At 26, Zimbabwean youth activist, Namatai Kwekweza has become the youngest African to win the German Africa Prize.
Kwekweza was recognized for championing democratic reforms, the rule of law, women’s rights, and the political participation of young people.
With this award, the German Africa Foundation said it honored “an inspiring young leader who represents democratic renewal and youth participation far beyond her home country.”
Who is Namatai Kwekweza
Namatai Kwekweza is a Pan-African feminist, constitutionalism advocate and human rights activist.
At just 18 years, she founded her youth leadership and advocacy organization, WELEAD which operates in Zimbabwe, Botswana and South Africa.
Namatai Kwekweza is studying a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of South Africa and holds a diploma in contemporary diplomacy and international relations from the Zimbabwe Institute of Diplomacy.
Since founding WELEAD, her work has earned her international recognition including becoming a Ford Global fellow, a fellow at the School of International Futures (SOIF) and the recipient of the inaugural Kofi Annan NextGen Democracy Prize.
Activism and detention
In 2024, Kwekweza was among three activists who were forced off an airplane, arrested and detained. They were charged with disorderly conduct for allegedly protesting outside a court in June about the arrest of dozens of opposition supporters.
In August 2025, the three were acquitted of their charges, a move seen by human rights watchers as Zimbabwean authorities’ misuse of the criminal justice system against dissidents.
German Africa Prize
For Kwekweza, winning this prize is a powerful recognition of her team and the power of civil society to make significant impact.
“I received an early birthday gift: winning the German Africa Prize. A sacred reminder that persistence eventually bows to grace. And 7 days ago, the movement I founded at 18 years old—my heartbeat, my rebellion, my offering—WELEAD Africa—turned 8 years old. Eight years of refusing to shrink. Eight years of building, daring, and becoming. Eight years of collaboration with some of the coolest people whose work ethic still inspires me,” Kwekweza said, celebrating her 27th birthday on LinkedIn.
President of the Bundestag Julia Klöckner, who presented the award, praised Kwekweza’s courage, perseverance, and enthusiasm for democracy, which the authoritarian state fears.
Since 1993, the German Africa Award honors outstanding personalities from Africa who have rendered outstanding services to democracy, peace, human rights, accountability, art and culture as well as social issues.
Before Kwekweza, the last young African to have won the prize was Ilwad Elman; a 34-year-old Somali, who was recognized in 2020 for using groundbreaking techniques to help former child soldiers and rape survivors in Mogadishu to deal with trauma and adjust to civilian life. At the time of her award, Elman was 29.
