Sidique Bah of Multicultural Communities Council of SA helps new migrants find work, training and housing

SIDIQUE Bah is paving the way for young African refugees living in Adelaide to become the next generation of community leaders.

SIDIQUE Bah is paving the way for young African refugees living in Adelaide to become the next generation of community leaders.

The former journalist, who came to Australia as a refugee in 2001, says he aims to provide new migrants the same support he benefited from.

He left his home in Sierra Leone after being targeted by both the military and rebels because of his profession while the country was rocked by civil war.

Mr Bah later struggled to find enough food and a roof over his head after fleeing to Guinea.

He says he has never forgotten those hardships.

“At the end of the day there are only going to be about 20 or 30 of us who make it here, so I was really lucky,” Mr Bah says.

“When I got to Adelaide I got lost looking for Currie St, and a man dropped what he was doing and walked me to where I needed to be.

“I’ve always met people who are ready and happy to help.”

Mr Bah is nominated for the Pride of Australia Fair Go medal for his involvement in music, sport and developing neighbourhood programs for Adelaide’s African community over the past 13 years.

His job at the Multicultural Communities Council of SA assists new migrants to find work, training and housing.

But the father-of-two says his work does not end when he leaves the office.

He co-founded the Sierra Leone Community of SA, heads the Fullah Friends of SA Association, which includes members of the Fullah tribe originating from West Africa and is the co-founder of Afrikarts Australia.

“We all need to be given the support ... so we can get out there and manifest things for ourselves,” he says.

“We need to do these things so people can see what we are capable of.”

He also founded Salt Magazine, a monthly publication sharing stories from Africans living in Australia and abroad.

He produced a compilation CD in 2009, Multigrain, profiling the talent of young people from all over Africa who have settled in Adelaide.

“It was really big for them and gives them the courage to go further,” Mr Bah says.

Despite little spare time, Mr Bah says he has no plans to scale back his community involvement.

To nominate a local hero like Mr Bah, visit www.advertiser.com.au/prideofaustralia.