With a startling frankness, L​epang Ferguson ​acknowledged that the 17 sub-Saharan African countries represented by the Mandela Washington Fellows at C​lark-Atlanta University​ this summer didn’t always see eye to eye.
“We are all different, but we have one goal in mind: to develop Africa” she said in her farewell address to her 24 peers at Clark-Atlanta in the Young African Leaders Initiative program (YALI), which selects 500 participants from 50,000 applicants to spend six weeks at universities throughout the country.
While she acknowledged the difference among the YALI program participants, she added that their common experience would help them in raising “one voice” in addressing their countries’ different needs.
Since last year, the participants have been officially called “Mandela Washington Fellows” in order to celebrate the legacy of humanitarian and South African leader Nelson Mandela. At the end of their university stay, they would all gather at the White House to meet with President B​arack Obama.
Clark-Atlanta University played host to 25 of the Fellows in 2014, the program’s inaugural year there, and was fortunate to host again another 25 Fellows this year. Additionally, Georgia State University‘s Andrew Young School of Public Policy was selected to host its first group of Fellows this year.
When he met with the Fellows on Aug. 3, Mr. Obama reiterated his interest in the development of a participant network, adding that he hoped to expand the program to include young professionals between 25 and 35 years old in both A​sia​ and L​atin America.​
Launched in 2010 by the U​.S. State Department in cooperation with other government agencies, the program has been expanded to include regional leadership centers in G​hana,​ K​enya,​ Senegal ​and South Africa.​
Ms. Ferguson, a citizen of Botswana, has been a communications consultant for more than 13 years and has produced television programs for such channels as Sky Network’s “Eye on Africa.” The United Nations Development Programme selected Ms. Ferguson as its media producer for the African Governance Forum in 2012. She subsequently was appointed as ceremonies and protocol manager for the 2014 African Youth Games. She has also served as a brand and communications development partner for the Palm Springs Fashion Council.
Aside from pursuing her interests in fashion, Ms. Ferguson coordinates a wide variety of programs benefiting local artists, including premium craft goods using organic materials rich in aesthetic design. She continues to contribute to the community in her role as cofounder of the Global African Fashion Incubator and an advocate for breast cancer survivors.
Her interview with Global Atlanta follows:
Global Atlanta: President Obama announced that he would have 80 Americans participate in a reverse exchange to work directly with Mandela Washington Fellows alumni. Is this a good idea and what would they learn?
Ms. Ferguson:​ Within the second week of our stay in Atlanta, I felt a sense of disconnection on the part of many of the professionals with whom we interacted. They seemed to know very little information about Africa, or did not understand the cultural and economic landscape from which we came. President Obama’s trip to our continent was influential, in that it helped many Americans realize the value in each of our respective country’s developmental initiatives, and the obligation to join in Africa’s infrastructural growth particularly with Africans as partners. Learning the intricacies of the business climate in Africa is important and an exchange program such as this would likely provide a means by which we may mutually understand each other.
Global Atlanta: So you felt that Americans generally are not very aware of what is going on in Africa?
Ms. Ferguson: What most Americans know about Africa is largely influenced by questionable media sources. I believe that people should be proactive in getting information and finding out what’s happening on the ground by connecting with their African counterparts and genuinely asking questions to better understand us.
Global Atlanta: Do you agree with the president’s view that “The best way to measure how well a country does is by how the country treat its women?”
Ms. Ferguson: I believe that women are a necessary part of development, if not the most important part especially during this new century. More governments and organizations are realizing the convening role that women play towards contributing to regional growth, society, and economic and environmental sustainability. Women tend to be more proactive in developing grassroots and rural strategies. Global citizens today are far more aware of the relevance of empowering women, and governments are responsive due to this demand and urgency, enabling them to create a more conducive environment for development and investment.
Global Atlanta: President Obama discussed the problems presented by “the brain drain” out of Africa. Are you confident that there are enough opportunities through “capacity building” that will ensure those with the qualifications to go abroad will instead stay home?
Ms. Ferguson:​ A recent article published by BBC mentioned that “according to recent statistics, the socalled brain drain costs the continent an estimated $4 billion per year in what has been pronounced as a slow death for Africa.”
Not only does this trouble the capacity for regional growth, it has also become an economic problem, posing a serious disadvantage for the continent. Providing basic employment is necessary, but creating tangible solutions through entrepreneurial investment and/or enterprise development is a significantly viable alternative. It is imperative for organizations to evolve. Opportunities are not “created” by the system, but by those persons willing to go out of their jurisdictional comfort zone to create new frameworks for their fellow citizens, which truly defines an effective capacity building model.
Global Atlanta: Were you startled by the president’s remarks that some customary traditions should be considered “foolish”?
Ms. Ferguson:​ I fully support the sentiment that certain customary traditions are foolish. There is definitely a conditional mindset attached to tradition, making people perceive progress in a limited way. Ultimately, this promotes a level of stagnation, slowing down progress. For example, in cases where women are expected to sit on the floor during traditional gatherings, they often appear to be subservient to men. While women are trying to further goals of equality in professional settings, their purpose is defeated if the men downplay the women’s contribution because they refuse to grant them equal respect. It is difficult to uphold a high standard for equality while in hindsight, traditions are keeping women in a subordinate position.
Global Atlanta: The president was very direct about the problems presented by corruption. Is this as big a problem as he indicated and have you ever been faced with quandaries presented by corrupt practices?
Ms. Ferguson: ​Let’s not be mistaken: corruption knows no borders. We should be in a position to solve the issues that promote corruption both on a macro and micro level. I have long been avid supporter of the African Peer Review Mechanism, which has helped to thwart corrupt practices however, even I recognize the problem has never been a lack of adherence, but rather the greater need for mutual accountability. Each of us can do our part, and I certainly hope I am doing mine.
Global Atlanta: Are you excited about the president’s promise to create a platform for networking not only across Asia, but across Latin America as well?
Ms. Ferguson: E​xpanding the network is only a step forward in realizing the beneficial aspect of globalization, especially in enhancing the need to participate in trade. I believe that a lot of groundwork has already been done in fostering international partnerships, but in many areas it requires a strong platform for young people to participate. These partnerships may only prove effective if they continue to allow young leaders the opportunity to tie together their mutual interests and objectives in hopes of better navigating their interdependent futures.
Global Atlanta: From your perspective, what has been the most significant benefit of the YALI program?
Ms. Ferguson:​The YALI program has created a uniquely rare partnership between myself and other young leaders. Gaining a better understanding of the special challenges affecting each of our countries has been a shared goal; however, our network has granted us the benefit of sharing and learning from one another. The opportunity to interact with other professionals in the United States gave us the an opportunity to present a perception of Africa to our hosts in a new way. This is how we create long term and sustainable relationships that stand the test of time.
Global Atlanta: What has surprised you the most about your stay in the U.S.?
Ms. Ferguson: ​I found that the national news media all too often misrepresents Africa and promotes a distorted view of our realities. If we are talking about poverty, we need to look at this issue holistically, and not just simply disregard the fact that poverty exists everywhere to suit our comfortable sensibility. The continent of Africa does not need help. Instead, it needs collaborative efforts and partnerships. A commitment to this truth helps to keep media honest and America better informed.
Global Atlanta: What has been the highlight of your stay in Washington, DC?
Ms. Ferguson: It was phenomenal! Being in the company of so many Fellows, diplomats, and the program associates was a completely overwhelming experience. We all discovered we have a shared objective, which is to collectively develop Africa and to build relational bridges with Americans who value our progress. Although we speak with different, invaluable voices, we are strongest and most successful striving together for the sake of the continent. Africa is rising, and we are gladly doing our part to make it so.
Ms. Ferguson may be reached by email at lepang.ferguson@gmail.com
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