20 Aug 2015

The 23 year old Refilwe Kerekang has been named among 26 most outstanding emerging African leaders by the Moremi Initiative for Women Leadership in Africa.

Speaking in an interview with BOPA this week, Kerekang said she was picked out of 3,000 other applicants.

She said the 2015 cohort of MILEAD Fellows represents Africa’s most promising young women leaders with the courage and commitment to lead and shape the future of the continent.

She said the selection was based on leadership skills, community service projects and the commitment to the advancement of young women in Africa, among others.

The Lobatse born young lady describes herself as a self-motivated visionary and committed person in pursuit of personal development and drive to uplift those around her. He said she has recently attended a three week leadership training at the University of Ghana.

Kerekang said she always makes time to serve the community despite her full time job responsibilities as a business support officer for CEDA.

“I believe I was selected for this ground breaking initiative because of my strong commitment to serve my community and lead it to greatness, this was my first international exposure and I consider myself blessed to have been part of this powerful group of young women leaders in the African continent,” she said.

Kerekang said she appreciates that the 2015 MILEAD programme targeted dynamic young women interested in developing transformational leadership skills that could help them address issues facing women and girls across communities in Africa.

“The 2015 MILEAD program has equipped me with world class knowledge, skills, values and networks I need to succeed as a 21st century women leader.
“It was an intensive training with sessions that began in the morning until evening. In addition we also had the opportunities to attend and host summits and had discussions on social issues that are a concern across Africa such as child marriage,” she shared.

Through the activities, she said she had the chance to meet African women activists who in their line of work are raising awareness on matters such as gender equality and human rights to name a few.

She said mentorship was a core function of the training, adding it has inspired her to dream big and work hard towards goals. She said she has learned that nothing is impossible.
“ I am particularly happy that I don’t have to face these challenges alone because I now have a solid network of 25 vibrant women who fully understand the dynamics of community development’’ said Kerekang.

According to Kerekang, some challenges in Africa are centred on past ways of living which now do not need to be practiced anymore.

“Most of these ways of life were viewed acceptable years ago, but some of them are presently the very same causes of abuse; early child marriage and female genital mutilation among others,’’ she added.

Kerekang has however said Botswana youths are fortunate as measured against others across the continent with regards to the challenges they are facing. However, she challenged young Batswana to be responsible as global citizens and be more visible in international spheres. She said the opportunity has geared her to be a young person with substance.
Kerekang is currently registering a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) which focuses on mental, emotional and social health welfare of the youth of Botswana and welcomes anyone who wants to be part of this initiative.

 

“My word of encouragement is that as young people, we should not dim our lights. Be on the lookout and have ambition to achieve all you ever imagined. Believe in yourself, take a stand and always be humble,” she said. Ends