Dr Ozo Ibeziako received the 2019 Harambee prize for the promotion and equality of African women in Madrid. This award was established to offer recognition to African individuals or institutions who work effectively in the promotion of women in their country. At its 10^th celebration this year, the winner is Dr Ozo Ibeziako for the social project Art of Living under Komati Foundation, a South African NPO.

Dr Ozo Ibeziako is a South African Specialist Family Physician and oversees the North 1 region of Ekurhuleni health district clinics, Gauteng Province, with 14 fixed Primary Health Care centres and three mobile clinics. She is a lecturer at the Department of Family Medicine, University of Pretoria. She is a director of Komati Foundation, which helps improve the South African society in the areas of education, development, equality and social welfare.

Art of Living was launched in 2012 in Alexandra, the poorest black township in Johannesburg. This project was inspired by the Fanti proverb: ‘educate a woman, and educate a nation’. It is directed towards helping girls in Alexandra live with dignity, widen their horizon and realize their dreams. The greatest challenge is taking them to university; and there are many success stories. The impact of the Art of Living project starts from the girls but extends to their families and their community at large.

Dr Ozo Ibeziako spent two weeks participating in Harambee Spain solidarity events in six different cities of Spain as well as Lisbon, Portugal. These diverse events included visits to some of the funders, several interviews with journalists, radio and television appearances which were opportunities to make known the social project carried out in Alexandra and its impact, express gratitude for the positive support for Africa, as well as awakening a deeper sense of solidarity amongst the citizens of the country of Spain. Above all, Dr Ozo Ibeziako has come back with enriching experiences, learning, and a greater desire to extend this project to other townships in Gauteng Province.

For more information on Art of Living and projects of Komati Foundation Women Development:

Website: komatiwomen.org

Instagram address: @artofliving_komati