Johannesburg, 27 March 2023 (TDI): Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa, Naledi Pandor hosted the Charlotte Maxeke African Women Leadership Awards on Saturday, 25 March 2023.

Charlotte Maxeke African Women Leadership Awards are part of South Africa’s series of celebrations of Charlotte Maxeke’s living legacy announced by Minister Pandor in 2021.

During the inauguration of the ceremony, the Minister of International Relations urged African women to follow the selfless example of Charlotte Maxeke to uplift others.

Charlotte Maxeke was a South African religious leader and social and political activist. She was the first woman in South Africa to attain a Bachelor of Science degree in 1901. Her commitment to social justice and education are highly remarkable in Africa.

The event aimed at recognizing and honoring exceptional African Women leaders whose achievements, influence & contributions have advanced Africa’s development in various sectors of society, including diplomacy, media, sports Business & community services.

In the field of Diplomacy, the Charlotte Maxeke African Women leadership award was given to the Ambassador Gertrude Mongella of Tanzania, for her remarkable commitments.

Ambassador Mongella became a Vice Chairperson of the World Conference assessing their achievements of the UN decade for women in 1985 four years later she become a Tanzanian representative to the Commission on the Status of Women.

She also became Tanzania’s Goodwill Ambassador to the World Health Organization, a special advisor to the Economic Commission of Africa, and a member of the AU’s African Women’s Committee for Peace and Development.

In the field of Sports, Banyana Banyana, the South African National Women’s Football team was honored with Charlotte Maxeke’s award.

The South African National Women’s Team won the Women’s African Cup of Nations for the first time in 2022. Further, they also qualified for FIFA’s Women’s World Cup.

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Furthermore, Farida Charity from Uganda was honored with the Charlotte Maxeke African Women leadership award for supporting peace in Uganda.

Farida Charity is a community leader and peace advocate supporting peace initiatives in conflict-affected northern Uganda.

She started activism for peace at a young age. At a young age, she participated in peace negotiations with Uganda National Rescue Fund which led to a formal peace agreement between rebels and the government.

The other winners of the awards are Eleni Giokos, Lerato Mbele, Karabo Poppy Moletsane, Queen Ndlovu, Sibongile Rejoice Sambo, and Elizabeth Mpofu from the fields of Media, Businesses, and ICT.