The Alkebulan Immigrants Impact Awards (AllA) 2025 brought together diplomats, business leaders, artists, and community champions on Friday, 10 October, at the NH Hotel in Sandton for an unforgettable evening of celebration. The gala served as the grand finale to the two-day Immigration 1-20 Summit, affirming the transformative role immigrants and refugees play in shaping South Africa’s cultural, social, and economic landscape.
The Alkebulan Immigrants Impact Awards 2025 honored nine outstanding individuals across various categories, including:
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Sabelo Ndimande (Ubuntu Award)
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Carole Poreti (Community Service Award)
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Dr. Fayez Tembon (Leadership Award)
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Madame Venetia Estelle Guinard (South African Flag Carrier Award)
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Dr. Joseph Musonda-Shamwe (Education and STEM Award)
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Dr. Opelewa Akinradewo (Entrepreneurship and Business Award)
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Professor Achille Mbembe (Organisational Diversity Award)
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Angela Yeung (Inspirational Woman Award)
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Ambassador Dr. Agnes Vera Ikatekit Okonera (Lifetime Achievement Award)
These honorees were recognized for their exceptional social impact, leadership, innovation, community service, and advocacy both within South Africa and internationally.
The Alkebulan Immigrants Impact Awards were founded by Linda Ben, who is also the CEO and co-founder. She is committed to celebrating diversity and amplifying the contributions of immigrants in South Africa through this platform. The awards were established to recognize and honor the remarkable achievements of immigrants and refugees who positively impact South African society across various fields.The Alkebulan Immigrants Impact Awards were founded by Linda Ben, who is also the CEO and co-founder. She created the awards to celebrate diversity and amplify the contributions and achievements of immigrants and refugees in South Africa.
Dr. Nkosana Moyo spoke about building a good society based on clear rules, law, and order where citizens have the tools to manage their own lives. He emphasized the importance of education and infrastructure as public goods to empower people. He also discussed the concept of a safety net in society that ensures no one is left behind despite inequality. Dr. Moyo highlighted the challenges faced by developing societies in following their unique paths while learning from more developed countries to accelerate their progress. He addressed the need for cooperation balanced with competition among nations and warned against forcing countries to adopt premature development stages. His speech urged embracing learning from others’ experiences while recognizing each society’s distinct journey toward development
VAIIA ALKEBULAN IMMIGRANTS IMPACT AWARDS (AllA) 2025 | GALA & DINNER EVENT PRESS RELEASE
Date Released: 11 October 2025
Contact: +27 81 799-3861
Address: Sandton Close 2, Cnr 5th & Norwich Close, Sandown, Johannesburg, South Africa 2196
Email: admin@ai-impactawards.co.za
Alkebulan Immigrants Impact Awards 2025 Honors Social Impact and Reshapes Migration Narratives
The Alkebulan Immigrants Impact Awards (AllA) 2025 brought together diplomats, business leaders, artists, and community champions on Friday, 10 October, at the NH Hotel in Sandton for an unforgettable evening of celebration. The gala served as the grand finale to the two-day Immigration 1-20 Summit, affirming the transformative role immigrants and refugees play in shaping South Africa’s cultural, social, and economic landscape.
Distinguished Guests and Dignitaries
Present were Ambassador Mauricio Montalvo from the Embassy of Ecuador, representatives from the Embassies of the Republic of Congo, Ivory Coast, Uganda, Mali, Somalia, Pakistan, members of the Pan African Parliament, Advocate Batlokoa Makong of the African Peer Review Mechanism, C20 Chairperson Mr. Thulani Tshefuta, and C20 Sherpa Mr. Mabalane Mfundisi.
Opening Remarks
Co-founder and CEO Linda Ben welcomed guests, stating,
“We gather not merely to celebrate, but to recognize the brilliance of those who have crossed borders and transformed challenges into triumphs. Tonight, we honor dreamers, achievers, and changemakers — immigrants who have redefined what it means to belong, to build, and to lead.”
Reflecting on the summit, Ms. Ben added,
“Immigrants are not problems to be solved but possibilities to be unleashed. Migration is not a statistic, it is a story of people who have turned exile into excellence, displacement into discovery, and barriers into bridges.”
Summit Reflections
Master of Ceremonies Elma Akob acknowledged the judges and C20 working group members Yvonne Baldwin-Mushi, Sipetile Sixishe, and Dr. Luz-Helena Hanauer for their expertise. Thulani Tshefuta, C20 South Africa Chairperson, summarized the discussions:
“We have had tough but necessary conversations. You cannot apply policing solutions to social and economic challenges. There can be no free trade without free movement. You cannot ask for full cream milk while rejecting the cow.” His words were met with laughter and reflection, underscoring the connection between mobility, trade, and inclusive growth.
Evening Highlights
The event opened with a flag procession symbolizing unity, followed by the South African national anthem. A short documentary tracing AllA’s journey set the tone for an inspiring evening. Cultural performances included:
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Indian artist Amritha Naveen’s graceful dance capturing the spirit of diversity
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The Cameroon Dance Group’s energetic presentation
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Portugal’s Casa dos Poveiros Rancho sharing coastal traditions
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Uganda’s Ngabi Cultural Dance Troupe performing a tribute honoring Dr. Agnes Vera Ikatekit Okonera
AllA 2025 Award Winners
The ceremony celebrated exceptional contributions across nine categories:
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Ubuntu Award: Sabelo Ndimande (South African community leader and author)
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Community Service Award: Carole Poreti (Founder, Valued Citizens Initiative)
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Leadership Award: Dr. Fayez Tembon (Environmental educator, founder of Fakanam Green School)
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South African Flag Carrier (Vida D’Or) Award: Madame Venetia Estelle Guinard (Impact investor promoting intra-African trade)
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Education and STEM Award: Dr. Joseph Musonda-Shamwe (Genetic researcher on genetics and heart health)
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Entrepreneurship and Business Award: Dr. Opelewa Akinradewo (Blockchain innovation and sustainable construction)
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Organisational Diversity Award: Professor Achille Mbembe (Historian and political scientist)
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Inspirational Woman Award: Angela Yeung (Jewelry designer, entrepreneur, Everest summiteer)
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Lifetime Achievement Award: Ambassador Dr. Agnes Vera Ikatekit Okonera (Veterinarian, cultural leader, women’s empowerment advocate)
Dr. Okonera’s emotional acceptance speech about overcoming discrimination drew a standing ovation.
Keynote Address and Diplomacy
The program featured a keynote by Abdou Samb and a diplomatic segment on international collaboration in migration policy.
Closing Remarks and Future Outlook
Tebo GN, Chief Operating Officer of AllA, reflected on the event’s success and reaffirmed commitment to shaping inclusive narratives. Attendees ended with networking and photographs, strengthening community bonds.
The 2025 Alkebulan Immigrants Impact Awards highlighted not only individual excellence but also served as a platform for policy dialogue and social transformation, celebrating immigrants as vital contributors to South Africa’s future.
About the Alkebulan Immigrants Impact Awards (AllA)
AllA is South Africa’s premier platform honoring contributions of immigrants and refugees through a transparent nomination and selection process. It promotes inclusion, challenges stereotypes, and celebrates migration’s role in nation-building. “Alkebulan,” an ancient African name, symbolizes unity and resilience. AllA initiatives include the annual 1-20 Summit and Global Heritage Festival.
Media Contact:
Modester Kamupinda
Email: modester@blackgoldencommunications.com
Phone: +27 81 709 0188
