SuSus in South Africa and Barbados
Last week Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Amor Mottley, sat down with comedian and host of the What Now Podcast, Trevor Noah. The podcast touched on many issues, being titled “Climate, Immigration, and the Power of Small Nations”, but most meaningful to The DISE Collective was the inclusion of susus!
While Noah described them as “a society”, it was, Mottley that identified the common word used in both communities - A susu!
Despite over 10,000 kms distance between their native countries both individuals experienced the similarities attributable to African diasporas, European influences, and a experience of liminality.
Trevor Noah is a South African comedian, writer, producer, political commentator, actor, and television host, who grew up in the Soweto Township of Johannesburg. Noah grew up straddling the two worlds of his Swiss-German father, and Xhosa mother. His father was known for establishing one of the first racially integrated restaurants during apartheid times. Despite securing a special license his father opted to close the restaurant rather than comply with other apartheid regulations requiring separate facilities for different races.
Prime Minister Mottely attended The United Nations International School in New York, before pursuing a law degree in London, England, and returning to Barbados to pursue politics in 1991. In doing so, she continues her family legacy of political prominence in Barbados, as well as international education. Her father, uncle, and grandfather also having held positions in Federal government, and pursued law abroad.
The entire interview is an hour and a half long, discussing global finance, climate change, and managed migration, and can be watched on youtube here
You can listen to the What Now Podcast here.
Follow PM @mamottley on instagram
