Chief Dakamela Completes Mandela Washington Fellowship At Bridgewater State University

Chief Dakamela, a traditional leader from Zimbabwe’s Nkayi District in Matabeleland North, made waves as a 2025 Mandela Washington Fellow at Bridgewater State University. Dressed in his fur and beadwork regalia with a ceremonial staff, he traveled from rural Zimbabwe to Massachusetts to learn about youth mentorship and community security.

Started in 2014 to honor Nelson Mandela, the fellowship has trained nearly 7,800 young African leaders in skills like governance and civic engagement, building strong U.S.-Africa ties. Chief Dakamela joins other Zimbabweans, such as cultural innovator Allington Ndlovu, to bring these ideas home—blending old traditions with new tools for safer, stronger communities.

• The Mandela Washington Fellowship, launched in 2014, has trained nearly 7,800 young leaders from Sub-Saharan Africa in U.S. academic and professional development.
• Zimbabwe annually sends at least 40 participants, including traditional chiefs, to build skills in governance and community programs.
• Chief Mbusi Dakamela, from Nkayi District in Matabeleland North, joined the 2025 cohort alongside cultural innovators like Allington Ndlovu.
• Fellows return with strategies to integrate African traditions into modern leadership, as seen in Dakamela’s focus on youth mentorship and local security.

The Mandela Washington Fellowship is more than an exchange—it’s an investment in global leadership. During his fellowship at Bridgewater State University, Chief Mbusi Dakamela advanced his leadership skills in Public Management. Chief Dakamela will use these skills to support governance and youth mentorship programs in his communities. Empowering leaders like Chief Mbusi helps build peaceful, secure, and prosperous communities in and in . This strengthens global partnerships and shows the positive impact of investing in education and leadership. @WashFellowship @BridgeStateU