The Presidential Precinct is proud to introduce the 2023 Mandela Washington Fellowship Leadership in Civic Engagement Institute cohort: emerging African leaders committed to addressing community challenges, strengthening civic engagement, and empowering their communities.
Through an immersive leadership experience in Virginia, the Fellows will engage with university faculty, nonprofit leaders, and community organizers to develop practical skills in collaborative problem-solving, project management, and public dialogue.
Bringing diverse perspectives from across Africa, the Fellows share a commitment to inclusive leadership, community-driven solutions, and meaningful civic participation.
Abdulnasir Bereket Adem
Abdulnasir Adem has nearly 10 years of experience working in the areas of human rights and education. He serves as the head of the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission’s (EHRC) Jigjiga office. He leads the office’s wide-ranging activities, including overseeing the human rights work throughout the planning, implementation, and evaluation stages. In the past three years, Abdulnasir has played a key role in reforming and restructuring the EHRC Jigjiga office and has led critical monitoring and investigation endeavors. Before joining the EHRC, Abdulnasir worked as an academic in universities in the eastern part of Ethiopia. Abdulnasir holds a Bachelor of Law from Addis Ababa University and a Master of Law from Central European University.
After completing the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, Abdulnasir plans to work for the entrenchment of human rights-based governance in Ethiopia, focusing on bridging the gap between local communities, customary and religious systems, and the state apparatus.
Abiola Durodola
Abiola Durodola has more than five years of experience as an urban development planner and project manager. He is the team lead of AdvoKC, a youth-led civic-tech organization that is deepening participatory democracy in Nigeria through its data-driven digital platform. Abiola was one of the civil society leaders selected at Demo Reset, a project on deliberative democracy in the Global South by Extutito in 2022. He is a ONE Youth Activist in Nigeria and was recently selected as one of the inaugural Green Academy fellows by Heinrich Böll Stiftung in Nigeria. Abiola has co-organized two independently organized TED events that focused on discussing and addressing local issues. He has also previously served as the general legal counsel for the Junior Chamber International, Olubadan, a network of young active citizens driving change in their local community. Abiola holds a bachelor’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning and is a registered Town Planner in Nigeria.
After completing the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, Abiola plans to pilot more subnational projects at Advokc, collaborating and partnering with other organizations to improve accountability and transparency in monitoring government performance in Nigeria.
Aiche Sy
Aiche Sy has more than three years of experience in the gender, youth, and environmental fields. Aiche is a youth network specialist at the United Nations Population Fund Mauritania, focusing on the integration of local youth organizations in the development process. She is also a member of various civil society organizations. From 2021 to 2023, she was in charge of the training program for the Young African Leaders Initiative Mauritania chapter. Aiche holds degrees in Environmental Management, Sustainable Development, and Business Administration. She is committed to the development of integrated mechanisms that involve local populations, local resources, and culture to help build a development model that reflects the local culture and realities.
After completing the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, Aiche plans to gain additional knowledge to better achieve her goals. She will also share the skills and experience she gained in the Fellowship.
Anibiko Koosa
Anibiko Koosa has more than five years of experience helping young people in South Sudan. Anibiko is the project director at the Foundation for Youth Empowerment. He is also the founder and chief executive officer of DPL Investment Company. Anibiko empowers youth and women through initiatives and activities aimed at addressing knowledge gaps, teaching new skills, and providing mentors. His work enhances young people’s capacity to take responsibility for driving growth and adding value to the economic and social development of their communities. Anibiko is also a volunteer preacher whose message gives hope and comfort to people in need. He is committed to restoring hope to less privileged youth. Through mentoring and innovative leadership development programs, he equips them to achieve life goals and become agents of change in their society.
After completing the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, Anibiko plans to expand his youth empowerment program, identify protection gaps in the community, and advocate for the rights of vulnerable members of his community.
Baboloki Semele
Baboloki Semele is the Assistant Research Officer for the Parliament of Botswana. He first worked as a journalist from 2006 to 2020. He travelled the length and breadth of Africa, and a few parts outside Africa, covering issues of global importance such as peace and security, climate change, water, disaster risk reduction, as well as global debates. His undergraduate degree is in Broadcasting and Journalism from Limkokwing University of Creative Technology. He earned an MA in International Relations at the University of Hertfordshire, fulfilling his desire to beef up his analysis of local and international politics. This is the reason why he chose civic leadership: to hone skills in representing the masses, especially holding those in authority accountable. He is the Clerk of the African Youth Parliament, which exists to encourage young people to love politics and take full participation in the governance process.
Upon completion of the Mandela Washington Fellowship, Semele aims to set up a consultancy to train governments, civil societies, and young people on non-selective democracy and to ensure full participation of young people in politics and the democratic process.
Bereket Diriba Erecha
Baboloki Semele is the Assistant Research Officer for the Parliament of Botswana. He first worked as a journalist from 2006 to 2020. He travelled the length and breadth of Africa, and a few parts outside Africa, covering issues of global importance such as peace and security, climate change, water, disaster risk reduction, as well as global debates. His undergraduate degree is in Broadcasting and Journalism from Limkokwing University of Creative Technology. He earned an MA in International Relations at the University of Hertfordshire, fulfilling his desire to beef up his analysis of local and international politics. This is the reason why he chose civic leadership: to hone skills in representing the masses, especially holding those in authority accountable. He is the Clerk of the African Youth Parliament, which exists to encourage young people to love politics and take full participation in the governance process.
Upon completion of the Mandela Washington Fellowship, Semele aims to set up a consultancy to train governments, civil societies, and young people on non-selective democracy and to ensure full participation of young people in politics and the democratic process.
Busisiwe Nxumalo
Busisiwe Nxumalo has more than eight years of experience in human rights and activism. Busisiwe is an advocacy and research consultant at the Southern African Liaison Office and focuses on human rights, advocacy, and foreign policy. They also volunteer in political and community engagements. Busisiwe holds a bachelor’s degree in international relations and politics. They are deeply passionate about human rights and working toward building societies that are equal at a socioeconomic and political level.
After completing the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, Busisiwe plans to continue to contribute to building international, regional, and national consensus and deepening North-South partnerships.
Cassandra Dorasamy
Cassandra Dorasamy is a research consultant at Amnesty International South Africa. She has previously worked on community development and health policy research. Cassandra holds a master’s degree in Development Studies. She is passionate about the fight for the full realization of human rights for all.
After completing the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, Cassandra plans to pursue her doctorate and continue her work in civil society.
Courteney Mukoyi
Courteney Mukoyi has more than three years of experience in civic technology. Courteney is the founder and director of the Justice Code Foundation, an organization that focuses on using technology for civic good. He also works with Toplegal Incorporated, which enhances access to justice using technology. Courteney holds a Bachelor of Laws. He is passionate about building technology platforms that understand young people's behavioral patterns in civic engagement.
After completing the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, Courteney plans to build up the use of civic technology in Zimbabwe and throughout Africa.
Darshinee Choytah
Darshinee Choytah has more than three years of experience in the legal field. Currently, Darshinee is a barrister at the Chambers of Gavin Glover SC and focuses on litigation, civil, criminal, commercial, constitutional, and employment matters, as well as arbitration and mediation. She has worked as a legal editor at Thomson Digital (Mauritius) Ltd. and as a contract associate at Accenture Services (Mauritius) Ltd. Darshinee also works with Parapli Rouz, a non-governmental organization that helps sex workers in Mauritius. She is an online volunteer for the United Nations and the president of the Pamplemousses Anti-Corruption Committee instituted by the Mauritius Independent Commission Against Corruption. Darshinee holds a master's degree in Commercial Legal Practice. She is passionate about making a difference in the legal field by working for a cause, whether fundamental human rights of detainees, electoral cases that go to the root of democracy, or civil cases that raise interesting legal issues. She is committed to gender equality, access to justice, and human rights.
After completing the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, Darshinee plans to promote human rights and gender equality and perform pro bono work. She also hopes to become involved in politics, constitutional law, and the electoral system.
David Nii Doodo Larbi
David Nii Doodo LARBI is a passionate human rights activist, advocate for Youth Empowerment, and SDGs Champion. He is dependable and a strong communicator. He has over 3+ years of corporate and individual-enterprise experience in customer service, along with project and research management. He is a former Projects and Communications intern at Pan Africa ILGA and currently the Projects Officer at Pan Africa ILGA. He is the founder of Youth Alliance for Equality Foundation. He was a former Trustee for ReportOUT UK (a global SOGIESC human rights organisation in the United Kingdom). David is the first LGBTIQ+ activist who spoke at Ghana’s Voluntary National Review in 2022 during the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development at the United Nations. Currently a member of the Alliance for Equality and Diversity. He firmly believes that the essence of life is life itself and all the basics that go with it. Laws are made by people for people and should not be biased in any way that leads to discrimination.
After completing the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, David plans to empower and build the capacity of young people who are interested in becoming human rights activists and advocates in Ghana and across the African Continent.
Diana Nsekela
Diana Nsekela is a lawyer and gender specialist with more than five years of experience in gender and development. She has managed grants for gender mainstreaming programs with nongovernmental organizations and trained Tanzanian paralegals on the gender-sensitive provision of legal aid. Currently, Diana works in strategy consulting with Dalberg, an international development consulting firm, and focuses on gender and inclusive economic development. Diana holds a law degree and a degree in government and international relations from the University of Sydney. She is passionate about women's rights and believes that promoting gender equality is central to accelerating sustainable development, economic growth, and poverty reduction.
After completing the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, Diana plans to use her new skills and knowledge to contribute to innovative solutions for women's economic empowerment in Tanzania and Africa.
Houssein Osman Aden
Houssein OSMAN ADEN is a dedicated program development professional with a passion for civic engagement and community empowerment. He has more than five years of program development experience. He’s a Technical Coordinator on the prevention and mitigation of Gender Based Violence/ attenuation of Female Genital Mutilation Program at Kaizen Company Djibouti. Houssein implemented a project in the villages of Ali-Adde, Holl-Holl, and Markazi to safeguard and promote the rights of refugee children in Djibouti. Houssein holds a master's degree in engineering from the University of Central China Normal University in Wuhan. He speaks French, English, Somali, and Arabic.
After completing the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, he plans to initiate a sustainable project to empower and promote women and young girls' participation in addressing Gender and climate change challenges at the local and regional levels.
Joseph Tatenda Makuni
Joseph Tatenda Makuni has six years of experience providing legal services and legal education to the marginalized and disadvantaged. Joseph is a programs lawyer with the Legal Resources Foundation in Zimbabwe. He holds a Master of Laws in Constitutional and Human Rights Law from Midlands State University. Joseph teaches legal ethics and professional training at the Great Zimbabwe University and sits on the board of the African Yearbook of International Humanitarian Law. He is passionate about women's and children's rights, fighting sexual and gender-based violence, and enhancing civic engagement in Zimbabwe. He has worked on several cases that have promoted children's and women's rights.
After completing the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, Joseph will continue to assist women and girls who face legal challenges and to enhance the participation of rural women in decision-making.
Judy Cheserek
Judy Jepchumba Cheserek has more than eight years of experience in the legal sector. Judy is a senior legal officer at the Office of the County Attorney, County Government of Kiambu in Kenya, where she focuses on litigation and advocacy. She is also a human rights activist and a partner at Muiruri, Cheserek & Co. Advocates, where she heads the pro bono services division that fights for the rights of members of the LGBTQI+ community, survivors, and victims of gender-based violence, and people living with HIV/AIDS. She holds a bachelor's degree and a postgraduate diploma in law. Judy is committed to fighting for liberty for all, and she believes that to deny people their human rights is to challenge their very humanity.
After completing the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, Judy plans to use her new knowledge, experience, and network to navigate the fight for the rights of members in the LGBTIQ+ community and offer legal services to reach more people and offer pro bono legal services and representation to members of the LGBTIQ+ community, victims and survivors of gender-based violence, and people living with HIV/AIDS, and to establish a nonprofit that offers pro bono legal services.
Laetitia Nyemba
Laetitia Nyemba has more than five years of experience in addressing issues related to sexual and gender-based violence. Laetitia is a project assistant at the Japan International Cooperation Agency and provides firsthand administrative support to project delivery. She also volunteers with a social movement with the specific role of addressing issues related to sexual and gender-based violence. Laetitia holds a bachelor’s degree in Tourism and Management from Central University of Technology in Bloemfontein, South Africa, and a national diploma in Travel and Tourism Management from Vaal University of Technology in Vanderbijlpark, South Africa. Laetitia is passionate about protecting women and girls by implementing policies and strategies and by raising awareness of women’s rights to end harmful practices and support survivors.
After completing the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, Laetitia plans to continue to address issues and bring awareness about sexual and gender-based violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Mohammed Lawal
Mohammed Lawal has seven years of experience in journalism and advocacy. A TEDx speaker and one of Opportunity Hub’s 100 most influential people of the year, Mohammed has earned several accolades for his well-researched articles and investigative reports: campus journalist of the year (Nigeria, 2020), best West African fellow in the Kwame Karikari Fact-Checking and Research Fellowship (2021), and an African Public Relations Award (APRA Tanzania) (2022). He is head of investigations and fact-checking at PRNigeria and a project manager in the Grassroots Investigative Reporting Project at the Daily Nigerian.
Upon completing the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, Mohammed plans to pioneer a new field in journalism for developing countries that involves blending investigative journalism with an advocacy perspective to address pressing challenges in communities across Africa. He also plans to build a network of young journalists and campaigners by providing them with resources and mentorship on strategic communications for advocacy and the use of media and messaging to help promote causes in education, healthcare, and the environment. Mohammed believes that positive change in these areas will positively affect women and girls by generating social and political will and resources for vulnerable communities.
Njiramanda Mbewe
Njiramanda Mbewe has more than 10 years of experience in law and leadership. She founded and practices law at Mbewe Legal Practice, where she advises private clients and, pro bono, supports indigent community members. She specializes in family law, with particular interest in women's and children's rights and in activism against gender-based violence. Njiramanda holds a Bachelor of Law and a Certificate of Proficiency. She is committed to ensuring that there is access to legal information and advice for all, especially the indigent and those in rural areas. She is passionate about the fight against gender-based violence and about the protection of women and children, as well as the protection of LGBTQIA rights.
After completing the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, Njiramanda plans to increase her reach by providing access to legal knowledge and advice to other parts of Botswana, especially rural areas, and to advocate for policy reform. Njiramanda also plans to continue with the fight against gender-based violence and with mentoring young women in Botswana.
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Papa Sanou Faye
Papa Sanou Faye has seven years of experience in managing and monitoring community development projects in Senegal. He most recently worked as a community development specialist in charge of the community resilience program at the Center for Research and Action on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights in Senegal. Papa Sanou has coordinated and participated in several quantitative and qualitative studies in several areas with various organizations. He also served CorpsAfrica/Senegal as a community development support volunteer in the Sedhiou region, and has coordinated and participated in several quantitative and qualitative studies in several areas with several national and international organizations. In 2022, he participated in the African German Leadership Academy program by the German Institute of Development and Sustainability and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development. Papa Sanou holds a master’s degree in Community Development Engineering with a specialization in Geographic Information Systems from the Université Gaston Berger de Saint-Louis and several certifications in environmental assessment, development, and law.
After completing the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, Papa Sanou plans to take on new challenges in Senegal, Africa, and around the world.
Preetima Moteea
Preetima Moteea has more than five years of experience in human rights advocacy, gender, education, and development. During her work experience at Gender Links Mauritius (a leading Southern African women's rights organization), Preetima has been actively engaged in capacity building, risk assessment, fundraising, strategic planning, local and international donor reporting, research, advocacy, and knowledge production. She has also advocated for inclusive education in Mauritius by participating in the process of digitizing curriculum and textbook content for free access during the COVID-19 pandemic. She was a panelist at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) Education Forum in 2020 and was part of the Development Group of LSE Student Futures, which seeks to enhance experiential learning opportunities for students. Preetima holds a bachelor's degree in Anthropology and Law from LSE. She is motivated to learn about sustainable civic engagement for empathic and equitable policymaking and implementation.
After completing the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, Preetima plans to support local and international development policies and programs on gender equality and the promotion of children's rights.
Thato Dladla
Sandiso “Thato” Dladla has more than three years of experience in the civic space. They are a Programs Manager at Abammeli Lawyers for Human Rights, focusing on Human rights litigation as well as citizen rights awareness. Thato also works with Trans Research Education Advocacy & Training as a paralegal, focusing on promoting access to justice for LGBTQI persons, especially Trans diverse individuals. Thato first volunteered with NeoteriQ, which was housed under the Sexual Rights Centre, where they were a mental health peer educator. Thato holds a Higher Certificate in Law and is currently studying for a BCom in Law as well as a BA in Policy Studies with UNISA. Thato is committed to being a SOGIE-SC inclusion practitioner and a social and gender activist. Thato believes that everyone deserves a fair chance in leading a respectable life in society regardless of gender or background. They believe that human rights are inherent to everyone and are not subject to sexuality. They have worked with different communities and, from that experience, they found out that every human rights problem is intersectional, and the only solution is to collectively deal with the injustices by fighting as one, which is what led them to become a social and gender justice advocate.
Upon completion of the Mandela Washington Fellowship, Thato plans to develop a passage of legislation that is inclusive of LGBTQI persons and women.
Teles E Cunha
Teles e Cunha has more than 10 years of experience in research and activism. Teles is a researcher and project officer at CeUrbe, focusing on exploring political socialization and participation of Mozambican urban youth, with a particular emphasis on new voters. Teles is actively involved in various organizations that work towards the rights and empowerment of young people and marginalized communities. Teles holds a bachelor's degree in philosophy at Eduardo Mondlane University. You will find Teles motivated to learn and construct knowledge, especially that which will help to liberate and empower marginalized communities.
Upon completion of the Mandela Washington Fellowship, Teles plans to improve their ability to organize, execute, and evaluate action-research initiatives, and also upgrade their communication and networking skills.
Viviane Tathi Yende
Viviane Tathi Yende has more than six years of experience in women's rights activism. Viviane is the executive coordinator at Association Sourires de Femmes, an organization that provides emergency services to women and girls who are victims of violence, especially those living in rural areas. She has worked on projects dealing with the rights of women sex workers and young women and girls living in rural areas. Viviane holds a bachelor’s degree in law. She is committed to her work because she is aware, from professional experience and her own history, how difficult it can be for victims from poor social backgrounds to find help and obtain justice.
After completing the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, she plans to set up a shelter for abused women and girls and be a strong advocate for the rights of women and girls in Cameroon.
Wadzanai Adeline Masunda
Wadzanai Adeline Masunda has more than five years of experience in voluntary service and leadership development. Wadzanai is an anti-money laundering officer at the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission, focusing on curbing financial crimes. As a volunteer with Students Connect Trust, she has trained more than 5,000 students in life skills, leadership, purpose, and career guidance. Wadzanai holds a Bachelor of Technology honors degree in Forensic Accounting and Auditing from the Harare Institute of Technology, where she received the vice chancellor's award for the best graduating student in the Department of Forensic Accounting and Auditing. Her mission is to unleash greatness and propel destinies through civic engagement and promotion of good governance.
After completing the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, she plans to raise 10,000 leaders through her various community development projects with Gr8ter Works Generation and to facilitate exchange programs with other change makers worldwide.
Zulu Abriel Lungelo
Zulu Abriel Lungelo has more than ten years of work experience as a human rights defender. He is the founder and Executive Director of Umhluma Women & Youth Foundation, which advocates for widows’ and orphans’ rights in the Kingdom of eSwatini. Zulu also serves as the executive board chairperson for Help of the Helpless Foundation, a network of young single mothers who are being empowered on sexual health and reproductive rights. Zulu holds diplomas in project management, financial management, and sector risk.
After completing the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, Zulu plans to share his skills and strengthen his organization’s paralegals programme, collaborating and partnering with other organizations to improve the lives of widows and their orphaned children, and to invest in government policymaking and legislation to safeguard widows and orphans and their inheritance rights, especially.
The Mandela Washington Fellowship Leadership in Civic Engagement Institute is hosted by the Presidential Precinct in partnership with the University of Virginia, William & Mary, and the historic sites of Montpelier, Highland, and Monticello.
Through this collaboration, the Institute equips emerging African leaders with the tools to address community challenges, strengthen civic engagement, and inspire lasting change.
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