As part of the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, sixteen of Namibia’s promising young leaders arrived in the United States for a life-changing experience. 

The cohort, which was selected for its dedication to championing change in the communities, is attending academic leadership courses at American colleges for six weeks to sharpen their business acumen, civic engagement and more. 

“The skill that I’m trying to hone here is to network. I am happy that the course that I will be doing is quite inclusive. It has thematic modules, which emphasise strongly networking and how to behave as a leader in the community,” said Junias David. 

The youth leader is placed at Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania State, pursuing leadership in the civic engagement track. 

This year’s fellows hail from across the country, including Omaheke, Kavango West, Khomas and Omusati regions. 

They represent a dynamic mix of leaders working in business, civic engagement and public service. 

“This exposure will come in handy in the future, which I foresee to be better, especially for my project. My project is centred on creating a safe space for men. I wish to get more partners and collaborators,” said the 27-year-old researcher. 

David added that he was motivated to apply for the fellowship, as he saw other alumni doing successful projects in the country and making the necessary changes in the communities they live in. 

“In Namibia, we can talk of Sem Mandela Uutoni, who runs the African Pathfinder Leadership Initiative (APLI). It’s one of the ideas that were reshaped to cater to the Namibian context,” he referenced. 

APLI is a youth development organisation that started in 2018 to build bridges of opportunity to ensure that youth have access to skills, resources and networks to achieve their personal goals and actively contribute to development in their communities and beyond. 

Another fellow Susan David (26) said through the Mandela Washington Fellowship, she hopes to return with stronger leadership skills, inclusive health education tools and new ideas that can help improve the work they do with youth and adults with intellectual disabilities in Namibia. 

She is attached to the University of Minnesota and will be pursuing leadership in public management. 

“One of the most meaningful connections I have made is with my focus coach, Kimber Goodwill, who also works for Special Olympics, just on the other side of the world. It’s powerful to know that I now have someone from a different continent, in the same movement, who understands the challenges and dreams we share. That connection will stay with me long after the fellowship ends,” added David. 

She noted that she has always believed in the power of inclusive leadership. 

When she saw how the fellowship could sharpen her skills and widen her vision, she went for it and applied. 

“I was inspired by the idea that I could learn from other changemakers across Africa and the US, and then return home with fresh ideas to better support the communities I serve. The fellowship aligns with everything I stand for: youth empowerment, inclusion and dignity for all,” stated David. 

She encouraged her peers to embrace leadership and work with what they have from where they are. 

She said young Namibians should not wait for permission to lead, emphasising that “leadership is about commitment – not perfection.” 

Reflecting on her work with the adult group at Special Olympics Namibia, she shared how their passion and determination inspire her daily. 

“Your voice matters – keep showing up. Stay curious. You don’t need to be loud to lead – just consistent and bold enough to begin,” s he urged. Since its inception in 2014, the Mandela Washington Fellowship has empowered nearly 177 Namibian fellows to drive innovation and positive change across their communities. 

As the flagship programme of the Young African Leaders Initiative, this US government initiative underscores America’s enduring commitment to investing in Africa’s future by equipping young leaders with the skills, networks and knowledge to build inclusive, resilient and prosperous societies. 

Acting deputy chief of mission Alexis Haftvani congratulated the cohort. 

He said “The Mandela Washington Fellowship celebrates excellence, and Namibia continues to shine. These young leaders are shaping a future that reflects innovation, integrity and service. Their participation in this programme deepens the strong people-to-people ties between our countries”. 

-psiririka@nepc.com.na