This year’s prestigious German Africa Prize has been awarded to democracy activist Namatai Kwekweza from Zimbabwe.
The 26-year-old is being honored by the German Africa Foundation for her unwavering commitment to the rule of law and democracy in her home country, DW learned exclusively from the German Africa Foundation. DW is a media partner of the award.
The women’s and youth activist offers a “resounding message of confidence and democratic renewal,” according to the 20-member independent jury. It had selected Kwekweza from more than two dozen nominees in the final round.
At the age of 18, Namatai Kwekweza founded the WELEAD Trust, an organization that trains young leaders and works to involve them in political decision-making processes.
In the increasingly repressive climate in Zimbabwe, she is fighting for the rule of law and political participation. Kwekweza has risked a lot for this: she has been arrested several times and has reported torture and intimidation attempts. Every achievement has its price, says Kwekweza.
“At the end of the day, we have to choose our hard,” Kwekweza told DW.
“If you’re abducted for speaking truth to power, if you’re in prison for speaking truth to power, it’s hard, but if you’re waking up and you’re living a life, a shell of a life that is limited in opportunity and possibility, that is also hard.”
Representative of a new generation
Receiving the German Africa Prize came as a surprise, the young activist admitted. She went on to work her way through the award’s history.
“And when I did have the opportunity to go through past recipients of the award, since it started in the ’90s, I am in awe that I do fall on that list of individuals,” said Kwekweza.
This was also thanks to her community and the team at WELEAD Africa, Kwekweza pointed out. And she feels “deep gratitude” to receive this award as a representative of a young generation. “This award itself will be instrumental in making sure that we have a lot more spotlight on the work that we are doing.”
It is a paradigm shift that also played a role in the jury’s decision, explained jury chair Claus Stäcker, Director Programs for Africa at DW.
“Young people across the continent are campaigning for a say in decision-making, transparency, and social change, as demonstrated by the protest movements of Generation Z in countries like Kenya, Madagascar, Tanzania and Cameroon,” Stäcker said.
For the jury, Namatai Kwekweza is a prime example not only of protest, but of a “new generation of democrats, courageously taking responsibility and helping to shape the future of their countries.”
The prize is regarded as the highest German recognition for deserving Africans. It is awarded by the German Africa Foundation — a nonpartisan foundation committed to promoting a more nuanced image of Africa within the political arena and among the German public.
Since 1993, it has honored individuals from the African continent who have made an exceptional contribution to democracy, peace, human rights, sustainable development, research, art, culture, or social issues in Africa.
Last year, the Mayor of the Sierra Leonean capital Freetown, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, received the award. Other recipients include COVID researchers Tulio de Oliveira and Sikhulile Moyo, former Botswana President Ketumile Masire and Somali activists Waris Dirie and Ilwad Elman.
This year’s prize will be presented on November 26 by Bundestag President Julia Klöckner.
Privilege Musvanhiri in Harare contributed reporting
Edited by: Keith Walker
