Long Walk

Why Long Walk?

The title of this project is inspired by the leadership and principles upheld by the former President Nelson Mandela of the Republic of South Africa.  In addition, Long Walk to Freedom is the title of his autobiography.  Furthermore, the title resonates with the African proverb that says: To go fast go alone, to go far go together.

What is the project about?

The hardships across the length and breadth of the African continent are well documented and commonly known worlwide. There are various projects that address various aspects such as poverty, disease, infrastructure, etc.  This project seeks to create an environment in which a much better legacy for the Africa of 25 years from now can be crafted not on paper but in peoples minds. it stems out of the belief that progress and the alleviation of the massive challenges in Africa cannot be left to the efforts of a few but that we need to create a groundswell of change in how Africans think and how they see their role in the bigger scheme of world events.  in the long run the way out of poverty cannot be paved with band-aids but needs the efforts and sweat of all concerned.

To contribute towards this sorely needed change, this project will focus on capacity building and leadership development on a massive scale. Through this project a large mentorship network will be created and will fuel itself through strict adherence to the concept of paying it forward.  Also, there will be a large number of small group sessions going through various training and development programmes. In addition, there will be at least four mass sessions per annum.

Funding will assist in setting up an operations centre in Johannesburg.  It will also assist in developing and finalising and reviewing all necessary programmes and this will be an ongoing exercise for years to come. Funding will also cover operating costs such as securing appropriate venues, securing targeted individuals on the continent and abroad to share their skills with all our participants. The extensive use of the social media will cost nothing other than having to pay the few individuals who will be tasked with managing the social media feeds and glean whatever opportunities that might present themsleves in this space.

Work on finalising the setup plans and launching the social media presence will begin in January 2014 and the public engagements will begin in earnest midyear.  2014 will be an introductory year and the rubber will really hit the tar from 2015 onwards.

We welcome your interest in this undertaking.  We hope that you will also share in our sentiments that Africa has to change and that this work needs to be done, therefore; if not now, when? if not by us, then who? Let us all look back 10 years from now and be proud of what we have achieved and how far we have gone.