In championing a more inclusive future, Afrika Tikkun, in partnership with the Valuable 500, hosted the inaugural Valuable 500 Africa Summit. It was a gathering which blended art, advocacy, and ambition, on September 9, at the Houghton Hotel.

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Delegates were welcomed by the stirring sounds of the Soweto String Orchestra and the vibrant Field Band Foundation, setting the stage for a day where creativity met purpose. However, it was the voices on stage – from business leaders to activists – that gave the event its heartbeat.

Marc Lubner, chairperson and group CEO of Afrika Tikkun, reminded attendees that inclusion is not a matter of charity, but a strategy for unlocking Africa’s talent and competitiveness. Katy Talikowska, CEO of the Valuable 500, echoed this, calling for workplaces, policies, and systems designed with accessibility at their core.

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Panels throughout the day tackled hard questions: How leadership can open doors, how representation in media shapes perceptions, and how businesses can be held accountable for meaningful change. From NBA Africa’s Nakampe Molewa, to Vodacom’s accessibility lead Dr Karen Smit, voices from across industries urged for progress rooted in action, not promises.

Art punctuated the dialogue. A moving performance by Afrika Tikkun’s disability youth group drew applause, while young South Africans proved that inclusion is as much about culture and creativity as it is about policy.

As the day closed, one message resonated above all: Building a truly inclusive Africa requires more than talk. It demands intentional design, innovation, and the courage to view disability and diversity not as limitations, but as engines of growth.

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