CONCEPT NOTE
‘LEADING LIKE MANDELA’LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME AFRICAN LEADERSHIP SUMMIT VALUES-BASED AND TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP 30 NOVEMBER 2018
“I never lose. I either win or I learn!”
Table of Contents I. Introduction ...... 2 II. Background and Context ...... 3 i. The African Context ...... 3 ii. The Global Context ...... 4 iii. Leadership towards achieving Regional and Global Goals ...... 5 III. Leading Like Mandela ...... 6 i. Objective ...... 6 ii. Implementation ...... 7 iii. Content ...... 8 IV. African Leadership Summit – 30 November 2018 ...... 8 i. The African Leadership Summit ...... 8 ii. Programme ...... 9 V. Expected Outcomes of the African Leadership Summit ...... 10 VI. Implementing Entity and Strategic Partners ...... 10
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I. Introduction Over the past decades, African leadership has undergone major transformations. The African continent has witnessed a wide range of leaders ascend to power ranging from Pan-Africanist thinkers; liberators; military dictators; and one party state leaders. For some African leaders, their nations were treated as their private property, others were assassinated or were disposed of by military coups, and yet others refused to leave office voluntarily.
Post-independence, some African leaders came to their position unprepared and with limited governance experience. Poor governance became the major challenge and source of Africa’s socio- economic crisis. However, in recent years the continent has experienced robust economic and social transformation, and democracy is steadily taking root under the banner and narrative of “Africa Rising”. Moreover, an increasing number of countries have seen peaceful transitions of power through multiparty elections. However, Africa remains the continent with the highest poverty levels and underdevelopment. In some circles it is claimed that the fundamental problem affecting development in Africa is actually the “poverty” of leadership. Accordingly, there is a need to develop a new generation of leaders who are responsible and well-educated. Leaders who are endowed with courage, integrity and determination to transform Africa’s future.
Africa’s rise would not have been possible without Africa’s visionary Leaders who were “When the missionaries arrived, the Africans had the land and instrumental in defining a path towards the missionaries had the Bible. They taught us how to pray progress at a particular time, and mobilised with our eyes closed. When we opened them, they had the land and we had the Bible.” – Jomo Kenyatta and influenced the peoples of the continent towards freedom from want, to self-reliance “Our contribution has to be given not only for the liquidation and self-determination. They all achieved this of the colonial system but also for the liquidation of ignorance, in the face of adversity. These African disease and primitive forms of social organization.” A. Neto visionaries include Patrice Lumumba, Haile “I am not African because I was born in Africa but because Selassie, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, Julius Africa was born in me.” Kwame Nkrumah Nyerere, Jomo Kenyatta, Thomas Sankara, Agostinho Neto, Kenneth Kaunda, to name a “African nationalism is meaningless, dangerous, few. They claimed ownership of the African anachronistic, if it is not, at the same time, pan-Africanism.” – governance agenda. They were selfless, and Julius Nyerere had leadership qualities that inspired not only future leaders but also turned the tide towards a more positive trend for development of the continent.
Nelson Mandela represents a model of leadership excellence. He was driven by, humility, selflessness, and service, a foundation which he used to shape a united, politically viable and sustainable state in post-Apartheid South Africa. He advocated and pursued an agenda of inclusion, tolerance and respect of all in the efforts for growth, development, and poverty reduction. His life was inspirational and influenced many both inside and outside South Africa. Mandela’s name has become synonymous with peacemaking.
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The continent, and indeed the world, are facing unprecedented challenges in the 21st century. Leaders are grappling with a myriad of challenges ranging from global health pandemics, poverty, economic inequality, education access and quality, civil war, fighting climate change and hunger, amongst others. These challenges will inevitably affect African youth, our leaders of tomorrow and it is therefore essential that this next generation of leaders is properly equipped with the right leadership tools to navigate and overcome these complex challenges.
The Thembekile Mandela Foundation together with the United Nations, through the United Nations Development Programme (UN/UNDP), and the Forum for Former African Heads of State and Government (Africa Forum) have developed a Leadership Legacy project “Leading Like Mandela”. This initiative provides an opportunity for participants to explore African leadership excellence: understanding the lessons of the past, assessing the challenges of today, and having a clear vision for the future. The programme seeks to provide a platform for the development of skills in leadership excellence, while allowing participants to learn from and emulate the leadership values that Mandela espoused.
II. Background and Context
i. The African Context
The socio-economic transformation of the continent of Africa over the next 45 years is guided by the strategic framework Agenda 2063. The guiding vision for Agenda 2063 is the AU Vision of “An integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the international arena”. It builds on and seeks to accelerate the implementation of past and existing continental initiatives for growth and sustainable development.
Some of the past and current initiatives it builds on include: The Lagos Plan of Action, The Abuja Treaty, The Minimum Integration Programme, the Programme for Infrastructural Development in Africa (PIDA), The Comprehensive Africa Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP), The New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), and regional and national plans. It is also built on national, regional, and continental best practices in its formulation.
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The seven African Aspirations for 2063, derived through a consultative process with the African Citizenry are as follows:
• A Prosperous Africa, based on inclusive growth and sustainable development • An integrated continent, politically united, based on the ideals of Pan Africanism and the vision of Africa’s Renaissance • An Africa of good governance, democracy, respect for human rights, justice and the rule of law • A peaceful and secure Africa • An Africa with a strong cultural identity, common heritage, values and ethics • An Africa whose development is people driven, relying on the potential offered by people, especially its women and youth. • An Africa as a strong, united, resilient and influential global player and partner
ii. The Global Context
At the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit on 25 September 2015, more than 150 world leaders adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development including the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
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The performance of any country and the continent of Africa in striving to achieve the goals as defined in Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals depends on the effectiveness of its leaders at all levels of society. “Leading Like Mandela” leadership development programme has as its key objective the development of effective leadership in Africa and the globe.
iii. Leadership towards achieving Regional and Global Goals
The world requires effective leadership for sustainable development. To achieve the SDGs, leadership at both the national and organizational levels would have to adopt leadership styles that: a) Engender a sense of shared responsibility toward the attainment of the Goals; b) One that is focused on the long-term and thus would establish systems that persistently ensure the pursuance of this goal in the future; c) One that understands the need for collective effort (at both the national and organizational levels) toward the attainment of the SDGs; d) One that is willing to learn; and e) One that is in itself ethical, and thus would necessitate commensurate behaviour.
Leadership should thus be understood as an inclusive, collaborative, and reflective process, rooted in values and ethics.
“Effective leadership translates into prudent public policy formulation and implementation, as well as good public service delivery, to meet the needs and aspirations of citizens. Achieving the SDGs will require the concerted efforts of governments, the business sector, society, and individual citizens. It is well known that today’s challenges for attaining sustainable development are complicated, interconnected and will need everyone to work towards creating a more sustainable future. Therefore tomorrow’s leaders would need to possess the right skills to bring people together to find solutions to their own problems rather than offering solutions themselves.
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Leaders should not only bring people together and encourage creative participation but should also help people to embrace a relationship with volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity.
In choosing the participants of Leading Like Mandela, the partners will be guided by both gender and youth considerations to ensure that the leadership programme is inclusive. This is in line with the objectives of SDG 5: Gender Equality which seeks to end discrimination against women and girls and promote the leadership of women in the private and public domains.
III. Leading Like Mandela
“Throughout the ages and in all countries men and women come and go. Some leave nothing behind, not even their name, it is as if they never lived. Others do leave something behind: the haunting memory of the evil deeds they committed against their fellowmen. Every time their names are mentioned, feelings of revulsion well up in our hearts. Still others do leave something behind, the good works they do to improve the lives of all people.” Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela 21 December 1994
i. Objective
As the world celebrates 100 years of the life and legacy of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, the Thembekile Mandela Foundation launches the “Leading Like Mandela” Leadership Development Programme to ensure the continuing legacy of this icon. The programme was established by Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela’s eldest grandchild, Ms. Ndileka Mandela, directed by Liaqat Azam and comprises of leadership training, dialogue, a think tank and Mandela Talks.
“Leading Like Mandela” strives to further develop African and global leadership, and to instil in participants a deeper understanding of the leadership qualities and characteristics of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, one of the most respected and iconic leaders in the world today.
The programme offers leadership development to individuals working in the public, corporate, academic, civil society sectors, as well as youth. Case studies, dialogue and exercises for self- reflection will enable participants to gain a deeper appreciation and understanding of his leadership legacy, and to apply the learnings, principles and practices in daily life to further develop the leader within.
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ii. Implementation
To implement the “Leading Like Mandela” leadership development programme, the Thembekile Mandela Foundation has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding on Mandela Day, 18th July 2018 with the United Nations/United National Development Programme (UN/UNDP) represented by the UN Resident Co-ordinator/UNDP Resident Representative in South Africa as well as a Memorandum of Understanding with the National School of Government, an entity of the Department of Public Service and Administration.
The programme is being implemented in collaboration with the UN/UNDP, Africa Forum, the National School of Government (South African Government), business schools and universities.
Dialogue sessions will be hosted on a continual basis to engage with key stakeholders from public and private sector, civil society and academia on matters requiring effective leadership including inter-generational dialogues.
Mandela Talks is a platform for innovative developmental ideas and insights from Africans to be shared digitally across the continent. Potential solutions and ideas identified and arising from the dialogue sessions and Mandela Talks would be further researched at affiliated universities and think tanks.
Customised leadership training will be offered upon request to organisations through strategic implementation partners.
Conferences, events and retreats, on matters relating to leadership and the development of Africa, will be held on an ongoing basis.
The Leadership Network is a professional community of all leaders that have either been on this training, participated in the dialogue sessions, Mandela Talks, research and think tanks, events or volunteers who would like to contribute to further developing African leadership either by mentoring young leaders, offering their advice, insights and wisdom.
Leaving a Legacy identifies and champions specific legacy projects in Africa, one example being a repository and knowledge hub of African leadership knowledge and wisdom.
Let us as the people of Africa come together, let us as leaders reclaim our power, let us leave a great legacy, Let us Be Leaders Leadi ng Like Mandela … Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika !
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iii. Content
The Mandela Leadership Development Framework comprises of the following eight components:
A. Leading Like Mandela; B. Mandela Talks; C. Research Think Tank; D. Conferences, Events, Retreats; E. Leaving a Legacy; F. Leadership Network; G. Leadership Training; H. Dialogue Sessions.
IV. African Leadership Summit – 30 November 2018
i. The African Leadership Summit
The African Leadership Summit is convened in commemoration of the Nelson Mandela Centenary Celebrations 2018 Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100 and in the margins of the Global Citizen Mandela 100 Week which will take place from 24 November to 4 December 2018 in Johannesburg, South Africa. The events covered during the week will help mark Mandela’s remarkable legacy, and advance progress towards achieving the SDGs.
On 30 November 2018 the Thembekile Mandela Foundation, Africa Forum, the National School of Government and the UN/UNDP will be hosting a high-level Leadership Summit which will bring together African heads of state, dignitaries, youth advocates and other attendees of the Global Citizen Mandela 100 Week.
The Global Citizen is a movement of engaged citizens who are using their collective voice to end extreme poverty by 2030. The movement gives the Global Citizens a platform to learn about the systemic causes of extreme poverty, act on those issues, and earn rewards for their actions — as part of a global community committed to lasting change. The actions by the global community under the Global Citizens around the world have resulted in commitments and policy
Leading Like Mandela Leadership Development Programme 8 announcements from leaders, valued at over $37 billion that is set to affect the lives of more than 2.25 billion people by 2030. A total of 650 million people's lives have already been impacted.
ii. Programme
The Programme will include the following: A. Launch of the “Leading Like Mandela” Leadership Development Programme This event will officially launch the “Leading Like Mandela” Leadership Development Programme as one of the official Nelson Mandela Centenary events coordinated by the Special Inter-Ministerial Committee in the Office of the Presidency of South Africa. Messages of welcome, appreciation and support will be delivered by the UN Resident Coordinator/UNDP Resident Representative in South Africa, the UN Deputy Secretary General, the Africa Forum, the Thembekile Mandela Foundation, the National School of Government and key programme sponsors would be given a short opportunity to make statements. A request has been made for a senior official representing The Office of the Presidency, Republic of South Africa to officially launch the “Leading Like Mandela” Leadership Development Programme. B. Intergenerational Dialogue African leaders will commit to engaging with youth on matters relating to Africa’s development as defined in Agenda 2063, the SDGs and the National Development Plan of South Africa. The dialogue will also deliberate on the Mo Ibrahim Index for good governance, what it takes to become a Mo Ibrahim Laureate and how this may shape the leaders of the future in Africa and globally. The leaders identified to participate at the dialogue include eminent leaders from Africa including members of the Africa Forum, The Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership Laureates, the United Nations, Government of South Africa and other African countries, leaders from public and private sector, civil society and other thought leaders in the field of African development. Task teams will be established to ensure the dialogue, identification and development of potential solutions will continue beyond the launch event.
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V. Expected Outcomes of the African Leadership Summit
Whilst the overarching long-term objective is to support development of effective leadership and governance across Africa and the world, the immediate outcomes from this Summit would be the following: i. Commence rollout and implementation of ‘Leading Like Mandela’ leadership development programmes as defined in the respective MOUs with the United Nations, the National School of Government and agreement with the Africa Forum; ii. Foster greater collaboration and engagement amongst key stakeholders on the continent to contribute to the achievement of Vision 2063 and the SDGs through: a) Continual dialogue within established official forums; b) The establishment of task teams comprising of members from Government, private sector, academia and civil society; c) Public and private sector partnerships on pertinent matters identified. iii. Collaborate with the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, specifically in leveraging the Mo Ibrahim Index to further improve leadership and governance in Africa; iv. Begin to develop an African Leadership Knowledge Repository / Hub. VI. Strategic Partners
Thembekile Mandela Foundation The Thembekile Mandela Foundation was founded by the Former President Nelson Mandela's eldest granddaughter Ndileka Mandela in 2014 to continue Nelson Mandela's legacy to enhance education, healthcare, youth development, ethical and values-based leadership and governance in the country, the continent and over time globally. Ndileka Mandela has named the foundation in honour of her father and Mandela's eldest son Thembekile, who died in a car accident in 1969.
United Nations/United Nations Development Programme (UN/UNDP) The United Nations is an international organization founded in 1945. It is currently made up of 193 Member States. The mission and work of the United Nations are guided by the purposes and principles contained in its founding Charter which aims to maintain peace and security, protect human rights and foster political, economic and social cooperation among countries. As an integral part of the UN, UNDP works in about 170 countries and territories, helping to achieve the eradication of poverty, and the reduction of inequalities and exclusion. UNDP helps countries to
Leading Like Mandela Leadership Development Programme 10 develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities and build resilience in order to sustain development results.
Africa Forum The Forum for Former African Heads of State and Government, commonly known as the Africa Forum, was established in 2006 in Maputo, Republic of Mozambique. The Africa Forum constitutes an informal network of former African Heads of State and Government and other African leaders. The Africa Forum was established with the purpose of harnessing the experience, moral authority and good offices of former African Heads of State and Government. The Africa Forum aims at advancing African development, particularly the promotion of sustainable peace and security, as well as the enhancement and sustenance of democratic governance in Africa, and the promotion of human rights. The members of the Africa Forum demonstrated an impeccable credibility of governance and leadership in Africa. Several members have been awarded with the prestigious Mo Ibrahim Prize for achievement in African Leadership, namely HE Joaquim Alberto Chissano, former President of Mozambique, 2007, HE Festus Mogae, former President of Botswana, 2008, HE Pedro Pires, former President Cape Verde, 2011, HE Hifikepunye Pohamba, former President of Namibia, 2014 and HE Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Former President of the Republic of Liberia, 2017.
National School of Government The National School of Government (NSG) aims to contribute to establishing a capable, professional and responsive public sector that is committed to, and has institutionalised, the values and policies of a developmental state. It aims to build a public sector that delivers services that are able to address the challenges of poverty and inequality. Based on policy commitments of government, the NSG is responsible for learning and development programmes in a uniform public sector with the objective of developing a professional, responsive and capable public sector imbued with a culture and ethos of service.
University of Johannesburg The University of Johannesburg enrolled the first cohort of young people as part of the pilot in December 2017. They are one of the leading universities in South Africa, and will be responsible for accreditation and certification of the programme into the University’s Leadership and Governance curriculum.
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