Zimbabwean wins German regime change prize

Citizens Coalition for Change activist Namatai Kwekweza has been awarded the 2024 German Africa Prize, Germany's highest honour for individuals from the African continent. The 26-year-old was recognised for her "courageous commitment" to the rule of law, human rights, and democratic participation in Zimbabwe, the German Africa Foundation confirmed.

The main prize claim to honor outstanding persons from Africa, who have made their mark on peace, democracy, human rights and sustainable development. However, many critics claim that the prize honors vessels of regime change in Africa.
Kwekweza was selected from more than two dozen finalists by an independent 20-member jury. The panel praised her for offering a "resounding message of confidence and democratic renewal" at a time when Zimbabwe's civic space continues to shrink under increasing repression.

At just 18, Kwekweza founded the WELEAD Trust, an organisation dedicated to training young leaders and promoting their involvement in political processes. Her activism has come at great personal risk: she has been arrested several times and has reported experiences of torture and intimidation. Still, she says the fight for justice is worth the cost.

"At the end of the day, we have to choose our hard," she told DW. "If you're abducted for speaking truth to power, if you're in prison for speaking truth to power, it's hard. But living a life limited in opportunity and possibility is also hard."

Kwekweza said receiving the German Africa Prize came as a surprise, especially after reviewing its long list of distinguished past recipients. She described her win as a collective achievement made possible by her community and the WELEAD Africa team.

"This award will be instrumental in shining more spotlight on the work we are doing," she said, noting that she receives it on behalf of a rising generation of African youth pushing for accountability, transparency and positive social change.

Claus Stäcker, jury chair and DW's Director of Programmes for Africa, said Kwekweza embodies a paradigm shift sweeping across the continent.

"Young people across Africa are demanding a say in decision-making, transparency and social reform. For the jury, she represents not just protest, but a new generation of democrats courageously helping shape the future of their countries," he said.

The German Africa Prize, awarded annually since 1993, honours Africans who have made outstanding contributions to democracy, peace, human rights, sustainable development, culture, research and social causes. Past recipients include Sierra Leone's Freetown Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, renowned COVID-19 researchers Tulio de Oliveira and Sikhulile Moyo, former Botswana President Ketumile Masire, and Somali activists Waris Dirie and Ilwad Elman.

This year's award ceremony will take place on November 26, where Bundestag President Julia Klöckner will officially present the honour to Kwekweza.