Watching young people passionately pursue their talents is always a fascinating sight.
One such individual is 11-year-old Shanah Manjeru who stole the hearts of many across the continent.
According to her manager Tony Mwangi, Shanah bagged the Arts and Culture Award at the Second Annual AfrICAN Children of the Year Awards (ACOTYA) 2019.
The young musician was awarded in a ceremony held on November 2, 2019, at the Profound Conference Centre, Bramley, in Johannesburg, South Africa.
“I am very grateful to receive this Africa-wide recognition for my effort and work around influencing and inspiring all kinds of people through my music,” an elated Shanah stated.
“I shall continue making more inspirational music that transcends boundaries so as to reach and impact more people globally," she added.
The 11-year-old was the only non-South African to win a trophy in her category in the continental event.
The event comprised 11 winners, 11 first runners-up, 11 second runners-up, and 59 nominees from Botswana, Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa.
The AfrICAN Children of the Year Awards is an initiative of The Stacey Fru Foundation, based in South Africa.
The awards ceremony recognises children aged between 7 and 13 years from across Africa, who contribute positively in their communities, countries and the continent with their talents and skills
Shanah, who began singing professionally at the age of nine, has so far released six songs, namely Destiny in 2017, We Are One, Winner, and God Will Listen in 2018. In April 2019, she released Worship and Worship Symphony.
In 2018, she won the Song of the Year Award during the Kenya Gospel Music Awards. In 2019, during Maranatha Global Gospel Music Awards, she won the Outstanding Alternative-urban Fusion Minister of Excellence 2019. She was also a Groove Awards nominee in the same year.
