes a number of engaging features for children aged seven and upwards, such as:

Study Missions: Uncover hidden stories & transform your desert into a thriving forest

Daily Affirmations: Speak and manifest your perfect day into existence

Earn as you Learn: Unlock pocket money while progressing through missions

Community Interaction: Share progress and encourage family & friends

Money Management: Learn the basics of financial management

Prepaid SONA Card: Used to shop & make payments, anywhere. (5)

Having started ‘TINA’, (This is New Africa), a movement to change the perception of Africa in the media and worldwide a decade ago, the founders believe SONA is the next evolution.

As timely as the SONA app is, there is still a requirement incubate the cultural capital developed within overarching communal structures.

(1) George Paschos (22/07/20) Pierre Bourdieu’s Capital Explained. https://www.sociologygroup.com/pierre-bourdieu-capital-explained/

(2) Kehinde N. Andrews (2010) Back to Black: Black Radicalism and the Supplementary School Movement. Thesis submitted to The University of Birmingham For the degree of: Doctor of Philosophy. p. 133. https://etheses.bham.ac.uk/id/eprint/1457/1/Andrews_11_PhD.pdf

(3) Afrika Speaks with Alkebu-Lan on Galaxy Radio (04/09/23) What do we want for our children?

(4) Afrika Speaks with Alkebu-Lan on Galaxy Radio (02/09/19) Saturday Schools: An essential resource or an outdated operation? https://www.mixcloud.com/AfrikaSpeaks/saturday-schools-an-essential-resource-or-an-outdated-operation-020919/

(5) School Of New Africa (2023) Home. https://schoolofnewafrica.com/

we ask the question:

How do we enhance our children’s Cultural Capital?

1) What are the main constituents of Cultural Capital?

2) Can Afrikan Cultural Capital help our children succeed in European schools?

3) Are initiatives like SONA way forward for enhancing Cultural Capital for our children?

4) How do we build the community infrastructure to facilitate initiatives like SONA?

Our Special Guests:

Bro. Ldr. Mbandaka: Resident guest who is Spiritual Leader of the Alkebu-Lan Revivalist Movement and an Afrikan-Centred Education Consultant. Bro. Ldr is a veteran activist of over 40 years standing, a featured columnist in The Whirlwind newspaper and author of Mosiah Daily Affirmations and Education: An African-Centred Approach To Excellence.

Bro. Andre Hackett: – Founder & CEO School of New Africa -Business Partner & Manager of Grammy Award winning Musician Fuse ODG. Bro. Andre has a track record of establishing initiatives to raise the aspirations of young people like the Escape Youth Project and with Fuse ODG, This is New Africa, a movement to change the perception of Africa in the media and worldwide (https://schoolofnewafrica.com/).

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