"A united family eats from the same plate" ~ Anonymous.
Establishing family ties is one of the most unique identifiers of the African socio-communal system, and simply beyond establishing ties, a family is what provides balance for any society.
For the scope of this blog post, there are a number of families who we regard as being influential as far as Africa is concerned. We shall quickly examine their interesting background stories and identify with prominent members of this families who have excelled and made Africa proud with their talents and businesses. In no particular order, they include -
Establishing family ties is one of the most unique identifiers of the African socio-communal system, and simply beyond establishing ties, a family is what provides balance for any society.
For the scope of this blog post, there are a number of families who we regard as being influential as far as Africa is concerned. We shall quickly examine their interesting background stories and identify with prominent members of this families who have excelled and made Africa proud with their talents and businesses. In no particular order, they include -
The Ransome Kuti Family (Nigeria)
From music and arts to human rights activism, one cannot help but awe at the influence and impact of the Ransome-Kuti's on Nigeria, and the rest of Africa. Perhaps the foundation of this great family is the Olufela Anikulapo Ransome-Kuti popularly known as Fela Kuti (1938 – 1997). Fela Kuti was a Nigerian multi-instrumentalist, musician, and composer who is regarded as a pioneer of the Afrobeat music genre. A solid pan-Africanist, Fela’s music remains some of the most exported music pieces from the African continent. Fela’s sons, Femi and Seun, continue to carry their father’s musical legacy. Fela’s daughter, Yeni, who is also musically gifted, currently runs The Afrika Shrine, a revamped studio and entertainment place, which was originally founded by Fela. Yeni is also one of the founders of FELAbration, a music festival dedicated to celebrating Fela’s work.
Also worthy of mention is the fact that the erudite Prof. Wole Soyinka who became the first African to win the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1986 is a member of the Ransome Kuti family by maternal ties. Wole's mother, Grace, is sister to Fela's mother, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti thus making Wole cousin to Fela.
From music and arts to human rights activism, one cannot help but awe at the influence and impact of the Ransome-Kuti's on Nigeria, and the rest of Africa. Perhaps the foundation of this great family is the Olufela Anikulapo Ransome-Kuti popularly known as Fela Kuti (1938 – 1997). Fela Kuti was a Nigerian multi-instrumentalist, musician, and composer who is regarded as a pioneer of the Afrobeat music genre. A solid pan-Africanist, Fela’s music remains some of the most exported music pieces from the African continent. Fela’s sons, Femi and Seun, continue to carry their father’s musical legacy. Fela’s daughter, Yeni, who is also musically gifted, currently runs The Afrika Shrine, a revamped studio and entertainment place, which was originally founded by Fela. Yeni is also one of the founders of FELAbration, a music festival dedicated to celebrating Fela’s work.
Also worthy of mention is the fact that the erudite Prof. Wole Soyinka who became the first African to win the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1986 is a member of the Ransome Kuti family by maternal ties. Wole's mother, Grace, is sister to Fela's mother, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti thus making Wole cousin to Fela.
The Kenyatta Family (Kenya)
The name ‘Kenyatta’ is influential in both business and politics, having produced two Kenyan presidents – first president, President Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, and fourth, Uhuru Kenyatta. The Kenyatta family’s influence is, arguably, the biggest influence in the East African region. The Kenyatta's command a lot of business control in the dairy, hospitality, media, and banking industries both in Kenya and abroad. Some of the family’s notable investments include Brookside Dairy, Heritage Hotels, and Mediamax Group. They also hold about 25% shares of the Commercial Bank of Africa (CBA).
The name ‘Kenyatta’ is influential in both business and politics, having produced two Kenyan presidents – first president, President Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, and fourth, Uhuru Kenyatta. The Kenyatta family’s influence is, arguably, the biggest influence in the East African region. The Kenyatta's command a lot of business control in the dairy, hospitality, media, and banking industries both in Kenya and abroad. Some of the family’s notable investments include Brookside Dairy, Heritage Hotels, and Mediamax Group. They also hold about 25% shares of the Commercial Bank of Africa (CBA).
The Ayew Family (Ghana)
The Ayews of Ghana are known for their footballing prowess by many. Their father Abedi "Pele" Ayew was named African footballer of the year on three occasions. Also, he was one of the first African football players to earn a top placing in FIFA World Player of the Year voting, doing so in 1991 and 1992. Currently, his sons Ibrahim, Andre and Jordan still play active professional football and have represented Ghana in international competitions over the years.
The Ayews of Ghana are known for their footballing prowess by many. Their father Abedi "Pele" Ayew was named African footballer of the year on three occasions. Also, he was one of the first African football players to earn a top placing in FIFA World Player of the Year voting, doing so in 1991 and 1992. Currently, his sons Ibrahim, Andre and Jordan still play active professional football and have represented Ghana in international competitions over the years.
The Dibaba Family (Ethiopia)
The Dibaba family is made up of five exceptional athletes namely Tirunesh, Genzebe, Ejegayehu, Anna, and Melat all of whom are the only sisters in modern history to hold concurrent world records, and boast 4 Olympic gold medals, 2 silver medals, three 3 bronze and 15 world championships. Their younger brother, Dejene, has been tipped for similar greatness in the future by sports experts.
Outside of sports, the Dibabas have invested their fortunes back into Addis Ababa where they hail from. They are burgeoning real estate tycoons who own multiple buildings in the capital.
The Dibaba family is made up of five exceptional athletes namely Tirunesh, Genzebe, Ejegayehu, Anna, and Melat all of whom are the only sisters in modern history to hold concurrent world records, and boast 4 Olympic gold medals, 2 silver medals, three 3 bronze and 15 world championships. Their younger brother, Dejene, has been tipped for similar greatness in the future by sports experts.
Outside of sports, the Dibabas have invested their fortunes back into Addis Ababa where they hail from. They are burgeoning real estate tycoons who own multiple buildings in the capital.
The Dos Santos Family (Angola)
From petroleum to mining, banking, real estate, cement, retail, media, and entertainment, there are only a few areas of trade and investment that the Dos Santos Family have not spread their reach to. The head of the family is José Eduardo dos Santos, the 75-year-old Angolan president who has been in power for 37 years. The family also boasts Isabel Dos Santos, often referred to as Africa’s richest woman. She owns banks, telecom companies, a cement factory, a supermarket chain, restaurants, casinos, and also holds stakes in various utility firms. Isabel dos Santos also has a vast portfolio of investments in Angola, Portugal, Mozambique, and Cape Verde. Other influential names in the family include banker and investor, José Filomeno de Sousa dos Santos, media guru, Welwitschia José dos Santos Pego (Tchizé), and famous creative, José Paulino dos Santos, who is popularly known as ‘Coreon Dú.’
From petroleum to mining, banking, real estate, cement, retail, media, and entertainment, there are only a few areas of trade and investment that the Dos Santos Family have not spread their reach to. The head of the family is José Eduardo dos Santos, the 75-year-old Angolan president who has been in power for 37 years. The family also boasts Isabel Dos Santos, often referred to as Africa’s richest woman. She owns banks, telecom companies, a cement factory, a supermarket chain, restaurants, casinos, and also holds stakes in various utility firms. Isabel dos Santos also has a vast portfolio of investments in Angola, Portugal, Mozambique, and Cape Verde. Other influential names in the family include banker and investor, José Filomeno de Sousa dos Santos, media guru, Welwitschia José dos Santos Pego (Tchizé), and famous creative, José Paulino dos Santos, who is popularly known as ‘Coreon Dú.’