African Leadership Academy Unveils World Class Campus

On Monday, 30 July, Gauteng Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs Paul Mashatile cut the ribbon to unveil the campus of African Leadership Academy (ALA), a world-class, pan-African secondary boarding school opening in September 2008 on the outskirts of Johannesburg.

“The Gauteng Government welcomes the establishment of African Leadership Academy,” Mashatile said. “This Academy will contribute towards the development of the skills and capacity required to lead our country and continent in a global world.”

Mashatile spoke to an audience of 150 people that included MPs and South African and global business leaders at the event in Honeydew. He was preceded at the podium by Fred Swaniker, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of African Leadership Academy. “We are thrilled to have the support of the Gauteng government as we seek to bring a world-class secondary institution to this world-class city region,” Swaniker said. “In only 14 months, young leaders from across the African continent will descend on Gauteng and begin a journey that will enable them to create lasting positive change in Africa.”

African Leadership Academy seeks to transform Africa by developing and supporting future generations of African leaders. ALA will select its first class of 100 15-18 year old girls and boys from across the African continent in April 2008, and admitted students will begin their two years at the Academy in September 2008. At ALA, students will complete an innovative two-year program that combines internationally recognized A-Level academic training with a unique curriculum in leadership, entrepreneurship, and African studies. ALA graduates will attend the world’s finest universities and will ultimately become ethical, effective leaders in the public, private, and social sectors across the continent.

African Leadership Academy’s campus is a state-of-the-art boarding school with capacity for 200 students. “This campus has the facilities required for a world-leading institution,” says Swaniker. It includes a 350 seat auditorium, computer laboratories, sport fields, a multi-purpose dining facility, classrooms, a faculty common room, and a beautiful house for Dean Christopher Khaemba and his family.

In April 2007, the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) of South Africa made a landmark investment of R7.2 million to finance equipment purchases for the campus. “We are deeply grateful for the support of the IDC in our endeavor to transform Africa,” says Swaniker. “Their loan to African Leadership Academy will ensure that this exceptional facility is outfitted with the information technology and laboratory equipment required for a globally competitive secondary institution.”

Each student at the Academy will share a comfortable dormitory room with just one other student. The dormitory common areas will allow the students the opportunity to relax in evenings and build deep friendships with their peers. African Leadership Academy also has an exceptional dining hall and on-site kitchen staff who will ensure that all students receive the nourishment required for the exceptionally active student life at the Academy.

African Leadership Academy is currently seeking outstanding young leaders from across South Africa and around the continent to join its inaugural class in 2008. “We are looking for the most promising young leaders – girls and boys – to join our inaugural class,” says ALA Dean Christopher Khaemba. “Entry into the Academy will be based on merit alone, without regard to each student’s financial means. African Leadership Academy’s extensive scholarship fund seeks to enable all qualified students to attend.”

“We seek young people with the passion and courage required to be agents of positive change on the African continent” says Khaemba. “I believe African Leadership Academy will provide an unparalleled opportunity for outstanding young leaders to realize their immense potential.”

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