May 24, 2024: Nine promising young leaders from Mauritius and Rodrigues have been chosen from over 200 applicants for the 2024 Mandela Washington Fellowship Program. The 2024 Fellows were announced at a ceremony hosted by the U.S. Embassy this week at The Docks in Port Louis.
From Mauritius, the 2024 Mandela Washington Fellows include Mokshadha Shibnarain, Saravanen Mauree, Anisha Ayrga, Tanya Lallmon, Anne-Gaelle Carré, Soovan Dookhoo, Mujahid Emambokus, and Nathan Mourade. Anne Julia Cupidon from Rodrigues was also among the honorees.
The Mandela Washington Fellowship consists of a six-week program at a U.S. institute hosted by a U.S. college or university. Participants will exchange experiences with U.S. citizens and other Mandela Washington Fellows from across Africa, delving into fields such as Business & Entrepreneurship, Public Management, and Civic Engagement. Fellows will also have opportunities to connect with U.S. government officials, representatives of local U.S. non-governmental organizations, and business leaders.
In his remarks to the 2024 Fellows, U.S. Ambassador Henry Jardine highlighted the significance of their participation in this program. “The Mandela Washington Fellowship is not just an academic program; it is a journey of collaboration and personal growth. As you engage with peers from across Africa and the United States, seize every moment to build lasting connections and gain new perspectives that will empower you to make a significant impact,” Ambassador Jardine said.
Established in 2014, the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders is celebrating its tenth anniversary in 2024. As the flagship program of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), the Fellowship has brought nearly 6,500 young leaders from every country in Sub-Saharan Africa to the United States for academic and leadership training. The Fellows, between the ages of 25 and 35, are accomplished innovators and leaders in their communities and countries. Over the past decade, more than 100 Fellows from Mauritius and Rodrigues have participated in this distinguished program.
