Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders: On passion, growth and impact

By Senani Mamba | Junior Researcher, WPE

Being selected into this prestigious program was a confirmation echoing the dedication I put into the work I am passionate about, which is poverty reduction. My work is built on a skill set in research, coupled with expertise in program development for entrepreneurial ecosystems and sustainable food systems. As a fellow, it soon transpired that the program’s impact would remain evident, shaping my path through all-encompassing academic and leadership growth.

The Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders is the flagship program of the U.S. Government’s Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), selecting 700 youth from sub-Saharan Africa for academic and leadership training each year since 2014. In 2023, I was invited to attend the Leadership Institutes, which includes Business, Civic and Public Management fellows, to undergo training for five weeks and then convene for a three-day summit in Washington, D.C.. The training I attended was held at Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers from 21 June to 30 July 2023. The summit was held in Washington, D.C., 31 July – 2 August 2023.

The intense program was made up of classes, field visits and volunteer work. I got to strengthen my skill set with the help of a team of experts dedicated to growing my potential as a researcher and leader. For example, I was able to collaborate on a research paper on community development, titled ‘The power of mindset changes in transforming rural smallholder communities through the introduction of sustainable agricultural practices: A comparative education study of Nyeri county, Kenya and Lubombo region, Eswatini’. I presented the paper at the 2023 Fall Conference of the International Council of Educational Professionals (ICEP). As a leader in implementing development projects, I was exposed to different aspects of leadership, such as data-driven decision-making, diversity, equity and inclusion, grant management and systems thinking.

My personal experience at the institute was exceptional. Beyond the classroom, organised by an excellent team of dedicated and passionate people, were the amazing people I met. Over 25 other fellows from 22 African countries who are leaders in their respective fields had immense contributions and a wealth of knowledge to share from their experiences in development. We formed lasting bonds that elude time and space, as we are connected, although we live and work in different countries. My experience at the summit was phenomenal; the intellectual, cultural, social exchanges exceeded my expectations. I am truly grateful for the growth this experience brought to my development – this program not only enriched my research skills and understanding, but it also played a significant role in shaping my individuality. It shed light on my path, allowing me to see the knowledge I encountered in a new light.