London Line (Africa) programs that can be viewed on line are highlighted in red From the initial planning stages of London Line it had been recognized that if the series were to be to effective from the perspective of audiences in countries south of the Sahara desert it had to be produced in a format that would resonate with them. In other words we had to connect with these audiences by making connections between Africa and the UK and not simply send messages one way from the UK.
To achieve this objective it was essential that the person producing the programs had first hand knowledge and understanding of Africa.
Anna Hamlinwho became Producer of London Line (Africa)had been producing radio material both for BBC Overseas Services and for the COI Radio operation. Her major attributes were a considerable knowledge and enthusiasm for all things African together with enormous energy. She had been brought up in South Africa and was a graduate in African history from Witwatersrand University.
She understood from the outset that in order to ensure transmission of the London Line programs by African television stations, when offered to them by the appropriate British High Commission or Embassy, it was essential to demonstrate links between Britain and Africa. To simply trumpet items British was to invite disinterest even rejection. It was important to show African involvement in Britain and vice versa. A visit by an African theatre group to the UK for example, would demonstrate an interest and effort being made by Britain to forge and maintain links.
The program was notable for the opening titles devised by Eddie Newsted who had joined Film Division as graphics artist. He had an immense talent which was demonstrated in the production ofvivid and arrestingtitles that appeared to strike a chord with our audience and there was much mention of them. Eddie went on become a talented program director with the later Perspective series. As with other records of program information about the content of many of the early issues of this program are sparse. The following four programs are simply indicative of the many.
1964 London Line (Africa) 4: Lead story concerned the work of RevOgundura a Parish Priest from Nigeria working in London. Program Director: Julia James Presenters: Ibrahim Tahir, ZakesMokae, Glenna Filo
1965 London Line (Arica) 37Lead story is interview with Sir Keith Maddox East African Association.An item about long life milk and its advantage in hot climates. An item about the Royal Court Theatre and African Folk Tales
1965 London Line (Africa) 68Review of 1965 including theCommonwealth Arts Festival
London Line (Africa)117was devoted to of extracts of the play "The Lion and the Jewel" by Nigerian playwright Wole Soyinka as staged at London’s Royal Court Theatre. Some of the program’s presenters Jumoke Debayo, Lionel Ngakane and Hannah Bright-Taylor had leading roles in the production. There was also interview with the Artistic Director of the Royal Court William Gaskill.
1971 London Line (Africa) 373 (click here to view from BFI) this issue of the long running series had a story about a Nigerian student at the London School of Fashion, a West African student undergoing training to become a squash rackets coach and a discussion about poetry from East Africa recently published in the UK.
1975 London Line (Africa) 497 (click here to view from BFI) was about assistance that was given to African students studying in the UK. It was presented by Paul Boetang.
1978 London Line (Africa) Modern Day Nightingales (click here to view from BFI) issue of this program devoted to a visit to Guys Hospital to look at the role of the modern nurse. Presented by Jumoke Debayo The series was very successful measured both in terms of acceptance by television stations in Sub-Saharan Africa, and by the volume of letters from viewers that we received. Its importance was recognised by the the FCO who continued to fund for some years after the closure of the other versions of London Line. It continued in production, albeit in a shortened form from 1970 until 1978, a total of just under 600 programs.
London Line (Africa) ceased production in 1978 at the request of the Foreign and Commonwealth Offfice.
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