Nominate Those People Doing Africa Proud in This Year's Pride of Africa Asia Pacific Awards

Do you know someone who has had an immeasurable impact on Beijing's African community this year? If so, don't hesitate to bring them the recognition they deserve by nominating them for a place in this year 2020 Pride of Africa Asia Pacific Awards before the deadline tonight (Mar 31) at midnight via this form.

Established in 2013 and managed by the Appreciate Africa Network, which in turn is dedicated to championing African causes abroad, the Pride of Africa Asia Pacific Awards looks to recognize in Africans in the region for their achievements in 27 categories, including the humanitarian sector, entrepreneurship, arts and culture, cinema, fashion, sports, and music. The nominations are also open to friends of Africa who work together with Africans to lift and promote the continent and its people.

Samantha Sibanda, founder and executive director of the Appreciate Africa Network, describes to the Beijinger how the "event is also designed to highlight innovative leaders and changemakers from across China/Asia and around the world," with the awards evening "always followed by an after-party to celebrate all of the achievements of those nominated for the awards and celebrate the efforts of individuals and organisations that are helping put Africa on the map through excellence in their various fields of occupations."

Pending the coronavirus situation come June, it may be that the award ceremony will need to be delayed or modified to take in to consideration restrictions at the time. "As you know, we are facing the issue of COVID-19 and our events attract a lot of people, with the awards ceremony alone bringing together 500-plus people each year," says Sibanda, adding, "We are monitoring the situation closely and will either need to postpone the actual ceremony or we stick to the same date but award people in absentia. We will notify people as we get closer to June and seeing how the situation will be here in Beijing."

No matter what the situation, the celebration of Africans in China will continue with voting starting mid-April and the final awards ceremony tentatively set for Jun 13, pending further notice. In the meantime, don't forget to have your say on who should be put forward to win this year.

READ: America's Basketballers in Beijing Do Their Part to Help in the Fight Against the Coronavirus

Photo: zekeymedia-zw.com