Three Malawians shine at Young African Leaders Initiative in South Africa

Three Malawian women were awarded with certificates in the on-going pilot programme of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) Regional Leadership Center in Southern Africa (RLC SA), which is taking place in Pretoria South Africa.

The YALI programme is an initiative of President Barack Obama of the United States of America and it seeks to develop and empower young African leaders who have the potential to develop Africa and positively transform their societies.

The three girls, who are representing Malawi, are Carol Marjorie Chidothe, who is the business and entrepreneurship development, Pamela Lapken Boris, who is doing Civic leadership and Kolase Soko, who is doing Public management and governance program.

Chidothel told Nyasa Times in a telephone interview from Pretoria that they were delighted to be part of the 50 Southern Africans that were chosen to attend the programme.

“The culture, conversations, business discussions were diverse and very enriching. It was very crucial for me and other fellows to network and create lifelong connections between each other as much as it was for other professional networks,” she said.

She said all fellows have inspiring businesses and programs they run back in their countries and added that this was a great time to share what each of them do and learn from other fellows.

“My hope is we can have more of these similar programs within Africa so that the youth can share with each other business ideas and opportunities for continuous inter-trade partnership across the African continent,” she said.

The YALI network is well known for the Washington Mandela Fellowship, which is conducted in the USA.

The programme offered by the RLC SA is based at the University of South Africa, Pretoria and cuts across three streams, Public Management & Good Governance, Business & Entrepreneurship and Civic Leadership.

The Southern Africa center will serve the same purpose as the pervious centers; providing high quality training, mentoring and networking support to a greater number of young leaders.

YALI is all about networking. During the six weeks at the program, it was like living in 18 African countries at the same time.

In July 2014, President Obama announced the creation of YALI Regional Leadership Centers in Africa.

Starting in summer 2015, these centers build on existing institutional capacity in Africa to provide high quality training, mentoring, and networking support to a greater number of young leaders than can be reached through the Mandela Washington Fellowship.

The Centers reach exceptional young leaders between the ages 18 and 35 from a wide range of backgrounds and diverse experiences.

The Regional Leadership Centers will:

Provide Quality Leadership Training: The Centers will provide certificate courses on leadership and issues across multiple sectors.

Support Entrepreneurship: The Centers will provide entrepreneurship support services, including mentoring, technology, and access to capital.

Enhance Professional Development and Networking: The Centers will offer young leaders the opportunity to network with each other, American professionals, and experts from across the region, as well as obtain internships and mentorships.

Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :

Sharing is caring!