15 May 2016

The United States ambassador, Mr Earl Miller, has commended President Barack Obama for launching the young African leader's initiative.A total of 26 young Batswana leaders, whom are to participate in the prestigious Mandela Washington Fellowship for young African leaders, would leave on June 16 for a six-week academic residency at American universities.Mr Miller said the young African leaders initiative known as YALI' was formulated to support young Africans to cultivate a prosperous and secure Africa. 

The initiative included a fellowship component and for the past two years, 500 young Africans from across the continent had the opportunity to study in the United States of  America and to develop their skills as the next generation of leaders in civil society, business and government. 

He said this year President Obama had opened the fellowship to 1 000 talented young Africans and the response in Botswana was overwhelming as over 700 Batswana applied for the opportunity s. The program aimed at empowering young African leaders through academic course work, leadership training, mentoring and networking.

Ambassador Miller said, “we at the embassy feel privileged to be working with our family of Mandela Washington Fellows, and we look forward to be working with them to help build an even stronger, more prosperous and resourceful Africa”. Business and entrepreneurship representative, Mr Game Bantsi said, “this is a very exciting day for me and other fellows as we get ready to put our best foot forward and take steps towards growing our existing capacity to lead”. 

He  said the initiative was yet another example of the embassy’s long-term commitment to partnering with Botswana and its people in moving forth the African development agenda. ENDS