H.E Prof. Ameenah Gurib-Fakim

PGMAG EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH

H.E Prof. Ameenah Gurib-Fakim

PGMAG: Your Excellency, it’s an honour to have another opportunity to interview you for the Powerhouse Global Magazine.

HPA: It is always a great pleasure to be speaking to Powerhouse Global Magazine!

PGMAG: As the First female President of the Republic of Mauritius, a scientist, and a global champion for capacity building, what are some of the strategies one can apply to break free from the hold limiting beliefs?

HPA: I am a strong believer in the transformational role of education in the life of an individual. I am such a product. I grew up in a small village and could never have aspired to be anything but a good gave me that springboard of substance. So why capacity building matters for the African continent? Africa will be home to the youngest population on the planet and become the main source of human resource by 2050. Having a young population is a double edge sword.. a bounty and a bane.. Bounty ? if managed these talents can serve the country/ region.. A bane? If not carefully nurtured, we can witness more events like those that have triggered the Tunisian revolution. Yet Africa needs to leverage all of her talents in order to improve the livelihoods of her populations. These young people need quality education from a tender age and all the way up to university level. This investment in the young people’s education must come from their respective governments. The latter has also the responsibility to create the ecosystem these young need to nurture their ideas in start ups/ incubators and become job creators. Of course, it goes without saying that women have a key role to play in this equation.

What we are going to do with the ‘Africa Women Leadership Network’ (AWLN) is to match the talents of our young women, initially to some of the best Universities within the continent and address some key thematic issues such as Agriculture, Food & Energy security, Water, Big data, etc.. This will also be a good way of attracting the 6th African region – the Diaspora and encourage brain circulation.

PGMAG: What were some of the lessons you learned while in office as the ‘President’ of Republic of Mauritius?

HPA: In fact I had started such a programme for the country when I was in Office. As for any new initiative, it was looked upon with suspicion. People always query your agenda!.. I did not have any but the will to leave behind a legacy. I persisted, as always.. I was informed that several of those students have now graduated with their PhDs! Interestingly, I was reading in the newspaper today that the European Union is encouraging and enabling mobility of students across the continent through scholarships!

PGMAG: In your capacity as a global leader, what would you say were the top three keys that have enabled you to achieve success in life?

HPA: To achieve success as a woman implies many things. It starts from childhood. It starts with the family when I had a father who invested in me, in my education, in building my self-confidence. This matters so much later in life when one is confronted with risks.. How does one have this selfconfidence to take risks? Also a woman needs to believe in herself, never turn bitter when you have been denied something that you feel you rightly deserved.. use that energy to build a new pathway and NEVER ever give up.. Just know that at the end of a very dark tunnel, there is light!

PGMAG: Congratulations on your recent appointment as the ‘African Women Leader Network’ champion.

HPA:

I only feel that I contributing to a cause that I firmly believe in. The belief in that cause has cost me dearly but I am not going to be deterred and it is also my own way of giving back!

PGMAG: Please tell us more about this new role, the task involved and how you intend.

HPA: Let us take each other by the hand, create a community of strong, confident women.. Let us rise together and not disparage each other.. Because if we donot show solidarity, we will all sink together… to tackle them.

PGMAG: Finally, what is your message for African Leaders?

HPA: Over the past few years since AWLN has been launched in New York, it has started creating awareness of women empowerment and other issues like education, gender-based violence etc. It has also encouraged the setting up of AWLN chapters in each country. These chapters reinforce the causes mentioned above. There are other champions but I have been tasked with the Education/STI part for obvious reasons. We are working with the private sector to engage them in this initiative as their contribution and collaboration are critical in this venture. It is about addressing the priorities and the funding as well. We are now in a position where we can kick start this initiative by launching a scholarship programme for women in STI across the continent.

PGMAG: What is your message for the women of the world?

HPA: Invest in the youth of respective countries; create the necessary environment that will attract talents and encourage the 6th region of Africa (the diaspora) to come back and mentor the younger folks and who knows they may even think of staying behind.. thus reversing brain drain.

PGMAG: Thank you for sharing your brilliance with us through this interview. We are truly grateful for your support and encouragement.

HPA: It is always a great joy to share with you!

PGMAG: Please share your website/links with us.

HPA: :www.aguribfakim. org; tweet; LinkedIn, FB, Instagram @aguribfakim