BY DELISA THWALA
MBABANE– The United States of America (USA) Embassy has announced 10 young emaSwati that have been selected to participate in the 2023 Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI).
According to the and communication department, these outstanding young leaders will begin their Fellowship together with nearly 700 other young African leaders for a six-week program at a variety of prestigious U.S. universities.
Speaking at the Pre-departure orientation held at the Embassy today, Chargé d’Affaires Earl Miller said, he was both excited and proud of the selected group.
“I am so proud of this year’s YALI Mandela Washington cohort. What an incredible group of young leaders reflecting the depth of talent and diversity of young Eswatini leaders in all sectors. I know they will represent Eswatini with distinction on college campuses across America where they will share new ideas and perspectives and make lifelong friends,” he said.
In addition, he said the United States was lucky to host this remarkable team.
Worth noting is that the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), is not just a fellowship, or an online community, or a place to go for regional leadership training. YALI is all three.
Launched in 2014, the Mandela Washington Fellowship is YALI’s flagship program. It brings up to 1 000 African civic, business and community leaders aged 25–35 for six weeks of academic coursework, leadership training and networking at U.S. universities.
Through the 250 000-member YALI Network, young Africans can connect with other leaders in their community, access free online courses on topics ranging from climate change to entrepreneurship to human rights, and receive invitations to special events. YALI Regional Leadership Centers in Kenya, South Africa, Senegal and Ghana.
This initiative was begun in 2010 by President Barack Obama. YALI is a programme aimed at educating and networking young African leaders with activities including the Mandela Washington Fellowship that brings them to study in the United States for six weeks, with follow-up resources, and student exchange programs.
