Strive Masiyiwa, the founder of the Econet Group, has received an award from Harvard University for his remarkable contributions to African and African American history and culture.
Masiyiwa was one of eight people honored with the W. E. B. Du Bois Medal during the ninth Hutchins Centre Honours at Harvard on October 1, 2024.
This medal is the highest award given by Harvard in the field of African and African American studies. Masiyiwa and the other winners were recognized for their outstanding work in promoting social justice.
Known for his innovative efforts in telecommunications and philanthropy, Masiyiwa has made a significant impact in Africa and around the world. He founded the Econet Group and Cassava Technologies, helping improve economic opportunities through technology and connectivity.
His businesses operate in various regions, including Europe, India, the Middle East, the UK, and the USA.
During the ceremony, Henry Louis Gates, Jr., the Director of the Hutchins Centre, acknowledged the honorees for their dedication to fighting issues like racism, sexism, and xenophobia. He praised their commitment to celebrating the history and culture of people of African descent.
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Glenn H. Hutchins, co-founder of North Island and chairman of the Hutchins Centre’s National Advisory Board, admired the honorees for their significant achievements in various fields, including academia and business. He encouraged students and the community to look up to these role models.
Masiyiwa’s influence goes beyond business. He serves on the boards of several organizations, including Netflix and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
He and his wife, Tsitsi, are active philanthropists through their Higherlife Foundation, which provides scholarships to young Africans and supports public health initiatives, including efforts against HIV/AIDS, Ebola, and COVID-19. Masiyiwa has also served as the African Union’s Special Envoy for COVID-19.
He has received other accolades for his work in agriculture and food security and holds degrees from several universities.
Alongside Masiyiwa, the 2023 W. E. B. Du Bois Medal recipients included filmmaker Spike Lee, actor LeVar Burton, legal scholar Kimberlé Crenshaw, and arts director Thelma Golden, among others. The ceremony also recognized the founders of Harvard’s Kuumba Singers, celebrating the group’s 50th anniversary.
