Region: South Africa

Sisonke Msimang

Sisonke Msimang is a writer and activist who works on race, gender, democracy, and politics. Sisonke works on human rights and Democracy with the Sonke Gender Justice Network, which has been a leading advocate of working with men and boys in promoting gender equality. She has global, regional, and national experience, having worked for the United Nations as well as within the civil society sector and in private philanthropy. Until November 2012, she led George Soros’ philanthropic efforts based in Johannesburg as the Executive Director of the Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa. She is also the author of a weekly column at the Daily Maverick, a leading South African…

Joy Olivier

Joy Olivier is passionate about finding innovative solutions to big social problems. She is the co-founder of Botanican, a social enterprise that is establishing Africa's first legal network of cannabis growers and bringing sustainable cannabis products to local and global markets. Joy is also the co-founder of IkamvaYouth, an education non-profit that enables disadvantaged youth to pull themselves and each other out of poverty, which she ran for fifteen years. Joy is intrigued by the power of collaboration, and the conversion of challenges into opportunities. She is committed to doing all she can to fight inequality and promote access to opportunities that change lives. In addition to being a Yale…

Vusi Gumede

Vusi Gumede is a professor at the University of South Africa and at the Thabo Mbeki African Leadership Institute where he teaches courses on political economy and development. He was previously an associate professor at the University of Johannesburg and has lectured public policy at the School of Government at the University of Witwatersrand. Vusi has published two books on South Africa and edited several books focusing on Africa’s political economy of development, as well as numerous journal articles and book chapters, editorials, and blogs. He is Editor-in-Chief for Africanus (Journal of Development Studies) and of Africa Insight and is a member of various academic editorial boards and committees. Vusi…

Thembi Xulu

Dr. Thembi Xulu is a health care and health policy professional serving as Senior Technical Specialist at Right to Care (RTC) Health Services, a company focused on the delivery of holistic health and wellness solutions for employers. In this role, Tehmbi is leading the organization's response and delivery of services pertaining to COVID-19. Right to Care is one of the largest HIV and TB treatment and prevention centers in South Africa. RTC partners with the government, private sector, and NGOs in improving access to safe, effective, and affordable treatment for people living with HIV/AIDS and TB. The organization operates at more than 170 sites providing comprehensive HIV services and supports…

Mteto Nyati

Mteto Nyati is the executive chairman of BSG, a homegrown consulting and technology company that specialises in strategy execution. In BSG he holds a 40% shareholding through his investment vehicle, Wazo Investments. Mteto is also the chairman of Eskom. Previously, he was the Group Chief Executive of Altron and Chief Executive Officer of MTN South Africa. He is the author of the number one bestseller, Betting on a Darkie, a book about his life as a shopkeeper’s son, family man, and business leader at local and multinational corporates. Mteto mentors and coaches senior executives, including CEOs as well as up and coming business professionals. In 2021, the University of Johannesburg’s…

Marianne Camerer

Marianne Camerer is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Cape Town (UCT) where she focuses on ethics, leadership, and accountability. She previously directed the Building Bridges Programme, a leadership development platform, at The Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance, also at the University of Cape Town. In 2014 she initiated the flagship Emerging African Leaders Programme which now has over 100 alumnus from ten African countries. Beyond research and teaching she works with a team of facilitators to develop innovative executive training for senior public officials and social entrepreneurs in Africa, with a particular focus on ethical leadership and accountability. Prior to joining UCT, Marianne co-founded the international anti-corruption…

How Joshin Raghubar's Eagerness to Learn Has Helped Him Build a R115-Million Business

South African entrepreneur Joshin Raghubar named 2019 McNulty Fellow

World Fellows Program marks 16th year

When Norbert Mao came to Yale in 2003, he was a 36-year-old member of Parliament, representing the city of Gulu in the northern region of Uganda. At the time, the area was the epicenter of a decades-long war, and Mao was working with other parliamentarians to bring peace. During his four months on campus, Mao made the most of Yale’s extensive resources and academic offerings. He took advantage of the one-on-one media training provided by the World Fellows Program. Courses in corporate leadership and grand strategy helped expand his leadership skills, and a writing course helped him refine his communications skills. Upon returning home, he jumped into the rough-and -tumble…