Yvonne Chaka Chaka wins International Global Good Star and Power Award at the 2017 International BET Awards

South African icon Yvonne Chaka Chaka took home top honours at the BET International Awards, receiving the International Global Good Star and Power Award.  The Princess of Africa shared the moment with Ilwad Elman, a Somali-Canadian social activist as individuals who champion endeavor to positively impact change and heighten awareness in different parts of the world.

South African President Jacob Zuma congratulated music legend and humanitarian, Chaka Chaka on the award.

“It is indeed a proud moment for South Africa and we congratulate Ms Chaka Chaka, the Princess of Africa, for winning this prestigious award in honour of her excellent work and leadership in the humanitarian sphere by helping those affected by malaria, HIV and Aids as well as tuberculosis. We applaud her good work in contributing to building a better society,” said President Zuma.

South African actress Nomzamo Mbatha joined Eva Marcille in co-hosting the BET International Awards presentation.

Yvonne Chaka Chaka’s foundation, Princess of Africa Foundation, has provided humanitarian aid across society, she individually has taught literacy, promoted the rights of women and worked to protect children everywhere additionally fulfilling the role of UNICEF’s goodwill ambassador against malaria and ambassador for Roll-Back Malaria campaign.

Read: Yvonne Chaka Chaka honoured with the 2017 BET International Global Good Star and Power award

The singer took to Twitter on Monday morning to thank BET for the prestigious award.

Yvonne Chaka Chaka is an internationally renowned singer, songwriter, entrepreneur, humanitarian and teacher. Yvonne is a legend in the South African popular music scene, with a 27 year career and hits such as “Umqombothi.”

Read: Wizkid scoops Best International Act: Africa at the BET Awards

Outside of her musical career, Yvonne is a champion for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria; the United Nations MDG Envoy for Africa; and the Goodwill Ambassador for the Roll Back Malaria Partnership. She was chosen by the late former president Nelson Mandela as the first ambassador for his children’s fund, and has established her own charity, the Princess of Africa Foundation, which is a member of the ACTION global health advocacy partnership. In 2012, she was the first African woman to receive the World Economic Forum’s Crystal Award.

List of the international BET Awards 2017 winners:

BEST INTERNATIONAL: AFRICA – Wizkid (Nigeria)

BEST INTERNATIONAL: EUROPE – Stormzy (UK)

VIEWER’S CHOICE “BEST INTERNATIONAL ACT” – Rayvanny (Tanzania)

GLOBAL GOOD: STAR AWARD – Ilwad Elman (Somalia/Canada)

GLOBAL GOOD: POWER AWARD – Yvonne Chaka Chaka (South Africa)