The call for nominations of candidates for the prestigious Archbishop Tutu Fellowships resulted in 144 nominations from 18 different countries in Africa for the 22 places on offer. The award of the Fellowship secures the candidate a place on the Archbishop Tutu Leadership Programme, which is run by the African Leadership Institute in partnership with Said Business School, Oxford University.

Competition for the 2008 Fellowships was intense, and all candidates were of a very high calibre. Condition for acceptance of nominations is that the candidate must already have demonstrated, by their actions and achievements and the values and principles by which they conduct their affairs, their potential to be a leader.  They must be between 25 and 39 years of age, and show they have the characteristics required to be a successful leader in Africa. Candidates can come from any sector of society – business, government or civil society.

The 2008 Archbishop Tutu Fellows are (in alphabetical order): 

The 2008 Archbishop Tutu Fellowships are sponsored by Investec, Standard Bank, Rio Tinto, Roche Products and Sasol, to whom we are very grateful.

  ^ back to top

February 10, 2008
An Open Letter to Africa's Current and Future Leaders from the 2007 Archbishop Tutu Leadership Fellows

“This continent has suffered too much.… We need the assistance and commitment of … young leaders to continue to speak up on behalf of the poor and the marginalized, and seek a better life for all”
– Archbishop Desmond Tutu, April 2007

From Angola to Zimbabwe, questions abound about Africa’s present state. All capitals listed between Abidjan to Zanzibar, are not new to the rising voices of Africa’s sons and daughters who wish to know the fate of their land. Some express this concern through silent hope, others through evident fear, and many others look in no other direction than that of their leaders – those we have come to know as the captains of the ship of the state. Others even argue that Africa’s answers remain with future leaders, and not today’s. But there has been a crisis of leadership in Africa. The hopes and dreams of the citizens of this continent have been dashed by our post colonial leaders – from the heroes of the liberation struggles through to the leaders of opposition parties that subsequently emerged.

The citizens of Africa deserve a brighter future, and that begins with visionary leaders who can answer the challenges that Africa faces as part of a global community in the 21st century. Recent events across the continent are cause for serious concern: from the crisis of corruption in Nigeria, the political tensions in South Africa leading to the 2009 election, or the political crisis in Kenya which is turning a once prosperous country into one that is marred by bloodshed and ethnic tensions. The ongoing conflict in Sudan, the current crisis in Chad, or the socio-political and economic meltdown obtaining in Zimbabwe have all caused great instability in the lives of millions of Africans across the continent.

We do not seek to play the usual game of just listing the problems but join our voices to that of over 920 million Africans to demand fair play in political processes. Though all of our democracies are young we expect our leaders to be men and women of excellence who respect the electoral process and as such the wishes of the people. As young people in Africa who are leaders in politics, business, health and information technology, we stand together and re-commit ourselves to the ideals of true leadership, and we make the following recommendations:

(a) The establishment of a high-level African Union led campaign to fight tribalism and inequality in all its forms across the continent. Each country should establish a Commission Against Tribalism and Inequality (CATI) to fight the scourges, and to protect vulnerable minority groups. CATI should bring politicians using ethnic manipulations to perpetrate violence to justice and stop them from participating in future political contests;
(b) Political leaders must be servant leaders and use their power and influence as a tool for socio-economic change rather than oppression and fuelling personal greed;
(c) The establishment and strengthening of relevant institutions (judiciary, electoral commissions, etc) that ensure independence of the Electoral Regulatory Authorities in each country; and the establishment of an AU Electoral monitoring body which monitors election and has a clear, well defined set of guidelines which it uses to determine if the process is free or fair;
(d) The rediscovery of our true identity as Africans, to embrace and inculcate the moral base of honesty, love, peace and integrity. We believe that people of integrity would not allow a beautiful, socially and economically stable country like Kenya to collapse into political disarray;
(e) The strengthening of our national economies, and systems to ensure the provision of adequate health care, education and other social services that will equip all Africans to partake in a better future.
As young leaders in our own various spheres of influence, we as the 2007 Archbishop Desmond Tutu Leadership Fellows(1) find silence at this critical moment inconvenient. We believe that silence and inaction in the face of yesterday’s challenges are responsible for the anomalies we see across the continent today. We lend our voices to the call for African leaders – today, and in the future – to consider the common good over personal fears or greed. We are proud of those who have shown us that leadership is about service and call on all other leaders to remain true to the spirit of purposeful leadership.

Signed: 2007 Archbishop Desmond Tutu Fellows [Brilliant Mhlanga (Zimbabwe), Dan Kidega (Uganda), Ed Mabaya (Zimbabwe), Erik Charas (Mozambique), ‘Gbenga Sesan (Nigeria), Grace Ofem (Nigeria), Hassan Usman (Nigeria), Herine Otieno (Kenya), Ipeleng Mkhari (South Africa), Lisa Kropman (South Africa), Mezuo Nwuneli (Nigeria), Niven Postma (South Africa), Saida Ali (Kenya), Takalani Musekwa (South Africa), Tariro Makadzange (Zimbabwe), Terence Sibiya (South Africa), Tracey Webster (South Africa), Yohannes Mezgebe (Ethiopia), Yolan Friedmann (South Africa)]

(1) Each year, 20 high potential individuals from across sub-Saharan Africa are awarded the prestigious Archbishop Tutu Leadership Fellowship, following a rigorous competitive selection process. The Awards are aimed at the cream of the continent’s future leaders, specifically targeting the next generation of Africa’s leaders in all sectors of society, between the ages of 25 and 39. The fellowship program is coordinated by African Leadership Institute, and it includes a training program coordinated by the SAID Business School at Oxford University. For more information about the Fellowship, please visit www.alinstitute.org.

  ^ back to top

Announcing the 2008 Archbishop Desmond Tutu Leadership Fellows

The Archbishop Tutu Leadership Programme (ATLP) is entering its third year following two extremely successful programmes in 2006 and 2007, and nominations are being sought for the twenty 2008 Tutu Leadership Fellowships which entitle the successful candidates to participate in the programme. 

The ATLP is run in partnership with Oxford University and a network of African Institutions and leadership experts. The Fellowship is a prestige award for high potential individuals in Africa in the age range 25-39, who have already demonstrated strong leadership capabilities, and could be expected to be top leaders in their field in 5-15 years - be that field business, government, or civil society. The programme is aimed at the cream of Africa's future leaders, and the 20 places on offer will be selected on merit from candidates from across sub-Saharan Africa.

The Tutu Programme offers a unique leadership learning experience with exposure to world experts and practitioners in leadership, as well as an opportunity to share cross-cultural and pan-African experiences in a fertile environment. It is also fully sponsored. The programme, which was described as "a life changing experience" by several of the 2006/7 Fellows, starts with a 9 day workshop at the Mont Fleur Conference Centre near Stellenbosch on 5th April. Nominations of suitable candidates must be submitted to the Executive Director by 5th December. The follow-up Application Form will be sent to the candidate for submission by 15 January 2008.

The sponsors of the Archbishop Desmond Tutu Leadership fellowship are:

^ back to top

Nigeria 2025Scenarios Receive Standing Ovation at the Nigerian Economic Summit Group Meeting in Abuja.

The Nigeria 2025 scenarios were presented in public for the first time at the Nigerian Economic Summit Group Meeting in Abuja on 5 September, 2007, where they received a standing ovation from the distinguished delegates to this high level conference on the socio economic and political issues facing the populous nation in Africa. So powerful was the impact of the scenarios that the organisers requested the presentation be repeated later in the crowded agenda of the conference, when the President of Nigeria and his advisors would be present.

The scenarios have been developed over the past year by a group of 35 dedicated young Nigerian leaders under the guidance of the African Leadership Institute facilitators. Whilst the scenario stories have been written and finalised, the final output of a summary publication and a video is still being completed by the communications company contracted for this task. This output will be disseminated in the New Year, funding permitting.

The scenario stories dramatically portray the starkly different possible future paths the nation could take from now till 2025, with very different outcomes. From a disastrous, anarchic “Jaga Jaga Republic” to a visionary successful “We Don Win” scenario, there also lies a “Perambulator” story of how we get from where we are to where we are in 20 years, and a “Shine your Eye” alternative of a strong dictatorship that trades national economic success for personal freedoms. The stories are designed to provoke and stimulate debate on the way forward for Nigeria, and they will do so.

^ back to top

Nigeria 2025 Scenarios Project
The Nigeria 2025 scenarios project was launched in November 2006 with the start-up funding provided by DFID and the Ford Foundation. The project has received additional financing from MTN Nigeria and the FCT. To date, three of the planned six scenarios construction workshops have been organized.

The Nigeria 2025 project provides a platform for a strategic dialogue on the future. The exercise is a national reflection on the past, present and future of Nigeria. It aims to provide a platform for collective reflection through a critical examination of the state of the nation, identification of the opportunities and challenges of the future, and exploration of alternative actions and concrete initiatives that could allow the population to build a desired future. It is hoped that the project would not only provide a platform to think about and debate the future but also a springboard for action by helping to:

• Forge a shared vision among Nigerian’s current and future leaders,
• Identify possible strategic paths for critical areas of transformation, as a basis for building a consensus on a transformational strategy,
• Develop an agenda for change, and
• Highlight the leadership capabilities required to effect the future transformation and suggest the programmes necessary to develop these capabilities.

The main outputs will be a set of four scenarios, a vision statement, strategic agenda, leadership requirements, and a follow up agenda to the Nigeria 2025 exercise. The outputs will be presented in various forms and platforms to engage the nation and all the various segments of society, from the public and private sectors to the civil society and community leaders. The presentation of the outputs will include a CD-ROM/DVD and publications.

The exercise is expected to be completed later in the year with the publication of the outputs and the organisation of the stakeholder dialogues. A team of 40 emerging and future leaders which represent a cross section of the nation are engaged in constructing the scenarios. The team was selected through nominations and a rigorous review process. The team is meeting in workshops and in subcommittees to develop a set of scenarios on the future development of Nigeria to the year 2025, within a changing global and African context.

An Advisory Board consisting of eminent representatives from civil society, government and private sector providing leadership and guidance for the Nigeria 2025 project. They include Engr. Mansur Ahmed (Chairperson), Mrs. Morin Desalu (Deputy Chairperson), Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, Rev Fr Matthew Hassan Kukah, Mr. Frank Nweke Jr., Ms. Ifueko Omogui, Dr. (Mrs) Oby Ezekwesili, Professor Pat Utomi, Mr. Segun Adeniyi, Dr. Adhiambo Odaga, and Mr. Eamon Cassidy.

The board is supported by the African Leadership Institute (AfLI) and LEAP Africa. AfLI is a not-for-profit network, with considerable experience in the application of the scenario methodology to national development planning. AfLI is providing overall technical guidance and facilitation for the exercise while LEAP Africa, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to leadership development in Nigeria, is providing managerial and administrative support.

The Board will like to reach out to all Nigerians and organizations in all sectors of the Nigerian society to support the implementation of this exercise. It is a unique opportunity for a real and open dialogue on where we are, where are going, where we should be going, and how we should get there. Support in form ideas is welcome. In-kind and financial supports are also needed.

For more information, kindly contact Ms. Mosun Layode, LEAP Africa, (+234) 1-270-6541/2, 7255555, 7251453, 7255656, mlayode@leapafrica.org.

AfLI is pleased to announce the selection of the 2007 fellows for the Archbishop Desmond Tutu Leadership Fellowship programme. The prestige Archbishop Desmond Tutu Leadership Fellowship is a multi-faceted leadership learning experience aimed at the cream of the continent’s future leaders. The fellowship program is now in its second year.

The fellows were selected following a rigorous nominations, application and review process between October 2006 and Feb 2007. The Archbishop Tutu Fellows include young leaders from West, East and Southern Africa and represent the various professions and sectors. Among the fellows are 11 women and 9 men. What distinguished the fellows from their peers are their activism, commitment to building a better future, and demonstrated leadership qualities.

The 2007 fellowship programme will begin with a ten-day intensive experiential and learning workshop to be held at the Mount Fleur Conference Venue in Stellenbosch, South Africa in April 2007. The second intensive learning workshop will take place at the Templeton College, Oxford University in the United Kingdom in September 2007.

In between the learning workshops, participants will be encouraged to apply their learning to concrete issues within their communities and to implement community projects. AfLI will also work with fellows to identify mentors who will serve as their coaches. AfLI will provide a platform for ongoing dialogue among the fellows and with experts. The fellowship programme is part-time and it is annual.

AfLI, a not-for-profit network, was established in 2003, with a focus on identifying Africa’s future leaders and offering them a platform for leadership learning and application. AfLI’s intention through its various leadership programmes is to establish a network of future leaders across Africa committed to the successful development and transformation of the continent. The Institute intends to serve as a vehicle for these leaders to influence change in addition to providing these leaders of tomorrow with the experiences, insights, tools and confidence to become drivers of the renaissance of Africa.

The sponsors of the Archbishop Desmond Tutu Leadership fellowship are:

AfLI is currently discussing with several other corporations and institutions to enlarge the funding base.

^ back to top