The common perception of Africa as a continent lacking in leadership can change. Samantha Chuula, Programme Manager for InterAction, is intent on doing this.

InterAction is a British Council programme designed to strengthen future leaders in Africa and project a more positive image of the continent.

“We engage with people aged 25 to 40,” says Chuula, “people who hold leadership positions at work or in their communities – people who want to see and lead change in their countries.”

The programme has already recruited and trained over 1200 African leaders since its inception in 2004.

Chuula says: “Currently the programme runs once a year. Participants are given three training modules to do over a period of a year. In one module, participants from different countries are required to meet in the region. They take part in activities that will change their perceptions and they get a chance to engage with leaders from different professions in different ways.”

According to Chuula, one of the aims of this programme is to help people understand that good ideas don’t come from leaders alone, but from followers as well.

“We teach participants skills that will enable them to think differently about the world that they live in: the opposite sex, their country, and diversity. We look critically at the different internal thought processes that influence their leadership behaviour.”

“People who join the programme come from different backgrounds,” she continues. “They include doctors, business people, parliamentarians, lawyers and teachers.”

InterAction works with leaders who are committed to the continent, want to see a prosperous Africa and believe they have a role in making that happen.

“We are not only focusing on political leaders, but on people who build on the strengths of those they lead, people who are listened to and are willing to work towards the growth of their business and positive social change in the public sector and in their communities”, says Chuula.

“We’ve had lots of feedback from past leaders who have participated in the programme. They say it has changed their lives and helped them deal with conflict situations. They are now more self aware, feel more confident with working with difference and are more successful in leading and inspiring others.”

InterAction is a transformational leadership programme. Chuula says it is built around “Appreciative Inquiry” – a transformational methodology that focuses on what works. The programme is designed to challenge the deficit view of Africa, says Chuula.

“InterAction is not about the UK teaching Africa to use leadership skills – it’s about using new innovative tools to help global leaders deal with issues of the 21st century. UK leaders are also part of this programme. Their views of Africa are also challenged.  By training UK and African leaders together we are changing mindsets of each other. For many of the leaders, it’s the first time they are engaging with a leader from Africa or from the UK. New relationships are being built and strengthened across Africa and between Africa and the UK. The success of the programme in Africa has seen it being rolled out in Pakistan, Jordan and Eygpt.”

Lion Phasha, InterAction’s South Africa coordinator, says the feedback received from past participants has been excellent.

“After the programme, participants become more aware of their interactions with other people. It allows them to reflect on their behaviour, and they are able to deal with issues affecting their communities and things that are affecting the African continent,” he says.

“We have received a number of letters from past participants informing us that they have been promoted, that they are now more confident, inspired and aware of their role in their communities. They are now able to engage more with their African counterparts across the continent, and are able to change their negative perceptions about Africa’s future.”

Past participant, lawyer Thulisile Mhlungu, says she took part in the South African programme at a time when she needed change in her life. “The programme addressed my curiosity about who I was in an African context and what I was doing for my country.”

Mhlungu says InterAction helped her personally and professionally. “It changed my home life. I quit law because I realised that I wasn’t doing what I wanted to do. I changed the way I dressed, and the way I treated my husband. What I love most about the programme is the fact that it’s about you as an individual; it provides you with tools that enable you to communicate effectively. It makes you think of yourself as a leader, and it takes away the belief that only politicians are leaders.”

Mhlungu now works from home while simultaneously looking after her children; a situation she says will benefit both herself and her family.

To learn more about the programme, upcoming events and past events or to join, contact your local British Council office or visit www.bc-interaction.org.