6 OYW Ambassadors selected as inaugural Obama Leaders for Africa

After months of selection, the Obama Foundation has revealed its first class of 200 Obama Leaders for Africa. With backgrounds in the public, private and non-profit sectors, these Leaders from across the continent will gain access to a year-long programme which includes bespoke training and leadership development.

The first stage in the programme is a five-day gathering in Johannesburg where the cohort will exchange insights, take part in workshops, participate in leadership sessions, and hear from African leaders including long-time One Young World (OYW) Counsellor Advocate Thuli Madonsela.

OYW is proud to share that 5 OYW Ambassadors and 1 incoming delegate have been selected as part of the first Obama Leaders group. Congratulations to them all! Full list of names below.*

*all descriptions originally written by the Obama Foundation.

Stephen Molatlhegi, Botswana

Stephen is a young active citizen, highly motivated development practitioner, and social entrepreneur, with a passion in empowering people, promoting sustainable development, entrepreneurship, and combating poverty.

Keke Haina, Comoros

Keke is a youth educator and an activist for youth rights. She co-founded the NGO I’m a Rad African (IMARA) in 2015 and provides a safe education heaven to Comorian children, adolescents, and adults from all walks of life through different programs.

Aminetou Bilal, Mauritania. Incoming 2018 delegate

Aminetou is president of Selfie Mbalite, an NGO raising awareness campaigns against unsanitary conditions and promoting ecological development in Mauritania.

Khadidiatou Sall, Senegal

Khadidiatou is a molecular biologist, a STEM educator, and an entrepreneur. She is building a collaborative and innovative hub in Senegal, for learning STEM topics online/offline in local languages starting from a young age, for prototyping ideas, and for launching successful startups.

Shakira Choonara, South Africa

Dr. Choonara is a renowned health researcher, bold activist, and the 2017 Woman of the Year in Health, in South Africa. She is also listed as Destiny Magazine’s “Most Powerful Women under 40” in SA and is currently employed as the obesity program coordinator for SA at the Washington based NGO, Global Health Advocacy Incubator.

Rufaro Mudimu, Zimbabwe

Rufaro is a proud citizen of Southern Africa. She is passionate about working with others to achieve social change and creating environments that allow people to define and achieve success and create a better future for themselves, their communities, and their countries.