The second workshop of the 2019 Archbishop Tutu Leadership Fellowship was held partly at Oxford University from 8th-15th September, and in London from the 16th to the 18th, with 22 Fellowship candidates from 11 different African countries - Nigeria, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Sudan, Gabon, Mali, South Africa, the Gambia, Tanzania, Ghana and Madagascar.
It was a memorable time of learning, introspection, forging deep relationships with peers, and lots of laughter! It was also an opportunity to locate Africa within a broader global context and the Associates heard from some exceptional globally-renowned academics and leaders, including four of AFLI’s Global Advisory Board members – Dr Vivienne Cox, who is also Vice Chair of the Said Business School Oxford; Prof Ngaire Woods, Dean of the Blavatnik School of Government; Dr Oby Ezekwesili, a Nigerian Presidential candidate and founding Director of Transparency International; and Maureen Erasmus a strategy advisor with global experience.
Other speakers included Prof Nic Cheeseman who presented a thought-provoking talk, Is Democracy Better for Development?; world renowned mathematician and philosopher, Prof John Lennox, who explored ethics and morality through Plato; Gbenga Oyebode, Nigerian lawyer and philanthropist; Prof Stefan Dercon and Prof Wale Adebanwi. Prof Eddie Obeng was yet again a hit!
The Class of 2019 also got to do fun stuff and the learning journey continued with them learning experientially and exploring their leadership archetypes through Shakespeare’s Henry Vth, in a superbly-facilitated session run by Mythodrama. Rory Carnegie, the internationally-renowned photographer, focused on the power of the image and how leaders present themselves. Associates were guided through exercises on how to communicate effectively working with a team of theatre practitioners. In an intimate dinner they explored their inner self and vulnerabilities through poetry. And not to forget, “Leadership without Words” run by Peter Hanke. In the two minutes of conducting a choir, each Associate’s engagement and leadership style was analysed…very accurately, too!
Investec, a key sponsor of the programme, graciously hosted the Associates for a day. Prof Duncan Coombe of Investec led a powerful session, Love in Leadership. Other London speakers included Andrew Feinstein – the speaker who has addressed the Associates for 14 years! Andrew is an anti-corruption activist and author and his talk on his personal experiences of exposing corrupt activities and putting his life under danger always resonates with young leaders, who themselves, are seeking to lead courageously. Dame Patricia Scotland, Secretary General of the Commonwealth, hosted the Associates at Marlborough House. Associates were also taken on a private tour of the House of Lords by Lord St John, followed by a dinner.
Certificates were handed out at a rather loud and rambunctious awards ceremony at Lord David Hacking’s house following dinner. Lord David Hacking is a founding board member of the AFLI.
What the 2019 Associates said…
“The programme was intense, both during the workshops and in the period between them. I found it very useful in improving my self-awareness and coping with high impact decision making. Most importantly, the programme exposed me to some amazing minds, and some of Africa’s finest young leaders!”
Akin Oyebode
“2019, to me, is the year of transformation. My country was transformed; thanks to the courage and resilience of the people of Sudan. My life was transformed; thanks to the quality and profoundness of Tutu Fellowship Programme.”
Mohamed Osman
“This is the best African leadership program ever, hands down. It changed me into a better person for my family, my company, my continent and the world; and I am so grateful for that.” Issam
Intensive, introspective and inspirational."
Ronak Gopaldas
“The program helped me view myself - strengths and inadequacies alike - in high resolution and it is through this realistic lens and consciousness that I now evaluate my hopes and aspirations for a thriving Africa. I am committed to be a driver for a prosperous Africa and the experience has provided me a useful framework to become better at exercising leadership.”
Debisi Araba PhD
“I am very much in awe of the quality of the content and methodology of the program. The speakers were top notch and freely gave themselves to impact us. I absolutely loved the London experience! The experiential exercises were fun and very useful for practical understanding of my leadership style and how others experience me.”
Mical Agina
A gallery of moments from the Workshop
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