...not only will this year’s AWA performances be truly entertaining, the venue is also at a different location, which promises to be bigger and better, with some folks being turned down in the week leading to the awards only highlighting how massive it’s going to be, and an event not to miss. We can only imagine the uproar it will be!
I recently had a chat with Carol Nyazika, who is one of the founding members of the African Women Awards [AWA], which is currently buzzing in the media like a house on fire. However, its not a surprise, seeing 2016 is oozing black girl magic domination worldwide!
Carol’s simple narration of the burning flame within her that made her start AWA goes a little something like this, “For a long time there was nothing that was internationally recognized that was highlighting the accomplishments of African Women. Although organizations like the United Nations were emphasizing the need for equality, we still didn’t know what African women on the continent are doing or have done. It’s so easy for most to recite the stories of successful women in the developed countries but it was concerning that we weren’t able to recite stories of women from where we were from.”
She then decided that it was time to change the perception of Zimbabwe and shed more of a positive light on the successful women within the country, as well as the African continent. This is when she sat down with another fellow Zimbabwean woman who is the founder of Fund a Child’s Education Zimbabwe, Lisa Chiriseri,who willingly joined her on the distinguished journey they are both now a part of.
It was simple for them to become partners as they shared the same values of being inspired by women who had an emotional and moving story to share, primarily on how they became forces to be reckoned with in their professional sectors. This brings me to a moment that brought the forces aligning, which was when Carol met Divine Ndhlukula, Founder and Managing Director of Securico and Rudo Boka, Chief Executive Officer of Boka Tobacco Auction Floors at the United Nations Entrepreneurship Day, and she had this to say about them, “They were unapologetic about their success and how they got to where they are now. It’s very inspiring to hear stories from successful women who are in the same economy. They have the same experiences and challenges that you will face as a woman.”
With that said, not only will this year’s AWA performances be truly entertaining, the venue is also at a different location, which promises to be bigger and better, with some folks being turned down in the week leading to the awards only highlighting how massive it’s going to be, and an event not to miss. We can only imagine the uproar it will be! Particularly with the welcoming entertainment which is going to be phenomenally out of this world, and nothing Zimbabwe has ever experienced, having the founders thrilled for people to see it.
The lineup of entertainment is not the only good thing, as the nominees list looks great too, with confirmed nominees all being special guests who are flying into Zimbabwe for the Awards, as well as local Zimbabweans representing well. These nominees being; Farah Fortune - Director of African Star Communications, Pearl “Motsi” Kupe - TV Host, Lawyer and International Consultant, Joselyn Dumas - Ghanaian TV Host and Actress, Adama Ndiye - Senegalese Fashion Designer, Nothemba Kula - Co-founder of Kingdom Development Initiative, Dananai Chipunza - Zimbabwean Model, Chef and Entrepreneur, Cheurombo Pswarayi - Founder and Executive Director of MedTours Zimbabwe, Kamdem Roseline - Projects Evaluation Manager at CDVTA, Lynette Magasa - Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Boniswa Corporate Solutions, Divine Ndhlukula - Founder and Managing Director of Securico, Susan Makore - Chief Executive Officer at AB Communications, Bayanda & Buhle - Founders of Skates & Candy Clothing Brand, Stella Dongo - Chief Executive Officer of Retail TN Holdings, Brenda Katwesigye - Tech Entrepreneur and Menna Shalaby - Egyptian Actress.
It is now AWA’s second year in business, and it is very impressive to see so many apparent achievements with no indication of them stopping anytime soon, as Carol said to me whilst she signed off, “It’s not over till you are dead.”
