People & Lifestyle
CNN Hero Betty Makoni supports Irock Tribes Of Africa
One of Africa’s most inspirational women and 2009 CNN Global Hero Betty Makoni is another stellar name to lend her support to UK-based social enterprise iROCK for their first London fundraiser Tribes of Africa scheduled for Africa Day, 26 May. A gender activist, founder and director of Girl Child Network Zimbabwe (GCN) and CEO of Girl Child Network World Wide, an organisation that champions the rights of the girl child in Zimbabwe and worldwide, Betty Makoni is no stranger to lending her support to younger women to help guide them on their journeys. A survivor of rape at age six and orphaned at age nine, having for her right to education, Makoni has dedicated her life’s work to campaigning tirelessly for the rights of girls in similar circumstances all around the world and fighting policies, attitudes and laws that are detrimental to the growth and development of the girl child. “I think Viola of iROCK! UK has a very powerful story, from starting with nothing to becoming the president of Global Hospitality Services. When we start ROCKing as African women coming from nowhere, these are the stories we must tell as this will make the next generation of girls see it is possible for a cleaner to become a president,” said Betty Makoni. “iROCK! UK will also be doing a lot of skills building for marginalized girls and send young girls she is mentoring to Africa to mentor other girls. When we look at the big picture, iROCK will be bringing the most promising young women to do the ground work in Africa, so Viola is not only a strategic partner but also an inspiration,” Makoni added. “We are standing amongst giants. Betty is not only a renowned, globally recognised humanitarian fighting the cause for young women, she is also one of the humblest human beings I have ever come cross. We are beyond words to express how honoured we are to have her full support for iROCK! and the Tribes of Africa show,” said Viola Ncube, the founder of iROCK! UK. Set to take place at the prestigious Grange Tower Bridge Hotel in the heart of the city, Tribes of Africa promises to bring the ‘who’s who’ of the African diaspora together in support of iROCK! UK, which aims to provide young people of ethnic backgrounds with work placement and employment opportunities. The event will be a true celebration of Africa with a complimentary African brew cocktail reception, 4-course African fusion dinner, goody bags and a high profile fashion show with designers representing diverse influences of Africa, with names such as Adebayo Jones, Anita Quansah, Nkwo, Chichia London and Zambia’s Kutowa Designs amongst others.]]>