AND THE WINNERS OF THE AFRICAN WOMEN AWARDS ARE…
The African Women Association hosted the inaugural African Women Awards on the 7th of November at the Meikles Hotel in Harare, Zimbabwe. The African Women Awards is the first multi-sectoral and pan-African Awards ceremony ever held. The Award ceremony is a platform that was founded by two young women; Carol Nyazika and Lisa Chiriseri in March 2013. The Awards aim to create a fresh brand of African role models within Africa and accessible to Africans globally; to pay tribute to African women who have contributed to the development and positive image of Africa as a whole; to share success stories of successful African women on popular international media platforms; to share what is achievable by women in order to inspire the new generation and change the perception of female African success; and to create a platform to spotlight and celebrate excellence in Africa.
The tickets to this much awaited event were sold out within two weeks of release. The event ran smoothly from the red carpet all the way till the last winner was announced. The decor, food staging, sound, lighting and graphics were world-class and a perfect fit for the purpose of the event; to celebrate African women whose accomplishments are often overlooked. During the evening, guest were entertained by music from Zimbabwean artists Gemma Griffiths, Brian Kadengu, and international star attraction Sheillah Mololekwa (Botswana Artist and former BBA contestant). Zimbabwean spoken word artist Rutendo Denise aka “Towering Goddess” performed “Cheukwa’ which is a poem inspired by the warmth and depth of the beauty that resides in the African woman.
The list of nominees included women from Kenya, Zimbabwe,Tunisia, Uganda,Liberia, Ghana, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Angola, Madagascar, Zambia ,Namibia, Rwanda, and South Africa. The nominees who were unable to attend were represented by their family, friends or representatives of their embassies. The AWAwards Guest of Honour Josey Mahachie encouraged Africans to value and tap into the resources of the continent and open their eyes to the opportunities of intra-trade within the continent. The Minister of Women’s Affairs and Gender Equality, Honourable Minister N. Chikwinya gave the final remarks of the evening emphasising that women are hard workers, compassionate, and they carry the interest of their communities at the heart of everything that they do; they should therefore be given a chance to rise in leadership.
The African Women Awards were created to celebrate African women and succeeded in many ways. It brought together women from all over Africa and cemented the importance of representation within our own continent and globally. The positive portrayal of women, particularly women of colour reminded us all that our voices, accomplishments and visibility matter. Events such as these create role models from our own backyard that help shape who we are, who we aspire to be, and how we view the world around us.
The winners for the African Women Awards are:
Business and Enterprise Category
Young Entrepreneurial Spirit Award
Nadia Rakotovaoarison – Madagascar – Foundering Director of a Private School Frisquette, President Director General of the Top Prime Radio (FM 102.8) & General Secretary of the private University UPRIM
Business Achievement Award
Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu – Ethiopia – CEO & Founder – Sole Rebels
Industry Excellence Award
Natalie Jabangwe-Morris – Zimbabwe – Econet Head Business and Marketing Development
Dynamic Start-up Business Award
Jackie Mgido – Zimbabwe – Founder of Vault Cosmetics
Mrs Folorunsho Alakija – Nigeria – Second richest women in Africa. A business tycoon involved in the fashion, oil and printing industries
Danielle Allen – Zimbabwe | Nigeria | UK – Fashion Designer
Farai Gundan – Zimbabwe | USA | Africa – Co-Founder Farai Media, 2015 Young Global Leader – WEF, Speaker, Host, Forbes Contributor
Bonang Matheba – South Africa – Talk Show Host, Brand Ambassador, Radio Host
Promising Personality Award
Dillish Matthews – Namibia – BBA Season 8 Winner, Entertainer, Brand Ambassador & Entrepreneur
Biola Alabi – Nigeria – Media Expert, Former Managing Director of MNet Africa, Managing Partner of Biola Alabi Media Consulting, Young Global Leader – World Economic Forum (2012)
Esther Kalenzi – Uganda – Founder of a Non-profit Organization called 40 days over 40 smiles Foundation
Sarah Toum – Tunisia – Activist
Social Humanitarian Award
ZeinabBlandia – Sudan – Peacemaker and Community Leader from the Nuba Mountains in Sudan
JulianaTahinaRatovoson – Madagascar – Youngest advisor to the Prime Minister Head of the Government
Dr. Jennifer Riria – Kenya – Group CEO of Kenya Women Holding
