NINE YEARS. Nine years of uncovering Africa’s youngest and brightest change-makers for the 30 Under 30 list.
Nine years of knowing that because of them, there is hope, that there is a chance tomorrow will be better.
That because of them, there is promise that atleast some of the continent’s biggest problems will be resolved, come pestilence or pandemic; unemployment, energy crises, or broken economies.
The 30 Under 30 class of2023 know what they have signed up for.
They know.
Selected through a careful vetting process by the FORBES AFRICA editorial research team, an eminent panel of external judges and a knowledge partner, all of who sifted through more than a thousand applications that poured into our inboxes these last few months, the well-distilled final 30 are a subset of the potential, prowess and possibilities of Africa’s youth.
And Africa is also the planet’s most youthful continent - as in 2022, around 40% of the population was aged 15 years and younger (as per StatsSA), compared to a global average of 25%; although the median age on the continent has been increasing annually, it remains low at around 20 years.
These are the founders, leaders and tomorrow’s titans creating a new world order, putting in place effective solutions for Africa’s problems such as poverty, hunger, disease and joblessness.
According to the World Economic Forum, the Covid-19 pandemic led to an unprecedented increase in poverty with about 32 million people living extremely affected by it.
It also deepened existing problems of inequality. Unemployment continues to be on the rise in Africa, especially for young people as StatsSA reports; for example, it’s highest in South Africa (29.95% for 15- to 34-year-olds).
So it’s all the more incredible when achievers younger than 30 try to change the narrative, creating and offering opportunities where none exist.
From most of sub-Saharan Africa including South Africa, Mauritius, Lesotho, Botswana, Namibia, Kenya, Rwanda, Nigeria, Cameroon and more, the class of 2023 have not only proven that there can be synergies in creating solutions for their companies, communities, countries and the continent but that they are also, in the process, redefining the idea of what it means to be self-made and relentless.
EXTERNAL JUDGES: THE CATEGORY EXPERTS WHOSE ROLE WAS TO SURVEY ALL THE FINALISTS OF THE 2023 30 UNDER 30 LIST AND PROVIDE COMMENTARY ON EACH CANDIDATE.
Delphine Govender
Govender has over 24 years' experience in financial services, of which the past 18 have been spent directly in investment management. She co-founded Perpetua in 2012 in South Africa after having spent almost 11 years at Allan Gray Limited, where she held positions of Portfolio Manager and Executive Director. She is a qualified CA (SA) and CFA charter holder. She is Perpetua's Chief Investment Officer and accordingly has portfolio management responsibilities across all asset classes.
Bright Jaja (FORBES AFRICA 30 Under 30 Class of 2019)
Jaja is the CEO and Founder of iCreate Africa and Skillers. He considers himself a visionary social entrepreneur passionate about driving growth and impact to elevate Africa. He is a firm believer in empowering young people with technical skills to enable them to create opportunities for themselves and their communities. His dedication to this cause earned him global recognition, including FORBES AFRICA'S Under 30 listing in 2019, and he has collaborated with several organizations and countries to build Africa's largest skills network.
Professor Quarraisha Abdool Karim
Abdool Karim is an infectious diseases epidemiologist and cofounder and Associate Scientific Director of CAPRISA. She is Professor in Clinical Epidemiology, Columbia University, New York and Pro-Vice Chancellor for African Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Abdool Karim is the President of The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) and the UNAIDS Special Ambassador for Adolescents and HIV. She is an Executive Group Member of the Steering Committees for the WHO Covid-19 Solidarity Therapeutics Trial, the WHO Covid-19 Solidarity Vaccines Trial and the WHO Ebola Vaccine Trial. She co-chairs the United Nations 10 Member Group Technology Facilitation Mechanism (TFM) that focuses on the use of Science, Technology and Innovation to accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals; is a member of the PEPFAR Scientific Advisory Board and on the Board of Directors of Friends of the Global Fight Against AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
Dr Esperance Luvindao (FORBES AFRICA 30 Under 30 Class of 2022):
Luvindao is a Namibian medical doctor, health advocate and humanitarian, and holds an MBA in Healthcare Management from the University of South Africa. She received the Queen's Point of Light Award in 2022 for her role in healthcare.
Sello Maake kaNcube
Maake kaNcube is one of South Africa's most esteemed actors and voice actors, having performed in countless theater, film and television productions both in his home country, as well as in the United States, Britain, Canada and Europe. His career spans over 40 years in the entertainment industry and he is famous for touring The Lion King as Mufasa and leading a ground-breaking all-African cast in Generations. He has won multiple awards for his contribution to Africa's creative industry.
Rich Fumani Mnisi (FORBES AFRICA 30 Under 30 Class of 2019):
Mnisi is one of Africa's most-prolific creative multi-hyphenates. The creative director and fashion designer grew up obsessed with pop culture, with strong cultural roots of his own as a proud member of South Africa's Tsonga tribe and as a member
