2019 was another of African excellence and achievement. And whether the success came in the arena business, global politics or the football pitch, the following heroes gave Africa plenty of reason to be proud.
In Kenya’s sporting scene, Kenyan athletes enjoyed a stellar 2019, breaking records across the world and elevating the country’s reputation as an athletics powerhouse to new global heights.
From Eliud Kipchoge’s historic 1:59:40 run in Vienna that made him the first man to complete the distance in under 2 hours to Brigid Kosgei’s sensational run in Chicago that broke the long-standing women’s world marathon record.
In the education sector, Peter Tabichi was crowned the Global teacher winner.
He was selected from 10,000 other nominees from 179 countries globally for his work at Keriko Secondary School in Nakuru, Kenya
Peter gives away 80% of his income to help the poor. He was recently appointed as the first “Champion for Children in Conflicts and Crisis” for Education Cannot Wait, the global fund for education in crisis.
Tabichi was the first African teacher to receive this prestigious international award.
In South Africa, Zozibini Tunzi was crowned Miss Universe making her the first black African woman to win the renowned beauty pageant
Tunzi, a 26-year-old gender violence activist, said she was forced to abandon her studies for a year because of her family’s economic difficulties, but her modeling work allowed her to continue her education.
She said she grew up in a world where women who looked like her were not seen as beautiful. It is time for this to end, she said.
Siya Kolisi became the first black captain to lead the South Africa rugby world cup team Springboks to global glory at the Rugby World Cup.
He recently won the Peace and Sport Award for “Champion of the Year” for his commitment to education and social cohesion.
In Uganda, Jessica Nabongo became the first black woman to visit every country in the world—that is, 195 total UN member countries and observing states, including the Vatican and Palestine.
Nabongo born of Ugandan parents but lives in America has been traveling since the age of 6.
In Nigeria, Temie Giwa-Tubosun walked away with the top $250,000 cash prize from the $1 million available from the Africa Netpreneur Prize Initiative (ANPI), started by Chinese investor Jack Ma.
It was the first annual prize for African businesses done by Jack Ma Initiative
In Ethiopia, Abiy Ahmed was awarded the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize.
The Nobel committee honoured Africa’s youngest leader at 43 — for the spectacular progress in the months after he took power in April 2018
His efforts to achieve peace and international cooperation
Activist Freweini Mebrahtu’s effort in providing tens of thousands of free menstrual kits to girls is helping stamp out the stigma associated with menstruation.
Her Dignity Period program helped record 24% increase in school attendance by girls where the pads are offered.
