My first encounter with the clutch pedal many moons ago was a complete disaster. My feet could not figure out what to concentrate on forcing me to struggle with keeping my eyes on the road and on my feet! Let’s not forget the stalling and flying over bumps. It greatly matters if your instructor is an enemy of progress and wants you to fail- but I digress.

The bad habit of riding the clutch and not learning how to balance it with the accelerator pedal applies to leadership skills. A balance is required in leading successfully through areas such as delegation, vision and goals, and taking full responsibility of your leadership position.

In interviewing and interacting with many leaders from various backgrounds, I have come to a conclusion that wisdom is important. It is key while leading others.

Related: https://afrikanexcellence.thelovetablet.com/2023/02/16/the-7-pillars-of-good-governanceleadership/

Here are 7 wisdom nuggets from successful leaders

7. Articulate your vision clearly and be demanding about it. What is your purpose and the central motivating aims of your life? Your team needs to fully understand your decisions, influence behavior, goals and your ability to offer a sense of direction. Give them a meaningful and satisfying vision to work towards.

6. Always make the best decisions in the moment regardless of inauspicious entanglements.

They say higher-ranking leadership is often a matter of excellent instinct. Making wise decisions when faced with a tough decision is key through assessment of the available information and selection of the best possible courses of action.

5. Choices have consequences and you may most likely get what you choose. Hands up with me- anyone ever rushed into things and made a rush decision that made you cringe later- maybe lament and cry a little? Yes. Choose wisely.

4. Hold on tight to perpetual optimism. Many leaders swear by the nature of buoyancy as a force multiplier. Remaining calm and being kind is key to the leadership journey because few people make viable and enduring decisions in an atmosphere of chaos. I mean, even the great book tells us in Philippians 4:6–7 to not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, to present our requests to God. 

3. You have to DOOM any counsel of your fears or naysayers. A great leader is here for success and growth and never has time for all the Debbie downers and killjoys. Remember the lady who said, ‘’Ain’t nobody got time for that…’’

2. Please check on the small things and SHARE credit. It is imperative and goes without say that when something goes well, you must share the credit down and around the whole team. Ensure your team believes they were the ones who did it.

1. God and Prayer. Many leaders know and believe that God is the epitome of everything they do and their success journeys. Philippians 4:13: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Read More: https://thelovetablet.com/2022/08/30/excellence-gold-will-always-usher-you-into-the-presence-of-the-great/

Mastering the clutch pedal takes clever technique and time and so does leadership. Get in there and embrace servant leadership.

The post Balance Your Leadership Role Like You Would The Clutch Gear appeared first on Afrikan Excellence.

After all, Proverbs 8 did tell us that counsel, sound judgement and insight are powerful tools to be used by kings and leaders to govern and rule.

Today we’re looking at 7 female African leaders that have led massive economies. These African female Heads of States are among many, known and unknown, remembered and forgotten, who came before them. I mean, we’ve all heard of fearless African warriors who led their communities valiantly.

Read More: https://afrikanexcellence.thelovetablet.com/2017/08/07/lived-in-the-streets-but-it-did-not-break-me-it-made-me-fearless-jackie-bomboma/

1. Sahle-Work Zewde, President of Ethiopia

Sahle-Work Zewde is known to many as a well-seasoned diplomat. She took the presidential office in 2018 after being unanimously elected by members of the National Parliamentary Assembly.

Prior to assuming her President role, she served as an ambassador for Ethiopia in Senegal, Djibouti and France. She worked as Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in the Central African Republic (BINUCA).

She was also the Director-General for African Affairs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia. In 2011, Zewde was appointed to the position of Director-General of the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON) by the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. President Sahle-Work Zewde also served as the UN representative at the African Union.

Read More: https://afrikanexcellence.thelovetablet.com/2023/02/16/the-7-pillars-of-good-governanceleadership/

2. Prime Minister Rose Christiane Ossouka Raponda, Gabon

Rose Christiane Ossouka Raponda, the Prime Minister of Gabon was born in 1964 in Libreville. She is an economist by training. Don’t you love economists? I adore them. These breed can accelerate GDP rates like the Kenyan athletes do the marathons if they want to.

She received a degree in economics and public finance from the Gabonese Institute of Economy and Finance. She has served Gabon for decades.

Raponda has worked as Director General of the Economy and Deputy Director General in the Housing Bank of Gabon, as Budget Minister and was the elected Mayor of the capital city Libreville representing the ruling Gabonese Democratic Party.

She also became President of United Cities and Local Governments Africa and played a vital role in Africa’s peace and security. Talking about an African warrior, Raponda also served as her country’s Defense Minister.

3. Prime Minister Dogbé Tomegah, Togo

Victoire Sidémého Dzidudu Dogbé Tomegah, the Prime Minister of Togo is a respected and experienced politician. Prior to her position, she worked at the United Nations Development Programme and also served as the Cabinet Director to the President of Togo.

Tomegah Dogbé was also the Minister of Grassroots Development, Youth Craft and Youth Employment.

4. President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Liberia

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is a Liberian politician who served as the 24th President of Liberia from 2006 to 2018. She studied at Madison Business College and Harvard University.

She was the Deputy Minister of Finance, worked for the World Bank in the Caribbean and Latin America and worked for Citibank and then the Equator Bank. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf won the 2005 presidential election and was re-elected in 2011. She won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2011, in recognition of her efforts to bring women into the peacekeeping process. She has received numerous other awards for her leadership.

Is it just me or does she eminate a Wangari Maathai vibe?

5. Samia Suluhu Hassan

She is the current Tanzanian president after assuming office upon the death of president John Pombe Magufuli in 2020.

She previously served as the Vice president of Tanzania, the Member of Parliament for Makunduchi and was the Minister of State in the Vice-President’s Office for Union Affairs. She also served as a minister in the semi-autonomous region of Zanzibar during President Amani Karume’s administration.

Read More: https://afrikanexcellence.thelovetablet.com/2016/04/30/i-might-be-small-but-mighty-defines-my-dedication-to-mama-africa-roman-girma-teshome/

6. Joyce Hilda Banda, President of Malawi (2012-2014)

Joyce Hilda Banda served as the President of Malawi from 2012 to 2014 after taking over the office following the sudden death of President Bingu wa Mutharika.

Before becoming the President of Malawi, she served as the Member of the Parliament, Minister of Gender and Child Welfare and as a foreign Minister. In 2014, Forbes named her as the 40^th powerful woman in the world and the most powerful woman in Africa.

7. Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, President of Mauritius (2015 – 2018)

Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, a biodiversity scientist served as the President of Mauritius from 2015-2018. She opened her own science center known as CIDP Research & Innovation where she is the Managing Director.

There are many other indomitable and fearless female African leaders who are daringly transforming their respective African countries. The contribution of women to what Africa is today is unquestionable.

Read More: https://afrikanexcellence.thelovetablet.com/2023/01/19/self-management-8-different-aspects-by-the-experts/

The post African Female Presidents Who Kicked Butt To Sit At The Top appeared first on Afrikan Excellence.

Emotional intelligence takes time, skill and tact to master. It eliminates nasty behaviors such as anger, quick negative reactions to situations or even stress.

1. Self-management: Managing our emotions particularly in stressful situations, and maintaining a positive outlook despite setbacks, helps us make constructive decisions that take us out of our comfort zone. We take initiative and follow through on commitments- responding versus reacting.
2. Self-Awareness: Knowing who we are and how other people perceive us is critical to achieving boldness without coming off as arrogant. We become mindful of the impact our behavior has on others.

Related: https://afrikanexcellence.thelovetablet.com/2023/01/19/self-management-8-different-aspects-by-the-experts/

1. Social Skills: We respond effectively to others by understanding how they feel, where they are coming from, their verbal and non-verbal communication cues with us without being judgemental. We express ourselves freely, listen without judgement and handle rejection gracefully.
2. Conflict Management: In most cases, where there’s interaction, conflict is inevitable. It is key to learn how to manage conflict and avoid it through negotiation and mediation.
3. Empathy for Others: Thinking about and empathizing with how other people are feeling. People with strong emotional intelligence consider the perspectives and emotions of others.
4. Decision-Making: To improve productivity and cohesion, decision making is vital.

Read More: https://afrikanexcellence.thelovetablet.com/2023/01/10/4-common-barriers-to-effective-communication/

The Importance of Emotional Intelligence

For a successful balance, IQ and EQ exist in tandem and go hand in hand for effectiveness. Emotional intelligence affects our:

• Performance: A stable EQ helps navigate the social complexities of life.
• Physical health: A high EQ helps manage stress and ensures great physical health.
• Mental health: Good management of emotions impact our mental health and help deal with anxiety and depression.
• Relationships: We become good communicators and have stronger relationships with others.

Measuring Emotional Intelligence

• Self-report tests: Responding to questions or statements by rating our behaviours.
• Ability tests: Involves responding to situations and then assessing our skills.

Read More: https://afrikanexcellence.thelovetablet.com/2023/02/02/7-skills-on-how-to-resolve-conflict-5-on-how-not-to/

Emotional Intelligence Skills Examples

• You become an effective communicator.
• You become a great decision maker and amicably solve problems.
• You easily accept criticism.
• You are deliberate on your actions.
• You quickly move on after making a mistake.
• You are at ease saying no when need arises.
• You loathe misjudgement.

The post <strong>Key Emotional Intelligence Skills By Experts</strong> appeared first on Afrikan Excellence.

Good governance ensures government policies are implemented through planning, organizing, directing, coordinating, and controlling operations.

Read More: https://afrikanexcellence.thelovetablet.com/2023/01/19/self-management-8-different-aspects-by-the-experts/

Top 7 Pillars of Good Governance

1. Leaders must be open and transparent: They need accountability in government activities through ethical decision-making, equal representation and responsibility.
2. The citizenry must always be informed through a conducive environment and adequate public involvement.
3. The Rule of Law must be obeyed: Representation, participation and adherence of the rule of law is and should be non-negotiable.
4. Leaders must be responsive through efficiency and effectiveness to deter corruptible and unethical behavior in governance.
5. Leaders must embrace and perform their set obligations and responsibilities that promote integrity and public interest, advance justice, and seek growth.
6. Leaders must be competent and have capacity in representation of the people’s will. Without people, the government has no power.
7. Leaders must flow with the times through innovation and openness to change.

Read More: https://afrikanexcellence.thelovetablet.com/2023/02/02/7-skills-on-how-to-resolve-conflict-5-on-how-not-to/

It is fundamental for leaders to adopt good governance practices in order to preserve and strengthen the citizenry’s confidence and to provide the foundation for a high-performing administration.

The post The 7 Pillars of Good Governance|Leadership appeared first on Afrikan Excellence.

Growing up in the 1990s was fun. I remember gathering in the living room to watch WWF and WWE weekly with my cousins. My aunt hated it and always went on a rant of why half dressed men could be allowed to beat each other for clout. For us children, we enjoyed the nasty exchanges before a fight. The moments when Stone Cold Steve Austin, Yokozuna, Diesel, The Rock and Bret Hart would come on stage in all manner of theatrics. The Undertaker usually sent us hiding behind the couch but I digress.

Causes of disagreements and disputes at home or work can be resolved in a constructive way that keeps our relationships strong and growing. The key is not to fear or try to avoid conflict but to learn how to resolve it in a healthy way.

Generally, conflicts fall into two categories: Personality conflict is between individuals perpetuated by negative emotions such as anger, stress and frustration. Substantive conflict is task-related at the work place and is usually driven through decisions by leaders, unclear responsibilities, competition for resources, different interests and the company’s direction.

Read More:https://afrikanexcellence.thelovetablet.com/2023/01/10/4-common-barriers-to-effective-communication/

Why should we resolve conflict?

• Beyond disagreement, conflict is perceived as a threat that needs settling in a way that benefits all parties.
• Conflicts continue to fester when ignored and until we face and resolve them, there can be no cohesion among people with different ideas, beliefs, and backgrounds.

• Resolving conflict builds relationships, creates allies and paves a way for smooth relationships in the future.
• Emotional Intelligence successfully grows through resolving conflict.
• There’s an opportunity for growth in resolving conflict as trust and security in relationships survive disagreements.

7 Steps on How We Should Resolve Conflict

1. Understand the conflict: It is imperative to define clearly your own position and interests in the conflict and to understand those of your opponent.
2. Communicate with the opposition: After understanding the conflict, engage and communicate directly with your opposition for possible resolutions.

• Be an active listener: Speak about yourself, not the other party. Never react to emotional outbursts!
• Apologize for any faults.
• Be concrete, but flexible. Speak about your interests, not about your position.
• Avoid early judgments but instead ask questions and gather information.
• Work to find a solution for everyone.
• Find a way to make decisions easy. Related: https://afrikanexcellence.thelovetablet.com/2023/01/19/self-management-8-different-aspects-by-the-experts/

3. Be emotionally aware and quickly relieve stress in the moment by staying balanced, focused, and in control of yourself no matter what challenges you face so as to respond in healthy ways. Exercise emotional intelligence, even in the midst of a perceived attack.
4. Choose the best resolution by using the best way to measure your agreement including expert opinions and accepted principles.
5. Use a third party mediator whom you both trust to be fair and can help in tough situations.
6. Explore alternatives when despite your hard work and good will, you cannot find an acceptable resolution to your conflict. Consider other alternatives like walking away amicably.
7. Prepare to cope with stressful pressure tactics in negotiating with all kinds of opponents, both reasonable and unreasonable. It can be a powerful and influential opponent, one who won’t budge or perhaps one who refuses to meet or talk with you.
8. Bonus point: Use humor in conflict resolution if needs be.

5 Ways of How Not To Respond To Conflict

1. Lack of emotional intelligence and inability to recognize and respond to the things that matter to the other person.
2. Explosive, insolent, angry, hurtful, and resentful reactions.
3. The silent treatment and withdrawal, resulting in isolation, rejection, desolation, and humiliation.
4. An inability to compromise or understanding the other person’s side.
5. Avoiding conflict, fear and expecting a bad outcome.

Before going the Wrestling Yokozuna and The Rock way of resolving conflict, please understand that conflict is common in personal and workplaces because people have different cultures.

Ignoring conflict resolution is a big mistake. Unresolved tensions can affect the health and performance of people.

So, hone the above conflict resolution skills including emotional intelligence to pre-empt, manage and fix conflicts with others.

The post 7 Skills on How To Resolve Conflict, 5 On How Not To appeared first on Afrikan Excellence.

Effective communication is about understanding information, clearly conveying a message and making the other person feel heard and understood.

Like the broken telephone game, effective communication should be instinctive but all too often, something goes astray. We say one thing, the other person hears something else, and conflicts ensue.

Common barriers to effective communication include:

1. Lack of emotional intelligence: Stress misreads other people and sends off-putting non-verbal signals. It’s important to learn how to quickly calm down to avoid conflict before continuing a conversation.
2. Lack of focus. Non-committment to the conversation will almost certain make you miss non-verbal cues. Staying focused is key.
3. Inconsistent body language. Saying one thing while your body language says something else, makes the listener feel your dishonesty. For example, nodding “yes” while saying no.
4. Negative body language. Sending negative signals such as raising one eyebrow, crossing arms and avoiding eye contact can rebuff the other person’s message and put them on the defensive.

Effective communication skills

1. Consider your audience: This helps deliver the right messages effectively. Education, age, ethnicity, gender, income and professional experience can all impact how your message is received.
2. Listen Actively: Effective communication requires active listening, understanding the information being communicated and considering the emotions the speaker is trying to convey.

• I understand your problem.
• I know how you feel about it.
• I am interested in what you are saying.
• I am not judging you.

3. Establishing clear expectations is key whether your communication is through Whatsapp, an email or having a one-on-one conversation.
4. Pay attention to nonverbal signals: Use of open body language such as maintaining eye contact, arms uncrossed or even standing with an open stance is key.
5. Know your audience. Influencing strategies by tailoring for a particular person and considering their personality goes a long way. A rational party is more logical than emotional.
6. Keep stress in check: High pressure situations require emotional intelligence, avoiding overreactions and thinking on your feet.
7. Read the room. Watch your audience and adjust your message and style accordingly.
8. Assertive expressions make for clear communication. When you’re assertive, you are open and honest and not aggressive or demanding.

• Value yourself, your options and other people.
• Respect and honor other people’s rights.
• Negative thoughts can be expressed in a positive way.
• It’s okay to say “no.”

9. Take feedback seriously.
10. Use the right medium or platform. Would Zoom, Whatsapp, one on one or an email suffice? Casual and formal communications call for different mediums. Whatever you choose should be appropriate for the situation.

Benefits of effective communication

• Managing and building teams.
• Building strong relationships and improved social, emotional, and mental health.
• Better problem–solving and conflict resolution skills.

The post 4 Common Barriers To Effective communication appeared first on Afrikan Excellence.

This fearless 30 year old is the founder of Young Strong Mothers, an NGO whose main objective is to provide an opportunity for girls and young mothers to address their health, social, legal and economic needs. This is through educating, providing services and strengthening their entrepreneurship skills. This idea was born following the rough life she experienced as a young girl.

I got pregnant at 15 years old. The whole community isolated me. Everyone abandoned me calling me a curse. No one talked to me for months. I was homeless. I lived in the bushes. I gave birth by the roadside with the help of two strangers.

Jackie lost her parents when she was three months old. The only person that accepted her was her grandfather. It was a tough upbringing. There was no money to enroll her to high school after primary school.

Few months after my baby was born, I ran away from home. My grand father had accepted us back months after kicking me out but the poverty and rejection from the community was hard to bear. I joined the street life in Tabora and in Dares salaam for years. It was really tough.

Later on I got a job as a maid for a really great young lady who mentored me and saw my hunger for education. She sponsored me through high school before she relocated to Canada.

Jackie studied hard. Worked part time doing odd jobs in various organizations to provide for her daughter. Her break was getting a secretarial job in a local organization and working her way up managerial level.

My organization has reached 576 girls with 38 girls having graduated from our entrepreneurship course and 15 in vocational training. Others have gone through health hygiene with a main focus on HIV and pregnancy.

Jackie’s vision is to build a center for her organization which is in progress having bought 15 acres of land. She has partnered with the public, various local and international organizations and some arms of the Tanzanian government to build on her vision.

She has been featured widely by the media from BBC, Voice of America and local media. I hugely admire this because I believe the local media MUST get involved in telling the positive influence of young Africans in their communities.

Never give up. I have lived, tasted and breathed the wilderness for far too long but the desire to succeed and to see my daughter succeed was so great. I just had to see it come in to fruition.

I used to survey cars, houses and buildings as a street kid and claim them for my future. Getting selected for YALI RLC was transforming. My thinking is now different. I am a better leader. The connections and networks I made are unbelievable.

Jackie’s call to action is to partner with like minds and help reach hundreds of girls. She is looking to build her team and invites people with the technical know how and capacity building skills to join her team and make Tanzania a safe haven for naive and disadvantaged girls.

Keep up the great work Jackie! you are a great inspiration for young African leaders.

The post Living In The Streets Did Not Break Me- It Made Me Fearless! Jackie Bomboma appeared first on Afrikan Excellence.

When I sat with Bernice Nderitu, she exuded humility and clearly stated her great vision with such admirable assertiveness. This young lady was born in Kenya and lived in various parts of the country before moving to the West in various countries like the U.S.A, Canada among others. It was a life she adjusted to as a young child because her dad, a high school teacher was posted to different places.

My parents are ordained ministers and run their own church. We grew up exposed to different cultures but remained very grounded because of the values we were taught.

Her entrepreneurial spirit began at the tender age of 11 and all through her teenage hood taking up jobs like babysitting and working at summer camps. She saved the money which she later used to pay part of her university fees.

She moved back to Kenya upon graduating from high school and admits the settling was very uncomfortable because of the culture shock. She joined Daystar University to pursue psychology and discovered a need in the society of lack of vision in children and teenagers.

Bernice also pursued her Masters in Child Development. She has worked as a consultant Psychologist/Board member of Rafiki Africa Foundation, The children’s ministry coordinator at Green House church, counseling psychologist at Chiromo Lane medical center and a trauma response counselor with Red Cross.

Ever since I was I child, I had a clear vision of working with children and families. Everywhere I went, God continued affirming it. I am certified in psychological first aid, skills for psychological recovery, advanced play therapy, and trauma focused cognitive behavior therapy.

I am also a member of International Society of Traumatic Stress, Society for Research in Child Development, and Young African Leaders Initiative. I am currently consulting for Art and Abolition and International Justice Mission.

In 2011, she founded Nisela Group, a social enterprise (which means to nurture in Zulu) and whose mission is to seek to make the world a better place by investing in African children and youth through capacity building.

She pursued her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology with a specialty in children and adolescents. This allowed her to pursue and concentrate in preventative work.

Nisela Group is a social enterprise that exists for the appropriate, intentional and holistic nurture of children and young people. We seek to provide technical expertise in the children's sector and in mental health to partners in public, private, and informal sectors and civil society.

Nisela is passionate about strengthening families, enhancing optimal child development, and creating child friendly environments. Our services are project/program implementation, research and evaluations, advocacy, and capacity building.

We recently formed Crossways, a transitional and mentorship program offering soft skills in critical thinking, problem solving and creativity for young high school graduates.

Bernice got selected for the YALI Regional center program and was hugely inspired by the select young African leaders from various countries who are transforming their communities. She loved the exposure she got at the center and made potential collaborators.

We must stop ethnocentrism and embrace each other as Africans. If you have a purpose, do it. Stop thinking about it, just.do.it. Never give up on your dreams.

In the next 10 years, Nicela Group aims to have scaled in East and Southern Africa working with governments and international organizations. Bernice looks forward to being in a highly influential position in terms of policy in either the AU or in Geneva in the next five years.

For fun, Bernice is a very outdoorsy kind of girl. She is also very sporty.

The post Warning: Don’t Mess With African Children Because I Will Come For You! Bernice Nderitu appeared first on Afrikan Excellence.

Mohammed Salat Osman is well-spoken, funny, very tall and ever smiling person never to be ignored. He commands the attention in a room.

I was born and bred in the Coastal region of Kenya in a remote village. I was a very proactive child. My mum always says I was very responsible from an early age. My upbringing was okay and till today, I still remember the love I got from my family and my community.

My mum was a business woman. My dad who passed on in 2012 was a livestock trader and the little he got, he shared with us and with our extended family. By this I mean he paid school fees for my siblings and I, seven of us and for my many other cousins. He did this over time for more than 20 children. One of the conversations I had with him is still very fresh in my mind. (He stares at the white wall and goes in to deep thought)

“Mohammed, I never went to school but none of my children will miss out on this for as long as I live. I must ensure you all have a better life than I did. When I sometimes pay your fees, I have no idea what people will eat back at home. This is for you. I may be here or not when you make it in life but this is your life. Treasure this opportunity”.

I passed my primary education with flying colours and joined Ribe Boys High School. My journey was a roller coaster ride throughout my stay at the school. From very good grades in form one, to joining the drama club, poetry and public speaking clubs and getting my school to the National level more than twice while my grades dropped.

Being appointed as the lab prefect in form three was a form of strategy by the teachers in their attempt to help me focus. I thank them to date because I improved from C’s to an A- in my KSCE. 

Upon clearing my High School, My dad and I had a one on one talk on the career I wanted to choose. He preferred a course in medicine and I hate the sight of blood. I think I am those people who are so sensitive that I probably would start crying with the patient and turn it to a therapy session.

I wanted to either become a journalist or a lawyer. My dad didn’t like my choices because his belief was that the limelight eventually corrupts you. That lawyering might force you to lie or defend a guilty person. It did not settle well with him. My other choice was to study economics going by the level of extreme poverty in our bordering constituents.

I joined The University of Nairobi to study a Bachelor in Economics and Statistics. I managed to work as an intern with the National bank of Kenya and Kathiani District Development Office previously under the ministry of planning as a development officer with the role of monitoring and evaluation.

After graduating in 2013, I wrote a letter to the Machakos County Government looking for work and coincidentally they were looking for an economist. I got the job as the sole County economist under the Trade Economic Planning and Industrialization. We later got 10 more economists to help achieve our vision.

My work largely excited me because we got to work on constant improvement of the domestic trade and market, trade planning and data driven development & research in Machakos.

In May of this year, I was transferred to the Budget department as a senior economist. This involves budget and expenditure management. We work on program based budgets and development for different departments and the extended communities.

My work mostly revolves around monitoring and evaluations. Sometimes we face challenges like late disbursement of funds by the government or we are unable to meet revenue targets but through planning ahead, the systems are accommodating enough to help us meet our goals.

Early this year, I was selected to join the YALI Regional Centre program which changed my life for the better. Can you imagine meeting over 80 young African leaders from 13 different countries who are doing great things for their communities?

The program made me rethink my priorities, my paradigms about Africa shifted and now, I think of not just working to take my community to the next level but Africa as a whole.

In January of this year I enrolled for my Masters in Economics Policy and Management at Kenyatta University. A dream come true.

I always tell the youth to never take things for granted especially in resources such as time. I don’t believe in being told the youth are the future leaders, I believe the time is now.

Let’s think of living and leaving a legacy, a trait that most of our leaders lack. It should be declared a crime for any young person to lack a vision and a development plan. It should never be about money and power.

The Kenyan and other African governments should also encourage accountability, appointments on merit and proper systems in place to fight any cases of corruption. The media should wake up and do its job without taking any sides.

In the next 10 years, I would love to be the President’s economic advisor. I would love to work for the African Development fund, The Mo Ibrahim Foundation and the African Union.

When Mohammed is not being an economist, he wears the father figure hat which involves taking care and schooling his three younger siblings. He enjoys being a foodie who eats everything with the exception of red meat, pork and alcohol.

We wish you the very best Salat as you continue to work with the government of Kenya and in your dream of impacting millions of lives.

The post Leadership And Laziness Never Go Hand-in-Hand. Mohammed Salat. appeared first on Afrikan Excellence.

I was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo because my Family (grandparents) had settled here from Rwanda around 1959 -1962. I grew up in a very strict Christian family to a Bishop dad. I was a very shy yet overly curious boy.

At about the age of five, we moved back to Rwanda. My love for reading started then. You would find me buried in comics and cartoons such Tintin. I read the Bible from cover to cover several times which got me selected to lead Bible classes and quote scripture at schools.

At about the age of six or seven, curious Israel began discovering the world and joined bad company as a result of peer pressure. In high school, he became more self aware and developed his life principles. He also began writing as a journal Servir where he would review poetry, essays, albums and books.

When he joined upper level secondary school, he majored in Bio chemistry and Mathematics. He was in various leadership positions such as the head boy for two years in row. Israel initiated an annual initiative of collecting basic items for hundreds of poor people in hospitals. This initiative grew bigger than he had imagined and his school adopted it.

During his gap year, Israel by the help of his uncle bought a photocopy machine with the aim of raising pocket money. The project grew into engaging bright students in the community. The proceeds from the initiative would help support parliament, embassy visits and connect widely with like-minded young people. The initiative grew beyond his expectations and was registered officially as The Global Institute for Youth.

Bimpe joined The university of Rwanda to study Computer Science and Pharmacy. He is the brain behind MEDInspire, an initiative of the medicine students that involved organizing public lectures, training on public speaking, research methodologies, social media and debates. Their first guest was Professor Phil Cotton, the current vice Chancellor of the University.

Israel also formed My campus Hashout Program and contributed to the launch of Youth Connekt, a Government initiative to connect youth in different parts of the country and engaged in problem-solving discussions.

As president of the Rwanda Pharmaceutical Students' Association in 2014, I raised 20,000 pounds for a sexual and reproductive health project. I organized anti-diabetes and Tuberculosis awareness campaigns in prisons. I was appointed Chairperson of the African Regional Office and Vice President (Netherlands) in 2015. I spearheaded the Beautiful Beyond Color campaign during my tenure- that focused on skin bleaching and ran in the African Continent.

Israel is a renowned social media guru and a member of Global Shapers Community in Rwanda. Bimpe even emceed in the World Economic Forum “Visa Free Africa” held in Kigali early this year.

I emceed in the Community Conversations of the World Economic Forum on Africa and later shared the stage as a panelist with Dlamini Zuma, Chairperson of African Union and Minister Louise Mushikiwabo, Minister of Foreign Affairs.

In the discussion on mobility on the continent I called for a "Visa Free Africa". This was a huge deal for my speaking engagements and I loved it!

The Rwandan youth under the Kigali Global Shapers Hub, an arm of the Global Shapers community later started a campaign to remove visa requirements for Africans traveling to other African countries. This resulted to the “Visa Free Africa” project.

They also have massive support from the Rwandan President Paul Kagame who is engaging other African leaders on the same matter.

Bimpe has worked in the past and continues engaging with the Youth Literacy Organization to equip young writers by giving them platforms to showcase their talents through various forms of media.

Being selected for YALI was out of this World. There was especially this class with Mr. David Kamau on Africa and our potential as young African leaders that completely shifted my paradigms and changed my life.

This encouragement pushed me to vie and get selected for office as the president of the International pharmaceutical Student Federation. Our headquarters are at the Hague. We have 350,000 students in attendance from over 90 countries around the world.

I made great connections with young African leaders from various countries who are fearlessly transforming their communities.

Young African leaders must sacrifice and take Africa to the next level even if it means to the point of death. We must equip ourselves with skills, knowledge and look at global interactions for better and faster growth.

Israel’s vision is to occupy a corner office at the World Health Organization in the near future. He is currently diving in the pool of knowledge, skills and networks. He also loves listening to podcasts, juicy burgers made anyhow, basketball and swimming.

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