South African philanthropist Dr Collen Mashawana has been honoured with the prestigious African Philanthropist Award at the African Heritage Awards 2026, held on Saturday, 11 April 2026, at the Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel in Accra, Ghana.
The high-profile event attracted influential leaders and dignitaries from across the continent, including President John Dramani Mahama, Botswana Former President Ian Khama, and Uganda Deputy Prime Minister Rebecca Kadaga, alongside policymakers, business leaders, diplomats and change-makers.
Dr Mashawana received the award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to philanthropy and his unwavering commitment to uplifting vulnerable communities through sustainable development initiatives. Through the Collen Mashawana Foundation, he has led transformative programmes focused on housing delivery, education support, poverty alleviation and restoring dignity to disadvantaged families across South Africa.
Speaking after receiving the award, Dr Mashawana said the recognition signalled a new chapter for the foundation’s continental vision.
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“The continent has now become too small for anyone to be limited by the borders that exist between our countries. This gesture has confirmed that CMF is ready to do more work in other African countries, in addition to the work we have done in South Africa.”
During his visit to Ghana, Dr Mashawana also engaged with key stakeholders on infrastructure and social development, further advancing his vision of stronger African partnerships that address socio-economic challenges and promote inclusive growth.
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The honour comes as the Collen Mashawana Foundation prepares to celebrate its 14th anniversary this month, marking over a decade of impact, empowerment and service to communities across the continent.
