Celebrate Africa Achievements Awards (Denmark)

“Celebrate Africa is pleased to inform you that you are nominated for African Male 2010 … and therefore acknowledges the contribution you are making as an African”. Read the email that Charles Kinga received from the organizing committee of Celebrate Africa. And for sure Kinga walked straight to the podium without hesitating to receive his award for the African Male 2010 at the Celebrate African Achievements Award which was held in Frederiksberg Radisson Hotel on 25th September 2010. In his short and straight to the point ad lib speech he mentioned and I quote “I am so honored to receive this award, thank you all for the trust and voting for me..”

Born at the famous Pumwani Maternity hospital, in Nairobi, Kinga, attended both his primary and Secondary schools in Kenya and then proceeded to India for his University education and it was while in India, he acquired his Bachelor degrees. He also ventured into business as the proprietor of a reggae club called “Simba Ngoma” before moving to his current base in Denmark, where he has taken three major points of interest - Academics, Music and Entrepreneurship to the next level and is looking forward to ice the cake with a doctorate at the University of Copenhagen. Currently he is working on implementing his Master’s degree thesis: “Taming Modernity- Understanding Emerging Trends in Political Electioneering in Kenya” which was praised as one of the most innovative and groundbreaking academic work at the Centre. All this activity, earned Charles a nomination ticket in the Best African Achievement Awards.

It was so evident that Charles was very happy out of the outcome and he lamented, “I saw it coming”

Being its third year on the scene, Celebrate Africa had some good characters in the nomination list ranging from Entrepreneurs, Scholars, Sports and Arts as well. The awards ceremony is a Danish initiative founded by Abraham Walyejjemu and Syriaque Jared Ta Thomsen with the purpose of promoting the positive aspects of the African continent and the African people.

The awards event still continues to be a pioneering and unique event in Denmark; acknowledging the efforts of Africans and anyone in Denmark who has Africa at heart. The event is a celebration of the hard working people who are trying to make an impact on the African map which is usually portrayed in a negative manner. Celebrate Africa also acts as a platform for networking, as all winners are integrated and well established in the Danish society, which makes them role models to inspire others.

One part I think that people really liked was the designs from Georgina Nabwire who was also a nominee in the “Creative category”. From set to set, her unique designs stood out. Beautiful models displayed her collection and in return, guests rose from their seats and their reaction was whistles and hand-claps which echoed through the auditorium. After the event was over, a winner from last year approached and told her “you ought to make one of those designs for me Georgina ”!

Winners in different categories included:
Ayan Mouhoumed (Somalia) - African Young Achiever 2010

Baisikeli - African Charity & Community work of the Year 2010

The South African Bar (South Africa) - African Business of the Year 2010

W’afande (Tanzania/France/Denmark) - African Upcoming Artist of the Year 2010

Dj Brown Veve (Uganda) - African DJ of the Year 2010

Citizen21 - African initiative of the year 2010

J&J INC (Ghana/Gambia) - African Promoter of the Year 2010 … And many more
The atmosphere of the place seemed cool and very easy going as nominees and guests were interacting and entertaining each other. So I approach Dj Jazz and asked him how he feels about his nomination and he responds by saying “I am so happy to be here, plus I feel much honored to be nominated in the category Best African DJ”

Moses Malone, Wafande, Sylvester, Sara are some of the artists who graced the event by their music performances.

Hella Joof and Dr. Robert Annan were awarded honorary Awards.

Apart from that, the smiles and laughter’s there was indeed a clear sign that people were having a great evening at the Best African Achievements Awards 2010.