News

Leadership rarely allows time to pause. The Good Society Seminar is one of the few moments in the year where ALI SA Fellows step back from the pressure of daily leadership and return to the seminar table. From 15–17 May 2026, Fellows will gather at De Hoek Country Hotel in Magaliesburg for a weekend of thoughtful dialogue, reflection and connection across the fellowship. It is also an opportun...

ALI SA Executive Director and Fellow, Lynette Chen As we head into the new year of the Fire Horse, I can’t help but feel that we have entered into a world ablaze with fury and fire. Wars are redrawing borders, families are being displaced at staggering rates and a pervasive sense of fragility hangs over the global community. Each day’s news cycle reminds us not only of how volatile our...

When a nation’s lies harden into “glue”, leadership faces a particular kind of test. In this provocative reflection, ALI SA Fellow Prof Busani Ngcaweni (Class X: Xseed) traces how deception in South Africa has shifted from isolated untruths to a structural feature of our politics and public life. He argues that power “lies for a living”, that myths of progress, permanence and exception...

As CEO of the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) and an ALI SA Fellow (Class XII: Isilimela), Dr Boitumelo Semete-Makokotlela has announced SAHPRA’s approval of Lenacapavir, a six-monthly pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) injection to help prevent HIV infection in adults and adolescents at high risk. Describing the registration as a “game-changer” in a country with on...

ALI SA Fellows at SWEAT Africa 2026 Left to Right: Futhi Mtoba Class II: Kilimanjaro), Joshin Raghubar (Class IV: Kalipha), Prof Tulio de Oliveira (Class XV: Khawuleza), Andi Kawa (Class VIII: Mahube)   “How do we help more young Africans build, not just dream?” That question helped launch SWEAT Africa, which grew from an early conversation into a two-day accelerator in Stellenbosch on 1...

Some of South Africa’s most impactful education reform over the past decade was ignited by a unique collaboration between ALI SA Fellows. Three leaders, united by a shared commitment to evidence, accountability and impact, triggered a change that is reshaping the future for South African learners. The Data Driven Districts (DDD) programme was established in 2012 through a public-private partner...

Award-winning journalist and ALI SA Class VI: Tshelela Fellow, Moipone Malefane, is showing how leading with strong values in media can help others get opportunities. Through Vutivi Business News, the digital platform she founded in 2020, Moipone is giving South Africa’s small businesses a stronger voice while creating opportunities for emerging business journalists to gain practical experience...

ALI SA celebrates Class II: Kilimanjaro Fellow Roger Dickinson, CEO of the National Spelling Bee, who has helped turn a simple competition into a meaningful platform for literacy, confidence and connecting young learners. Through A Better Africa Foundation and its partnerships with the Department of Basic Education and civil society, the National Spelling Bee now reaches children across all 12 of...

ALI SA moderator and Class XII: Isilimela Fellow, Sharmi Surianarain recently invited us to reflect on moderation as an act of love in a world overflowing with opinions and crowded conversations. Drawing on her lifelong relationship with books and language, Sharmi explores what it means to “hold space” in difficult dialogues—particularly those around race and justice. She reminds us that re...

Two ALI SA Fellows, Justice Malala (ClassII: Kilimnjaro) and Mondli Makhanya (Class III: Seriti), have just released a timely podcast on SONA 2026 and the 2026 Budget Speech. In a context of slow growth, fiscal strain and rising public frustration, they unpack what SONA revealed about South Africa’s priorities – from economic reform and infrastructure to crime, water and state capacity – an...

Photo Credit Business Unity SA We’re proud to celebrate Khulekani Mathe, CEO of Business Unity South Africa and ALI SA Fellow from Class IX: Tariro, on being named African Leadership Magazine’s Person of the Year 2026 in Accra, Ghana. This honour recognises his leadership in strengthening business–government engagement and advancing evidence-based economic reform in South Africa...

As part of the 2026 Globalisation Cycle, candidate fellows from the Class XV Khawuleza cohort participated in seminars held in different parts of the world, engaging with leaders from across the Aspen Global Leadership Network. These gatherings brought together fellows from diverse countries, industries and perspectives to reflect on leadership in an increasingly interconnected and complex global...

ALI SA congratulates Fellow Professor Reza Daniels on his appointment as Dean of Stellenbosch University’s Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences (FEMS). Your values-based approach strengthens our shared mission to develop Africa’s visionary leaders. We sat down with Professor Daniels to explore his vision. Here is what he shared. Charting Economic Leadership from Stellenbosch &#...

We are delighted to celebrate Moshoeshoe Monare, ALI SA Fellow Class XV: Khawuleza, on his appointment as group head of Corporate Affairs at Primedia. Bringing nearly three decades of media leadership and governance experience, he steps into this strategic role at a pivotal time for South Africa’s media and communications landscape. To view the full article, read it HERE. Source: Bizcommun...

On a warm evening late January 2026 in Johannesburg, the ALI South Africa community gathered to welcome Class XVI into a fellowship that asks a simple but demanding question: what will your leadership mean for generations to come? The atmosphere was exciting and vibrant, with the room buzzing from the moment alumni Fellows and the newly selected Class XVI members began mingling with each other. R...

On 7 February 2026, Fellows, faculty and families gathered at De Hoek Country Hotel to celebrate the graduation of the ALI Young Leaders Motheo Class, the sixth cohort of the programme. It was an afternoon that reflected the spirit of the fellowship: thoughtful, creative and hopeful about the leadership work ahead. A highlight of the ceremony was the Motheo Class performance of “Antigony – Th...

The inaugural class, Kwibuka, of the Bloomberg Africa Leadership Initiative (ALI) Fellowship is mourning the passing of their classmate, award-winning journalist and author Ufrieda Ho, who recently succumbed after a long and brave battle with illness. Ufrieda was widely admired for her gift of storytelling — her ability to illuminate the human condition with empathy, clarity, and purpose. ...

We are pleased to introduce the newest members of the ALI South Africa Fellowship! Our new cohort of Class XVI Fellows represents a diverse cross-section of professional industries. We extend our gratitude to all who submitted nominations. Your insights have been invaluable in identifying leaders committed to societal impact and principled leadership. Class XVI’s exceptional group of indivi...

ALI SA Chairman and Fellow, Raymond Ndlovu This past year has been one of consolidation and renewed growth. ALI SA has moved from guarding its very existence to rediscovering its momentum, energy and voice. There has been a significant rise in interest, engagement and enthusiasm among Fellows, including some who have returned after a long absence. Many stepped back during the period when ALI SA...

ALI SA Executive Director and Fellow, Lynette Chen Looking back on 2025, I’m struck by how much we have experienced together—as a fellowship, as a community, and as leaders committed to Africa’s future. Hosting the Africa Impact Forum once again here in South Africa was a highlight, reminding me of the powerful connections that bind us across the continent. It was inspiring to see our ALI...

ALI SA Fellow, Adi Enthoven South Africa’s story over the past decade has often been told as one of inevitable decline, fraying institutions and fading hope. Yet voices from within business and civic leadership are beginning to ask a different question: what if the trend line is starting to bend in the right direction again and what would that mean for our shared future as a country and as a c...

In June this year, ALI SA hosted a Dialogue on “South Africa: Navigating Geopolitical Shifts”, bringing together Fellows and partners for a frank, thoughtful discussion on how global power shifts are reshaping South Africa’s choices at home and abroad. Six months later, much of what was shared in that room still frames how we understand the country’s position in a more contested w...

ALI WA Fellow, Bright Simons The global conversation about Africa and minerals tends to follow a familiar script: vast untapped wealth, geopolitical competition and the promise of a green-energy windfall. But is this framing serving Africa’s interests, or someone else’s? Bright Simons, founder of mPedigree and an ALI West Africa Fellow, has spent over a decade questioning the assum...

ALI SA Fellow, Dr Brenda Kubheka-Chauke In a recent News24 opinion piece, Dr Brenda Kubheka-Chauke (Class XIII: Akani) explores how climate change in South Africa is not only an environmental crisis but a profound challenge to human rights. Drawing on her experience in public health, governance and ethics, she reflects on how flooding, heat and displacement aggravate existing inequalities, with...

South Africa’s public education system is one of the largest and most complex service networks in the country: more than 24 000 schools, hundreds of thousands of educators and millions of learners spread across 75 districts and nine provinces. Leading in this environment means making decisions every day that shape learner’s futures. Doing that well requires more than intuition or annual repor...

TEACH SA recently brought together partners, supporters and Alumni for a morning that looked back on its journey and looked ahead to what is still possible for South Africa’s learners. Hosted at Deloitte’s Johannesburg offices, the gathering honoured a 17-year track record of placing committed graduates into classrooms and strengthening the national pipeline of high-quality STEM educators. Fr...

ALI SA Fellow, Andy Kawa with her daughter, Celi. Fifteen years ago, Andy Kawa (Class VIII: Mahube) survived a brutal attack on King’s Beach in Port Elizabeth. What began as a deeply personal trauma became a fifteen-year struggle to hold the state accountable for its failure to protect and to respond. Her case went all the way to the Constitutional Court, which in 2022 affirmed that the po...

ALI SA Fellow, Dr Nobs Mwanda Gender-based violence and femicide remain among South Africa’s most urgent human rights crises, cutting across age, geography and income and leaving deep physical, emotional and economic scars on individuals and communities. Against this backdrop, long-term, community-rooted work that centres prevention, healing and accountability is essential to shifting the con...

ALI Young Leader Fellow, Raymond Ledwaba Co-founded by ALI Young Leader Fellow, Raymond Ledwaba (ALI Young Leaders, Class of 2015), Diski Nine9 is partnering with Manchester City, Midea and Tackle Africa to equip young people with leadership skills through the game they love – football. In this short video, Raymond shares how the first Johannesburg activation is bringing together coaches...

ALI SA Fellow, Prof Tulio de Oliveira Professor Tulio de Oliveira (Class XV: Khawuleza) is recognised among the world’s leading scientists and the feature below looks at what that recognition means to him, his work in South Africa and his hopes for young people considering careers in science. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Tulio played a pivotal role on the Presidential Advisory Council...

by Mohamed Ali Diini, Founder: Iftin Global The ALI Africa Impact Forum in Cape Town was my first real engagement with the Africa Leadership Iinitiative network after ten years of working almost entirely inside Somalia. I didn’t understand how isolating that decade had been until I walked into a room full of peers from across the continent and realized – I had never really had this k...

ALI SA Fellows, Derisee Markgraaff and Nomzamo Mbatha At the 2025 National Film & TV Awards South Africa (SAFTA), Shaka iLembe swept the ceremony with multiple accolades and at the heart of this triumph are two of our own ALI SA Fellows: Desiree Markgraaff (Class III: Seriti) and Nomzamo Mbatha (Class XV: Khawuleza), who together, took home the Best Producer award for the groundbreaking ser...

ALI SA Class XIV: Pamoja Graduation 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 ceremon...

ALI SA Class XV: Khawuleza after Antigone Performance ALI SA’s Class XV: Khawuleza gathered on 4-9 September 2025, at the picturesque Spier Wine Farm for their second seminar, known as the Aspen Seminar. The event proved to be an inspiring week filled with dynamic sessions, insightful dialogue and rich engagement among Fellows. A standout moment of the seminar was Class XV’s compelling perfo...

ALI SA Fellow, Dr Mpho Tsedu The Africa Leadership Initiative South Africa (ALI SA) extends heartfelt congratulations to Dr Mpho Tsedu, Class XIII: Akani Fellow, on achieving his PhD in Political Studies from the Nelson Mandela University. This milestone crowns a career blending academic depth with high-level government service and media influence, exemplifying the values-based leadership ALI S...

Late ALI SA Fellow, Xoliswa Kakana With profound sorrow and gratitude, we of Class VIII: Mahube of the Africa Leadership Initiative South Africa, pay tribute to our dear colleague on her passing, Xoliswa Kakana — a beacon of excellence, a trailblazer for women in ICT and an exemplar of courage, intellect and leadership. Xoliswa joined our ALI SA community as a Fellow of class VIII, and she br...

Lynette Chen As we approach the midpoint of 2025, I find myself reflecting on the quiet lessons that come with the changing season. In nature, winter signals a time of hibernation—a pause to look inward, take stock and prepare for what lies ahead. For many of us, this is a rare opportunity to step back from the noise, reconnect with our purpose and ask ourselves: where are we on our journey t...

The Third Policy Dialogue of SALDRU and ALI SA at the South Africa at 30 Years of Democracy conference. The third policy dialogue jointly hosted by ALI SA and SALDRU took place on 4 April 2025 at the SALDRU conference on “Reflecting on 30 years of democracy in South Africa.” The session on “Financial Inclusion and Economic Transformation” was a panel discussion exploring how broa...

ALI SA alumni Fellows with guest speakers, Mteto Nyati (Chairman of Eskom) and Busani Ngcaweni (ALI SA Fellow and Director General of the National School of Government) 23–25 May 2025 | De Hoek Country Hotel, Magaliesburg The Africa Leadership Initiative South Africa (ALI SA) convened the second Good Society Seminar in the tranquil setting of Magaliesburg’s De Hoek Country Hotel, drawing tog...

Neo Muyanga, ALI SA Fellow When Neo Muyanga (Class III: Seriti) received the 2025 Fleur du Cap Theatre Award for Best Sound Design, Original Music, Soundscape or Live Performance, the moment carried a profound sense of honour and validation. For Neo, this award is a celebration of the collective vision and passion that brought Manje! Manje! to life. “It is an honour to receive the ...

Alan Storey, ALI SA Fellow This month, ALI SA celebrates the outstanding achievement of Alan Storey (Class IX: Tariro), who has been awarded the 2025 Andrew Murray Desmond Tutu Prize for his book, The Bell, Banners and Blasphemy. In a conversation that echoes the values of our fellowship, Alan’s story is one of imagination, courage and unwavering commitment to justice—a story that reminds u...

Andrew Zaloumis, ALI SA Fellow “Wisdom is like a baobab tree; no one individual can embrace it.” This African proverb rings true in the journey of Andrew Zaloumis (Class VI: Tshelela), whose legacy in conservation leadership continues to inspire across borders. As the driving force behind iSimangaliso Wetland Park’s rise to UNESCO World Heritage status, Andrew set a benchmark for v...

“A single seed can start a forest; a single Fellow can spark a movement.” Mpadi Makgalo, ALI SA Fellow In April 2025, the Aspen Global Leadership Network announced the recipients of the 2025 McNulty Prize Catalyst Fund. Among the six global awardees is ALI South Africa’s own Mpadi Makgalo (Class VI: Tshelela), honoured for her pioneering work with HEAL South Africa. This recognition pl...

Garth Japhet, fixlocal Founder Tired of electricity and water outages, potholes, or sewage flowing into your streets? fixlocal is here to help! Across South Africa, local government is responsible for providing essential services, yet all too often, it is “Missing In Action”. Many South Africans, despite paying rates and taxes, feel frustrated and despondent, unsure where to begin when fac...

Mounted Police in the Eastern Cape A significant step towards safer, more resilient communities has taken root along the Wild Coast. On Monday, 19 May 2025, the SAPS Mounted Unit began permanent patrols in this region—a development made possible by the collective determination of community members, traditional leaders, NGOs, the media and local partners. This partnership stands as a powerful e...

Gareth Morgan, ALI SA Fellow Gareth Morgan (Class XIII Akani), the Executive Director of Future Planning and Resilience – City of Cape Town, has co-authored a powerful new guide with Peter Willis: Becoming Good at Crises – A Field Guide for Leaders. This book arrives at a time when leaders everywhere are being tested by the pace and complexity of crisis and it offers a clear, practical p...

Globalisation seminar of international AGLN Fellows having some fun at Holi Festival in Jodhpur, India In a world marked by shifting alliances and deepening divides, the Globalisation Seminar in Jodhpur, India, offered our Fellows a rare space to connect, challenge and reflect. Simon Freemantle and Cobus van Wyngaard (Class XIV: Pamoja), both committed to values-based leadership, share their expe...

In the lead-up to SALDRU’s landmark conference: South Africa at 30 Years of Democracy, held in April 2025, a powerful partnership between the Southern Africa Labour and Development Research Unit (SALDRU) and the Africa Leadership Initiative South Africa (ALI-SA) catalysed a series of bold, high-level policy dialogues. Designed to challenge assumptions and forge new pathways, these engagements b...

At a time when global headlines threaten to obscure the lived realities of South Africans, our nation’s leaders are called to respond with clarity and conviction. The following statement, crafted by white South African Christian leaders, is a testament to the power of ethical leadership and collective responsibility. With unwavering commitment to justice, these leaders challenge misrepresentatio...

Basani Maluleke, ALI SA Fellow We congratulate Basani Maluleke (Class IX: Tariro) on her appointment as Group Executive for Capitec’s personal bank division. Basani’s leadership journey reflects the values and vision we advocate at ALI SA—integrity, innovation and a commitment to meaningful change. With a wealth of experience, including her tenure as CEO of African Bank and four years sha...