Mozambique needs real role models, people who prove by example that it is possible to create, lead, innovate and transform. It needs role models who are close at hand, alive and active, capable of inspiring younger generations not only for what they have already done, but for what they continue to do. It was from this conviction that Xonguila Magazine held, on 15 December at the Hotel Cardoso in Maputo, the first edition of the Xonguila Excellence Awards, a ceremony conceived as a space for celebration, recognition and projecting the future.
In an atmosphere marked by the presence of guests from different fields and by cultural moments that lent identity and sensitivity to the afternoon, the ceremony established itself as a conscious gesture of appreciation for Mozambican merit. As was stressed from the opening, recognising people while they are alive is not a symbolic act; it is a commitment to the present and to the country we wish to build.
Over the course of the afternoon, Xonguila honoured people and projects who, in fields as diverse as science, culture, sport, entrepreneurship, education, communication and social impact, have consistently contributed to Mozambique’s development. Among the individual awards, the diversity of paths and generations stood out: Amade Sambo, a young researcher in the diaspora who projects the country through science; Melchior Ferreira, a rising talent in audiovisual work with international recognition; Paulo Chibanga, an entrepreneur who bridges industry, innovation and culture; Carlos Serra, a mobiliser of social and environmental causes; Sebastião Coana, an artist who turns art into an instrument of community intervention; Nuno Lima, a strategic reference in communication and media; Alcinda Panguana, an athlete who carries Mozambique’s name into international boxing; Severino Ngoenha, an unavoidable thinker in academia and public debate; Alice Parsotamo, an expression of contemporary, conscious female leadership; and Paulina Chiziane, honoured for her literary career and legacy, which is alive and profoundly transformative.
Over the course of the afternoon, Xonguila honoured people and projects that have consistently contributed to Mozambique’s development.
On the collective side, projects working directly in Mozambican society were also recognised. Girl Move Academy stood out for its work in empowering young women; Mozambique Fashion Week – 20 Years for its structuring role in the creative economy; the Makobo Platform for its integrated approach to sustainability and social impact; Gorongosa National Park as a model of conservation, ecotourism and community development; and the Tabater Platform for technological innovation and its contribution to modernising event management in the country.
One of the central moments of the ceremony was the presentation of the Xonguila Excellence Seals 2025, dedicated to the Restaurant and Hospitality sectors, honouring venues that stand out for quality, consistency and the experience they offer. In this first edition, the seals covered the city of Maputo exclusively, recognising restaurants and hotels that raise the standard of the sector and contribute to the capital’s image as a gastronomic and tourist destination, with the expansion of this distinction nationwide already planned for 2026.
During the ceremony, the Xonguila Gala 2026 was also officially announced, a larger-scale event planned for November 2026, which will feature national and international artists, fashion, dinner and cultural experiences, setting a new standard in how to celebrate Mozambican excellence and creativity.
The closing was marked by words of thanks to the partners and sponsors whose support made this first edition possible, reinforcing the idea that recognising merit is a collective effort. With the Xonguila Excellence Awards, the magazine reaffirms its commitment to valuing positive examples, to celebrating work well done and to projecting role models who inspire the present and help shape Mozambique’s future.
