A bold voice for young democracy: Namatai Kwekweza

At the age of only 26, Namatai Kwekweza has already been arrested many times, but she remains resolute. In her homeland of Zimbabwe, Kwekweza is a unwavering campaigner for the rule of law, political participation, and equal rights for women and young people. Through her work she demonstrates how democracy cannot be taken for granted and must be defended every day.  

A powerful symbol of hope 

Namatai Kwekweza has been awarded the 2025 German Africa Prize in recognition of her commitment and activism. “In an era of profound geopolitical change and mounting threats to democracy worldwide, Namatai Kwekweza is a beacon of hope, offering a resounding message of confidence and democratic renewal,” says the announcement on the German Africa Foundation, which awards the prize. It is regarded as Germany’s highest honour in recognition of services by Africans, and will be presented by the President of the Bundestag Julia Klöckner on 26 November 2025. 

At the age of only 18, Namatai Kwekweza founded the WeLead Trust organisation, which trains young leaders, primarily in Zimbabwe, and advocates their involvement in political decision-making and governance processes. She is passionate about accountability, civil liberties, and youth-friendly constitutional and governmental reform.  

A new generation, courageously shouldering responsibility 

Kwekweza has paid a high price for her activism. She relates how she has suffered arrests, state repression and attempts to intimidate her. For the jury of the German Africa Prize, however, she represents a paradigm shift: “Young people across the continent [are] campaigning for a say in decision-making, transparency, and social change, as demonstrated by the protest movements of Generation Z in various African countries,” the jury said. For the jury, Namatai Kwekweza stands for more than just protest, but represents “a prime example of this new generation of democrats, courageously taking responsibility and helping to shape the future of their countries,” the jury’s chairperson Claus Stäcker said to Deutsche Welle.  

For Kwekweza herself, receiving the German Africa Prize represents both a signal and a commitment. As the youngest-ever winner of the award, she says it signifies a shift towards amplifying the voices of young people, especially young women. “I am very keen to use the award as an opportunity to bring about the voices of the young people that I work with in Zimbabwe, but also the stories of the young people across the continent,” she says.