Masonwabe Fuma, a Komani-born and Gauteng based businessman, has been nominated for the Africa Forty Under 40 Awards in the category of Community Developer of the Year.
The awards are set for March 22 in Accra, Ghana.
Fuma can also win a second award – People’s Choice Awards – through votes on https://fortyunder40africa.com/vote/. Closure for the votes on both awards is February 28.
Fuma said winning awards and being nominated spoke to his personal achievement and was a gold star on his profile.
“They also commemorate my hard work and (these nominations) are evidence that I am ranked amongst the top and very best of the best on the African Continent.”
He said the nomination says that he is capable and able to compete at a national and continental level.
“That Komani youth are a cut above the rest. One can come from a small town such as Komani to be nationally and continentally ranked. With a bit of support, encouragement and inspiration here and there, young people of the Chris Hani District can conquer the world,” Fuma said.
The Forty under 40 Africa Awards identify, honour and celebrate a cross section of the continent’s most influential and accomplished young business leaders under the age of 40 from a wide range of industries.
Fuma is no stranger to awards as he won the Sunday World Unsung Hero Award last year. The award covered a range of activities, including youth in business, sport, arts and culture. It recognised the top 100 young people across the country who are not afraid to dream and act. He also won the Mail & Guardian Top 200 SA Youth awards.
“I am the co-founder and Executive Chairman of Mentorship Foundation Africa, a youth platform that aims to create intergenerational dialogues amongst the youth of Africa on key pertinent issues. The organization aims to foster mentorship and robust debates around youth social ills,” he told Komani-Karoo Express.Fuma also founded Nondzaba Media, of which he is the Managing Director. “It is a shared value enthusiastic and brand loving digital marketing agency.”
He went to Stepping Stone Junior School (SSJS) and later Queen’s College Boys’ High School. Fuma has a BTech degree in marketing from the University of Johannesburg.
