Iwani Mawocha

Iwani Mawocha is a young composer, photographer and award-winning videographer. In 2012 she placed second in the United Nations Environment Programme OzonAction video competition, and the Green IS Award by the Girls Impact the World Film Festival and the Ian Somerhalder Foundation in 2014. She has twice received scholarships from the International Baccalaureate to attend World Student Conferences in Canada (2012) and Hong Kong (2013).

Her other initative, The Stereo Project, aims to combat the negative stereotypes held across the globe, and highlight issues pertaining to prejudice, bigotry and racism. Upon its inception, it won the iPlan Award from the International Baccalaureate and Hong Kong University.

Iwani is a budding performer and composer. In 2012, she composed a 53-page orchestral piece entitled Vana Ve Afrika (Children of Africa). The Afro-baroque composition was inspired by her classical tuition, traditional roots and "musical hero" Josh Groban. It was performed in December in the USA by the Thurnauer School of Music in a benefit concert, Children for Children, the brain child of 12-year-old Chase Barnett. The concert raised $4000 for the Sandra Lee Centre orphanage in Swaziland that she has volunteered at since she was 12.

She is a recent graduate of Waterford Kamhlaba, a United World College that has produced students the likes of President Ian Khama of Botswana, actor Richard E. Grant, and yound Olympian Ammaar Ghadiyali. At Waterford, Iwani volunteered at the Development Office, first as Student Head of the Video Production Community Service, then as resident videographer. There, she created monthly videos higlighting the 50th Anniversary events such as visits by President Ian Khama of Botswana and King Mswati III of Swaziland. Iwani is pursuing studies in Computer Science with a minor in Music. She currently runs a YouTube page where she regularly posts videos ranging from travel vlogs to stories about Southern Africa.