Popular South African actress and model Nomzamo Mbatha visits Kenya in support of refugees
“I believe making a personal connection is key to fully championing the plight of refugees. I have to speak and take action not just from a place of understanding, but of experience as well.”
Nomzamo with refugee children at Morning Star Primary School in Kalobeyei settlement in Turkana, nothern Kenya. UNHCR/Samuel Otieno
South African actress, model, and UN Refugee Agency High Profile Supporter, Nomzamo Mbatha has visited refugees in Kenya, as part of her support for the LuQuLuQu campaign recently launched fundraising drive aimed at getting ordinary people to support and help find solutions for African refugees.
“I am motivated because I hear the voice of refugees, the voice of hope and resilience and not despair”.
Nomzamo started her trip in Kenya by meeting refugee athletes who took part in the Rio Olympics in 2016, at the Ngong Hills Sports Academy, just outside of the capital, Nairobi. During her time there Nomzamo was able to hear their stories of determination, hope and resilience against the odds to get to the Olympics, and other international sporting events.
Stories like that of refugee athlete Pur Biel, an athlete originally from South Sudan, who competed in the 800 metres in Rio and other events. Pur talked the actress through the refugee athletes program in Kenya, ran by UNHCR’s Kenya office and the Tegla Loroupe Peace Foundation, where currently 27 refugee athletes are being trained.
“The presence of stars like Nomzamo gives us hope. We get psychological support from visits like hers and encouragement, which makes a real difference”.
During her interaction Nomzamo said that the refugee athletes had the zeal give a voice to other refugees through athletics.
“I am motivated because I hear the voice of refugees, the voice of hope and resilience and not despair. It is moving to see the impact of that. This resonates with the LuQuLuQu message of hope and life beyond displacement”.
“The presence of stars like Nomzamo gives us hope”.
Nomzamo then travelled to Kakuma refugee camp in north western Kenya, one of the two main refugee camps in the country. During her trip she met with newly arrived refugees from South Sudan, interacted with refugee survivors of sexual and gender based violence, and met with children in primary and secondary school.
Nomzamo Mbatha, South African actress, model, and UN Refugee Agency High Profile Supporter is briefed on reception procedures for new arrivals to the camp. UNHCR/Caroline Opile
Nomzamo witnesses the distribution of non-food items to new arrivals at the Reception Centre, Kakuma refugee camp. UNHCR/Caroline Opile
Nomzamo wears a Turkana necklace made by Margaret Losekona during her visit to Kakuma in norhern Kenya. UNHCR/Samuel Otieno
Nomzano is warmly welcomed by Pur Biel, a refugee originally from South Sudan, who competed in the 800 metres in Rio and other events. UNHCR/Caroline Opile
Ms. Mbatha tries out one of the gym equipment in the newly constructed facility by UNHCR Kenya in support of Tegla Loroupe Peace Foundation that runs the academy. UNHCR/Caroline Opile
Nomzamo carries a jerrcan of water at Kalobeyei settlement where she visited a water tap stand. UNHCR/Samuel Otieno
Ms Mbatha said she grew up in challenging circumstances which helped her identify and empathise with the refugee experience.
“I grew up in the township where I would walk for many kilometres, I had personal conversations with God to change my life. The experience has helped me to identify with the asylum seekers and refugees that walk for kilometres to find safety”.
This resonates with the LuQuLuQu message of hope and life beyond displacement”.
Nomzamo said refugees, asylum seekers and displaced persons have been close to her heart, and a desire to support and lend her voice to the cause.
“I believe making a personal connection is key to fully championing the plight of refugees. I have to speak and take action not just from a place of understanding, but of experience as well.”
The trip was Ms Mbatha’s second visit to Kenya in her role as a High Profile Supporter. Over the next month the actress will be carrying out other activities to support refugees. LuQu LuQu is a socially driven fundraising movement launched by UNHCR in 31 October 2017.
Kakuma refugee camp currently hosts more than 184,000 refugees and asylum seekers, nearly 80% are women and children, mainly from South Sudan.