New African Magazine has published its list of the 100 Most Influential Africans of 2017. Two Tutu Fellows are on the list, both from the class of 2012. They are Julie Gichuru and James Mworia. New African magazine says that among the people on their list there is a deaf, blind Harvard University law graduate activist, an attitude-changing teen dance troop from a Ugandan slum, a Mauritanian modern day slavery abolitionist hero and renowned business magnates, political heavyweights and showbiz stars.
The list comprises eight categories: politics and public service; business and finance; civil society and activism; education; science, technology and innovation; media; arts and culture; and sport. In total, the list includes entries from 31 countries, including 12 from Francophone Africa. Forty two women are among the one hundred. Three heads of state were named: Ghana’s Nana Akufo-Addo, Rwanda’s Paul Kagame and Guinea's Alpha Conde. Nigeria’s Vice President Yemi Osinbajo was also listed in the Politics and Public Service category for his service during President Buhari’s enforced absence for most of 2017.
In the Business and Finance list in which James Mworia is listed, other names include Aliko Dangote, former AFLI chairman Strive Masiyiwa and Elon Musk. Similarly in Julie Gichuru's category of Media, she joins names like Trevor Noah and Zeinab Badawi.
The magazine said that its criteria for “influential” had been simple in that the people on the list were those whose work or activity had had some sort of transformative effect outside their main calling. This effect results in a change of perception or provides inspiration to others. Many in our selection have shattered glass ceilings or other stigma and have done so with great bravery, determination and personal sacrifice. Others wield economic power impacting world markets.
The full list can be read at New African Magazine.
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