MEET THE SEMI – FINALISTS — THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE IMPACT
Every community has people making change. Some of them we know, many of them we do not. They are the community champions, changemakers and everyday heroes whose work deserves to be seen, honoured and amplified. This is why The List Awards exists: to find these people, shine a light on their work and give recognition to men and women advancing change in their communities, often without receiving the recognition their work deserves.
Now in its third edition under the theme “Celebrating Impact”, The List Awards by Identities Media Holdings was originally structured around 13 impact categories, recognising people whose sustained work, leadership and commitment are changing lives in Zimbabwe and across the region.
The Storyteller/Journalism Impact Award features Blessing Ncozana, who uses film to advocate against child marriage; Zeluleko Moyo, whose @thelegacycode platform tackles governance, mental health and social justice; health communications specialist Fadzai Ndangana, who highlights healthcare inequalities; digital journalist and media entrepreneur Keegan Chipato; and filmmaker Stan Joni, who uses community screenings to spark conversations around protecting girls.
In the Entertainment Impact Award, Shephad Chidima uses poetry to equip children with confidence and advocacy skills; Poland-based filmmaker John T. Mabuyane kaLunga advances Zimbabwean storytelling internationally; veteran producer Vincent Gurure continues decades of work developing artists and transferring broadcasting skills; Ruvimbo Mapanda, known as Raven Duchess, uses music to advance mental health awareness and disability inclusion; while actor, director and producer Zolile Makeleni promotes local storytelling and mentors upcoming filmmakers.
The Youth Impact Award brings together agripreneur Joshua Zinzombe, who has trained thousands of farmers in climate-smart agriculture; legal professional and youth activist Listen Mpofu; Bulawayo Ward 22 Councillor and Ubuntu Network founder Bruce Moyo; and African leadership development consultant and social entrepreneur Thabani Mlilo.
In Emerging Technologies Impact, Jeffrey Katuruza, founder of RuraTech, is helping bridge the rural digital divide through offline digital learning, while Tunisian AI technologist Maha Jouini advances ethical artificial intelligence, digital inclusion and survivor-led health innovation across Africa.
The Artist Pan-African Impact Award recognises South African visual artist Farook Mohammed, creator of the Makoti Project whose work uses art to advance Pan-African unity, cultural diplomacy and gender-based violence awareness.
In the Poverty Alleviation Impact Award, Makhosi Mhlangu and Chipo Mahamba are recognised for work making a meaningful difference in communities and contributing towards poverty alleviation.
The Business Impact Award finalists are Martinagema Moyo, Walter Patsanza, Panashe Vakira and Gabriel Makuvire, community champions demonstrating how business can create opportunity, livelihoods and positive change.
The Humanitarian Impact Award recognises Marvin Musekiwa, Aaron Dobi, Columbus Mushore and Happymore Mushayavanhu for work that serves people, advances human dignity and makes a difference within communities.
In the Climate and Environmental Impact Award, Tafadzwa Kurotwi, Rudo Mutsago, Thembelihle Nyathi and Kundai Ngwena are recognised for advancing environmental protection and community-centred climate action.
The Social Impact Award brings together Yanil Wolfe, Nancy Mutongwazi, Wilson Box and Kadelwa Joab Ndlovu, recognised for work responding to social challenges and creating meaningful change in their communities.
In the Human Rights Impact Award, Purity Manyowa, Author Gwawa and Ozwel Gono are recognised for promoting human rights, dignity and positive change.
The Role Model Pan-African Impact Award features Caroline Nyaga, Fozia Mohammed and Puseletso Mpeisa, whose actions, leadership and achievements continue to inspire others while advancing unity and Pan-Africanism.
Completing the original 13 categories is the Sports Impact Award, with Tawanda Zazu, Blessing Chisangano, Divas Shava and Ozwell Gono recognised for using sport to inspire, build communities and create meaningful impact.
Beyond the original 13 categories, the Board of The List Awards has this year introduced a Special Heroes Award, an additional recognition for extraordinary acts of courage, humanity and service. The award allows The List to recognise exceptional individuals whose actions may not necessarily fit within the structured, day-to-day impact and sustained commitment demonstrated across the 13 categories. These are everyday heroes who, when faced with an extraordinary moment, choose to show up for others, sometimes putting their own safety or lives on the line for their communities. It is a recognition of those rare moments of courage and humanity that deserve to be seen, honoured and amplified.
These finalists and honourees represent what sits at the heart of The List Awards: people making change, community champions whose work deserves recognition, and heroes whose stories deserve to be amplified.
As the countdown continues towards 6 November 2026 at Zimbali Gardens, The List Awards will bring these changemakers into one room, honour their journeys and amplify the work they continue to do in their communities. Because sometimes the people changing the world are not the loudest in the room. They simply keep showing up, doing the work and changing lives. The List exists to find them, recognise them, honour them and celebrate their impact.
Every community has people making change. Some of them we know, many of them we do not. They are the community champions, changemakers and everyday heroes whose work deserves to be seen, honoured and amplified. This is why The List Awards exists: to find these people, shine a light on their work and give recognition to men and women advancing change in their communities, often without receiving the recognition their work deserves.
Now in its third edition under the theme “Celebrating Impact”, The List Awards by Identities Media Holdings was originally structured around 13 impact categories, recognising people whose sustained work, leadership and commitment are changing lives in Zimbabwe and across the region.
The Storyteller/Journalism Impact Award features Blessing Ncozana, who uses film to advocate against child marriage; Zeluleko Moyo, whose @thelegacycode platform tackles governance, mental health and social justice; health communications specialist Fadzai Ndangana, who highlights healthcare inequalities; digital journalist and media entrepreneur Keegan Chipato; and filmmaker Stan Joni, who uses community screenings to spark conversations around protecting girls.
In the Entertainment Impact Award, Shephad Chidima uses poetry to equip children with confidence and advocacy skills; Poland-based filmmaker John T. Mabuyane kaLunga advances Zimbabwean storytelling internationally; veteran producer Vincent Gurure continues decades of work developing artists and transferring broadcasting skills; Ruvimbo Mapanda, known as Raven Duchess, uses music to advance mental health awareness and disability inclusion; while actor, director and producer Zolile Makeleni promotes local storytelling and mentors upcoming filmmakers.
The Youth Impact Award brings together agripreneur Joshua Zinzombe, who has trained thousands of farmers in climate-smart agriculture; legal professional and youth activist Listen Mpofu; Bulawayo Ward 22 Councillor and Ubuntu Network founder Bruce Moyo; and African leadership development consultant and social entrepreneur Thabani Mlilo.
In Emerging Technologies Impact, Jeffrey Katuruza, founder of RuraTech, is helping bridge the rural digital divide through offline digital learning, while Tunisian AI technologist Maha Jouini advances ethical artificial intelligence, digital inclusion and survivor-led health innovation across Africa.
The Artist Pan-African Impact Award recognises South African visual artist Farook Mohammed, creator of the Makoti Project, whose work uses art to advance Pan-African unity, cultural diplomacy and gender-based violence awareness.
In the Poverty Alleviation Impact Award, Makhosi Mhlangu and Chipo Mahamba are recognised for work making a meaningful difference in communities and contributing towards poverty alleviation.
The Business Impact Award finalists are Martinagema Moyo, Walter Patsanza, Panashe Vakira and Gabriel Makuvire, community champions demonstrating how business can create opportunity, livelihoods and positive change.
The Humanitarian Impact Award recognises Marvin Musekiwa, Aaron Dobi, Columbus Mushore and Happymore Mushayavanhu for work that serves people, advances human dignity and makes a difference within communities.
In the Climate and Environmental Impact Award, Tafadzwa Kurotwi, Rudo Mutsago, Thembelihle Nyathi and Kundai Ngwena are recognised for advancing environmental protection and community-centred climate action.
The Social Impact Award brings together Yanil Wolfe, Nancy Mutongwazi, Wilson Box and Kadelwa Joab Ndlovu, recognised for work responding to social challenges and creating meaningful change in their communities.
In the Human Rights Impact Award, Purity Manyowa, Author Gwawa and Ozwel Gono are recognised for promoting human rights, dignity and positive change.
The Role Model Pan-African Impact Award features Caroline Nyaga and Puseletso Mpeisa, whose actions, leadership and achievements continue to inspire others while advancing unity and Pan-Africanism.
Completing the original 13 categories is the Sports Impact Award, with Tawanda Zazu, Blessing Chisangano, Divas Shava and Ozwell Gono recognised for using sport to inspire, build communities and create meaningful impact.
Beyond the original 13 categories, the Board of The List Awards has this year introduced a Special Heroes Award, an additional recognition for extraordinary acts of courage, humanity and service. The award allows The List to recognise exceptional individuals whose actions may not necessarily fit within the structured, day-to-day impact and sustained commitment demonstrated across the 13 categories. These are everyday heroes who, when faced with an extraordinary moment, choose to show up for others, sometimes putting their own safety or lives on the line for their communities. It is a recognition of those rare moments of courage and humanity that deserve to be seen, honoured and amplified.
These finalists and honourees represent what sits at the heart of The List Awards: people making change, community champions whose work deserves recognition, and heroes whose stories deserve to be amplified.
As the countdown continues towards 6 November 2026 at Zimbali Gardens, The List Awards will bring these changemakers into one room, honour their journeys and amplify the work they continue to do in their communities. Because sometimes the people changing the world are not the loudest in the room. They simply keep showing up, doing the work and changing lives. The List exists to find them, recognise them, honour them and celebrate their impact.