With a successful career as a BBC broadcaster already under her belt, Sudanese-born British television personality Zeinab Badawi takes on a challenging new appointment as the chair of the Royal Foundation.
Princes William and Harry founded The Royal Foundation in 2009. The foundation acts as an overarching facilitator of all the family’s charitable campaigns. These include wildlife conservation, cyberbullying, and support for the military.
But before this appointment, Badawi had a varied and exciting career. First, she put in many years of experience on BBC as a broadcaster and journalist. She also earned her name in Powerlist as one of Britain’s top 100 most influential members of the Black community. Moreover, she has also earned a spot of the Top 50 Most Influential Members of the African Diaspora.
Zeinab Badawi sets the foundation for strong leadership
Sudanese-born Badawi earned her stripes as one of Britain’s most highly respected radio journalists. First, she earned her Masters at the University of London School of Oriental and African Studies. Then she developed a long resume of newscasting experience.
Badawi currently serves as a presenter on BBC’s HARDtalk and Global Questions. She also founded and acts as Chair of the Africa Medical Partnership Fund (AfriMed).
One of her “most valuable projects” is her transformation of UNESCO’s General History of Africa into a widely accessible nine-part series. “Africa has a long, rich and complex history. Yet that history is neglected and overlooked,” she says. “I really hope that after [Africans] see this, they will have a very clear idea of how wonderful their continent is, regardless of which part they come from”. Find clips of the series here.
Zeinab Badawi embraces her “hyphenated identity”
Born in Sudan in 1959, Badawi moved to the UK at the age of three. As her father was both a newspaper editor in Sudan and then worked for BBC’s Arabic Service, she grew up with journalism in her blood.
Despite some of the challenges of immigrating to the UK, Badawi always celebrates her “hyphenated identity”. “I see my hyphenated identity as an advantage that gives me a first-hand experience of both non-Western and European culture. I don’t see any inherent conflict, I just have the feeling that I have the best of both worlds,” she says.
Now a single mother of four, Badawi juggles the demands of a lofty television career and the joys of caring for a family.
Zeinab Badawi takes on a royal duty
As the new appointee of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Badawi takes on the new feat of running the Royal House’s own charitable foundation.
In this way, her vast knowledge in world affairs and her involvement in empowering those in Africa comes in. Badawi will essentially replace the original role of Harry and Meghan, who recently abdicated their roles.
The harrowing coronavirus pandemic has raised new, immediate concerns. As such, one of Badawi’s first responsibilities at director will be the Royal Foundation COVID-19 Response Fund. Specifically, she will launch a range of projects including grief relief for emergency workers and aid to new mothers.
Donate to the Royal African Society here.
