Supporters, members, and trustees gathered for a meeting at the School of Oriental and African Studies, (SOAS) for "The Save The Africa Center Campaign" on January 26, 2012..
In March 2011, the trustees of the Africa Centre decided without consulting members to sell a 125 year leasehold of its building and only asset, 38 King Street to property developer, Capital and Counties. The Save The Africa Center Campaigned was founded to halt the sale and demand the trustees hold an open and public consultation on the decision.
Our contributors says :
"A minute of silence was observed for Margaret Mary Feeny, MBE (1917 - 2012 ), who opened the Africa Center in a half renovated tomato warehouse and London's first ever African restaurant,The Calabash, at its basement in November 1964 with President Kenneth Kaunda and Cardinal Laurean Rugambwa.
The meeting held at SOAS (School of Oriental and African Studies) was an important opportunity for supporters, members, friends and trustees to participate in the future of the UK African Diaspora’s foremost institution.
The meeting ended without a resolve however all present were reminded of its importance, as a place where Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Thabo Mbeki hung out in the bar, where Wole Soyinka lectured on African literature, Alice Walker read from her novel The Color Purple and where Jazzie B held Saturday club sessions that led to the formation of Soul II Soul."