Africa can boast to no end of having hundreds of millions of influential people. Yes, the continent has millions of acclaimed professionals who can hold their own anywhere under the planet. Therefore, compiling and publishing a list of such Africans is a subjective matter. It depends on the motives of the publisher. Very soon, News in Africa Online will start publishing its own list.
The New African Magazine has just released its own list. It must be clearly stated that the criteria used by the publisher is completely its own. Such criteria cannot be universal or generally accepted. According to it, Kenya’s Chief Justice, David Maraga, is among the 100 Most Influential Africans in 2017. It is safe to say that current affairs watchers would understand why. Justice Maraga did the unthinkable. However, putting Julie Gichuru, whose antics as a media practitioner have remained questionable on the list, is to say the least, controversial. The list features forty-two women, the highest number of female entries so far. The magazine began publishing the end-of-year Influential Africans’ list five years ago.
Other Kenyans in this year’s list include nutritionist and Africa Food Prize Winner, Prof. Ruth Oniango in the Public Service Category, Hellen Obiri, the 5000m World Champion and double champion Faith Kipyegon in the sports category and James Mworia, MD and CEO of Centum Investments, in the Business and Finance Category.
There are about eight categories in the list: politics and public service; business and finance; civil society and activism; education; science, technology and innovation; media; arts and culture; and sport – profiles both continental and Diaspora Africans nominated by their peers and industry insiders.
According to the Group Publisher of the magazine, Omar Yedder, what readers will find pleasing is the diversity of the list in terms of race, ethnic and national diversity. “This list, if nothing else, displays the beauty and power of the diversity that makes the Africa we all love,” said Mr. Yedder.
The magazine’s editor, Anver Versi declared; “Our criteria for “influential” this year was a fairly simple one – it is applied to people whose work or activity has had some sort of transformative effect outside their main calling. This effect results in a change of perception or provides inspiration to others. Many in our selection have shattered the proverbial glass-ceilings or disability stigma and do so with great bravery, determination and personal sacrifice. Others yield economic power that impacts world markets.
According to Versi, African talent in the arts, culture, sports and technology has also had a huge impact on changing the world’s perception towards Africa and its people.
With twenty-one entries, Nigeria tops the nominations, closely followed by South Africa which had fourteen names. In total, the list has entries from thirty-one countries including twelve from French-speaking Africa.
