Chronicle EditorInnocent Kurira, [email protected]
RUGBY legend Tendai ‘Beast’ Mtawarira has launched the “Lead Like A Girl” programme aimed at empowering young women from underprivileged communities in Zimbabwe and South Africa.
Mtawarira is a Zimbabwean-born former South Africa national team player. He retired having won the World Cup in 2019 and managed to become the most capped prop in South African history with 117 caps.
In 2020, he launched the Beast Foundation which aims to transform communities and deliver effective mentorship to young people from underprivileged backgrounds.
The Beast Foundation, in collaboration with Elyseum Family Office (Elyseum), has since launched the Lead Like A Girl Programme with the sole aim of empowering young women from underprivileged backgrounds in South Africa and Zimbabwe, providing them with opportunities to realise their full potential.
The chairman of The Beast Foundation, Mtawarira highlighted the goals of the new programme.
“Lead Like A Girl represents a collective effort to uplift young women and foster positive change in underserved communities across Africa. Through mentorship, scholarships, the influence of inspiring female patrons, and the establishment of a robust alumni network, our goal with Lead Like A Girl is clear: to provide unwavering support, comprehensive training, and quality education to young girls. We aim to nurture them into formidable future leaders, in turn, empowering them to guide the next generation of young girls as they forge their unique paths,” said Mtawarira.
He said they are laying the foundation for a new generation of empowered women.
“With Lead Like A Girl, we’re not just envisioning a brighter future; we’re actively shaping it. Together, with the support of our partners and the dedication of our team, we’re laying the foundation for a generation of empowered and resilient young women who will undoubtedly leave an indelible mark on the world,” said Mtawarira.
Arising from a partnership established in July 2023 between The Beast Foundation and Elyseum, this visionary programme is geared towards creating a brighter future by fostering leadership skills and generating opportunities for success among younger women in marginalised communities.
Recognising the disparities in educational resources, Lead Like A Girl offers a well-rounded environment with expert mentorship and leadership development for young women.
Structured around five core pillars, Lead Like A Girl encompasses crucial aspects such as schooling support (including tuition, boarding fees, textbooks, and learning materials), annual leadership camps, inter-African country visits, ongoing mentorship, and a dedicated alumni community.
Partnering with development organisations like The Amathuba Foundation, The Imbeleko Foundation, Mondi South Africa, and Higherlife Foundation Zimbabwe, the first cohort of 15 learners from KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng in South Africa, as well as Harare and Bulawayo in Zimbabwe, was carefully selected based on academic, sporting, and cultural achievements, as well as financial needs.-@innocentskizoe
Online Reporter