For the World Citizen Awards 2018, the Zambian songstress Yvonne Mwale was announced 2nd winner in the music category. She will be honoured at a concert on February 6th in Kingston (Jamaica).
“I can’t believe it. To be recognised with such an award makes me very very proud!” says Yvonne Mwale shortly after being informed about her success. The story had its beginning back in 2015 when Yvonne was writing the last songs for her current album “Msimbi Wakuda”. At this time, the wave of refugees heading from Asia and Africa to Europe reached its peak. In the news we could see pictures of capsized boats and bodies of dead children, swamped at the beach. Touched by this developments Yvonne decided to write a song about it. Soon, the track “Kuwingamo” was recorded in a studio in Frankfurt (Germany). The lyrics of this song are calling for a peaceful, understanding way of living together as humans – but at the same time pointing out the horrible results of corrupt actions of some politicians. The track “Kuwingamo” together with the musical delivery convinced the judges of the World Citizen Artist Awards. The board of judges is made up of representatives of the Bob Marley Foundation, the Ghandi Foundation as well as representatives of the music industry.
One night then, Yvonne got a call from Paris with the invitation to Jamaica. On February 6th, 2018 Yvonne will present her song at a music festival on the former property of Reggae legend Bob Marley. Representatives of the World Citizen Artist Awards will recognise Yvonne’s work in presence of members of the Marley family. During her stay in Jamaica, Yvonne Mwale will as well conduct workshops with local children.
For Yvonne, this is not the first award though: After being awarded the Ngoma Awards 2009 as ‘Best Upcoming Female Artist’, she started shining abroad as well by touring eight countries in Europe in 2010. Later, she won another award the the Jahazi Jazz Festival (2012, Zanzibar) and was finalist at the Prix Decouverté by french radio station RFI. She is currently based in Germany from where she tours for concerts and festivals around the world. 2016 she performed a small Africa tour with appearances on festivals in DR Congo, Rwanda and Tanzania.
Although being succesfull in the music business, Yvonne always has a heart for those in need. As a social engagement, she currently is an ambassador for the campaign ‘Stop the Cut’ by the AMREF Flying Doctors Austria.
Overall winner of the World Citizen Artist Awards 2018 “Music” ist the Canadian singer-songwriter Tasha T. Winner in the category „Visual Arts“ ist the Swiss artist Sonam Dolma Brauen.