Eba Kandovazu

The president of the Pan African Women’s Organisation (PAWO) Eunice Ipinge was presented a lifetime achievement accolade, the Queen Nzinga Mbandi award, by the Young Women of Africa (YWOA).

Ipinge is a former Secretary for the Swapo Party Women’s Council.
The deputy youth and sports minister, Emma Kantema-Gaomas also received a certificate of excellence in leadership and governance.
The conferment happened in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia last week, at the just-concluded 4th annual continental convention. 

Speaking to Nampa from Addis Ababa, YWOA president Precious Banda said the Queen Nzinga award is the highest award the YWOA can bestow on anyone, and Ipinge is the first African to receive the accolade.
“Mama Ipinge is a remarkable leader in uniting the women of Africa. She has been doing work on the continent, and embraces young women as a source of wisdom and is not threatened by our youthfulness. 

As an organisation, we find her to be a very dependable leader, who we believe must be honoured and elevated on the African continent,” Banda said.
Ipinge, a liberation fighter, in an interview with this agency expressed her gratitude, saying she is honoured to have been equated to Queen Nzinga, who also fought for the liberation of Angola in the 17th century.
“We have African heroines who fought for the liberation of the continent, like the queen who fought for the liberation of Angola. She fought against slavery, fought against the colonialism of the Portuguese until the end. 

I was given this award because these young women believe my contribution to the liberation of our country and continent is equated to this queen. It is a big honour for me to be recognised,” she told Nampa.
South Sudan’s Speaker of Parliament Jemma Kumba was also bestowed a certificate in leadership and governance at the same event.
-Nampa