Meet our 2018 winners

GEOFFREY KAKAIRE

Living Legend 2018

Ugandan born Geoffrey is the CEO and founder of GKK Migration Services in Sydney helping so many struggling African asylum seekers to process visas for over three decades. He is co-founder of a Health Education Centre in Uganda.

RUFFEIN TSHIAMALA-MPOY

Academic Excellence Award 2018

Born in DRC, Ruffin has contributed to the upliftment of the African community through his work with the Department of Immigration and Border Protection. He also has a Master's in International Trade and Diplomacy.

PHILLIMON ZONGO

Professional Excellence Award 2018

Authored “The Five Anchors of Cyber Resilience”, a contemporary strategy book that absorbs the complexity associated with cyber security and passes on practical guidance to business leaders. The book instantly became an Amazon Best Seller.

SIMBA MAREKERA

Community Support (OAA Study)

Simba is a Zimbabwean native with a Master of Applied Finance and Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. He is a co-founder and Chair of Ignition Impact, an angel investor network focused on facilitating small private equity and debt investments.

DR. RHODA NDANUKO

Academic Excellence Award 2018

She is Kenyan born and has a PhD in Nutrition and Dietetics from the University of Wollongong. Rhoda’s research was on salt reduction for overall health especially blood pressure and she continues to work towards that in her current employment

STELLA LUFU

Community Engagement Award 2018

Her desire is to see people both raised up and empowered within the African communities in NSW. She is a champion of women and an advocate for women rights. She is also a mentor for young girls living in NSW.

PC DIVINE

Community Engagement Award 2018

Divine is a pioneer MC, DJ, radio personality originally from Cameroon & Nigeria. He is a well-known figure in the music industry and has recently released his album for 2018 with smash hits like Mammy Yoyo.

NONNIE NJIHIA

Professional Excellence Award 2018

Nonnie is a finance and risk professional. A qualified CPA, with a Masters of Commerce specializing in Accounting from Macquarie University. She is also past president of African Professionals of Australia NSW (APA ).

PRECIOUS MULEYA

Inspiration Personality Award 2018

She is a role model to other girls in the way she conducts herself in the community. She is involved with various projects and is helpful to others especially the elderly. She has completed Diploma in Laboratory Technology

JACKIE MULEYA

Community Engagement Award 2018

Born in Lesotho, Jackie currently runs various projects for African women and girls in NSW Western Sydney. She has a real concern and desire to see women empowered and uplifted. She mentors young mothers and girls through various programs.

BOCK MAN PAS MAN

Professional Excellence Award 2018

He has been making waves on the music scene both local and international of late. Bock Man Pas Man recently released his "Country Flag EP in Sydney, Australia which is currently streaming on all music platforms worldwide.

ANGELA ASEMOTA

Entrepreneurship Award 2018

A Nigerian born business mogul and a pacesetter in fashion and styles, Angela Asemota is the CEO of Bag`s World and Clothing lines in Australia. A serial entrepreneur with many shops in different locations in Australia

OLA OBOLO-FAREO

Entrepreneurship Award 2018

Nigerian born with a passion for promoting African fashion, craft and culture, Ola holds a Master degree in International Relations. She is past Vice President of the Nigerian Association and runs her own Africa shop No.1 African Choice.

HUDU ALHASSAN

Entrepreneurship Award 2018

Hudu is the man behind the famous successful brand of African Feeling Restaurant in Sydney, Newtown that is a meeting place for Africans over the years. He is famous for his African cuisines that have been an attractions to all people including non-Africans.

KEVIN OSIFO

Champion Award 2018

Born in Nigeria, Kevin has owned the entertainment industry in NSW. Through his brand ‘The Box’ entertainment, Kevin has become an inspiration to many African Australians. His passion, determination and dedication can never go unnoticed.

AUSSIE BOOKS FOR ZIM

Projects in Africa

Aussie Books for Zim is an Australian registered charity that collects books and stationery from Australian communities, schools, families and individuals to set up school libraries in rural Zimbabwe. The organisation seeks to improve literacy in these communities, in order to empower children with knowledge and the confidence to contribute to shaping the world.

CARING HEARTS FOUNDATION

Projects in Africa

Caring Hearts Foundation was founded by Barbara Mutanda as a way of giving back to her community in Sierra Leone. The charity still in the budding stages has helped orphans who’s parents were affected by the deadly Ebola outbreak. Barbara is also a Registered Nurse working at West Meade Hospital.

DR. MARTHA MHEREKUMOMBE

Champion Award 2018

Martha is a palliative pediatrician, a champion for terminally ill children who has conducted extensive research in pediatric care with 26 years of medical experience. She has a Masters of Medicine (Pediatrics) - University of Melbourne

SIMBA MUSHETE

Community Engagement Award 2018

A “Born musician “ in KweKwe, Zimbabwe, Simba is the director and lead singer of Echoes of African Music. With a very strong passion for music, Simba also teaches traditional African Instruments to children..

MORE BLESSING MATURURE

Professional Excellence Award 2018

She is a Zimbabwean/Australian inter-disciplinary artist. With a lot of experience in writing, performance directing and producing. Alongside her personal practice, Moreblessing engages in a advocacy and consultancy work.

ALFRED CHIDEMBO

Humanitarian Award 2018

CEO and Founder of Aussie Books for Zim, a charity that helps set up libraries in remote rural schools in Zimbabwe. Alfred is based in Wollongong and is an inspirational mentor and leader for all Australians.

STANLEY KIPTOO KOISER

Community Engagement Award 2018

He is Kenyan born and has a Bachelor of Accounting. Stanley is one of the founders of Kenyans in Sydney Welfare Association (KISWA) and serves as secretary of the Association. He also works with GLAPD Int.

ISAAC SEREM

Community Engagement Award 2018

Born and raised in Kenya. Isaac has a Bachelor of Information Technology Business Systems and he is Chairman of Kenyans In Sydney Welfare Association (KISWA). Also Director of Programs for Great Lakes Agency for Peace and Development (GLAPD).

RAHAB MUTHONI

Community Engagement Award 2018

Rahab is a pivotal player in the Kenyan community of NSW known for promoting events and networking. She is currently studying Bachelors in Psychological Science and Criminology. She is also a serving member of KISWA.

AROM MUKUEI

Young African Achiever 2018

South Sudanese Arom is a self-driven and inspirational character with high determination to succeed in anything she does. She is an entrepreneur/ event organizer & promoter. She owns Legacy X Nightclub & Caribbean Vibes.

ISSAKA ISSAH

Professional Excellence Award 2018

Born in Accra Ghana, Issaka began his professional Kick boxing career in 2006 while representing Ghana. He later on took on Boxing when he arrived in Sydney in 2014 and since then he has owned the ring with outstanding results.

LILY NADA

African Culture Promotion Award '18

Born Ethiopia Lily is a leading fashion designer with creative photo shoots and fashion show with models. In all her work, she promotes African fashion and designs in New South Wales and other states.

VIVENS MUTEGA

Professional Excellence Award 2018

Newly elected President of Rwandan Community of New South Wales; He is also an entrepreneur helping his community and others to strive for success. Board Member of New Hope International Ministries (NHIM).

SAHARA DIAMOND

Friend of Africa 2018

Sahara is Japanese speaking Australian born, with a spirit of Africa residing in her. She has for a long time supported New Life International Children's Development Centre in Cape Coast, Ghana and also done boxing promotions in both Ghana and Kenya.

MARGARET MERCY AKONGO

Champion Award 2018

Mercy currently runs a charity, `This Life Foundation` which is supporting child-headed families in Northern Uganda. Mercy also supports a children`s home in Kenya called The Good Samaritan Children Home in Mathare slum in Nairobi.

DJ BAMPIA

Entertainment Award 2018

Born in Sierra Leonne, Bampia has made his passion for music known in Australia. He is a guest DJ in various states and embraces all occasions from birthday parties to massive gatherings.

RACS

Community Service Excellence 2018

Refugee Advise and Casework Services (RACS) is the pre-eminent and longest running Refugee Community Legal Centre in NSW. Close to 30 years, RACS has established a solid reputation as the leading provider of free, expert legal services to people seeking asylum & refugees.

KNIT FOR LIFE FOUNDATION

Projects in Africa

Knit for Life is a charity providing an income to a community of women artisan knitters in the Chatsworth area of Masvingo Province of South East Zimbabwe.The skilled Zimbabwean knitters work with pride and attention to detail to create a bespoke range of cotton knitwear that has been designed in Australia for the Australian market.

AMANDA WYZENBEEK

Champion Award 2018

Born of Zambia/Zimbabwe parents, Amanda is business owner of Amanda Mavunga Architects. She is manager of Airport design at Sydney domestic and International Airport. She also mentors women in business and young girls on education.

GOODSON MULEYA

Community Engagement Award 2018

Goodson has a great and very real affection for the people of Africa living in NSW. He is known for empowering and assisting asylum seekers, refugees and also African Students who come to Australia.

MATTHIAS O. EHIZUA

Community Support (EdFin Group)

Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Matthias is co-founder of the EdFin Group that provides short term loans to international students. He has a Master of Taxation

in Taxation and Financial Planning and a Bachelor of Commerce.

ESTHER KAHUMBURU

Champion Award 2018

Esther works for the Commonwealth Bank of Australia as an Actuary in life insurance. She has a Masters in Economics and a double degree Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Economics. She also mentors high school students.

FATMANTA BANGURA

Academic Excellence Award 2018

Originally from Sierra Leone, Fatmanta is Young Australian of the year award winner. She has a Medical Science degree from Macquarie University. She is also a Member and sponsor of Kanga Schools in Sierra Leone

JULIET SAO GOLIA

Humanitarian Award 2018

She is founder of Beauties With Brain, an organisation helping girls in Sierra Leone to achieve a bright future. Juliet also works with the NSW Youth Development Program as youth ambassador for MYAN and volunteers for the Salvation Army.

HAWANATU BANGURA

Professional Excellence Award 2018

An award-winning filmmaker and social worker born in Sierra Leone. She has written, directed and produced short films in various genres. Her film ‘I am Black and Beautiful’ won Best Short Documentary at the Montreal Black Film Festival.

ABIGAIL BIRGEN

Young African Achiever 2018

Originally from Kenya, Abigail has a deep passion for visual arts, photography and film and hopes to become a Photojournalist or a Film Director in the near future. Her love for photography is always evident and can not go unnoticed.

FLORENCE MUGO

Community Engagement Award 2018

Born in Kenya, Florence is a common face in the wider African community known for helping others especially mothers. She has previously served on the executive committee of Kenyans In Sydney Welfare Association (KISWA).

KENNETH MUFUMBIRO

Champion Award 2018

Born and bred in Ugandan, Ken is former Chairman of National Australia Bank’s African Australian Inclusion Program (AAIP) in NSW and works at NAB in the Financial Markets domain. He is current President of APA .

TINO IHEME

Professional Excellence Award 2018

Tino is an Actor/Model proudly born and bred in Nigeria. With such a strong passion in film, Tino has already starred in various movies including Survive or Die (supporting Role) Australia, Chaos of the gods (Lead) Nigeria, and many others

Det. GAVIN DENGATE

Friend of Africa 2018

Gavin, through his portfolio with the NSW Police has been the sponsor for the safety and well-being of international students in NSW. This is done through different programs that have built closer and lasting relationships with International Students including many from Africa.

JUSTIC PEACOCK

Top Achiever Award 2018

J A Y is a dynamic and virtuoso Gospel singer and songwriter. He is also a creative audio-visual designer, sound engineer, and the CEO of ‘Last Stop Media Production (LST). Through his profession, he engages the community at all fronts.

CHRISTOPHER COLE

Community Engagement Award 2018

One of the most hardworking African Australians Down Under. He excels in all his professional work and loves to help other members of the community. He has taken on community leadership serving in different roles.

SHUKRANI FOUNDATION

Projects in Africa

Shukrani Home Foundation aims to improve the situation of vulnerable children in Kenya by taking care of their housing, food, education and healthcare in a way that meets their vulnerability. The foundation carries out all its activities within the framework of Christianity.

AFRICAN ENTERPRISE

Humanitarian Award 2018

AE supporters have brought peace, reconciliation and hope to African nations for 50 years and saved countless lives. Their unique evangelistic approach involves mobilising thousands of local volunteers and churches in African nations to bring the Good News of Jesus to city people in Sub-Saharan and North Africa.

CELEBRATION OF AFRICAN AUSTRALIANS NSW

Meet our 2018 winners

Celebration of African Australians NSW