On 5 April, 2017 ALU Founder, Fred Swaniker, was awarded the degree of Honorary Doctor of Philosophy (honoris causa) in the Faculty of Education from the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU).
The award is in recognition of ALU’s outstanding contributions to foregrounding approaches to higher education, promoting African Leadership and educating future leaders in the spirit of Nelson Mandela.
“It is an incredible honor for me and for ALU to be recognised, alongside other individuals like Mr. Strive Masiyiwa, Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi, and Dikgang Moseneke,” said Swaniker.
Nelson Mandela was one of the biggest inspirations for Swaniker 14 years ago to start African Leadership Academy, African Leadership Network, and ultimately African Leadership University,—3 institutions that are projected to collectively groom 3 million leaders for Africa over the next 50 years.
“Even if each of these leaders achieves only a 100th of what Madiba achieved in his lifetime, the collective movement of leaders we will produce can serve as a powerful catalyst for enabling African peace and prosperity in the 21st century,” the ALU founder said.
ALU has further ties to Mandela’s legacy through its Chancellor and education champion, Graça Machel, former first lady of South Africa and widow of Nelson Mandela.
Swaniker previously earned his MBA from Stanford University.
