Pioneering programme looks to create a ‘new generation’ of leaders in Africa
Three African women have graduated from a ground-breaking programme which aims to create a new generation of ethical political leaders on the Continent.
Agang Ditlhogo, Pato Kelesitse and Nyokase Madise have all completed The Southern Africa Public Leadership Programme – an intensive nine-month training and development course with the objective of creating a new generation of ‘transformational civic, political and government leaders’ across the Continent.
They are three of 25 candidates that were selected for the programme from countries across Sub-Saharan Africa. The initiative has been established by Futurelect – a woman-led, independent, non-profit organisation established in 2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The funding to support three of the scholarships was provided by The Perivoli Foundation, a UK charity. The Foundation has developed a number of Africa focussed programmes in education and climate change mitigation as well as supporting several founder-led charities, including Futurelect.
Lindiwe Mazibuko, Co-founder and CEO of Futurelect, said: “The Southern Africa Public Leadership Programme is helping to shape what we hope will be a new generation of leaders in countries throughout the Continent. Presidents and parliamentarians get no training. We aim to fill that gap with our non-partisan, inter-disciplinarian leadership programmes.
“Candidates, mostly women and often from marginalised groups, between the ages of 18 and 45 are chosen based on their desire to make a difference and contribute positively to public services in their countries. They must want to run for elected office or transition to leadership roles in government or other public services.
“We believe that empowering a new generation of ethical leaders in Africa can help solve some of the great challenges of our time, transforming public services and restoring trust in elected officials and democratic systems.”
Participants of the programme attend seven intensive in-residence weekend seminars at a series of different locations over a nine month period, learning about ethical leadership, campaign funding and practices, policy making and strategy.
On graduating they are invited to join the Futurelect Alumni Community, which provides access to support and further learning opportunities as well as networking with like-minded individuals and alumni.
Of the three Perivoli Foundation-funded scholars to have completed the programme, Agang Ditlhogo is co-founder of The Clicking Generation-ICT Academy for Kids and Teens, a programme that offers computing and technology curriculum to young people.
Pato Kelesitse is co-founder and host of the Sustain267 podcast which advocates for climate justice and gender equality.
And Nyokase Madise, a performing artist, promotes the arts and media in youth and gender advocacy. She is also a volunteer writer for numerous political figures including The President of Malawi, Lazarus Chakwera.
The experience of all three candidates has allowed them to develop their public leadership aspirations such that they now have ambitions to take on more responsibility in civic, political or government roles.
James Alexandroff OBE, who established the Perivoli Foundation, said: “We’re exceptionally proud to support the work of Futurelect. We believe that their work augments our in-house programmes in education and farming practices. What we aim to do bottom-up needs to be aligned with the work undertaken by organisations such as Futurelect top-down.
“This programme is doing some vitally important work for the future of the region and expect to see its impact grow year by year. We are committed to supporting Futurelect and are in fact funding three more students who are currently on the 2022/2023 programme.”