The University of Pretoria (UP) community is invited to attend the first ever African Genius Awards (AGA) ceremony on Tuesday, 25 May at 18h00 at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaDk0ZYpjL0

The awards are a partnership between UP and AGA, which honour exceptional Africans who espouse the values needed to take Africa forward. Launched in 2021, the awards seek to identify, and through a rigorous nomination and research process, honour outstanding individuals who contribute to Africa’s growth. Steven Biko, who was one of South Africa’s most significant political activists and founder of the Black Consciousness Movement, is one of the nominees for the AGA.  Other nominees include Thobekile Mkhize, a 35-year-old entrepreneur from Durban who founded the Mabotho brand of fashion products that tell the Africa story; as well as Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, a Nigerian author who asserts that narratives have power. They are part of a group of 24 nominees.

The awards are not about positions in society or professions but are rather about possessing a unique skill that affects society positively – the genius should have a proven constructive and encouraging impact. The AGA does not consider academic qualifications as a unique skill, although having achieved them consistently in unusual circumstances with distinction could lead to nomination. A genius is more than someone of above-average ability; and is a person who has demonstrable exceptional ability in any recognisable field of endeavour.