The first workshop of the 2025 Archbishop Tutu Leadership Fellowship was held at Mont Fleur in Stellenbosch from the 3rd to the 11th of May 2025. The 24 Fellowship candidates were drawn from Algeria, Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Guinea, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Ghana and the DRC, and were chosen from over 900 nominations, all of which were intensely scrutinised and evaluated by a series of panels comprising AFLI colleagues and previous Tutu Fellows.

It was, as always, a very intense week of personal and professional learning, connection, and introspection.

The programme offered Associates an important opportunity to think deeply about the ‘what’ of African leadership, and what is required in a time and world of polycrises for this continent, and planet, we all call home. Accomplished speakers included Trevor Manuel, Professor Richard Calland, Dr Ibrahim Mayaki, Mavuso Msimang, Craig Wing and Godiragetse Mogajane, all of whom shared their perspectives, opinions, expertise and insights in ways that were both challenging and deeply inspiring.

One of the key tenets of the programme though, is not just to share content but to continuously give Associates an opportunity to reflect deeply on the ‘so what’ and ‘now what’ of their own leadership legacy. This was made possible by highly experienced facilitators including Dr Rica Viljoen, Dr Elizabeth Wallis and Dr Allen Zimbler running immersive learning experiences and Fellows Hopewell Chin’ono and Mimi Kalinda speaking from the heart about their own experiences of leadership.

The visit to the Archbishop Tutu Exhibition Centre was, as always, deeply moving, and reminded everyone of the selfless legacy of this Programme’s namesake. It also served as an important reminder that the Fellowship is not only an opportunity, but also an obligation for those who are chosen to join it. 

After Mont Fleur, Associates work remotely and in groups on their scenario projects and reflective essays, all in preparation for the September workshop in Oxford, where the learning and connection will continue.

The gallery below provides a few snapshot of the Associates during the first Workshop. 

Header image - 2025 Associates during the first Mont Fleur Workshop.