Former Western Cape premier Ebrahim Rasool and media personality Majota “Phat Joe” Khambule have launched OneAfrica Awards in a bid to honour “Africa excellence”.
Rasool and Kambule are co-founders of OneAfrica — “a powerful new voice within the NGO sphere”.
OneAfrica has partnered the National Lotteries Commission (NLC) and MultiChoice for the awards.
The awards show, which airs on Showmax as a seven-part series, showcase African individuals, communities, and NGOs “whose work enriches solidarity, social cohesion, and the economic advancement of the continent”.
Each episode of the seven-part series features winners who have achieved excellence in entertainment, media, health, education, sustainability, traditional knowledge, and sports.
Rasool said while some categories required deliberation and shortlists, others presented exceptional outliers whose outstanding accolades meritedclear, unanimously championed victory right from the outset.
“We know that when Africans are made aware of the excellence within Africa by fellow Africans, pride is built and conflict gives way to greater understanding,” said Rasool.
“Amid the unprecedented turmoil brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic and global recession, now more than ever it is important that we work together to heal and grow the continent — as well as acknowledging those whose work enriches communities and fosters social solidarity.”
While initially planned as a spectacular gala dinner, the OneAfrica Awards had been strategically reformulated due to the lockdown regulations to be an innovative series of televised broadcasts.
Rasool and Phat Joe's OneAfrica honours 'Africa excellence'
Image: BackPagePix
Former Western Cape premier Ebrahim Rasool and media personality Majota “Phat Joe” Khambule have launched OneAfrica Awards in a bid to honour “Africa excellence”.
Rasool and Kambule are co-founders of OneAfrica — “a powerful new voice within the NGO sphere”.
OneAfrica has partnered the National Lotteries Commission (NLC) and MultiChoice for the awards.
The awards show, which airs on Showmax as a seven-part series, showcase African individuals, communities, and NGOs “whose work enriches solidarity, social cohesion, and the economic advancement of the continent”.
Each episode of the seven-part series features winners who have achieved excellence in entertainment, media, health, education, sustainability, traditional knowledge, and sports.
Rasool said while some categories required deliberation and shortlists, others presented exceptional outliers whose outstanding accolades meritedclear, unanimously championed victory right from the outset.
“We know that when Africans are made aware of the excellence within Africa by fellow Africans, pride is built and conflict gives way to greater understanding,” said Rasool.
“Amid the unprecedented turmoil brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic and global recession, now more than ever it is important that we work together to heal and grow the continent — as well as acknowledging those whose work enriches communities and fosters social solidarity.”
While initially planned as a spectacular gala dinner, the OneAfrica Awards had been strategically reformulated due to the lockdown regulations to be an innovative series of televised broadcasts.
Eastern Cape educator vying for title of best teacher in Africa
Categories and winners:
Cultural Influencer
Burna Boy — Nigerian superstar
Research in Healthcare
Prof Salome Maswime — Obstetrician, Gynaecologist and Professor of global surgery at University of Cape Town (UCT)
Social Media
Zari ‘The Boss Lady’ Hassan — Ugandan socialite, TV star and tycoon-turned-philanthropist
Keepers of Traditional and Local Knowledge
The Karoo Development Foundation — who are one of the last remaining bastions of traditional power for Africa’s oldest people — The Khoisan
Outstanding Person in Sport award
Tendai ‘The Beast’ Mtawarira — Springbok legend
Agriculture and Farming
Dr Brylyne Chitsunge — pan-African agrarian
Excellence in Education
Fred Swaniker — Ghanaian entrepreneur, thought leader and development expert
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