Two prestigious International Awards are presented annually by Education Africa:
- The Education Africa Life Time Achievement Award for Africa which helps to engender an awareness of the dire need for educating impoverished Africans and bringing them closer to a quality and relevant education that can assist Africa to participate in the global economy. The Award is presented to an individual who has helped to alert the rest of the world to some of the problems that face some of the poorest African nations.
- The Education Africa Allegiance Award seeks to honour those who have shown immense support and loyalty to Education Africa and to the values and principles for which we stand. The recipient of this Award must have been a supporter of Education Africa over the years in the capacity of a sponsor or a volunteer.
The inaugural Life Time Achievement Award was presented in 2006 at a function in New York hosted by Brendan McDonagh, CEO of HSBC Bank USA. Since 2007, Michael Geoghegan, Group CEO of HSBC Plc and his wife Jania Geoghegan, Chairman of Education Africa's Global Ambassadors and Friends of Education Africa have hosted a fundraising gala dinner in London where both the Education Africa Life Time Achievement Award and the Education Africa Allegiance Awards are presented.
For Education Africa, this event is one of our highlights of the year, because it allows us to pay tribute to those who share our passion for education. We always combine the gala dinner with some festivities which include performances by the Masibambane College Marimba band, and some of South Africa's exceptional artists such as PJ Powers, Zolani Mkiva and the Soprani.
In addition, we conclude the function with a charity auction which is always hotly contested and well supported. In the past, we have auctioned off some incredible artworks and sculptures from South African artists and in 2009, the auction was linked to our "Make a Face - Transform a Life" where celebrities from throughout the world hand painted venetian masks which were then auctioned.
Recipients of the Education Africa Life Time Achievement Award:
2006: The Honourable David Dinkins, past mayor of New York City
The Honourable David Dinkins was recognized for his ongoing commitment to the development of sub-Saharan Africa and his support of US trade with Africa. Past President Bill Clinton sent a personal letter of congratulations to Mayor Dinkins.
2007: Sir Bob Geldof
Sir Bob Geldof was recognized for his unwavering commitment over the past 23 years to the needs of the poorest people on the African continent. Former President Nelson Mandela sent a personal letter to Sir Bob Geldof and was one of the many leading figures to pay homage to him.
2008: Sir Richard Branson KBE
Sir Richard Branson received the Award in recognition of his continued, outstanding contribution to the upliftment of disadvantaged and vulnerable people of Africa.
Recipients of the Education Africa Allegiance Award:
2008: The City of Vienna
In 1997, Masibambane College opened its doors with 14 students in Orange Farm, an impoverished informal settlement south of Johannesburg, South Africa. Today, this Education Africa initiated project has over 670 students and reaches a further 20 000 students through the school's community outreach programme. The majority of the funding for the bricks and mortar has come from the City of Vienna which, over the years, has contributed time and time again to ensure that the school has been able to grow and develop to meet the increasing number of pupils. Masibambane College has become a flagship project for both Education Africa and the City of Vienna, who continue to support and develop the school.
2009: Michael Geoghegan CBE
Michael Geoghegan has played an instrumental role in ensuring the success of our annual fundraising initiative, but his commitment to Education Africa originally began in 2005, at a time when Education Africa was going through a tough period and needed a backer to help our charity grow and take it to another level. His deep belief in the importance of education is well documented, and at Education Africa, we can honestly say that we are what we are today because of Michael Geoghegan's "show of faith" in us in 2005, and the incredible commitment he has shown to us ever since. Whether he is co-hosting functions for us with his wife Jania and introducing us to key decision-makers, or motivating his staff at HSBC to work as Education Africa volunteers to help organise fundraising events, or give up his own valuable time (and resources) to assist us with new ideas and strategic planning, there is no doubt that his influence and presence has made an enormous impact on Education Africa.
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The event was hosted by Mike Geoghegan, group CEO of HSBC Plc, and his wife Jania, chairman of Education Africa’s Global Ambassadors. Former president Nelson Mandela was one of the many leading figures to pay homage, via a written letter, to Sir Bob, congratulating him on the award.
