Thabo Sibanda
The Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) Regional Leadership Center Southern Africa (RLC-SA) has announced the termination of its cooperative agreement with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the University of South Africa (UNISA), bringing the program to an abrupt end.
The decision, effective following a notification on February 27, 2025, was directed by the U.S. Government to align with Presidential priorities and national interests.
Harry Ntombela, YALI RLC-SA Chief of Party, addressed the program’s alumni in a letter, stating, “The termination of this agreement implies that all YALI RLC-SA activities have ceased.”
While the news was unexpected, Ntombela expressed a forward-looking perspective, noting that “while this development is not what we would have hoped for, it opens exciting possibilities for how we may forge forward with the legacy of +9000 leaders trained and networked for impact in the sub-region.”
The RLC-SA, hosted by UNISA, has been a vital platform for leadership development in Southern Africa, fostering a network of young leaders committed to addressing regional challenges. Despite the program’s closure, Ntombela underscored a commitment to its mission, saying, “We continue to engage with various stakeholders and will keep you updated on developments as they unfold, as well as provide clarity on the continued use of the YALI brand.” He encouraged alumni to “keep an eye on this space” for future announcements.
As the RLC-SA team explores new avenues to sustain its impact, the focus remains on leveraging the program’s extensive alumni network to contribute to the development of young African leaders across the region and continent.
