Ms Kgadi Mathabathe from the Department of Science, Mathematics and Technology Education was chosen by the Embassy of the United States to participate in the 2016 Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders.

The Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders is the flagship programme of President Obama’s Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI). As a Mandela Washington Fellow, she will arrive in the United States on 17 June 2016 and will spend six weeks taking part in academic activities hosted by a US institution of higher education.

Ms Mathabathe will also share her leadership skills and network with other young leaders from sub-Saharan Africa and the United States. After her academic residency, she will travel to Washington DC to participate in the three-day Mandela Washington Fellowship Summit hosted by President Barack Obama.

During the Summit, she will have the opportunity to interact with US leaders in the field of government, and with representatives from the business and non-profit sectors. A small number of fellows will remain in the United States to gain additional professional development experiences at US companies, non-profit organisations or government agencies. Upon completion of the US-based programme, her fellowship will continue in South Africa, where she will have access to professional development, networking and a variety of funding sources.

Commenting on the programme, Patrick H Gaspard, American Ambassador in South Africa, said: ‘I share President Obama’s vision for the Mandela Washington Fellowship and believe that our commitment, courage, and “Yes, we can” attitude will lead sub-Saharan Africa into a new era of prosperity as it takes its place on the world stage.’