Mandela Washington Fellows for Yong African Leaders began last week to mark the beginning of a six-week Leadership in Civic Engagement Institute for 25 young African leaders, being hosted at the Presidential Precinct.

The Mandela Washington Fellowship, the flagship program of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), empowers young African leaders through academic coursework, leadership training, mentoring, networking, professional opportunities, and local community engagement.

During his keynote address at the 2023 opening ceremony and lunch at William & Mary’s Wren Building, Hon. John Charles Thomas, Retired Justice, Supreme Court of Virginia said: “I have always been proud of working with these young African leaders. They have the spirit to lean into the arc of the moral universe and push it towards Justice.”

His remarks highlighted the center point of the kickoff of the 2023 edition of the fellowship.

See a list of the participants below, they will be developing their leadership skills and fostering connections and collaboration with U.S. professionals in the next six weeks.

Abdulnasir Bereket Adem, Ethiopia

Abiola Nurudeen Durodola, Nigeria

Abriel Lungelo Zulu, Eswatini

Aiche Sy, Mauritania

Anibiko Martin Magianga Koosa, South Sudan

Baboloki Semele, Botswana

Bereket Diriba Erecha, Ethiopia

Busisiwe Nandipha Nxumalo, Botswana

Cassandra Dorasamy, South Africa

Courteney Takura Mukoyi, Zimbabwe

Darshinee Choytah, Mauritius

David Nii Doodo Larbi, Ghana

Diana Matilda Nsekela, Tanzania

Houssein Osman Aden, Djibouti

Jose Ultimio Teles E Cunha, Mozambique

Joseph Tatenda Makuni, Zimbabwe

Judy Jepchumba Cheserek, Kenya

Laetitia Beleshay Nyemba, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Mohammed Dahiru Lawal, Nigeria

Njiramanda Mbewe, Botswana

Papa Sanou Faye, Senegal

Preetima Moteea, Mauritius

Thato Dladla, Zimbabwe

Viviane Tathi Yende, Cameroon

Wadzanai Adeline Masunda, Zimbabwe

The Presidential Precinct announced that this summer’s edition marks the Presidential Precinct’s ninth year as an Institute Partner and the 200th Fellow hosted through the Mandela Washington Fellowship.