Unathi Lutshaba has been honoured by the United Nations as one of the World’s Most Influential People of African Descent.
South Africa (13 October 2022) – Unathi Lutshaba is officially one of the world’s most influential people of African descent as chosen by the United Nations. She was honoured due to her work as the Executive Director of the SA Cultural Observatory.
Included in Most Influential People of African Descent’s (MIPAD) global Top 100 Under 40 sector in the “activism and humanitarian” category, Unathi received the recognition at the UN’s headquarters in New York.
MIPAD identifies high achievers of African descent in the public and private sectors from all around the world as a progressive network of relevant actors to join together in the spirit of recognition, justice and development of Africa, and it’s people on the continent.
The event ran for five days and included leadership training, panel discussions and opportunities to work and collaborate with fellow recipients from around the world.
Unathi Lutshaba is a Mandela University Alumnus and today, is based out of the university’s building where she works towards researching South Africa’s diverse arts and cultures.
She graduated from the university in 2011 with a master’s degree in development studies. Since then, she has headed up a research team building evidence and influencing policy in the music, visual arts and film industry, for the good of creatives and the country’s economy. She is a champion of the arts!
“The creative world is no longer about art for art’s sake, but rather an undervalued and under-supported industry with untapped potential for generating economic growth and social unity”.
This country’s cultural and creative industry accounts for 6% of all jobs and in 2020, it directly contributed R161bn, or 2.97%, of the country’s GDP.
Her contribution to research and understanding this sector has greatly empowered South Africans which is why today, she is one of the world’s most influential people of African descent!
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