Magodonga Mahlangu
Encyclopedia
Magodonga Mahlangu is a women's rights campaigner from Zimbabwe who in 2009 was awarded the Robert F Kennedy Human Rights Award by U.S. President Barack Obama.
Mahlangu is a leader of Women of Zimbabwe Arise (Woza), founded by Jenni Williams
. When presenting the award to them both, Obama commented: "By her example, Magodonga has shown the women of WOZA and the people of Zimbabwe that they can undermine their oppressors' power with their own power -- that they can sap a dictator's strength with their own. Her courage has inspired others to summon theirs." In her remarks accepting the award, Mahlangu quoted Robert F. Kennedy
, saying, "The future is not a gift: it is an achievement. Every generation helps make its own future."
Mahlangu was raised in the South Matebeleland area and educated at a private school where she received a diploma in coaching and sports administration. Eventually she had her own athletics club. She began organising protests for WOZA in 2003. Mahlangu's family now live outside Zimbabwe. She is unmarried and has no children.
Mahlangu has been arrested by the Zimbabwean authorities more than once following political protests in the country.
Mahlangu is a leader of Women of Zimbabwe Arise (Woza), founded by Jenni Williams
Jenni Williams
Jenni Williams is a Zimbabwean human rights activist and founder of WOZA.-Early life:Jenni was born in Zimbabwe. She is of mixed race - her mechanic father, who was absent for most of her upbringing, was black. Her mother Margaret is the daughter of an Irish man who emigrated to what was then...
. When presenting the award to them both, Obama commented: "By her example, Magodonga has shown the women of WOZA and the people of Zimbabwe that they can undermine their oppressors' power with their own power -- that they can sap a dictator's strength with their own. Her courage has inspired others to summon theirs." In her remarks accepting the award, Mahlangu quoted Robert F. Kennedy
Robert F. Kennedy
Robert Francis "Bobby" Kennedy , also referred to by his initials RFK, was an American politician, a Democratic senator from New York, and a noted civil rights activist. An icon of modern American liberalism and member of the Kennedy family, he was a younger brother of President John F...
, saying, "The future is not a gift: it is an achievement. Every generation helps make its own future."
Mahlangu was raised in the South Matebeleland area and educated at a private school where she received a diploma in coaching and sports administration. Eventually she had her own athletics club. She began organising protests for WOZA in 2003. Mahlangu's family now live outside Zimbabwe. She is unmarried and has no children.
Mahlangu has been arrested by the Zimbabwean authorities more than once following political protests in the country.