The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single meeting of minds

By Lionel Faull

September 6 was the day Grahamstown welcomed 40 young leaders from across sub-Saharan Africa and prominent members of the South African and Grahamstown civil society to engage one another for three days on the practice of ethical leadership — a gathering that could grow in time to become Africa’s premier conference of young leaders.

Community of Mandela Rhodes Scholars conference coordinator Chris McConnachie says: “If one takes a rough sample of the problems facing Africa and the rest of the world — from inaction in addressing climate change to the global financial crisis — it is clear that ethical leadership is key to solving these problems.”

He says the conference aims to explore the potential of ubuntu, social justice and entrepreneurship to create “a critical mass of ethical, effective leaders who will in time assist in correcting the deficit of principled leadership in Africa”.

The conference is organised the Mandela Rhodes Scholarship programme alumni. To date, 93 post-graduate students have been selected for the coveted Mandela Rhodes Scholarship programme since its inception in 2005. The continent-wide search for scholars aims to enhance leadership potential in Africa and create a platform of socially conscious young people who embody the principles of educational excellence, entrepreneurship, a spirit of reconciliation and ethical leadership.

Zackie Achmat, a Nobel Peace Prize nominee, human-rights activist and head of the Treatment Action Campaign, kick-started the conference with an address on Sunday September 6. He says: “Small in number, the young scholars carry an enormous dual burden. They have to emulate the ethics of Nelson Mandela as an activist and later global leader in the struggle for freedom, equality and dignity. Simultaneously, they have to realise the ambition of Cecil John Rhodes to unify Africa on the basis of freedom, dignity and equality while consciously rejecting his colonialist project. Our country and continent requires leadership with an ethical and global vision strengthened by ambition to serve poor and working class people in their struggles to eliminate race, class, gender and ethnic inequality.”

The conference organising committee is determined not to allow the conference become a talking shop. As such, delegates will visit Grahamstown-based social entrepreneurship initiatives as diverse as bio-diesel manufacturing (Makana Meadery), community journalism (Upstart) and cultural/historical tourism (the Egazini Project) to learn how good ideas are turned into successful action.

Another keynote speaker is Kojo Parris, who is the chairperson of A4e Africa & the African Social Entrepreneurs Network (www.asenetwork.org). He says: “Social entrepreneurship is becoming a major force for positive change through its focus on building social capital … and we want to engage the Community of Mandela Rhodes Scholars to ensure that they fully incorporate this as their leadership priorities.”

The conference, sponsored by Absa, is supported by the Mandela Rhodes Foundation together with the US-based Friends of the Mandela Rhodes Foundation.

According to Batandwa Ntlabati, Absa’s regional marketing consultant: “The Community of Mandela Rhodes Scholars is a community thriving with young talent and the conference presents an opportunity for Absa to support their goals and engage the scholars on leadership development.”

A project partner, the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities (CRL Rights Commission) — a Chapter 9 institution under the Constitution — is ensuring that 50 learners from schools in Grahamstown can attend selected conference sessions.

CRL representative Monwabisi Ralarala says: “The focus on the youth will hopefully serve the commission well in that they form a significant part of our communities. And educating and advocating to them (both scholars and learners) about their entitlement to cultural, religious and linguistic rights and the manner in which these rights may be exercised in our South African society is a huge gap that we hope to fill as a commission.”

Grahamstown, where so much good happens, will add another feather to its cap this week.

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