THE AFRICAN COURIER. Reporting Africa and its Diaspora! The African Courier is an international magazine published in Germany to report on Africa and the Diaspora African experience. The first issue of the bimonthly magazine appeared on the newsstands on 15 February 1998. The African Courier is a communication forum for European-African political, economic and cultural exchanges, and a voice for Africa in Europe.
Modupe Laja, a pioneering Afro-German rights advocate, has been awarded the Bavarian State Medal for Social Merit (Bayerische Staatsmedaille für soziale Verdienste).
She was among sixteen distinguished recipients honoured on 3 April at a formal ceremony in Munich, where the medal was presented by Ulrike Scharf, Bavaria’s Minister for Family, Labour and Social Affairs.
The medal, established in 1970 by the Bavarian State Ministry for Labour and Social Affairs, is one of the highest honours bestowed by the Free State of Bavaria. It is awarded annually to up to 20 individuals who have distinguished themselves through their long-standing voluntary engagement in social sectors.
“Civic engagement is essential for social cohesion and the well-being of society, as it strengthens the sense of community and promotes dialogue between different population groups,” Minister Scharf remarked at the event. “Through their initiatives, these role models act as catalysts for positive change and contribute to a more just and compassionate society.”
Ms Laja, a board member of EineWeltHaus München e.V., where she champions intercultural exchange and mutual understanding, was honoured for her dedicated commitment to women’s rights, youth empowerment and the fight against racism.
Laja’s activism began when she joined the Initiative Schwarze Deutsche (ISD), the first organization founded to advocate for the interests of Black Germans. The ISD, which marks its 40th anniversary this year, has played a pivotal role in bringing the voices and experiences of Black Germans into national consciousness. Over the decades, Laja has been a tireless community builder, congress organizer and speaker, dedicating herself to challenging and dismantling the physical, psychological and political legacies of colonialism.
In her acceptance message, Laja dedicated the medal to “all women and men who have invested their lives to liberating our peoples from the physical, mental and political bonds of colonialism.”
She emphasised that her work “stands on the shoulders of those who existed before me and is part of a collective agenda.”
Beyond her involvement with the ISD, Laja has been associated with ADEFRA (Afro-Deutsche Frauen), a Black feminist organisation dedicated to amplifying the voices of Afro-German women and shaping conversations around racial and educational justice.
The Bavarian State Medal for Social Merit serves as a testament to Laja’s unwavering commitment to social justice and her significant impact on fostering inclusion and Black representation within German society.
Femi Awoniyi
