ALI SA’s Class XIV: Pamoja gathered at Spier Wine Farm from 21 to 26 August 2025 for their fourth and final seminar, themed “The Promise of Leadership.” Over the course of the week, Fellows presented their final ventures, showcasing the culmination of eighteen months of growth, learning and committed engagement with the programme.
The graduation ceremony, designed and hosted by the class, offered a fitting celebration of their leadership journey, marked by thoughtful reflection, gratitude and a shared sense of purpose. A particularly meaningful ritual during the graduation ceremony was the lighting of a candle for each new Fellow, symbolising both individual commitment and the collective illumination they bring to their communities. This moment of celebration sat alongside deep reflection and rich peer encouragement and support, as Class XIV considered the responsibilities and opportunities that lie ahead.
Guests and ALI SA alumni Fellows joined the occasion, including Kone Gugushe, Head of Social Investing at FirstRand Group (ALI SA Class X: XSeed Fellow), whose motivating speech underscored the importance of partnership and sustained investment in values-based leadership.
A highlight of the week was a special engagement with guest speaker Dr Imtiaz Sooliman, founder of Gift of the Givers, who addressed the graduating class in an intimate session. Drawing on powerful personal experiences and decades of humanitarian work across Africa and beyond, he shared insights into what it means to lead in times of crisis and uncertainty. Emphasising fearless and compassionate leadership, he called on Fellows to lead with empathy, courage and a deep sense of responsibility to others.
Dr Sooliman also underlined the importance of collective action, resilience and the enduring strength of the human spirit in overcoming adversity. His reflections resonated strongly with Class XIV, offering both inspiration and a clear challenge to ground their leadership in service and integrity. For many Fellows, this conversation was a defining moment of the seminar, reinforcing their commitment to pursue impactful, values-driven leadership beyond the programme.
The seminar closed with a strong affirmation of the cohort’s readiness to step into broader leadership roles and to actively contribute to positive change across South Africa and the continent.
