Applications are now open for the 2019 Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders.  Through this fellowship, the U.S. Embassy in South Africa has sent almost 250 young South African leaders to the United States for intensive training on civic leadership, business, and pubic management.
 
Our Mandela Washington Fellows have leveraged the six-week academic and leadership training at U.S. universities to achieve great success over the last four years. This year, five fellows were recognized as part of the 100 Young Mandelas of the future by News24. Six other fellows were finalists of the Mail and Guardian top 200 Young South Africans. These young leaders continue to make moves! These include Landa Mabenge (2017 cohort) who just launched his new book Becoming Him – a Trans Memoir of Triumph and Mogau Seshoene (2016 cohort), who is releasing her cookbook The Lazy Makoti’s Guide to the Kitchen next month.   Look at many of the young leaders in South Africa and you will find some connection to the Mandela Washington Fellowship, the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) or our other exchange programs.
 
Applications for the Mandela Washington Fellowship will close on October 10, 2018.
 
Young leaders who meet the eligibility requirements below should apply online at www.YALI.state.gov.  Information on past year’s alumni can be found on irex.org/people/wash-fellows.
 
Participants must:
 

• Be a citizen and resident of South Africa (or one of the other participating countries).
• Speak and write proficiently in English.
• Be 25-35 years old when the application is submitted.
• Have a proven record of leadership and accomplishment in 1) public service, 2) business or entrepreneurship, or 3) civic engagement.
• Demonstrate commitment to public or community service, volunteerism, or mentorship.
• Be committed to return to Africa and use their skills to serve their community.

 
Applicants will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, socio-economic status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity.
 

 

Issued by US Embassy