Africa: Graça Machel Honoured With Prestigious Awards for Her Lifelong Advocacy

2 September 2024
Graça Machel Trust (Johannesburg)
press release By The Graça Machel Trust

The DVF Awards

At the time of publishing this newsletter she had just been one of the honourees at the Diane von Furstenberg (DVF) Awards. The DVF Awards were founded in 2010 by the Diller-von Furstenberg Family Foundation to recognise and support extraordinary women. Each year, five awards are bestowed to women who have demonstrated leadership, strength, and courage in their commitment to women's causes.

Mama Machel was in great company this year with other honourees:

The Right Honourable Dame Jacinda Ardern, Alessandra Kustermann, Reem Hajajreh (Women Of The Sun) & Yael Admi (Women Wage Peace) and Xiye Bastida.

In her acceptance speech Mama Graça Machel said: "Being a woman is the best gift to humanity, because we can transform, we can change, we can bring a brighter future for everyone."

"I am incredibly emotional. I have never felt so much energy. Tonight we are celebrating women who are truly extraordinary, magical women. Women who have demonstrated courage, strength, compassion, dignity and leadership," concluded Diane von Furstenberg.

Read more about this magical night: https://bit.ly/3z05Agu

African Philanthropy Lifetime Achievement

Mama Machel was recently honoured with the African Philanthropy Lifetime Achievement Award at the 5th Annual African Philanthropic Conference in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, in July . She had won the award in 2022 and was able to attend and receive it in person this year. The award celebrates her enduring contributions as a fighter for liberation and an advocate for women and children in Africa and beyond. Watch a short clip of her speech here.

Forbes Woman Africa Lifetime Achievement Award

In March 2024, she received the Forbes Woman Africa Lifetime Achievement Award in Johannesburg for her lifelong dedication to promoting equitable rights and improving lives, rooted in Mozambique's quest for independence.

The Democracy Award

Additionally, in December 2023, the National Democratic Institute (NDI) in Washington D.C. awarded her the Democracy Award, acknowledging her significant impact on democracy and human rights. Mama Machel's journey and the recognition she has received inspire us to continue advancing her mission of building a just and equitable world. Read her NDI acceptance speech here.

Read the original article on Graça Machel Trust.

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