Brilliant13 for Mandela Washington Fellowship programme
Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | Friday May 8, 2015 15:34
The selected participants will partake in a six week academic residency at a US university, which would include seminars, mentoring and networking sessions, community service opportunities, site visits and cultural outings.
Miller explained said US President Barrack Obama launched YALI in 2010 to empower the incredible talent and creativity of young Africans. Last year, Obama expanded the initiative to include a fellowship component to give 500 young Africans across the continent the opportunity to go to the US and develop their skills as the next generation of leaders in civil society, business and government.
“Across the continent the response was overwhelming. Last year and this year, 500 Batswana applied for the fellowship,” he announced.
Miller explained that the objective behind YALI was to support those leaders to grow and prosper, strengthen democratic governance and enhance peace and security across Africa.
“President Obama recognises that the security, prosperity and justice that we seek in the world cannot be achieved without a strong, prosperous and self-reliant Africa. To seize the potential of today’s Africa, we must nurture its dynamic youth,” he added.
Miller also said that all the young Batswana leaders selected to participate in the program had proven records of accomplishment in leading and promoting change not only in their work but also more importantly in their communities.
He added the 13 leaders would be part of a larger delegation of 500 Africans representing bright, ambitious and dedicated young heroes on the continent.
“Upon return, fellows have numerous opportunities including internship with companies and non-profit organisations, professional mentorship, travel grants to attend and speak at high level conferences and fundraising assistance,” he explained.
The 13 leaders are Bakang Palai, co-founder of the Green Building Council, which promotes sustainable building in Botswana and assists in the formation of accreditation tools to rate green buildings. His company is responsible for several new shopping centers, industrial park and residential developments in Gaborone.
Another participant is Lorato Mudongo who is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in psychology. She is focusing on gender-based violence and volunteers to empower young women in leadership roles and fights for gender equality and maternal health rights. Also on the list is BOPA and Daily News journalist Ludo Chube who voluntarily trains communities in disaster risk management and works with Chobe District’s library committee to encourage reading.
Lepang Ferguson, an entrepreneur who helped design the opening ceremony of the African Youth Games and volunteers by caring for terminally ill underprivileged women, as well as Xukuri Xukuri, an influential San community leader, activist and Khwedom council board member who helped with education campaigns tutoring and mentoring youth in his native rural community, also made the cut.
Other participants are Orapeleng Phuswane, a doctor at Princess Marina Hospital; Phenyo Moroka of Yarona FM, Monametsi Sokwe, the executive director of Ngamiland Council of Non-Governmental Organisation (NCONGO); senior public relations officer at the Ministry of Lands Malebogo Motlhabane, Moses Kebalepile, an entrepreneur and research officer at the University of Pretoria, Tuduetso Madi, an administration officer of Curriculum Development and Evaluation at the Ministry of Education; Dorothy Okatch who coordinates Stepping Stones International, and Unami Moatswi who is the operations manager for the non profit organisation Young Love that has partnered with the US Embassy to sensitise the youth on teenage pregnancy, HIV and AIDS issues.