PRESS RELEASE
————————————————————————–
Nine Mozambicans Participate in Youth Leadership Fellowship in the United States
August 29, 2023 – U.S. Embassy in Mozambique selected nine young leaders in the fields of business, civil society, and public administration to participate in the 9th annual Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) Mandela Washington Fellowship. Participants from six provinces spent six-weeks at various U.S. universities to hone their leadership skills, meet likeminded young African leaders, and obtain tools that can advance their projects in Mozambique upon their return. Young leaders in Mozambique can apply online to be part of the 10thcohort of the YALI Mandela Washington Fellowshiphere. Applications are due on September 12, 2023.
The 2023 Mandela Washington Fellowship from Mozambique include:
- Naomi Andate, Maputo
- Luis Bota, Manica
- Tavares Cebola, Maputo
- Elisa Jamal, Cabo Delgado
- Roda Mabuluco, Gaza
- Evelyn Mangove, Maputo
- Benedito Maunze, Inhambane
- Fragoso Muhae, Tete
- Jose Teles e Cunha, Maputo
“Embracing the spirit of leadership and unity, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to this year’s Mozambican Mandela Washington Young African Leadership Initiative fellows. Your unwavering dedication to shaping a brighter future for your communities, your country, and your continent is truly inspiring,” said U.S. Ambassador to Mozambique Peter H. Vrooman.
Launched in 2014, the Mandela Washington Fellowship is the flagship program of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) and embodies the United States’ commitment to invest in the future of Africa. YALI was created in 2010 by then-U.S. President Barack Obama and supports young Africans as they spur economic growth and prosperity, strengthen democratic governance, and enhance peace and security across Africa. Since 2014, nearly 6,500 young leaders from every country in Sub-Saharan Africa have participated in the Mandela Washington Fellowship, including 78 from Mozambique.
This year, 28 U.S. educational institutions hosted Leadership Institutes for approximately 700 Mandela Washington Fellows for six-weeks. The Institutes support the development of Fellows’ leadership skills through academic study, workshops, mentoring, networking with U.S. leaders, and collaboration with members of the local community.
After their Leadership Institutes, Fellows participated in the Summit Washington, D.C., where they heard from U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. There, Secretary Blinken said, “For almost 10 years now, the Mandela Fellowship has convened some of the best, some of the brightest young African leaders from across Sub-Saharan Africa. You are now part of an incredible network – a network of Africa’s youngest entrepreneurs, advocates, public servants. It’s now more than 6,000 men and women strong. Together, each of you represents a rising generation of change-makers on your continent.”
The Mandela Washington Fellowship is a program of the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government and administered by IREX. For more information about the Mandela Washington Fellowship, visitmandelawashingtonfellowship.org.
Media interested in receiving more information should contact the U.S. Embassy Press Office by e-mail: MaputoPress@state.gov.
