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November 15, 2016

New branding: Africa-China Reporting Project

6011 ACRP Postcards_4

On November 10, 2016, at the Africa-China Journalists Forum at Wits University, the project formerly known as the Wits China-Africa Reporting Project officially became known as the Africa-China Reporting Project (ACRP). The designation Africa-China is used to illustrate clearly the Project's African home and orientation, and an emphasis on placing Africa and the welfare of the African people first.

The new logo of the Africa-China Reporting Project is a fusion of Chinese and African elements

The main form of the logo is based on the Chinese character 人 (rén), meaning people, person or humanity; while the patterning seen on the rén character is based on the Owo Foro Adobe, an Andinkra symbol from West Africa showing a snake climbing a raffia (palm) tree, which is native to West Africa and Madagascar. The Owo Foro Adobe signifies steadfastness, prudence, diligence and valour, as it is difficult for the snake to climb the tree and it has to be persistent to succeed.

The Owo Foro Adobe, showing a snake climbing a palm tree; symbolising performing the impossible; excellence/valour.

The Owo Foro Adobe, showing a snake climbing a palm tree; symbolising
performing the impossible; excellence/valour.

The use of the rén character as central element in the new logo is representative of the core ethos of the ACRP, i.e. to enable and support journalists to tell stories of how the lives and experiences of the people and communities of Africa are being changed and impacted by the comprehensive phenomenon of Africa’s engagement and interaction with China. This signifies the people-focused, non-political nature of the Project and its activities.

The Owo Foro Adobe is one of the Adinkra visual symbols, originally created by the Ashanti people of West Africa in the early 19th century, that represent concepts or aphorisms. The symbols have a decorative function but also represent objects that encapsulate evocative messages that convey traditional wisdom, aspects of life or the environment. The Owo Foro Adobe is used as an authentically African element in the new logo, and points to the ACRP’s rebranding as an African institution that supports Africa-China journalism that puts the interests of Africa and its people first.

Below are further elements of the ACRP's new branding:

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