Arising from a partnership established in July 2023 between The Beast Foundation and Elyseum, this programme is geared towards creating a brighter future by fostering leaderships skills and generating opportunities for success among younger women in marginalised communities. 

The duo says that recognising the disparities in educational resources, Lead Like a Girl offers a well-rounded environment with expert mentorship and leadership development for young women.

The programme is structured around five core pillars, and Lead Like a Girl encompasses crucial aspects such as schooling support, including:
  • tuition
  • boarding fees
  • textbooks, and
  • learning materials.

It also encompasses:
  • annual leadership camps
  • inter-African country visits
  • ongoing mentorship, and
  • a dedicated alumni community. 

The programme 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, were carefully selected based on academic, sporting and cultural achievements as well as financial need, according to the programme.

"Lead Like a Girl represents a collective effort to uplift young women and foster positive change in underserved communities across Africa," says Tendai Mtawarira, chairperson of The Beast Foundation. 

"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," adds Mtawarira. 

"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," Mtawarira says. 

According to the foundation, Lead Like a Girl aligns with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Quality Education and Gender Equality. Moreover, the United Nations's Women Annual Report highlights the urgent need for accelerated progress, indicating that achieving gender equality could take up to 300 years without the allocation of increased resources. 

Lead Like a Girl aims to address these challenges by providing opportunities for girls to pursue education, thus contributing to breaking the cycle of poverty and reducing vulnerabilities to issues like child marriages and domestic violence, says the foundation. 

"With Lead Like a Girl, we're not just envisioning a brighter future; we're actively shaping it. Together, with the support of our partners and the dedication of our team, we're laying the foundation for a generation of empowered and resilient young women who will undoubtedly leave an indelible mark on the world," concludes Mtawarira.

For more information, visit www.thebeastfoundation.org. You can also follow the Beast Foundation on Facebook, LinkedIn, X or Instagram.

*Image courtesy of contributor