The movie can now be seen on cable TV’s Showtime channel (check with your local cable company for details).  Details are below.

On Showtime Too
02/12/09 at 7:00 AM
On Showtime Too
02/12/09 at 6:45 PM
On Showtime
02/13/09 at 4:45 PM
On Showtime Showcase
02/14/09 at 8:00 PM
On Showtime Too
02/16/09 at 9:00 AM

Jamati: What was it that made you decide to do the movie?

Stafford: I was working on a film in Zimbabwe with Morgan Freeman and Danny Glover, and people kept telling us that there were many African-Americans in South Africa. I knew that the largest number of African-Americans was in Nigeria but was unaware of the ones in South Africa.

Jamati: That is interesting. What made the people in the fim move to South Africa?

Stafford: They saw the opportunity that was there. Some went on vacation and ended up staying and others went looking for opportunity. They got there and they realized that they could do a lot and made a commitment to do so. One guy didn’t believe what mainstream media was saying about Africa. Another sold everything and went to South Africa with his suitcase and not much else. He talked his way into going with a delegation and ended up staying. Another person started a venue that featured black comedians and is doing really well. Cora Vaughn was an attorney making about $1 million a year and had always planned to live in Africa. Although she had traveled extensively through Africa, she felt most at home in South Africa so she moved there and set up a Bed and Breakfast in an exclusive neighborhood. Overall, most of them went back to connect with their roots.

Two brothers set up a satellite company and now have 40% of the market share. They just set up a billion dollar deal with Sir Richard Branson of the Virgin company conglomerate. A filmaker went and she found that they wanted her to teach people how to make movies.

Most of the people who went there were already successful in the U.S. South Africa is a great training ground for college graduates–they allow you to do whatever you want to do so you get exposure to many different jobs.

Jamati: What would you say would be the recipe for success if you want to start a business in South Africa?

Stafford: Make sure that you have a GREAT business plan and that you have some money. The affirmative action program that they have is being enforced rigorously so you need to have a black South African as a partner if you want funding from the South African government. They are great about opening doors and giving you access to all the things that you will need as it helps you provide employment for South Africans.

Jamati: How have the South Africans reacted to the African-Americans?

Stafford: The African-Americans have created jobs so they are welcomed. They also pay their domestics a better wage than the locals so that is always welcome. There was some xenophobia because some African-Americans had come making big promises and not delivering. Overall they feel that there are common threads between apartheid and slavery and there is a sense that our paths are very similar.on any other websie

Jamati: Are you working on any other projects now?

Stafford: One of our projects is called Black Road to Hollywood. We are looking at doing more documentaries to empower black people. Doing film that highlights and features black people around the world in a positive light. The Other Side of Victory looks at the behind-the-scenes of shows by Bernie Mac, Eddie Murphy, etc.

Judy: We are trying to change a mindset and to change the things that people think that African-Americans want to see. We want to make a breakthrough and get into mainstream media.

Stafford: Or just reach more black people. We talk about Africa having poverty and AIDS but there are poverty stricken places right here in the U.S. Charles Henderson (one of the subjects in the documentary) couldn’t find a jungle in the places that he visited in Africa so he created a little one in his backyard. Those are the stereotypes we are trying to change.

Jamati: Where can people get the movie?

Stafford: The DVD is available on the website and has some great added features including contact information for the folks that are highlighted so that people can contact them.

Jamati: This has been a great conversation. Thank you both for sharing.

Judy and Stafford: Thank you.

‘Blacks Without Borders’ features several African Americans who have done just that.  They talk about the struggles they face, the advantages they have found, and the simple fact that there is a lot of money to be made in Africa.

To learn more about this movie, visit the website.