Tanzania Women of Achievement Awards night shines

The Bahi District Commissioner Hon. Betty Mkwassa receives her award from Mr. Innocent Mungy, Head of Public Relations of the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Agency

Anna Lukona (right) receives the prestigious Woman of the Year 2009 award
Janeth Mlowe receives her Woman in Agriculture Award
Odilia Martin (right) receives the Business Enterprenuer Award

Professor Esther Mwaikambo is all smiles after receiving the Health Achievement Award

Theresia Aloyce takes home the Social Welfare wards

The Tanzania Women of Achievement Awards that were launched by a local firm, Frontline Management in early September took place on the 3rd of December 2009 at the Mlimani City Hall.

The awards seek to recognize Tanzanian women in different sectors who have made significant changes in their communities and the country as a whole.

Many women applied for the 11 categories in question which are: arts and culture, health, agriculture, education, business entrepreneur, young achiever, science and technology, social welfare, public sector, sports and information and communication.

The committee that comprised of Mrs. Mary Rusimbi – Activist and Founder of TGNP, Dr. Ramadhani Dau – Director General NSSF, Joaquine De Mello - Commissioner for the Commission of Human Rights and Good Governance, Dr. Marcelina Chijoriga – Dean UDSM Business School, Innocent Mungy- Communication Director TCRA, Sadaka Gandi – Counselor Psychologist and Irene Kiwia – Managing Director Frontline Management, set to work with the aim of finding the best 3 nominees per category.

The accounting firm,Deloitte Tanzania were involved to provide the judgment tool as well as account for the judges votes which made the judgment process more objective.

On the night of the awards gala, the event was well attended by the Tanzania corporate, ministers, delegates from various high commissions, delegates from the UN, the general public as well as all nominees including those from upcountry. Representatives from sponsoring organizations presented the awards that came in sealed envelopes delivered by Delloite. Winners received crystal trophies, certificates and a cash prize of 1 Million each.

Winners for the different categories were:

1. Multichoice Arts and Culture Award- Rita Paulsen – Owner or Benchmark Productions and initiator of Bongo Star Search.
2. Songas Health Award - Prof. Esther Mwaikambo – A Doctor for over 40 years with enormous contribution in various health projects.
3. UNESCO Science and Technology Award- Susan Mashibe – Owner of TANJET an aircraft Technical Service Company.
4. Twiga Cement Social Welfare Award -Theresia Aloyce – Social Welfare Officer in Liwale district in Lindi.
5. NSSF Education Award -Anna Lukona – Teacher at Kilakala Primary School and initiator of a deaf class.
6. Vodacom Public Sector Award - Mercy Sila –DC Meru District
7. Farm Equip Agriculture Award - Janeth Mlowe – Farmer and producer of Local Wines.
8. Information and Communication - Betty Mkwasa – DC Korogwe District
9. TBL Sports Award- Anna Filbert Bayi – Chairperson CHANETA (Chama Cha Netiboli Tanzania).
10. NBC Business Entrepreneur Award- Odilia Martin – Owner of a successful cleaning services company.
13. Barrick Young Achiever Award- Emelda Mwamanga – Owner of Bang magazine and initiator of Dare to Dream women mentorship program.

The overall UNFPA Woman of the Year Award went to Anna Lukona, a mere teacher at Killakala Primary school who saw the need to help the deaf students that were studying at the school’s normal classes and fought to establish a special class for them. After the class was started Ms. Lukona went ahead to start evening classes for the parents and relatives of the deaf students to enable better
communication with their children. Anna’s win has made her become the Tanzanian UN Goodwill Ambassador to fight gender based violence.

Bibi Titi Mohamed was honored the Lifetime Achievement Award for paving the way for women politicians and women empowerment, an award that was received by her daughter.
Ms. Irene Kiwia, Managing Director of Frontline Management, the organizers for the awards said “these awards aims at recognizing the many Tanzanian heroes who fight daily to make our country a better place. There are many unsung heroes, its TWAA’s duty to sing their praises and unveil them”.

This was seen by a cross representation of women whose majority are Tanzanians that have never heard of, but whose work and struggles deserves national applaud. Kiwia went on saying that “This is just the beginning of these prestigious awards, in the coming year we want to grow and involve the public more, as these new heroes are their heroes… we would like to profile the nominees and have the public vote for who they want to recognize”

“The biggest challenge was the many applications that we received, I would like to thank all Tanzania women who took the initiative to apply for the awards” said Sadaka Gandi, Chair of the judging committee “The three nominees who made it to the finals are all winners and deserve recognition. The committee went to great lengths to ensure fair judgment and I commend them for that”.

The evening’s sentimental speeches from winners and the special entertainment that was tailor made for the awards left everyone touched, moved and hopeful for a better tomorrow, as far as women’s social, economical and political development is concerned.