Gudie Leisure Farm Founder, Dr. Gudula Naiga Basaza Wins AWIEF Award
Dr. Gudula Naiga Basaza was among the 8 winners who were announced at the awards ceremony that took place at the Marriott Hotel Melrose Arch in Johannesburg
The Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) has announced its winners of the 2021 AWIEF Awards, and among the winners recognized is Dr. Gudula Naiga Basaza who won the Social Entrepreneur Award.
The awards winners were announced at the awards ceremony and gala dinner during the AWIEF 2021 Conference, Africa’s leading women entrepreneurship event. Renowned South African singer, Yvonne Chaka Chaka aka The Princess of Africa, wowed the audience with her awesome performance and entertainment.
Each year (since 2017) the AWIEF Awards recognize, honor, and celebrate amazing women entrepreneurs and business owners in Africa and across industry sectors, for their economic performance and contribution to Africa’s growth and social development. These awards salute these African women for their passion and determination in making a difference in their respective countries across Africa.
Following the AWIEF Award nomination, twenty-four (24) emerged as finalists, selected by an independent panel of judges. Out of the 24, only 8 women entrepreneurs and business owners were announced as winners at the awards ceremony in the Marriot Hotel in Johannesburg on December 3rd, 2021.
“It was an absolute delight to judge the AWIEF Awards once again this year. The standard and quality of the nominations and businesses continue to be high,” Birgitta Cederstrom, Frost & Sullivan’s Business Development Director for Middle East and Africa, said in a press statement.
The eight inspirational and outstanding African women entrepreneurs were found to excel in creating opportunities and positively impacting lives and communities, driving growth for Africa.
The eight winners were from Ethiopia, Ghana, Mali, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda, and Zimbabwe.
Dr. Gudula Naiga Basaza, Founder and Managing Director of Gudie Leisure Farm Uganda won the Social Entrepreneur Award.
“Thank you so much for recognizing my work, it means a lot to me and may God bless you all,” said Gudula, in a virtual acceptance speech, participating online from her home in Uganda.
Gudula Naiga Basaza is an associate Professor of Bishop Stuart University. She is also a business leader as well as an academician and social infopreneur. She holds a PhD from the University of Ghent, Masters Degree in Science Education from the University of York and Bachelors Degree from Makerere University. She is an author of 2 books, 12 songs, 55 manuals and inventor of organic farming products. She works in 352 Parishes in 27 districts of Uganda reaching 112,521 value chain linked Youth.
The other winners of the 2021 AWIEF Awards are;
- Tao Boyle, Co-founder and COO, FoondaMate (South Africa) — won Young Entreprenur Award.
- Cynthia Asije, Creative Director, The Adirelounge (Nigeria) — won the Creative Industry Award.
- Ivy Barley, Co-founder, Developers in Vogue Foundation (Ghana) — won the Tech Entrepreneur Award.
- Hadia M. Gondji, Founder and Managing Director, Hadiya Seed Production and Agro Industry Plc (Ethiopia) — won the Agri Entrepreneur Award.
- Josephine Takundwa, CEO, Earthlink Technologies (Zimbabwe) — won the Energy Entrepreneur Award.
- Djénéba Gory, Co-founder and COO, Suadela (Mali) — won the Empowerment Award.
- Margaret Hirsch, Co-founder and Executive Director, Hirsch’s Homestores (South Africa) — won the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Margareth Hirsch felt honored winning the Lifetime Achievement Award and had an encouraging message for all female entrepreneurs out there.
“My mission was to become financially independent so I could make my own choices. We women must become our own financial persons. We are all winners, let us be strong and take over. Know that it is possible. I also started small as entrepreneur. Have faith and persevere, knowing it can be done,” Hirsch said in her acceptance speech.
