Africa-Press – Eswatini. Earlier in the week, the US Embassy charge de affairs Earl Miller hosted a luncheon for the recently returned YALI Mandela Washington fellows.
The fellowship provides young African leaders with a once in a lifetime opportunity to hone their skills at a US college or university.
Miller said he was inspired by the youngsters stating that they were a testament to the power of youth leadership and international collaboration, as they didn’t only gain valuable skills and knowledge during their time in the US, but also forged strong connections with US and African counterparts.
He challenged them to now use their experience to drive positive change and foster economic development in their communities.
“I have no doubt that their experiences will contribute to the betterment of Eswatini and further strengthen the bonds of friendship between our two countries,” said the ambassador. We spoke to two of the fellows and asked them to share their experiences to inspire other young people.
Wezizwe Ginindza
How did you get to know of the Mandela Washington Fellowship and why did you decide to apply for it?
I received my first email with the call for application for the Mandela Washington Fellowship in 2019 when I was still doing my Honors Degree at Rhodes University.
After doing my bit of research on the Fellowship requirements and YALI Alumni, I realised that I wasn’t ready and did not qualify for it at the time. However, I was encouraged to keep working. I was encouraged to apply for the Fellowship last year by a few friends who had noticed the work I had been doing with my company and community, and I am glad I listened to them.
Was it your first time in the US and how was your experience at the academic institution you were at?
Yes, it was my first time in the United States. I was at Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta Georgia for the Leadership in Business Entrepreneurship track.
The academic session, experiential learning and community service challenged and changed my mind set in many ways. This is why I believe it was life-changing.
The academic sessions and experiential learning reshaped my perspective on business and leadership. There were leadership training courses that gave me a clearer perspective of my strengths as an individual and leader in my company and community.
Now the challenge is to use and develop these strengths to help me improve the way I run my business and collaborate with others. We were also exposed to the culture of serving in the United States and how people take volunteering seriously.
This experience for me was invaluable and helped me develop my soft skills. We often take volunteering for granted because it is ‘unpaid work’, but it is so important, and without it I wouldn’t have the professional experience I have now.
What skills and experience are you bringing back home and what are your future aspirations?
If someone had told me that I was going to be an entrepreneur two years ago, I would have laughed and changed the conversation.
Today, I see myself as a social entrepreneur – and my experience as a Mandela Washington Fellow showed me how I can use my business to impact change where it is needed.
I will use the skills gained in business, leadership, strategic planning, organisational development and community engagement to scale my business and implement my focus project.
I plan to collaborate with Mandela Washington Fellowship Alumni and various stakeholders to support startups and entrepreneurs in the country. I am in the ideation and planning phase of this project, and I am sure that the skills, networks, expert guidance, mentorship and professional experience gained from the fellowship will help me realise this vision.
Lesley Way
How did you get to know of the Mandela Washington Fellowship and why did you decide to apply for it?
I was introduced by an alumnus of the Mandela Washington Fellowship and developed a strong interest in the programme as it focuses on leadership development, inclusion, diversity and equity.
As a young leader in local government, I have a passion for youth development and felt particularly drawn to the programme’s emphasis on youth and empowering young people to participate in politics and society. I saw the opportunity to learn from the US and other African countries as a way to improve the conditions for urban development in my own community.
Was it your first time in the US and how was your experience at the academic institution you were at?
Yes, this was my first visit to the United States, I had the privilege of being placed at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. I participated in the Leadership in Public Management Track alongside 24 exceptional leaders from 18 African countries.
One of the highlights was volunteering in the community, where we contributed to packaging food hampers and working in a garden that provides organic produce to the local residents. Additionally, we attended academic and leadership sessions that aimed to enhance our professional and personal skills.
These sessions featured presentations and activities led by industry professionals. Immersing ourselves in the local culture was also an important aspect of the fellowship. We had the opportunity to participate in various cultural events and activities, including the Martin Luther King Junior Commemoration walk.
This event, which takes place every 10 years, celebrates his iconic ‘I have a dream’ speech, first delivered in Detroit before his appearance in Washington D.C.
Networking events played a crucial role in connecting me with professionals in my areas of interest.
These interactions allowed me to establish meaningful relationships, build connections and foster long-lasting partnerships for the betterment of my community. I am grateful for the supportive environment provided by my institute, which facilitated these networking opportunities.
One of the most memorable moments was attending a policy panel at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington, D.C.
This panel included senior US government leaders and provided me with a platform to voice my interests and explore potential collaborations between US and Eswatini local governments. As a politician, this was an incredible opportunity.
Before concluding the fellowship, we were required to identify and develop a focus project. My project focuses on integrating critical issues such as leadership, climate change, mental health, financial literacy and politics into the academic curriculum. The aim is to maximise the development of our youth from an early stage.
What skills and experience are you bringing back home and what are your future aspirations?
I had the opportunity to undergo a transformative experience that greatly influenced my leadership style. The exposure to diverse perspectives and the abundance of valuable tools and resources provided by the fellowship played a significant role in shaping my growth.
One pivotal aspect of this journey was the strength assessment we were given. This assessment helped me identify my leadership strengths and areas that required improvement. It served as a catalyst for self-reflection and heightened my self-awareness, enabling me to focus on personal growth.
Throughout the fellowship, I dedicated myself to enhancing my skills in various areas. Effective communication, conflict resolution, strategic planning and community engagement were among the key skills I honed.
Recognising my initial concerns about connecting with the youth in my community, I actively sought opportunities to familiarise myself with the concept of heat mapping. This valuable tool assists in identifying and collecting data on the whereabouts and activities of the youth. Armed with this information, I can better determine the appropriate and beneficial programmes for their betterment.
I consider myself privileged to have been selected for the Professional Development Experience, where I had the opportunity to work at DeKalb County Government. This placement provided me with hands-on experience and allowed me to strengthen my skills in advocacy and policy.
Additionally, engaging in various youth programmes during this time helped me identify projects that I aspire to implement in my own community.
One invaluable lesson I learnt during my time in the United States was the pride and boldness with which individuals embrace their identities and values. No deed is considered too small when it comes to making a positive impact.
Consequently, I now understand the importance of documenting and showcasing my achievements and accomplishments. I am committed to continuously improving this practice, as I recognise the significance of online presence in marketing ourselves and our brands.
My future aspirations and what was my motivation for applying for the fellowship was to empower the youth. I feel I have gained the skills and knowledge to be in a better position to achieve these goals.
We also here that you participated in the professional development initiative, please tell us about that?
I have a programme that I am working on with a US organisation that focuses on civic engagement and youth participation in politics, this is important to me to help bridge the gap of youth involvement in decision making as well as the importance of voting and community participation, fostering a sense of civic responsibility among the youth and creating a more inclusive society.
During my PDE I participated in a grant management workshop which helped me develop a skill that will assist me when applying for funding to support projects at municipal level as well as my focus project.
My focus project aims to teach and build youth on critical issues such as leadership, climate change, mental health, financial literacy, and politics, will have a lasting impact on children from preschool through high school and further into society.
By addressing these important topics, I aim to equip the younger generation with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate and contribute to the world around them.
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