Geingos urges youth to redefine leadership in Africa
Geingos Urges Youth to Redefine Leadership in Africa
By George Dinyando
“A hungry mind in a small university will always outlearn a complacent mind in a marble-walled institution,” said former Namibian first lady Monica Geingos, as she called on young Africans to embrace a new kind of leadership.
Geingos made the remarks last week in Kigali, Rwanda, during her inauguration as the founding chancellor of Kepler College. In her address, she urged youth to challenge traditional notions of leadership and to step into roles that drive real change across the continent.
“The future isn’t coming - it is already here, and it demands a new kind of African leader,” she said.
Known for its employment-focused and innovative approach to higher education, Kepler College, according to Geingos, aligns with her vision of equipping young people with practical, market-relevant skills.
She encouraged students to see themselves as leaders in every space - whether in classrooms, online platforms, or their communities. “If not me, then who?” she asked, underscoring the urgency for youth-led solutions to Africa’s challenges.
Geingos emphasised that leadership is not defined by titles but by action and integrity. “Leadership is about the courage to fix what is broken,” she said.
Expanding beyond education, she highlighted the importance of narrative ownership, using Rwanda’s transformation as an example. “Those who own their narrative control their destiny,” she said, calling for intellectual sovereignty in African education systems.
The inauguration was attended by Rwanda’s Minister of State for Education, Hon. Claudette Irere, along with key stakeholders in higher learning. The event marked a significant milestone for Kepler College in its mission to shape Africa’s next generation of ethical, innovative leaders.
About Kepler College
Kepler College offers affordable, high-quality education at the intersection of management and technology, focusing on practical skills and global competencies to tackle local challenges. Its flagship Bachelor of Arts in Project Management is already under way, preparing students to thrive in both the workforce and leadership spaces.
By George Dinyando
“A hungry mind in a small university will always outlearn a complacent mind in a marble-walled institution,” said former Namibian first lady Monica Geingos, as she called on young Africans to embrace a new kind of leadership.
Geingos made the remarks last week in Kigali, Rwanda, during her inauguration as the founding chancellor of Kepler College. In her address, she urged youth to challenge traditional notions of leadership and to step into roles that drive real change across the continent.
“The future isn’t coming - it is already here, and it demands a new kind of African leader,” she said.
Known for its employment-focused and innovative approach to higher education, Kepler College, according to Geingos, aligns with her vision of equipping young people with practical, market-relevant skills.
She encouraged students to see themselves as leaders in every space - whether in classrooms, online platforms, or their communities. “If not me, then who?” she asked, underscoring the urgency for youth-led solutions to Africa’s challenges.
Geingos emphasised that leadership is not defined by titles but by action and integrity. “Leadership is about the courage to fix what is broken,” she said.
Expanding beyond education, she highlighted the importance of narrative ownership, using Rwanda’s transformation as an example. “Those who own their narrative control their destiny,” she said, calling for intellectual sovereignty in African education systems.
The inauguration was attended by Rwanda’s Minister of State for Education, Hon. Claudette Irere, along with key stakeholders in higher learning. The event marked a significant milestone for Kepler College in its mission to shape Africa’s next generation of ethical, innovative leaders.
About Kepler College
Kepler College offers affordable, high-quality education at the intersection of management and technology, focusing on practical skills and global competencies to tackle local challenges. Its flagship Bachelor of Arts in Project Management is already under way, preparing students to thrive in both the workforce and leadership spaces.
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