Tunde Folawiyo | Mama Africa: The Impact of Miriam Makeba

Dubbed “Mama Africa” for her renowned contributions to the people and cultures of a continent, Miriam Makeba remains a highly influential figure even years after her passing. The South African civil rights advocate and singer paved the way for a new generation of African musicians, becoming the first African artist to popularize the African music genre around the globe in the 1960s. Tunde Folawiyo and millions of others throughout the continent may regard Miriam Makeba for her unwavering spirit and immense talent.

Born in March 1932 in Johannesburg, Makeba’s mother was a healer-herbalist called a Swazi sangoma while her father was a Xhosa. She spent her first six months in jail as her mother was imprisoned for selling a homemade African beer. Later, as a young girl, Makeba began singing in a choir for a primary school in the city of Pretoria. She attended the school for nearly eight years.

Makeba’s professional singing career got its start during the 1950s. She became featured in a South African group called Manhattan Brothers. She left the group to record alongside an all-woman musical group called The Skylarks. The unique blend of traditional South African melodies and jazz became highly popular. Her single “Pata Pata”, recorded during 1957 and later released in the U.S. a decade later made her well known throughout the country of South Africa and beyond. This skyrocketed her career in which she would later record and tour with a variety of popular artists including Harry Belafonte, Hugh Masekela and Paul Simon.

Makeba’s activism further propelled her international fame. Her appearance in the anti-apartheid film titled Come Back, Africa created a great impression on viewers. The film was awarded the acclaimed Critics’ Award at Venice’s annual Film Festival, where Makeba was granted a visa to attend the film’s premiere. Later that year, the singer was given the leading female role for the Broadway-inspired musical King Kong in South Africa. As a popular advocate against South Africa’s era of apartheid, Makeba’s South African passport was revoked. During this time, a number of countries reached out to aid.

Belgium, Guinea and Ghana all issued international passports, welcoming her into their countries. Throughout her life, Makeba was an honorary citizen of ten countries, holding nine passports. Tunde Folawiyo and others throughout Africa may remember Makeba for her spirit, generosity and talent. For these, she will forever be cemented in the continent’s history as “Mama Africa”.

Tunde Folawiyo | The achievements of Desmond Tutu

Throughout the past four decades, Desmond Tutu has played a key role in ending the world's greatest injustices. Although he is now retired, he spent a large portion of his life working as an Anglican Archbishop in Cape Town. Those who are familiar with his work, such as Tunde Folawiyo, may know that Tutu has been involved in the fight against sexism, racism, poverty, tuberculosis and AIDs.

He first became a household name during the eighties, due to his anti-apartheid views. His efforts relating to ending this regime, and his work on other important issues, led to him winning the Sydney Peace Prize, the Pacem in Terris Award, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Ghandi Peace Prize and of course, the Nobel Peace Prize.

Early on in his career, Tutu established a very clear objective, which he has closely adhered to over the course of his life. This objective is to create a society which is just and democratic, with no divisions caused by race.

He contended that this goal could not be achieved without the following; the end of South Africa's forced deportation, the establishment of a common education system which is available to all, the eradication of South Africa's passport legislation, and equal civil rights for everyone.

He was born in South Africa in 1931, and received his primary and secondary school education in the local mission schools, where his father was a teacher. At the age of 30, he was ordained as an Anglican priest. Shortly after this, he moved to England, and it was here that he earned his masters at King's College London. Ten years later, he was named the Bishop of Lesotho, and in 1978, he accepted an offer to serve as the South African Council of Churches' general secretary.

Throughout the following decade, Tutu worked tirelessly to draw attention to the unjustness of apartheid. He favoured non-violent protests, and encouraged other nations to place economic pressure on the South African government, as a means of changing the laws relating to apartheid. As a history enthusiast, Tunde Folawiyo might remember that in 1984, Tutu was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his work.

More recently, he has focused on the elimination of poverty; prior to the 2005 G8 summit, he publically asked world leaders to work towards the promotion of free trade in developing countries, and demanded the abolition of high taxes on medicines used to treat AIDs. His words led to the G8 leaders committing to increasing the amount of aid provided to poorer nations, and promising to do their best to offer universal access to HIV and AIDS medications. 

The Legacy of Nelson Mandela | Tunde Folawiyo

The passing of Nelson Mandela deeply affected not only his home country of South Africa, but the continent of Africa and the world as a whole. The civil rights leader, through his thoughts, actions and principals, paved the way for an international discussion about the injustices of apartheid. His legacy continues to inspire African citizens such as Tunde Folawiyo and countless others who have may be familiar with the story of Nelson Mandela and the amazing strides he made in conquering social injustices.

Born on July 18, 1918 in Mvezo, South Africa, Nelson Mandela, a.k.a Rolihlahla, was born. The nickname “Nelson” came from a teacher during his years of schooling. Mandela attended college at the College of Fort Hare and later, the University of Witwatersrand from which he received a law degree. It was here that Mandela became acquainted with like-minded individuals who sought an end to apartheid.

As a leader in the African National Congress, Mandela pushed for the congress and protesters to follow in the footsteps of Mohandas Gandhi, utilising his non-violence approach to conflict. After some time, Mandela began to doubt the effectiveness of this ideal and as such, initiated an armed branch of the ANC. Later classified as a terrorist by the South African government, Mandela was sentenced to serve 27 years in prison. His incarceration brought international attention toward the anti-apartheid movement and rather than abandon his ideals in exchange for release, Mandela served his time at Robben Island, and later in Pollsmoor Prison and Victor Verster Prison. He was released in 1990 and upon this, continued his campaign to end apartheid.

Mandela’s efforts to end apartheid garnered world-wide respect. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993. Due in part to his labours, citizens of all races were allowed to vote in the 1994 election, demonstrating the social change that was about to be set forth. With this election, Nelson Mandela became president of South Africa. Whilst this ruling came an intense backlash and whilst the opportunity for violent conflict was present, Nelson called for calm and peace, ultimately preventing a major civil war.

After many health struggles, Nelson Mandela passed on December 5 of 2013 at the age of 95. The world mourned as this civil rights leader was put to rest, leaving behind his wife Graça Machel, six children, twenty grandchildren and millions upon millions of admirers, including Tunde Folawiyo. His legacy will forever provide a source of encouragement for those facing social injustice. Without his undying dedication and enduring principals, the country of South Africa and other African countries may not have.

Tunde Folawiyo | Economy

Tunde Folawiyo, is a respected businessman, philanthropist and advocate for the growth of education and commerce throughout Africa. He continues to serve his native Nigeria with his role in several leading companies and academic institutions throughout the region. It is with a great passion for exploring new opportunities that drives Tunde Folawiyo’s determination to promote the continent’s prosperity.

Tunde Folawiyo’s leadership of various Nigerian companies has contributed to the advancement of the country’s economy. A brave proponent of expanding Nigeria’s indigenous petroleum sector, Tunde Folawiyo founded Folawiyo Energy Ltd, a company responsible for the throughput of approximately 30% of the nation’s premium motor spirits. Folawiyo Energy Ltd. is a successful subsidiary of the Yinka Folawiyo Group of Companies, a dynamic conglomerate with global business interests of which Tunde Folawiyo is the current Group Managing Director and CEO. He also serves as the Vice-President of the Nigerian Association of Indigenous Petroleum Explorers and Productions (NAIPEC), a role that is key in furthering his mission toward broadening Nigeria’s energy market.

The impact of Tunde Folawiyo’s contributions to the Nigerian economy are exemplified through his directorship of leading companies throughout Africa. He currently serves as a director, founding shareholder and board member of MTN Nigeria Communications Ltd, the country’s premier telecommunications provider.

Tunde Folawiyo’s academic accomplishments have provided the ideal platform to continue his mission in contributing to the educational advancement of Africa’s youth. With a Bachelor of Science in Economics and a Master’s degree in Law from the London School of Economics, Tunde Folawiyo was awarded an honourary doctorate degree in Business Administration from Crescent University in Abeokuta, a university of which he was appointed member of their governing council. A distinguished recipient of the 2010 African Business Leadership Award, Tunde Folawiyo’s dedication to the spread of philanthropy is channeled through his role as a director of the African Leadership Academy, an institution whose mission lies in encouraging the developmental success of Africa’s young leaders. As a Goodwill Ambassador, Honourary Consul of Barbados and member of the prestigious Duke of Edinburgh’s World Fellowship, Tunde Folawiyo’s initiatives toward improving conditions throughout Africa have proven tremendously beneficial to Africans of all ages.