CEO's Message
Hard to believe 2023 is almost over! What a year it has been!
The Class of 2023 that you first met in April 2023, finally graduated in September following a gruelling and intense journey of self-introspection and growth….and of course, fast making new friends. #TutuTribe is a thing! Hangwi Muambadzi penned a powerful piece on the journey and her newfound family and called it, “Welcome Home”.
An extract:
“I have spent the better part of the last decade asking myself what that meant. Home. Home is neither person, nor place. Home is a feeling. An experience. The space in which you are most connected to yourself. And, my fellow tribe, it has been so wonderful to have shared a home with you.
This Fellowship has been an experience quite like no other. A homecoming. Still, it has only been as exceptional as the people it brought together. And I remain deeply in awe of you all. What an extraordinary array of humans. Thank you for the gift of friendship. The belly clenching laughter. The body cocooning hugs. The thought-provoking conversations that often lingered close to the edge of a new dawn, or at least as far into the night as the wine would flow. The magic.
But mostly, really, the urgency. The urgency with which you continue to respond to the call to lead in every space that you have chosen to craft a different narrative for our people. Because the stories we tell will not matter if we are not willing to co-author the truths we choose.
You have honoured that call so thoughtfully, so intentionally. So, I cannot fear for the futures of Africans when we are served by such capable, conscious and committed beings. I have much to learn yet, from each one of you.
I hope to, in time, grow to carry the legacy of the dignified patron whose name this Fellowship bears with the grace and humility it deserves.”
In parallel to the Archbishop Tutu Leadership Fellowship, AFLI was also running the inaugural Calestous Juma Science Leadership Fellowship, funded by the Gates Foundation, and seeking to bolster the leadership, communication and policy skills of Africa’s foremost eminent young scientists. An impressive collection of technical skills focusing on important research areas such as genomics for infectious disease control and epidemics preparedness. Interesting discussions were also had on how they can engage with policy-makers so that policies better enable science and research in Africa. The first workshop was held in Cape Town in April 2023 and the second one in November, 2023 in Nairobi.
The Tutu Fellows continued to be recognised for their work, garnering a number of awards. Interestingly, most of the awards are in the climate space - from Ify Malo’s Energy Entrepreneur Award to James Mworia receiving the Nature Conservancy Award and Elizabeth Binney Amissah’s US Department of Energy award.
The 13th Desmond Tutu International Peace Lecture, the second without the Archbishop, had Melinda French Gates as the keynote speaker but in the format of a fireside chat, which was expertly led by Nozipho Tshabalala, a 2018 Tutu Fellow. Nozipho feels she was selected due to the Tutu Talk she had given in 2021 on experiencing political violence in South Africa as a girl child. “I poured my heart into that story. I shared things I had never dared to say before. I put it all out there, shed a few tears, and walked away from it. What a full-circle moment it has been to receive a call back from the Tutu Foundation to come and moderate the 13th Desmond Tutu International Peace Lecture with Melinda French Gates. There's no doubt in my mind that these two moments are connected. Yes, I cried again, but this time with a deep sense of affirmation. My story matters and standing in my truth will always benefit me. To say I'm thrilled is an understatement.”
Also, so many appointments! Largely in Nigeria and in the public service. This is what I live for! Seeing skilled technocrats coming into government with new ideas, new energy, new solutions and new ways of leading. Bosun Tijani PhD, a 2018 Fellow, was appointed Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy and hit the ground running, posting weekly reports and a 100-day report. Such a breath of fresh air to see technology and social media platforms being harnessed to be transparent and accountable to the people. And also to crowdsource ideas! Muhammad Sani, a 2011 Fellow, is now the Deputy Governor of the Nigerian Central Bank; Dr. Abdu Mukhtar from the inaugural 2006 class is now the National Coordinator of the Presidential Unlocking Healthcare-Value Chain Initiative whilst Dr Kelechi Ohiri, a 2013 Fellow is now the DG of the Nigerian National Health Insurance.
Two significant private sector appointments are those of Ahonsi Unuigbe, 2009 Fellow as Chairman of the Nigerian Exchange (formerly the Nigerian Stock Exchange). And, in South Africa, Cumesh Moodliar, a 2016 Fellow, is the CEO of Investec Bank, with effect from 1 April 2024.
I wish them nothing but the best. It is my sincere hope that as they lead, they remain grounded in the values of the Fellowship, in turn, inspired by those of our late Patron – Higher Purpose, Openness and Respect, Integrity and Courage, Ubuntu, Passion and Positive Impact.
As the season of giving is upon us, I would be remiss not to appeal to you to donate to AFLI so that we may continue the work that we do. Any donation, big or small, would be appreciated. We are a very small organisation that punches significantly above its weight and we need financial support to keep us going. Thank you!
I wish you happy and restful holidays!
Warmly,
Jackie Chimhanzi PhD
AFLI CEO
