ALforEducation Apprentice
Johannesburg, South Africa (Remote) | April 2025 - August 2025
The African Leadership Academy (ALA) is an educational institution located in Roodepoort on the outskirts of Johannesburg, South Africa, for students between the ages of 16 and 19 years old, with current alumni coming from 46 countries.
Founded in 2004 by Fred Swaniker, Chris Bradford, Peter Mombaur, and Acha Leke, ALA officially opened in September 2008 with an inaugural class of 97 students. ALA seeks to transform Africa by identifying, developing, and connecting the next generation of African leaders.
Countries Represented
Year Established
Inaugural Class Size
The ALforEducation Apprenticeship is a transformative 5-month program designed to develop the next generation of education innovators across Africa. As an apprentice, I'm part of a select cohort working to reimagine education systems for relevance, equity, and impact.
I joined the ALforEducation Apprenticeship as part of a growing cohort of young Africans passionate about transforming education on the continent. The experience began with a month-long online immersion into education systems across Africa, exploring what works, what doesn't, and what's possible.
This wasn't just coursework—it was deep reflection, community dialogue, and rigorous thinking about how to make education relevant, inclusive, and future-fit. We learned from practitioners, built real-world problem-solving skills, and grounded ourselves in the urgency of educational transformation.
Next, I'll be placed with a partner organization to carry out an innovation project. It's a chance to take everything we've discussed—equity, access, relevance—and apply it in practice.
I'm excited to co-create solutions that don't just add to the conversation but shift what's possible for learners across the continent. This hands-on experience will allow me to implement innovative approaches to educational challenges.
Developing creative solutions to complex educational challenges
Building capacity to lead educational transformation initiatives
Understanding education systems across the African continent
To achieve its goal of transforming Africa, ALA teaches a two-year curriculum in African Studies, Writing, Rhetoric and Entrepreneurial Leadership, as well as the usual academic core subjects.
The academy's approach combines rigorous academics with leadership development, preparing students to become the next generation of African leaders who will drive positive change across the continent.