From June to August 2023, Ms. Lerato Sono, a lecturer at the SPMA, embarked on what she describes as “a remarkable transformative journey” to the USA. As a participant in the Mandela Washington Fellowship Programme, she had the privilege of spending two months in the heart of Washington, D.C. This programme, a flagship initiative of the U.S. Government's Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), was designed to empower young leaders from across Sub-Saharan Africa to effect positive change in their respective sectors and communities. Lerato was part of the Fellowship’s Leadership in Public Management cohort, stationed at Howard University in Washington, D.C., alongside 22 other fellows hailing from 19 African countries.

According to Lerato, the experience was nothing short of transformative, both professionally and personally. On a professional level, she had the unique opportunity to engage with various institutions in the American public sector, fostering critical discussions about their work in Africa and exploring how she, as an African professional, could collaborate with them to ensure their efforts yielded the desired impact. Throughout the programme she visited prestigious organisations such as The World Bank, The Brookings Institution, Capitol Hill, the U.S. Institute of Peace, USAID, the Africa Center for Strategic Studies at the National Defense University, the U.S. State Department, the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), and the U.S. Department of Labor. Additionally, she participated in the D.C. Mayor's office’s Young African ConneXions Summit, an event that brought together the 2023 Mandela Washington Fellows, community members in the District of Columbia, the African Diaspora Community, policy makers, and civic leaders, all inspired by the indomitable spirit of Tata Nelson Mandela.

The academic sessions that are an integral part of the Fellowship Programme were equally enriching, primarily focusing on the development of the fellows’ servant leadership skills. The sessions started with a Strengths Finder test to uncover each of the fellows’ key strengths, and each week, a Gallup Strengths coach guided the fellows on how to maximize their individual strengths in their respective fields. The academic sessions also delved into subjects such as  justice, equality, diversity, and inclusion, as well as the pivotal role of women in leadership. 

Through Lerato’s engagement in these sessions, she says she uncovered her passion for inclusive education, particularly designing inclusive teaching and learning strategies. This realisation culminated in her designing a programme (which she was required to present at the end of the Fellowship Programme) called the Inclusive Futures Programme, aimed at helping first-year Public Administration students from disadvantaged backgrounds assimilate better into the university environment. This approach aligns with the research she did which states that giving students from disadvantaged backgrounds access to university without the requisite support is not giving them a fair opportunity to succeed.

Among the many highlights of this journey for Lerato was the awe-inspiring visit to the White House, where the rich history and architectural grandeur served as a poignant reminder of the power and potential of leadership. In addition, Dr. Anthony Wutoh, Howard University's Provost, graciously hosted her cohort for a Ghanaian-inspired cultural and social dinner at his residence, further exemplifying the bonds and camaraderie that transcended borders and backgrounds.

Lerato also adds meeting the esteemed USA. actress and Dean of the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts at Howard University, Ms. Phylicia Rashad, as one of the highlights of her trip. Her presence and wisdom deeply resonated with Lerato, and Ms. Rashad’s insights during the cohort’s final project presentations left an indelible mark on the cohort. Lerato recalls how during Ms. Rashad’s engagement with the fellows, she underscored the transformative power of education, reinforcing Lerato’s belief in the importance of the role she plays as an academic in shaping the leadership potential of her students, many of whom have fought ardently for their place in the lecture halls.

Throughout this fellowship, Lerato learned invaluable lessons about herself and her greater vision to contribute to the current efforts to transform and decolonise the South African Higher Education sector. She was challenged to be bold and daring in her aspirations and to not be limited by her perceived limitations. This experience was a clarion call to unveil her most authentic self and to serve that truth to the spaces she aims to influence. It pushed her to confront her "why" – which is, to introspect on why she is doing the work she does and to ensure that she can confidently answer that question.

In the end, the Mandela Washington Fellowship was far more than just a leadership programme for Lerato, it was a profound exploration of purpose and an expedition to unearth the essence of her purpose in the world. It reinforced Lerato’s belief that we are all created to serve something greater than ourselves. Lerato concludes by sharing that, “it was an experience that will likely serve as one of the defining moments of my life, inspiring me to serve something greater, one authentic step at a time”