Amulets and Dreams, a brilliant new book edited by the well known South
African photographer Omar Badsha, will be launched by Amara Essy,
Secretary General of the OAU, at the inaugural conference of the African
Union in Durban in July.

The six essays of brilliant and memorable photographs moves from the
devastation wrought by war in Angola and Sierra Leone, to the South
African-driven process of reconciliation and renewal in Burundi. The
bulk of the photographs in the book were taken by award-winning
photographer Guy Tillim, and cover developments in Sierra Leone, Angola,
Eritrea, Ethiopia, Mozambique and Burundi.

The photographs are accompanied by a penetrating essay on the social
status of youth in Africa, by Dr Julia Maxted of the University of
Pretoria. The book not only dispels the myth that there is no progress
in the continent but, by an extraordinary sense of timing, brings us
face to face with democratic transitions to peace in Angola, Sierra
Leone and Burundi.

The title comes from the poem amulets and dreams and refers to amulets
and charms worn by child solders, who tragically number in the
thousands, to ward off bullets in combat that many are press-ganged
into. The book is an invaluable contribution to the debate on children's
rights and change in Africa.

Prof. Abebe Zegeye (Unisa) in a review of the book writes

"This book should be seen as an attempt to come to grips with a specific
issue that is causing concern in Africa: that of child soldiers who are
victims of nihilistic war. It is claimed that the impact of
globalisation and the tension between continuity and change are
particularly acute for children in Africa.

Increasingly, the potency and potential of young people are being
exploited to sustain the power of those in authority as well as those
seeking to replace them. Thus, young people are unable to realise the
promises of the new global economy.

The highly original text in this book analyses the unacceptable
involvement of Africa's children in war. The photographs strikingly
illustrate African societies in which all aspects of "normality" in
daily life are violated.

Together, while exposing the dangers facing these children, the text and
photographs appear to ask what will take the place of "abnormality" in
these societies. Besides suggesting the rudiments of a possible
solution, they make a powerful and provocative statement on the African
condition today."

Amara Essy, Secretary General of the OAU in his introduction writes

"For too many African children, peace lives in distant memory. Armed
conflicts on this continent have wreaked destruction on their civilian
populations, through violence, families torn apart, destroyed
infrastructure and shattered economies.

Many of these wars have erased the lines between civilians and
militaries; in the process running roughshod over the values and norms
that would protect children and youth. For young people socialized in
warfare, the incentives to build a peaceful society are no longer there
by example.

This remarkable collection of photographs is moving and hopeful. It
shows the spirit of resilience and the potential of youth in the face of
many hardships, rather than the pathos that seems to permeate so many
portrayals of Africa's children.

In the spirit of the new global commitment to children's rights
following the United Nations General Assembly Special Session on
Children, we hope that this work will further inspire Africa's
commitment to the future of her young generation."

The exhibition opens on Thursday the 4th of July 2002
at The Durban Art Gallery
City Hall
Smith Street
Durban
tel: (031) 311 2264
fax: (031) 311 2273

For more details contact Omar Badsha, (012) 460 9691 / 082 459 1067
South African History Online.

For photographer's bio's and images for press reproduction, contact
liam@sahistory.org.za.

To preview the book visit South African History Online.