Mentoring and being mentored

During the week-long training, the fellows benefited tremendously from generous and intimate engagements with high-level leaders and guest speakers, who shared their leadership secrets in a series of inspiring contributions.

Ahunna Eziakonwa, UN Assistant Secretary-General, UNDP Assistant Administration and Director of the Regional Bureau for Africa, told the fellows: “You’ve got a voice now. You have a seat at the table. Leaders are listening to that voice that is so fresh, and so authentic.”

“Bring consistency, empathy and hunger,” shared Prudence Ngwenya, Acting Director of the Women, Gender and Youth Directorate at the African Union Commission, “and remember the four A's of leadership: aptitude, attitude, awareness and action!”

Similarly, Dr. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Former Deputy President of South Africa and Former UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN Women, also emphasized the importance of speaking up. “When you’re in a space where decisions are being taken, never remain quiet,” she said. “Quietness never brought you anything. Learn to be heard. Occupy the space. Make your power felt”.

Innovative learning approach

The training was delivered by the African Leadership University (ALU) and followed a learner-centric approach that focuses on autonomy; immersive learning; meaningful collaboration; ubiquitous learning; and play. During a visit to the ALU, the fellows had the chance to engage with the founder Fred Swaniker, and also partner with and mentor women students.

In addition to the guest speaker contributions, three fellows also hosted master classes. Daniela Nianduillet (deployed to UNDP Republic of Congo) conducted a session on ‘How to affirm our identity in the workplace’ - unpacking in practical terms how young African women can navigate professional pitfalls without sacrificing their authenticity. Priscilla Plat (deployed to UNDP DRC) hosted a masterclass on personal branding. “Your personal brand should precede you; it means you can be present without even needing to be in a room. People will trust you and invest in you.” Tamiwe Kayuni (deployed to UNDP Kenya) provided a deeply empowering session on public speaking and effective communication.

During the training, fellows were also led to consider from whom to learn; each other as peers, the leaders who came before them – including to learn from past mistakes, and themselves, through identifying their internal leadership capital. Towards the end of the training, several fellows indicated that they hadn’t seen themselves as leaders before, but now they do.

While the training targeted the future leadership skills of the fellows, they were challenged to consider not just their own future, but also how they were actively shaping a legacy. Tatenda Zvobgo, originally from Zimbabwe and now working with UNDP’s regional office in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia said: “A major thing for me was the knowledge that no matter what I do, I will have these sisters who will be cheering me on, celebrating my successes with me and working through the difficulties with me. It’s made us richer people.”