The ALI Media Fellowship Programme was recently launched by the African Leadership Initiative (ALI) in Johannesburg, South Africa. Present at the launch were distinguished media leaders, captains of industry and the inaugural class of 24 Fellows.
Speaking at the event, Trevor Ncube, Deputy Executive Chairman of Mail and Guardian said, "Let me congratulate those behind this important initiative. They are adding to the quality of professional capital that will drive our participation in the new economy. And given the rate of global innovation, we urgently need to invest in journalists that can hold their own in a world in which capital, rather than politics increasingly shapes the global agenda".
Ncube, who was also the Guest of the Honour added, "My hope is that the ALI Media Fellowship Programme will help the continent bridge this gulf. Our challenge is to tell the business and financial story in a manner that will be easy to digest by both the investor and the Africa consumer".
The Africa Leadership Initiative (ALI) has developed the innovative Fellowship Programme for distinguished professionals from Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa who have the ability – through their positions of leadership – to influence and enhance the future of financial journalism in Africa and beyond.
Following the launch, the 24 Fellows took part in the first seminar, "Media and Development: Africa's 21st Century Challenges" that was held in Somerset West, South Africa.
The ALI Media Fellowship programme, that has been divided into various educational offerings, is uniquely poised to bolster financial and business journalism on the continent, while underscoring the advancement of professional, ethical and values-based leadership within the financial media sphere in Africa.
The prestigious ALI Media Fellowship Programme will serve visionary leaders who are nurturing new solutions to promote the financial media landscape in Africa and who will use financial data and reporting to address pressing development challenges on the continent.