Meet our hero of the week, Patrick Mwalua, a Kenyan man fighting to save vulnerable wildlife in the country’s drought affected region. Mwalua drives hours every day in the heat to bring water to wild animals in Tsavo National Park as famine continues killing more animals in Kenya’s game reserves. A crowd funding initiative on GoFundMe has been created to help fund the water delivery project. The campaign has raised well over $131,000 so far.
Africans rising
Africans rising Meet Tafadzwa Moyo: First Zimbabwean to exhibit at the International Fashion Showcase
For the first time, Zimbabwe will be represented at the International Fashion Showcase (IFS). IFS will host its sixth edition in London at the Somerset House where emerging designers from 28 countries will exhibit their talent. The founder of Kidd Hunta clothing, Tafadzwa Moyo, the first Zimbabwean to participate at IFS will be in London to showcase his remarkable work. We wish Tafadzwa Moyo all the best.
Africans rising Meet Imelme Umana: First Black Woman President Of the Harvard Law Review
It’s Black History Month in the U.S. and there’s no better way to kick-start the month with the remarkable news, the appointment of Nigerian Imelme Umana as the first black woman president of the Harvard Law Review. The Harvard Law Review is considered the most prestigious law review in the U.S. We applaud this historic achievement and celebrate black excellence.
Africans rising Meet Babajide Olatunji: The Dancing Artist
Young African artists don’t easily get the opportunity to get their work exhibited on an international stage. Talented Nigerian artist Babajide Olatunji managed to achieve the seemingly impossible. At the age of 24 in 2014, TAFETA gallery exhibited Olatunji’s work, Tribal Mark Series I in London, and the artist hasn’t looked back since the breakthrough.
Africans rising Meet Proscovia Nalweyiso, appointed Uganda’s first female Major General
In 2011, Proscovia Nalweyiso became the first female Brigadier General in Uganda, a noteworthy achievement, which was celebrated across the continent. Fast-forward to 2017, the country has recorded another remarkable milestone, the promotion of Brig Nalweyiso to the rank of Major General. With the appointment, Nalweyiso becomes the country’s first female Major General, and one of the few women across the continent to hold such a powerful military position. We applaud and congratulate Maj Gen Nalweyiso on the historic achievement.
Africans rising Meet Second Lieutenant Thokozile Muwamba, Zambia’s first female fighter pilot
Last year, 19 year-old Besa Mumba, became Zambia’s youngest commercial pilot, an achievement which was widely celebrated across the continent. Fast-forward six months, Zambia is celebrating yet another remarkable accomplishment, as 24-year-old Second Lieutenant Thokozile Muwamba becomes the country’s first female fighter pilot. We applaud Lt Muwamba’s historic achievement.
Africans rising Meet Nyeleti Nokwazi Nkwinika: First deaf student from Wits to graduate with Masters in South African Sign Language
Witwatersrand University (Wits) student Nyeleti Nokwazi Nkwinika, who is deaf and uses South African Sign Language as her first language, has recorded a remarkable first, graduating with a Master of Arts (MA) degree by dissertation in South African Sign Language (SASL) using filmed SASL as the language to report on her research. Nkwinika is the first person (Deaf or hearing) to receive a Master’s from the SASL Department and the first Wits graduate to use a marginalised language (SASL) to report on her research. Congratulations on the remarkable accomplishement.
Africans rising Meet first Ugandan inventor to hold a patent for safety liquid dosing dispenser
Ugandan inventor Philip Mukoza Mpaata has become the country’s first pharmacist to hold a patent for a drug dosing device. Mpaata’s safety dispenser for liquid medicines was early this year patented in the UK. The patent for Syringe Operated System (SYROPS) was granted by the UK patent office on January 26, 2016 with subsequent publication in the UK Patents Journal on February 24, 2016.
Africans rising South Africa’s Thuli Madonsela awarded Forbes Africa’s 2016 Person of the Year accolade
South Africa’s former Public Protector Thuli Madonsela has been awarded this year’s Forbes Africa Person of the Year accolade for her unwavering fight against corruption and “quest to bring inconsistencies to the fore.” Madonsela is the sixth recipient of the prestigious accolade, which started in 2011. In the past, the award has been won by accomplished entrepreneurs, and this year marks the first time that the accolade has been won by an individual who is not a business person.