By Elizabeth Osayande

What better way to mark this year’s International Day of the Girl Child than the winning of the prestigious Africa Education Medal 2024 by the Zimbabwean, and the CEO, CAMFED, Angeline Murimirwa for her exceptional work in transforming education across the continent.

The award, founded by T4 Education and HP Inc., recognises individuals who have made a significant impact, demonstrated leadership, and advocated for education.

Murimirwa, through CAMFED, a pan-African, grassroot-led NGO tackles poverty, inequality, and injustice through girls’ education and women’s leadership. Murimirwa herself was one of the first girls supported by CAMFED to go to secondary school in Zimbabwe, and she understands from first-hand experience the hurdles girls face in accessing education. Now CAMFED’s CEO, she is uniquely positioned to bring the expertise of girls and women once excluded from education to inform policy and strategy at every level.

Upon receiving the award, Angeline Murimirwa expressed her gratitude, stating, “I am deeply honoured by this recognition and want to pay special tribute to T4 Education and HP for highlighting Africa’s education champions. This medal belongs to our entire movement – to every single person whose commitment to education drives them to go further and do better every day. The need is great, and we can not do this alone.”

The Senior Education Business Leader at HP, Mayank Dhingra, congratulated Murimirwa, saying, “Our warmest congratulations to Zimbabwe’s Angeline Murimirwa on being named Medallist for the Africa Education Medal 2024. Her vital work has led the way in breaking down barriers to girls in education. We know that so many others will be inspired to follow in her footsteps to build a world where every child receives the quality education that is their right.”

While Founder and CEO of T4 Education, Vikas Pota, emphasised the importance of honouring leaders in education and commended Murimirwa, stating, “The Africa Education Medal honours the leaders working tirelessly to transform African education. To meet UN Sustainable Development Goal 4 of universal quality education, to end learning poverty, close learning gaps, and unlock the continent’s potential, we must give a platform to changemakers from across society who are making a real difference.

“Congratulations to our 2024 Medallist Angeline Murimirwa. Africa and the world have so much to learn from your inspirational example.”

Murimirwa was chosen as the Medallist from among the Finalists for the Africa Education Medal 2024: Ahmed Omar, Co-Executive Director, Kenya Drylands Education Fund, Kenya; Angeline (Angie) Murimirwa, CEO, CAMFED, Zimbabwe; Christopher Khaemba, Co-Founder & Director, Nova Pioneer, Kenya; and Hakeem Subair, CEO, 1 Million Teachers, Nigeria;

Others were:Josiah Ajiboye, Registrar & Chief Executive, Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria, Nigeria; Julian Hewitt, Outgoing CEO, The Jakes Gerwel Fellowship, South Africa; Mohammed Haroon, Principal Education Consultant, Ghana; Nankunda Hope Mwijuka, Executive Director, Raising Teenagers Uganda, Uganda; and Olanrewaju Oniyitan, Founder & Executive Director, SEED Care & Support Foundation, Nigeria. Including Taddy Blecher, CEO & Co-Founder of Maharishi Invincibility Institute, South Africa.