Africans of Cambridge

Launched in response to the void of the stories and presence of Africans at Cambridge, Africans of Cambridge aims to highlight the Africans that were and are part of Cambridge.

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Ihuoma Okorie

Growing up, the idea of getting into Cambridge University - one of the top universities in the world - seemed far fetched and unattainable. Even though I performed really well in undergrad at the University of Nottingham, when I applied to come here for a Masters programme, I honestly didn't feel very confident about my chances of getting in. I had not heard a lot of stories about Africans at Cambridge University and I was not sure how well I would fit in. But since I got here I've met a lot of people with different backgrounds and I've realised that there's no mould for a Cambridge student.

My vision for Nigeria and the African continent at large is a future where the educational institutions are so good that young people aspire to study at African universities as much as they do to come to universities like Cambridge.
(Posted 03/20)

Stephen Ajadi

I am from Ògbómòṣó — a big town in south-western Nigeria. I grew up with a strong enchantment for space, scale, and cities. My childhood offered me a fair experience of all three phenomena. From my family staying for a decade in the US to hop-scotching across Nigeria, I have grown up seeing life through these three avenues. Traveling the world; the interest has since taken me through 4 academic degrees and a handful of certifications. I am an architect, a planner, a designer, a manager, but at Cambridge, I am also a development economist. My multidisciplinarity has enabled me to engage with issues requiring complex approaches. The environment of Cambridge offers a welter of means to follow the most complex intellectual curiosities. Through my PhD studies in Land Economy, I continue to dream of lasting peace for my continent, for my people. My studies focus on the spatial dynamics and impacts of conflict on sub-Saharan African cities. This obsession spills beyond my schoolwork. So when I design environments for the displaced…or push anti-conflict policies, or train a younger generation of outstanding African thinkers, my pursuit of urban and rural peace is always constant. By far, the most important part of Cambridge to me are other Africans I have known. Fellow Africans, not scared to push the continent (and indeed the world) forward with all they have. We strengthen each other. We inspire each other, as we continuously try to re-understand ourselves…From the slightest things on the surface to the very depths of the black soil that binds us all.
(Posted 02/20)

Okuku Patience Spinoza Onen

Life is too short!
That is my guiding principle. I have a sense of urgency to life – a drive to leave this world a better place than I’ve found it and a deep conviction to make the world realize the vanity of our being. Having been born in Uganda and studied Business Management at the University of British Columbia, I have seen the best of both worlds. I am interested in many things: a poet on my better days, a comedian when I feel like addressing heavy topics in a light tone, a dancer when I feel moved, a writer when I get the words, a debater when challenged, and a monopoly player any day! I am passionate about poverty, homelessness, aging, climate change, and good governance in Africa and the rest of the world.
My journey to Cambridge to study Development Studies is inspired by a strong desire to make a substantive and sustainable change on the continent (where I plan to return soon and encourage Africans in the diaspora to return). I believe that for Africa to realize its full potential, we need to enhance and fully exploit our resources and that includes the vibrant human talent and population mass (market). Additionally, I am a great student of the Kwame Nkrumah school of thought that still dreams of the United States of Africa. I was initially interested in politics, but over time, I have realized that it is pointless leading an economically vulnerable population, so I am refocusing on entrepreneurship and job creation. To know more about my work in Uganda, please follow my pages: here and here. My journey to Cambridge clings on friendship and the kindness of three friends, so if I were to give any advice: PLEASE MAKE FRIENDS EVERYDAY! BE THERE FOR YOUR FRIENDS! FRIENDS ARE FAMILY! NOTHING BEATS TRUE FRIENDS!
(Posted 02/20)

Grâce Bingoto-Mandoko

‘‘A single bracelet does not jingle’’ (Congolese proverb)

My name is Grâce H. Bingoto Mandoko, I am Congolese (DRC) and I currently live in Cote d'Ivoire. I had initially planned to discuss all the "firsts and only's" that marked my journey to Cambridge while candidly mentioning my accolades. But I hope to stray from the distinctions, scholarships and "token/ambassador" dynamics to say that my MPhil in International Relations and Politics pushed me to reassess the place of the "self" when confronted with the "other". When I was at my lowest, Cambridge gave me a family, a core of strong women of colour that shared their stories, vulnerabilities and built each other up. With them, I found my voice again. I dream that the "Cambridge journey" will be equally accessible to the young woman from Goma, not as a final destination or an escape route but as a "choice". I believe that "choice" is linked to exposure and as a teacher, I aim to contribute to this “exposure’’ and their ‘‘jingle’’.
(Posted 11/19)

Kariuki Lagonosticta Mercie

"There are opportunities even in the most difficult moments” by Wangari Mathaai.

"Growing up in Kenya, I learned at a very young age that good education was the key to unlocking my dreams. As a result, I worked hard at school and aspired to perform at the highest level I could, while also keeping my dreams on the horizon. One of my proudest achievements has been successfully raising funds for a community-conservation project in Kinangop, Kenya. Where I work closely with local organizations and farmers’ groups to promote conservation of the endemic and endangered Sharpe’s Longclaw bird species while also striving to enhance environmental awareness among farmers (http://nwc.co.ke/). I would like to take up a leadership role in helping shape sustainable conservation initiatives amongst local communities across Africa. Am very honoured to be a current student at the University of Cambridge reading MPhil in Conservation Leadership as my long-term goal is to become an inspiration to others, especially African women interested in conservation. Additionally, I hope to engage in the training of young and aspiring individuals to serve as a transfer medium to enable them to acquire such skills, thereby empowering them in the process. This would be my way of giving back to society and ensuring sustainability of development in this area.

(Posted 11/19)

Dennis Mukuba

I was part of the 2017-2018 Gates Cambridge scholarship cohort. Coming from Kenya, I joined Cambridge to do a Masters in Architecture and Urban Studies. My dream is one of many that cover various interests: from inspiring art and creativity, to deconstructing Africa's borders, to making sustainable buildings and to creating better connected urban environments. As much dream as vision is involved with me, and I live - and work - interchangeably in either endeavour.
(Posted 11/19)

Tendai Chisowa

(Neuroscience PhD student at University of Cambridge)

I was born in Zambia but raised in the USA, where I heard stories about my close family members dying from ailments that should not be fatal. These narratives are my motivation for studying medicine and developing skills I need to improve medical care in Africa. We should not have to depend on aid from foreign charities for survival. Africa's future begins with us (Africans).
(Posted 03/19)

Imane Bou-Saboun

(Linguistics undergraduate, University of Cambridge)

As a child I was tirelessly inquisitive when it came to my origins. Back then, my passion for history and geography led me to discover the incredible legacy of the Amazigh people, my ethnic group, and their kingdoms from Egypt to Mali. I was amazed at their prehistoric genesis as well, which made them the main civilization of that area up to the Arab conquests and Islamic conversion. My attachment to my Berber roots now manifests itself in the desire to learn and analyse their language. I applied to Cambridge because I knew this would be the best place to study Linguistics. Here we learn about how languages changed throughout time, how they are classified into families, how meanings evolve and the interaction between identities and dialects. I hope this knowledge will enable me to become a conscious ambassador of the language of my ancestors, which needs academic protection and promotion to prevent its endangerment and make sure the children of the future will be able to marvel at this outstanding piece of African history and culture.
(Posted 02/19)

Abderrezzaq Ghafsi

I am Abderrezzaq Ghafsi, a PhD student from Anglia Ruskin University. In 2014, I was successful in the Algerian scholarly exam and I was awarded with a scholarship which enabled me to join Anglia Ruskin University. I chose Cambridge because I wanted to make the most from its dynamic learning environment, but most importantly due to my supervisor who is highly interested in my research. My dream is to build bridges of understanding and dialogue between Africa and the world using literature. I am interested in projects related to African culture particularly that of Algeria. My research aims at motivating Algerian youth and bringing Algerian local culture to the world.
(Posted 12/18)

Sonola Onasanya

I just started my MPhil in Engineering for Sustainable Development. I am Nigerian, though most Nigerians never think so when they first meet me. Grew up in Lagos till I was 13, then moved to South Africa, the US and now the UK. My dream is to see African countries become places where people live high quality lives. I would love to engage in work that helps create opportunities for people - infrastructure in developing countries, healthcare, etc. The problem is, as a chemical engineer, it was realistic to get work in standard industries like oil, plastics, and food manufacturing, but to get a job serving the most vulnerable people wasn't so easy. That's why I came back to school - to change my direction. My vision for Nigeria - good infrastructure, education, work opportunities, healthcare, safety, cultural appreciation, functioning systems, etc. But honestly, I don't see the present political leaders of Nigeria ever realising my vision.
(Posted 12/18)