Singer Azawi, real name Priscilla Zawedde, took center stage at the 10th edition of the Forbes Woman Africa Leading Women’s Summit, delivering a thought-provoking and inspiring speech that highlighted the power of women in shaping Africa’s creative and economic landscape.Held on 5th March 2025 at the Sun Bet Arena, Time Square in Pretoria, South Africa, the summit brought together some of the most influential female voices from across the continent, including business leaders, entertainers, policymakers, and change-makers.Dressed in an elegant yet bold ensemble that reflected her artistic identity, Azawi captivated the audience with her speech, which focused on the resilience of African women in the creative industry, the need for inclusivity, and the role of young female artists in redefining Africa’s narrative on the global stage.She joined a lineup of powerful women leaders and creatives, including Tems (Nigeria), Gyakie (Ghana), Zozibini Tunzi (Miss Universe 2019), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (Director-General of the WTO), Minnie Dlamini (South African media personality), and Lesego Chombo (Botswana’s Minister of Youth, Gender, Sport, and Culture).The theme for this year’s summit, “To The Power Of 10: The Rule-Breakers In Africa’s Next Chapter,” celebrated women who have defied societal norms, broken barriers, and redefined success in their respective industries.Azawi reflected on her journey from a songwriter to a globally recognized artist, emphasizing that “dreams don’t die if one refuses to let them go.”She shared how she started as a street food vendor at just 11 years old, working alongside her mother to raise school fees while carrying a deep passion for music. She explained that despite facing financial hardships, she never abandoned her dream.She recounted how opportunities in dance, songwriting, and even busking on the streets of China helped her stay on course.Even when the COVID-19 pandemic threatened to halt her progress just as she was making her breakthrough, she channeled her struggles into music and wrote “My Year”, a song that later became a national anthem of hope in Uganda.Her journey, she noted, proved that success does not come from an easy path but from perseverance in the face of obstacles.Azawi further encouraged young women and dreamers across Africa to hold on, work hard, and believe in their vision, reiterating that “dreams don’t die if one refuses to let them go.”Azawi emphasized the power of collaboration among female artists and the importance of African creatives owning their narratives in an industry where Western influences often dominate.We are not just making music for Africa, we are making music for the world and when African women support each other, we create a movement that is unstoppable.As she left the summit, her message was clear: African women are unstoppable, and the world needs to listen.
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