Dr Collen Mashawana has been honoured with the “Outstanding Leadership in Community Building and Philanthropy Award” at the Community Builders in Africa Awards held in Harare, Zimbabwe. Image: Supplied
Zimbabwe
1Min
South Africa
Dr Mashawana honoured at Community Builders in Africa Awards
Humanitarian and philanthropist Dr Collen Mashawana has been recognised in Zimbabwe for his outstanding leadership in community building and philanthropy, adding to a growing list of continental honours for his humanitarian work across Africa.
Dr Collen Mashawana has been honoured with the “Outstanding Leadership in Community Building and Philanthropy Award” at the Community Builders in Africa Awards held in Harare, Zimbabwe.
The award was presented alongside distinguished African leaders, government representatives, and members of the business community from across the continent.
The latest recognition follows Dr Mashawana’s recent honour in Ghana, where he received the African Philanthropist Award at the African Heritage Awards 2026 for his continued humanitarian work, community development initiatives, and social impact across Africa.
The Collen Mashawana Foundation (CMF) said in a statement that the recognitions reflect more than 14 years of dedicated service in uplifting vulnerable and underprivileged communities through sustainable humanitarian interventions, social development programmes, and empowerment initiatives across South Africa and the African continent.
As the foundation expands beyond South Africa, CMF has strengthened its partnerships and presence in countries including Ghana, Botswana, and Zimbabwe. The organisation said this growth reaffirms its commitment to promoting African unity, social cohesion, and sustainable development across borders.
Speaking during the awards ceremony, Dr Mashawana called for stronger African unity and urged Africans not to allow borders to divide them.
“Africans must continue to treat one another with kindness, dignity, and respect, as we are bound together by a shared history, shared humanity, and a shared responsibility to build a united and prosperous continent,” said Dr Mashawana.
He also stressed that South Africa is not xenophobic and highlighted the importance of respecting the laws of different countries while encouraging peaceful coexistence across the continent.
Dr Mashawana further noted that Africa has become too interconnected for its people to remain divided by borders, adding that unity, collective progress, and human solidarity should take priority over division.
The foundation described the award as not only a recognition of Dr Mashawana’s work, but also a tribute to CMF partners, volunteers, stakeholders, and communities supporting the organisation’s mission of restoring hope and dignity to those in need.
CMF also thanked the organisers of the Community Builders in Africa Awards and the people of Zimbabwe for the continental recognition.
