2019 Young Leader Award Shows: 'Your Struggles Are Not Invisible'

Dzikamai Bere, 2017 alumnus of the Mandela Washington Fellowship at the Presidential Precinct, received the third annual Young Leader Award at Salute Africa: A Tribute for Mandela Washington Fellows. This year’s award was presented by Renee and John Grisham. John is an American novelist and Renee is a women’s advocate and Board Member of the Presidential Precinct.

The Presidential Precinct created the Young Leader Award in 2016 to honor the contributions of young, emerging leaders to their country’s economic, social, political, or cultural development. The award calls attention to the importance of investing in emerging leaders who have a bold vision to improve our world. Of the Presidential Precinct’s over 1,000 alumni, only three have been chosen for this prestigious opportunity.

Dzikamai put the award in context during his acceptance speech by saying, “This award … is indeed not mine alone but is for all young leaders across Africa who believe our continent is due for peace in our lifetime. It is for the young women in Sudan, the masses in Malawi, the civil society leaders in Zimbabwe and all who today yearn for the restoration of their fundamental freedoms. This award says, ‘Your struggles are not invisible.’”

 
Dzikamai is widely regarded as a shining light at the center of Zimbabwe’s human rights community. His leadership through the National Transitional Justice Working Group and his role Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum — comprising 20 leading organizations working collaboratively to secure human rights for all people of Zimbabwe – has been an inspiration to long-time leaders and the many up and coming defenders whom he is mentoring.

The empowerment, skills, and network Dzikamai derived through his experience at the Presidential Precinct has fueled current aspirations to convene Zimbabwe’s human rights defenders in central Virginia; a safe zone where these leaders and practitioners can engage in training, skills development, and self-care and protection so vital to their ability to succeed on the front lines back home.

At the conclusion of Salute Africa, Mike Hove of VOA’s youth show, The Connection, spoke with Dzikamai and Neal Piper, Executive Director of Presidential Precinct. Click below to watch the full interview.

In this regard, Dzikamai is a stellar example of the Presidential Precinct in action. A leader who came through the organization’s programs in leadership and democracy; returned to his home country and was able to strengthen and amplify his work as a transitional justice advocate and human rights leader. Our entire community is inspired by the long-term impacts that this devoted, visionary leader will affect.

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Past recipients of the Young Leader Award:
Abella Bateyunga, Tanzania (2018 Young Leader Award)
Oluwatoyosi Ogunseye, Nigeria (2016 Young Leader Award)

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For more information on Dzikamai and his time at the Presidential Precinct, see his reflections on the YALI Fellowship and his video impact story, recorded on site at the Presidential Precinct.