In January 2012, Young People in International Affairs(YPIA) put out a worldwide call for
nominations to find Africans under 35 years of age making an impact “in their
respective countries, on the continent and in the wider world.” To qualify, you
must have met the following conditions:
1. Under the age of 35;
2. A citizen of an African country;
3. Excelling in their respective field and area of
expertise;
4. Making a substantial impact on critical African issues
and international affairs;
5. Recognized among colleagues and the broader community as
a leader/future leader;
6. Values ethics and human rights.
The wait is over and YPIA is proud to announce the winners
of its first bi-annual Top 35 Under 35 Young African Leaders in International
Affairs!
The 2012 Top 35 are young Africans who are accomplishing
amazing feats in the fields of politics, business, media, education/academia,
community development and science and technology. And the winners are…
POLITICS
Nelson Chamisa
Nelson Chamisa, 34, Zimbabwe- 34 year-old Nelson Chamisa was born in Gutu
in Zimbabwe. He graduated from Harare Polytechnic and University of Zimbabwe
and rose to prominence in 2003 as the youngest legislator when he was elected
to parliament. He has served as the Secretary of the Zimbabwe National
Student’s union (1997), Member of Parliament for Kuwadzana (2003 and 2005), and
as Secretary for Information and Publicity, MDC-T (2006). In 2011, he was
elected as the Party’s Organising Secretary. In Parliament, he is a member of
the portfolio committees of Defence and Home Affairs, Public Accounts, Gender
and Youth and Transport and Communications. He is also a member of the Local
Government, Public Works & Urban Development and the African Caribbean and
Pacific Parliament.
Over the years, Nelson has risen from student activism to
become one of the key figures in Zimbabwean politics. He currently serves as
the Minister of Information, Communication and Technology (2009-present).
Serah Zainab Makka, 33,
Nigeria:
Serah Zainab Makka is the Policy Manager at The Tony Elumelu
Foundation, partner organization to the Africa Governance Initiative (AGI)..
She has been described by her colleagues as an inspirational and talented woman
who is instrumental in Nigeria – and Africa’s – future. Mr. Tony Blair also
shares this high esteem for Serah.
Serah holds a Master in Public Policy from Harvard Kennedy
School and graduated summa cum laude from her first degree in Economics and
International Studies from the University of North Florida. She was inducted in
the 2007 Academy of Achievement as nominated by the Former Associate Dean for
Degree Programs of the Kennedy School, Dean Joe McCarthy. Serah has been
instrumental in driving and developing the strategy and policy initiatives for
one of the first Africa-based, pan African focused, African funded
philanthropic foundation, the Tony Elumelu Foundation.Serah has worked
tirelessly helping the Government of Nigeria achieve their ambitious reform
programme, working behind the scenes on crucial issues such as the
effectiveness and policy delivery at the highest level of government in
Nigeria.
Serah was raised by a Pastor for a mom and a General for a
father; and this upbringing has led her to understand that the purpose of life
is to impart your gifts into the life of others.
Lindiwe Mazibuko
Lindiwe Mazibuko, 31, South Africa- Lindiwe Mazibuko was
elected the Democratic Alliance (DA) Parliamentary Leader and National Spokesperson
in 2009 and Shadow Minister for Rural Development and Land Reform in 2010. In
October 2011, Lindiwe was elected by the DA’s Parliamentary Assembly as
Parliamentary Leader and Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly.
Born in Swaziland and raised in Durban, Lindiwe went to
school at St Mary’s DSG in Kloof, where she matriculated in 1997. From there
she went on to the University of KwaZulu-Natal to pursue a Bachelor of Music
degree then to the University of Cape Town,
where she obtained a BA (French, Classics, Media & Writing) in 2006
and a BA Honours (Political Communication) degree in 2007. Her constituency is
North Durban in KwaZulu-Natal, and articulates that she is utterly committed to
politics and is grateful to have the privilege of being able to live her
passion.
Thembi Thadzi
Thembi Grace Thadzi is a 29 year-old young woman from Ntcheu
in Malawi. She has been involved in youth activities since she was 13
years-old. Thembi is a fourth year student in Developmental Studies at Share
World Open University. She is also the only young woman in Malawi to be
appointed to the National Advisory Council on Strategic Planning.
Thembi is a representative of the regional youth caucus for
the Common Wealth Youth Program and is Vice-Chairperson of the Ten-Plus Link,
and initiative that identifies and promotes the different talents of the youth.
In 2010, she was awarded the Common Wealth Youth Initiative Award and the Youth
Development Award by the National Youth Council of Malawi for her outstanding
work in youth development. She hopes to open a girls’ initiative academy soon
after completing her Master’s degree that will support and keep young girls at
school.
Otto Saki
Otto Saki, 32, Zimbabwe- Otto Saki is a Zimbabwean lawyer
and former Acting Director of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights. An experienced
defender of civil society activists in the Zimbabwean courts, he is currently a
Human Rights Fellow at Columbia University.
He holds a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) from the University of
Zimbabwe. He graduated with his Masters of laws (LLM) from Colombia Law School
(2007-2008). Otto Saki is also the Senior Democracy and Governance Advisor at
USAID. Otto is responsible for Human Rights defenders and International
litigation projects with Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights. He has been a
fellow with the Institute for Human Rights and Development in Africa (Gambia)
He has also won the international Reebok Human Rights Award on the 6th of June
2006.
Andy Roland Nziengui,
28, Gabon- Andy Roland Nziengui is the vice president of the Pan
African Youth Union. He has a degree in International Relations and is
currently participating in management training at the French American Academy
of Management in Libreville, Gabon. He was selected in 2004 to participate in
the Future Leaders Sydney Forum as a member of the Oxfam parliament. He has
been an activist in different organizations since Junior High School. He was
the president of the Francophone Club of Nyanga, one of the nine Gabonese
provinces. During the past three years, Andy has participated in summits of the
Francophone Organization on environmental sustainability held in Burkina Faso
and in a symposium on the reinforcement of capacities on the gender approach.
BUSINESS/ENTREPRENEURS
Vusi Thembakwayo
Vusi Thembakwayo, 27, South Africa- At the age of 17, Vusi
was already ranked 1st in Africa for motivational speaking. As one of the best
motivational speakers and keynote speakers alive today he has spoken in 4 of
the 7 continents to over 250 000 people each year and still counting!
Motivational speakers and Keynote speakers globally have come to revere his
talent and delivery style. At 24 years-old he was the youngest director ever in
South Africa through a multi-national turning over R17bn a year, where he
served on the operations board.
His humor is the glue that binds some of his most diverse
audiences in the world. His motivational speaking style is rich with jokes. A
funny keynote speaker and hilarious motivational speaker, John Howard, former
Prime Minister of Australia called Vusi the “Rock Star of Public Speaking” and
global strategist Clem Sunter said he was “simply reverting”.
Gachao Kiuna
Gachao Kiuna, 34, Kenya- Gachao serves as the Chief
Executive Officer, Managing Director and Director of Transcentury Group. He
joined the firm from McKinsey & Company in Johannesburg where he was
involved in advising corporate clients in emerging markets on corporate finance
and strategy. Gachao has over five year’s advisory experience with the firm in
corporate finance and strategy, operational excellence, and organizational
effectiveness. He was a Member of the Office Leadership Group leading the
firm’s Sub-Saharan Africa Practice. Gachao was also the Principal Consultant
that led the McKinsey assignment to develop the Vision 2030 project for the
Government of Kenya.
Gachao joined the firm in 2003 focusing on economic
development for country strategy, electric power particularly generation,
global health, and education. He also serviced his clients on issues of
corporate finance, strategy, operational excellence, and organizational
effectiveness for a wide range of organizations and entrepreneurs across
Africa. Gachao earned a Ph.D. in Biotechnology from the Institute of
Biotechnology in Cambridge and holds a first class honors B.Sc. degree in
Biochemistry from Imperial College in London.
Limbani Kalilani
Limbani Kalilani, 27, Malawi- Limbani Kalilani can be
described as a triple threat being the Founder of Phone Yanu (Pvt) Ltd,
Vice-Chairperson of G-Mobile network, Malawi, and the President and Founder of
Malawi’s biggest events and management company Black Rhyno Entertainment.
Limbani’s G-Mobile company has promised first class telecommunication services
for the people of Malawi along with the creation of over 900 jobs and the
provision of facilities to facilitate easy access to telecommunication services
for the rural masses.
“We will be introducing the first ever hybrid network in
Malawi. We want [mobile] services in the country to match the best in Africa,”
said Limbani. His remarkable achievements are not limited to the
telecommunication sector, as he was selected as the Coca-Cola brand ambassador
for a promotion campaign in 2008 alongside being an International award winning
hip hop artist.
Antoinetee Furaha
Antoinette Furaha, 19, DRC- A 19 year old refugee,
Antoinette hails from DRC but lives in a refugee camp at Kyangwali Uganda. An
inspiration to many young women, Antoinette is a manger at 19 with very little
educational qualification. However, she was awarded 2nd place for the Anzisha
prize for young entrepreneurs.
Her story is one that transcends beyond hardships and any
unfavourable circumstances. Faced with hardships as a result of the conflict in
Congo, Antoinette figured a way to cater for herself, her family and her
community. Antoinette started out investing a capital as little as $200 into a
sugar cane vending business to gain profits originally to send her siblings to
school and provide them with the basic educational materials. However,
Antoinette’s initiative amounted into profitable ideas; the Women’s Microcredit
Company Kyangwali. This Microfinance operating in Uganda enlightens and
empowers women by educating and giving loans to orphans and widows, alongside
putting over 40 orphans in school with basic needs such as uniforms and
textbooks.
Bright Simons
Bright Simons, 31, Ghana- Bright Simons is the Director of
Development Research at IMANI. However, is known for inventing the SMS
shortcode system for authenticating pharmaceuticals, and currently leads the
effort by the company he founded, mPedigree Network, to deploy the system
across Africa and South Asia.
In 2009, he joined the World Economic Forum’s Technology
Pioneer Community at Davos. Bright, a TED and Ashoka Fellow, is a member of the
Evian Group, and an active member of other African and global development-focused
societies in including the World Economic Forum and Global Agenda Council on
the Future of Mobile Communications. He is a recipient of numerous awards,
ranging from Marie Curie and Commonwealth Vision Grants to a PPARC Scholarship
in Gamma Ray Astronomy.
Bright is passionate about Africa and entrepreneurship. He
told the Harvard Business Review in March 2012: “I have a fresher and deeper
appreciation for African entrepreneurship. I believe that not only can it
propel Africa forward in its quest for holistic development, but that the time
is nearly here when groundbreaking management thinking from Africa will take
the world by storm.”
James Mworia
James Mworia, 34, Kenya- In June 2008, James became the
youngest CEO of a listed Nairobi Stock Exchange firm. He is now the CEO and
Managing Director of Centum Investment Company, which is was re-branded from
Industrial and Commercial Development Corporation (ICDC). He is also a Director
at several companies including UAP Insurance Company Limited and General Motors
East Africa Limited.
He holds a Chartered Financial Analyst charter which he
earned at Strathmore University. James also holds Bachelor of Law degree from
the University of Nairobi and a Diploma from the Kenya School of Law.
He is a Certified Public Accountant, a member of the
Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, Institute of Certified Public
Accountants of Kenya, CFA Institute, and the Law Society of Kenya. This is an
interesting mix that has produced an investment manager. He says he has
succeeded by carefully managing the three disciplines which have helped him in
managing Centum.
Married with two children, his name was the first in
Business Daily’s Top 40, under 40 leaders in corporate Kenya in 2011.
June Arunga
June Arunga, 30, Kenya- She has a law degree from the
University of Buckingham and founder and president of Open Quest Media LLC.
June speaks regularly on globalization and development issues. She has been
named one of the 100 Most Creative People in Business by Fast Company. June is
a founding partner, and for a period was Director of Corporate Affairs, of
Black Star Line SA: a technology solution provider in the fields of cell-phone
based payments and money transfer with a strong focus on the African market.
Law school graduate from the University of Buckingham
(England). Ms. Arunga has featured in four documentaries exploring trade,
migration, property and wealth in Africa, as well as participating in numerous
television and radio programs on a variety of related public policy issues.
Ada Umeofia
Ada Umeofia, 19, Nigeria- A 19-year old Nigerian, alongside
four other African young innovators have emerged winners in the 2012 Zeitgeist Young Minds, an opportunity for
young people to showcase how they are making a positive impact in our world.
One of them is Ada, who through WeBuilt offers Africa a design-centered social
enterprise that redesigns and constructs market stalls for poverty-stricken
Africans by recycling found building materials in slums.
Ada feels we talk endlessly about change, constantly voicing
our dissatisfaction with the current state of the African populace but
ironically, limit ourselves, opting to political changes as the only solution.
WeBuilt: Africa is a social enterprise that hopes to implement change with
contemporary architecture and design by redesigning and rebuilding the worn out
market stalls and eventually homes with recycled building materials across the
slums of its many countries.
MEDIA
Rose Ramsey
Rose Ramsey, 32, South Africa- She is a 32 year old group executive producer
for eNews and eSat TV. Rose’s greatest thrill is controlling the chaos of
what’s happening in news around the country, continent and world. Being at the
heart of planning is what keeps her hooked, whether it’s rushing out to the
smoke-filled skies as a field-producer during the Mumbai terror attacks,
running eNews’ entire live broadcast of the FIFA Soccer World Cup, or opening
eNews’ first international bureau in China.
She has revolutionised the way eNews delivers stories from
far-flung areas, and is at the forefront of how the channel uses mobile gadgets
such as iPads and laptops for news gathering.
Joe Njagu
Joe Njagu, 28, Zimbabwe- Joe Njagu is a award winning
Writer/Director come on board exercising vast experience in independent film
making, cutting across all production levels. Highly equipped with a burning
passion and appreciation for art, Joe brings to life the self written
screenplay for The Gentleman.
South African trained, he established himself as the future
writer and director of Zimbabwean film through his first comedy debut: “LOBOLA,
2010,” by far one of the best-selling Zimbabwean films, grossing over R500 000
in the first three months of release. Joe won the award Best Director for the
movie, The Gentleman, Njagu excelled in producing a fantastic HD picture but
found sound challenging, as few scenes are not synced to the dialogue. He was
nominated as the best director of the documentary Jabula in 2009. He was Jury President
of Zimbabwe International Film Festival in 2009. He was also credited as the
best writer and producer of “Bitter Pill”, “Lobola” and “The Gentleman” and
assistant director of “Sores of Emmanuel”.
Highly inspired by Hollywood director, Chris Nolan, Joe
believes The Gentleman is a new chapter of African cinema as the storyline, the
acting, the pace and the overall ‘feel’ of the film surpasses the usual
‘folktales’ synonymous with African films. The Gentleman is a commercial film.
It’s a brand. A brand that is tied with other brands: Munyaradzi Chidzonga
(BBA, 2010), Presley Chweneyegau (Tsotsi, 2009) and the Kenyan shell-bomb
Sheila Kwamboka (BBA, 2010).
Mazuba Kapambwe
Mazuba Kapambwe, 23, Zambia- Zambian Mazuba Kapambwe has
been working her way through the afro-entertainment scene in New York for a few
years and her resume is impressive! People love her passion for African
creatives and her commitment to sharing and learning about the different
countries and cultures across the continent. Africa is still largely portrayed
as one country where people are hungry and have AIDS, but she strongly opposes
such images and says that there is good news coming out of the continent in
recent years, due to blogs and sites where Africans are telling their own
stories. She is doing her part through “The Africa They Never Show You” posts
on her facebook page and through a workshop series she is working on focusing
on Creative Africa. She would like to take advantage of more opportunities and
do more print magazine writing.
As the daughter of a diplomat, Mazuba has seen a lot of the
world. Born in Washington, D.C., she has lived in Zambia, Ethiopia, and
Germany.
Gasant Abarder
Gasant Abarder, 34, South Africa- Gasant, like Rose Ramsey,
started his career as an intern. Today, he is the executive editor of the Cape
Argus, Cape Town’s biggest newspaper. He began his current position at the age
of 31, making him the newspaper’s youngest editor since its inception in 1857.
Gasant also had stints as a television reporter on SABC and
e.tv, and as deputy editor of the Daily Voice, becoming its deputy editor. He
is the current Western Cape regional convenor for the South African National
Editors’ Forum.
Gareth Cliff
Gareth Cliff, 34, South Africa- Gareth is a South African
radio DJ currently hosting the weekday breakfast show on 5FM. Cliff started his
radio career at Radio TUKS after which he moved on to Radio 702 as a producer for
a year before taking a DJ spot. Cliff has been a judge on the television show
Idols since 2003.
Gareth, who has a BA in International Studies and Political
Science, grabbed quite a bit of attention in 2010 when he wrote a letter to the
South African government mentioning corruption, the media tribunal, education,
black economic empowerment, inter-departmental power struggles and the renaming
of streets. He also frequently discusses international stories on his morning
show, and appears to have a specific liking for American politics.
Gareth is opinionated, and that often gets him into
‘trouble’ but the fact of the matter is he shows the power the media has in the
21st century. He is the ‘king of social media,’ by far SA’s most followed
individual on Twitter, and we hope he will continue to raise and discuss
important issues such as democracy and development in South Africa and beyond.
Nyasha Matonhodze
Nyasha Matonhodze, 18, Zimbabwe- Nyasha Matonhodze, the Zimbabwean-born was chosen
as the new face of Louis Vuitton, starring in the Maison’s Fall/Winter 2011
advertising campaign. She has already starred in Teen Vogue and Harper’s
Bazaar, and has walked down dozens of runway shows.
At 14, her mother and father went into Elite Models to see
if she could actually model. Since she was 12, she was tall and thin so she
would always get the whole ‘you should be a model’, but she never really
developed a serious interest about it until ‘America’s Next Top Model’. Nyasha’s grateful to her father for
teaching her “the Christian way of life” and to her mother for being such an
inspiration.
“She was a single mother at 18 who moved to London without
knowing anyone. She’s always worked hard and seeing her overcome so much in
life has been an inspiration for me.”
She
has the beauty and brains of a Norma Jean Darden wise to the modelling business
and knows how it can rock with confidence. More importantly, she has become the
new face of Zimbabwe, which helps focuses peoples attention on the current
issues in her birth country
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