13-year-old Shanah Manjeru emerges as youngest ever AFRIMA winner

Thirteen-year-old Kenyan artiste Shanah Serena Manjeru has emerged as the youngest winner of the 2021 All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA).

The 2021 edition of the awards which were held in Lagos, Nigeria on Sunday, saw Manjeru, a gospel singer, clinch the awards for Best African Female Artiste in Inspirational Music.

Congratulating the 13-year-old, AFRIMA through their Twitter handle posted a message.

“And @ShanahManjeru wins the Best African Female Artiste in Inspirational Music. She rocks at 13.” AFRIMA tweeted.

Manjeru managed to beat fellow musical talents such as Ada Ehi (Nigeria), Afrie (Uganda), Eden (Ivory Coast), Kamo Mphela (South Africa), Montess (Cameroon), Nata (Sierra Leone), Noel Nderitu (Kenya), Ruth Asong (Cameroon), Diana Hamilton (Ghana) and Kelly Khumalo (South Africa).

Manjeru, who rose to fame in 2017 at the age of nine, when she released her song titled ‘Destiny’ has been on the limelight for showcasing both her musical and acting talents.

In 2019, Manjeru was graced with an opportunity to audition for a film role as young Aretha Franklin by Hollywood headhunters.

The young talent did not get the part but was however commended for her performance and her talent.

“We appreciate so much Shanah’s hard work. She is incredibly talented and wonderful. Both our director and music director loved her read of the scenes and what she did during the music session,” stated the auditions team.