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Young women from South Africa and Zimbabwe stand to gain from an expert mentorship and leadership development programme.

The Beast Foundation, founded by former rugby player and businessman Tendai Mtawarira, announced the Lead like a Girl programme at its launch held last month.

The programme which is aimed at empowering underprivileged South African and Zimbabwean young women by providing them with opportunities to realise their full potential. The foundation has collaborated with Elyseum Family Office (Elyseum), a Paris based investment company.

The programme will offer these young women who want to pursue their studies with crucial support in the form of tuition, boarding fees, textbooks, and learning materials.

“There will annual leadership camps, inter-African country visits, ongoing mentorship, and a dedicated alumni community,” said the organisation.

The organisation said it has recognised disparities in educational resources and that is why it is offering these young women expert mentorship and leadership support.

“[We have] partnered 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 need,” explained the organisation.

Mtawarira, who is also known as the beast, said 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 own unique paths,” he said.

Lead like a Girl aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goals 4, Quality Education, and 5, Gender Equality.

The Beast Foundation, founded in March 2021, is dedicated to transforming communities through sports, education, and effective mentorship.

The foundation’s past initiatives include awarding education scholarships, organising rugby boot camp experiences, and providing relief to families affected by floods in KwaZulu-Natal.

Editor’s note: Mtawarira, who is also known as the beast, said Lead Like a Girl represents a collective effort to uplift young women and foster positive change in underserved communities across Africa.

Description: The programme which is aimed at empowering underprivileged South African and Zimbabwean young women by providing them with opportunities to realise their full potential. It offers these young women who want to pursue their studies with crucial support in the form of tuition, boarding fees, textbooks, and learning materials.

Editor: Thato Mahlangu

Project manager: Do4SA