Didier
Drogba, 33, Côte d’Ivoire Soccer Player
On
top of being a striker for England’s Chelsea Football Club and captain of the
Côte d’Ivoire national team, Drogba is a political activist, having helped
establish peace for Côte d’Ivoire after five years of civil war. He did
this in a dramatic, televised gesture when, in the middle of the World cup in
Germany, he dropped to his knees and begged the warring factions to give up
their arms. They agreed.
Akon,
38, Senegalese Musician
When
the Senegalese-American hip-hop artist released his single “Locked Up” in 2004,
he came to be regarded as one of the top acts in the U.S. as well as Africa.
Since then, the artist has released three albums, each selling millions of
copies internationally. Akon also owns the record label Kon Live, which helped
kick off Lady Gaga’s and T-Pain’s careers, as well as the Konvict clothing
line.
Salif
Keita, 62, Malian Musician
Keita
is not only the founder of the Mali Empire but he is also considered one of the
pioneers of Afro-pop, an unpredictable title for him when he broke tradition
with his wealthy family and set out to become a musician. At age 18, Keita was
banished from his village because the villagers feared albinos brought bad
luck. But from there, Keita went on to play for Les Ambassadeurs—a Malian music
group—and released several independent albums that have been wildly successful.
His most recent album, “La Différence,” was written to raise awareness of the
stigmatization of albinos around the world.
Oumou
Sangare, 43, Malian Musician
Sangare
made Wassoulou—a popular Malian genre of music named for a region—beloved
around the world. She is one of the top musical icons in Malian culture.
Wassoulou is traditionally performed by all women and accompanied by
traditional instruments such as the djembe drum and the kora (a traditional
African harp). Lyrics tend to be about women’s right and feminism—perfect for
Sangare, a U.N. Goodwill ambassador who has long been an advocate for the
disintegration of polygamy. Sangare is also an ambassador for the Food and
Agriculture Organization.
Haile
Gebrselassie, 38, Ethiopian Athlete
Gebrselassie
is the top long-distance runner in the world and a four-time winner of the
Berlin Marathon. The Ethiopian idol also holds two Olympic gold medals and won
the Great Manchester run in England. Gebrselassie lives to run, and proved that
when he announced his retirement several years ago, only to take back his
announcement a few days later when he decided to run in the 2012 London
Olympics.
Samuel
Eto’o, 30, Cameroonian Soccer Player
Eto’o
became the highest-earning athlete, not only in soccer but, in all sports,
when he accepted a $29-million salary from the Russian club, Anzhi Makhachkala.
Eto’o also receives generous endorsements from brands like Ford and Puma.
Alek
Wek, 34, Sudanese Supermodel
After
fleeing the turbulent political climate in Sudan, Wek walked into the spotlight
on the American catwalk. At the age of 18, she was already a featured model in
Tina Turner’s and Janet Jackson’s music videos and today she can be seen in ads
for Calvin Klein, Victoria’s Secret and Christian Lacroix. Wek is also a member
of the U.S. Committee for Refugees Advisory Council, and an ambassador for
Doctors Without Borders.
Liya
Kebede, 33, Ethiopian Supermodel
Kebede
became internationally famous in 2000 after Gucci offered her an exclusive
contract for its fall-winter 2000 fashion show. Since then, Kebede has done
shows for Victoria’s Secret, Tommy Hilfiger, Escada, Louis Vuitton and Estee
Lauder. Kebede is also a goodwill ambassador for Maternal, Newborn and Child
Health and has her own foundation which funds initiatives that promote simple,
low-cost strategies to save the lives of mothers and children.
Genevieve
Nnaji, 32, Nigerian Actress
Held
in the same regard as Julia Roberts, Reese Witherspoon and other high-profile
Hollywood stars, Nnaji has been acting since the age of 8, when she had a
supporting role on a Nigerian TV series. Today, she is considered the face of
Nollywood and one of Africa’s most recognizable faces.
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