Development Finance alumnus selected as 2019 Mandela Washington Fellow

As part of a 700 group selected from all African countries. They will do leadership courses at American universities in three areas: Public Management, Civic and Entrepreneurship.  Teopolina has been placed under the Public Management Track and will be going to Texas Technology University. She departed earlier in June for a six-week programme.

“I will connect, engage and network with other people across Africa as well as experts in America.”

“Within the public management track, I will be learning about public management, including economic development policies, financial management in public institutions, planning, public policies as well as public sector transparency and governance,” she says.

“This training will help me develop optimum public sector leadership and governance skills through a hybrid of innovative and complementary approaches.”

“Most importantly, I will connect, engage and network with other fellows people across Africa as well as experts in America. Considering the fact that Africa need to develop, it is vital to ensure that there are skilled young people available who are well-trained and equipped with all the relevant leadership skills set in terms of project management and monitoring, as well as the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.

“Therefore, this training will help me develop optimum public sector leadership and governance skills through a hybrid of innovative and complementary approaches,” she says.

She advocates for youth empowerment and participation in development projects. Upon completion of the Mandela Washington Fellowship, she looks forward to applying her new knowledge to practical use in her career, and to continue contributing to development and implementation of policies for a sustainable future in Namibia.

More about the 2019 Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders

The 2019 Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders is the flagship programme of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) by the U.S. Government to serve as a hub to encourage transformational learning and enhance leadership skills through training programmes. In addition, it supports the role of African youth in strengthening democratic institutions and spurring economic growth, and enhancing peace and security in Africa. The programme seeks participants from all Sub- Saharan countries whereby candidates apply and go through intensive application and interview processes.

More about Teopolina

She works as a senior transport economist with the Roads Authority of Namibia.  She is also a full member of the Young Professionals Programme of the International Road Federation (IFR) and a valuable and hardworking committee member of the USB Namibia Alumni Chapter. As alumnus, Teopolina contributes to ensure regular continuous learning events with high-level industry speakers that take place in Windhoek, Namibia.