This black history month, we look beyond the dark past of our struggles with slavery and oppression as a continent and celebrate heroes who have contributed to tourism, arts and culture in Africa. As pioneers in their different fields, they have in no small way played their part in enhancing the attractiveness of the continent.
- Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.
Influential author and renowned feminist in the advocacy of women’s rights. Writer of critically acclaimed books such as Americanah, Purple Hibiscus and Half of a Yellow Sun, the latter of which was adapted as a movie in 2014. She is also a strong voice for cultural diversity and the fight against racism. Chimamanda’s books have been well-received all over the world, opened up global minds about living in Africa and stirred up conversations on girls’ and women’s rights in society. Chimamanda is definitely one of Africa’s most influential literary icons.
- Chinua Achebe.
Novelist, poet, and literary critic, widely regarded as the leading figure in African literature. His greatest literary work, Things Fall Apart (1958), occupies a place in Africa’s literature hall of fame and remains the most widely studied, translated – over 57 languages – and read African novel. Achebe’s work provided insights into the continent’s cultures and societies, especially from an Igbo perspective. The New York Times described Achebe as “one of Africa’s most widely read novelists and towering men of letters”, while the BBC wrote that he was “revered throughout the world for his depiction of life in Africa.” He has been the inspiration behind many modern writers.
(Collage pictures of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Chinua Achebe, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, Nneka and Isaac Moses, and Angelique Kidjo)
- Fela Anikulapo-Kuti.
Nigerian musician, political activist, and Pan-Africanist. Widely regarded as the pioneer of Afrobeat, a music genre that combines West African sounds with American funk and jazz.
Fela is remembered as an influential icon who voiced his socio-political opinions through his music. In 2022, he was inducted into the Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame, and in 2023, Rolling Stone ranked him 188 on its “200 Greatest Singers of All Time” list.
- Isaac and Nneka Moses.
Africa’s pioneer destination marketing couple. Since 1999, their passion and have helped to preserve and showcase Africa’s rich heritage to the rest of the world.
With Goge Africa, Isaac and Nneka opened Africa up to diasporans and the global community, documenting their travels and providing first-hand insights into the food, lifestyle, culture and festivals of countries and communities in Africa.
- Angelique Kidjo.
Four-time Grammy Award winner, Beninoise music and fashion style icon. She is renowned for infusing an impressive blend of indigenous creativity and her unique fashion style into her music videos.
She created an African twist for the modern suit by wearing it with an African print shirt and head wrap. In 2010, the BBC Focus on Africa magazine included Kidjo in its list of the African continent’s 50 most iconic figures, and she was also the first woman to be listed among “The 40 Most Powerful Celebrities in Africa” by Forbes magazine.