Prestigious award goes to Visionary Leader in the Development and Eye Care Field at the World Economic Forum.

Durban based Professor Kovin Naidoo, The Global Programmes Director from The International Centre for Eyecare Education in South Africa, and Professor Brien Holden from the Brien Holden Vision Institute at UNSW and have been jointly awarded the Schwab Social Entrepreneur Award for Africa 2010 at the regional World Economic Forum in Tanzania on the 6th May 2010. This most prestigious award comes at a pivotal moment as eyecare is being highlighted as playing a vital role in alleviating poverty in developing countries. The Schwab Social Entrepreneur award for Africa is an award that acknowledges outstanding leaders or visionaries who pursue poverty alleviation with entrepreneurial zeal and whose efforts are characterized by innovation, sustainability, reach and social impact. It also recognizes their efforts in building strong and sustainable organisations.

Professor Naidoo said the award will help contextualize the role of blindness prevention and eye care Programmes in the broader development agenda. "It is crucial that we acknowledge the impact that blindness and vision impairment has on people's lives, its role in perpetuating poverty and the broad affect it has on development efforts", he said. Prof Naidoo is a previous recipient of the World Optometrist of the Year Award and a well known global leader in the eye care sector.