The first ever African Women Awards took place on the 7th of November 2015 at Meikles Hotel in Harare Zimbabwe. The Africa Women Awards were launched with the aim to: to create a fresh brand of African role models within Africa and accessible to African 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 inspire the new generation and change the perception of female African success, to create a platform spotlight and celebrate excellence in Africa.
The Awards ceremony is a platform under the the African Women Association that was founded by Carol Nyazika and co-founded by Lisa Chiriseri in March 2013.
This is a great platform and very much needed platform for African women. Besides the recognition that the women get they also get a chance to know and connect with other African women in their fields of interest. I really love this because it drives collaboration among African women in solving many problems that we face as women.
The awards were hosted by Mutsa Samuel Kajese and Ruvheneko. Three gorgeous presenters Itai Muthiniri, Misred (Samantha Mussa) and Candice from Zi FM presented the awards for each category.
The ladies who reigned supreme are listed below:
Entertainment and Arts
Creative Visionary Award Winner
Danielle Allen, Fashion Designer (Zimbabwe, Nigeria, UK)
Media Excellence Award Winner
Farai Gundan – co-Founder Farai Media, 2015 Young Global Leader – WEF, speaker, host, Forbes Contributor (Zimbabwe, United States, Africa)
Star Power Award
Bonang Matheba – Talk show host, brand ambassador, designer, radio host
Promising Personality Award
Dillish Mathews -BBA season 8 winner, entertainer, brand ambassador, entrepreneur(Namibia)
Living Legend Award
Biola Alabi – African media expert (Nigeria)
Business and Enterprise Category
Young Entrepreneurial Spirit Award
Nadia Rakotovaoarison -Founding Director Of A Private School “Frisquette”, President Director General of the Top Prime Radio (Madagascar)
Business Achievement Award
Bethlehem TilahunAlemu – CEO & Founder Sole Rebels (Ethiopia)
Industry Excellence Award
Natalie Jabangwe-Morris -Econet Head Business and Marketing Development (Zimbabwe)
Dynamic Start-up Business Award
Jackie Mgido– CEO and Founder Vault Cosmetics (Zimbabwe)
Living Legacy Award
Mrs Folorunsho Alakija – A business tycoon involved in the fashion,oil and printing industries (Nigeria)
Community and Politics
Grass Roots Impact Award
Esther Kalenzi – Founder of a nonprofit organization called 40 days over 40 smiles Foundation (Uganda)
Young Activist Award
Sarah Toumi – Activist (Tunisia)
Social Humanitarian Award
Zeinab Blandia – Peacemaker and community leader from the Nuba Mountains in Sudan (Sudan)
Young Change Maker Award
Juliana Tahina Ratovoson – Director of Partnership and Development at the Ministry of Youth and Sport in Madagascar (Madagascar)
Living Leader Award
Dr. Jennifer Riria – Kenya Group CEO of Kenya Women Holding (Kenya)
Afrikan Princess 