The modern-day African Renaissance is today being watered by the amazing organisers of these African Women of Excellence Award, who through its supra binoculars, fished out some of the very best of the womenfolk in Africa, gathered them together right at the very Horn of the continent Africa – South Africa, the rainbow country, to serve as a melting pot for the meeting of phenomenal women leaders of Africa.
This singular act of today is one of the manifestations of the visions of African leaders who have through ingenious hindsight made prophetic remarks about the great things to occur in Africa.
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I vividly remember Dr Nelson Mandela, the late Madiba, who in 1963 said “I fought black domination and I fought white domination”. What was he trying to teach us here?
That domination of any kind is not acceptable no matter who is concerned. Mandela also made us appreciate the famous speech of Martin Luther King in which he said, “I have a dream that one day people will be judged by the content of their character and not by the colour of their skin”.
This is the African dream we all desire and it is my prayer that we live up to this dream. So let us celebrate Africa’s diversity, Africa’s inclusiveness and our humanity because it costs nothing.
What makes us African? Am I African by the way I look? No, we are African by our actions, by the love we show to Africa. By the value we add to Africa, that is what defines an African and not just the colour of our skin.
The greatest assets as an African woman are, first humility of purpose, of person, of character and of attitude. I have learnt this in all my working years with the Yorubas. Secondly, choosing one’s battles, at work and at home to ensure peace of mind and thirdly, practicing to be a woman of silence. It is not everyone who provokes that you respond to, save your energy for more positive things, and fight only the battles that are necessary.
Why am I getting this award? Am I getting this award because I am the best thing that came out of Nigeria, am I getting this award because of my 31 years of high flying jobs?
No, this award is for the small part we have each played in delivering the African promise because we are our brothers’ keepers.
In giving, we must give wholeheartedly and give until it hurts. The type of giving expected of us is sacrificial giving. One can give one’s talent, time or treasure. Over the past 11 years, I have been giving 1000 per cent of what I earn. So there is nothing like 10 per cent, you give as much as your heart desires. We have been giving to empower the African youth, as well as empowering the widows and downtrodden, it is our duty.
“I thank His Excellency, Chief Willie Obiano the Executive Governor of Anambra State where I serve as cabinet member of my state for deeming it necessary for me to be here to receive this award. Indeed this award is for the people of Anambra.
Imagine the global impact of a synergy between South Africa and Nigeria; this is the opportunity this award is creating today.
I dedicate this award first to God, then to Anambra State. I dedicate this award to Nigeria, I dedicate this award to the African girl child struggling to be educated and finally I dedicate this award to the ‘can do’ spirit of the African woman.
Let us celebrate Africa’s diversity, let us celebrate Africa’s inclusiveness, and let us celebrate Africa without borders.
Being an excerpt from the speech delivered by Mrs Sally Mbanefo, Anambra State Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs, Indigenous Artworks , Culture and Tourism on the occasion of Women of Excellence Award in South Africa on Septmber 30, 2018.
and then