H-Metro Correspondent
THE huge impact, which Zimbabweans are having around the world, has been highlighted by the prestigious honour which has been handed to Dr James Manyika.
He is the Senior vice-president of Alphabet, Google’s parent company,.
Dr Manyika received one of Harvard University’s highest honours last week.
The Zimbabwean business executive received the William Edward Burghardt Du Bois Medal.
It is in recognition of his contributions to technology, research and public life.
Dr Manyika received the prestigious award at a ceremony held at Harvard’s Sanders Theatre on October 8. Zimbabwe’s billionaire businessman, Strive Masiyiwa, who received the same honour in 2024, presented the medal.
Dr Manyika’s achievement adds to the growing international recognition of Zimbabweans, who have risen to influential positions in global business, technology and academia.
He began his academic journey at the University of Zimbabwe, where he graduated with a first-class honours degree in engineering.
He then proceeded to the University of Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar.
At Alphabet, Dr Manyika works in areas including artificial intelligence, computing and scientific research, fields that are shaping technological innovation and the global digital economy.
Established in 2000, the William Edward Burghat Du Bois Medal is named after a renowned African-American scholar, sociologist and civil rights activist.
The award recognises individuals whose contributions have advanced African and African-American history, culture and public life.
Previous recipients include media personality Oprah Winfrey, filmmaker Spike Lee, civil rights leader John Lewis and Nigerian Nobel Prize-winning writer Wole Soyinka.
Dr Manyika was among eight recipients honoured this year, alongside actress Angela Bassett, former Ivorian football star Didier Drogba and Netflix co-founder Reed Hastings.
His recognition highlights the international reach of Zimbabwean talent.
