France-based Malawian women’s football star Tabitha Chawinga has made Forbes 30 Under 30 Africa’s top 30 list as she continues to hog the limelight for her exploits in world football.
On the other hand, her US-based sister Temwa has won her second Player of the Month Award in the United States women’s top-flight league.
Forbes 30 Under 30 Africa is an annual list published by the influential Forbes Magazine, highlighting 30 young African entrepreneurs, leaders, and innovators under the age of 30, who are making a significant impact in their respective fields.
The list recognises individuals in various categories, including business, technology, creatives, sports, and science/health and Tabitha is one of only two sports personalities on the list.
The other nominee is Botswana athlete Letsile Tebogo, gold medallist in 200 metres at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
In an interview on Thursday, Tabitha won the French Women’s First Division golden boot and Most Valuable Player awards during the period under review in 2024, said she felt humbled with the recognition.
She said: “The recognition alone means a lot to me. The Forbes 30 Under 30 is one of the most reputable initiatives in the world and as a Malawian, I feel really proud to have made the list.”
Her manager Theana Msolomba said: “From the quiet hills of Rumphi to the global pages of Forbes. The journey has been nothing short of being miraculous.
“Tabitha is grateful for every step, every lesson and every open door. God is truly faithful.”
Part of the statement posted by Forbes on its website wwwforbesafrica.com reads: “No one hears more ‘no’s’ or has more doors slammed in their face than a young person chasing a dream and trying to solve a formidable problem.
“But ask any of these young Africans, and they will tell you that every setback has built their resilience. If no one offers them opportunities, they will create them, and across sectors, with an unshakeable passion for nation-building and development.
“Here are the finalists of Forbes Africa’s 11th edition of the annual 30 Under 30 list.”
Meanwhile, Temwa, who plays for Kansas City Current in the USA Women’s National Soccer League, was named Player of the Month for May on Thursday, the same day her sister made the Forbes Africa top 30 list.
She also garnered the 2025 season first Player of the Month recognition back in March.
Chawinga has won the award five times in her career since joining the league last season.
According to kansascitycurrent.com, the reigning NWSL MVP and Golden Boot winner now owns sole possession of the league’s record for most Player of the Month honours, breaking the tie she previously shared with Kim Little and Megan Rapinoe.
The Scorchers forward powered KC Current to three straight wins to close out the month – as the Current remain at the top of the NWSL table. She recorded a trio of goals in that span, finding the back of the net against Bay FC, Orlando Pride and Chicago Stars FC.
No stranger to rewriting the record books, Chawinga’s 62nd-minute goal against Bay FC propelled her to become the first player in NWSL history to score a goal in each of her first three regular season games against two different clubs.
She had already done so against the Washington Spirit before matching the feat against Bay FC on May 11 in Kansas City’s decisive 4-1 victory.
More history was made on May 16 in Orlando with Chawinga’s game-winning strike in the 52nd minute, which stood as the deciding factor in the Current’s 1-0 win over the Pride.
Entering Week 11 of the 2025 NWSL season, Chawinga is tied for second in the NWSL golden boot race with six goals and one assist.
The NWSL Player of the Month is selected by the NWSL Media Association, a collection of writers that cover the league on a consistent basis, and the NWSL’s on-air broadcast talent.
National Women’s Football Association chairperson Adelaide Migogo said the Chawinga sisters’ recognition speaks volumes of the positive impact they are making at top level.
“They are our own superstars, who keep on flying the nation’s flag high and we are extremely proud of them,” she said.
