Applications Open for 2021 Cohort of Atlantic Fellows based at Tekano

Deadline: 25-Sep-20

Are you a social change leader with an innovative and provocative idea? Are you committed to health equity and to learning in a context of diversity of participants? Do you want to contribute to the agenda for health equity in South Africa, the region and the Continent? Are you up to being challenged? This may be a leadership development opportunity for you!

The Fellowship Programme aims to build the capacity of visionary, values-based, changemakers to advocate for health equity in South Africa and on the African continent. Fellows will develop shared understandings, strengthening their collective skills in working for social change. They will use collaborative strategies to support each other to transform complex social problems and redress profound disparities and inequalities.

The twelve-month Fellowship Programme is designed to achieve those shared understandings, and foster individual and collective capacities and commitments. A required social change initiative conceptualised and driven my Fellows will be supported by Tekano for up to 2 years, as required and if justified. After you have successfully completed the Fellowship Programme you continue on a lifelong journey as a part of the Lifelong Fellowship Programme.

The Atlantic Fellows for Health Equity in South Africa (AFHESA) based at Tekano is a leadership development programme for health equity in South Africa. It is about strengthening the capacities of progressive social change leaders to tackle the deep social and economic inequities that characterise South Africa and that impact on the health of its citizens. It recognises the institutional and systemic mechanisms that determine how power is distributed and resources are allocated It recognises that without sufficient and nutritious food, without safe, clean drinking water and sanitation, without safe and adequate housing, without education, without freedom from violence, without safe working conditions and without access or opportunity for medical care people will face the increased likelihood of getting sick and will die. It recognises that they are constantly exposed to profit driven marketing for harmful goods and unhealthy foods.

From individual leaders, it builds a collective cohort of Fellows, creating a space for Fellows to connect action with a deeper understanding of the systemic causes of injustice; believing that an inclusive, equitable, economically productive and healthy society comes from action that addresses the unequal distribution of resources and opportunities, and equally challenges racism, classism, xenophobia, sexism and heteronormativity.

They do this through embodying an African, feminist and decolonised approach to leadership development, connecting people to their history and contexts that were developed through indigenous cultures, based on community, equality, care, and in building social relations.
They do this through building an intentional community, held by a common purpose, committed to, connecting to, thinking with and learning from one another. Through this they encourage collaborative work and build a collective leadership ethos and approach.
They do this in partnership, in community, and through supporting social change initiatives which could take on a research or advocacy dimension or could include designing, developing and/or testing an innovative idea to solving a health equity concern. They encourage innovative, ground breaking and cutting edge developments that can help advance the health equity agenda.
They do this as part of a global network of similar initiatives in South East Asia, Australia, Ireland, the United States, the United Kingdom and here in South Africa. Through the global, interconnected set of Atlantic Fellows programmes, Fellows collaborate across disciplines and borders to understand and address the root causes of pressing global problems.

And through this they envision a more equitable South African society with improved health status across all populations, led by dynamic, visionary, values-based, politically informed leaders who individually and in catalytic communities of learning and advocacy articulate, convey, and act to promote social and economic transformation to advance health equity by addressing the structural, social and commercial determinants of health inequity.

Eligibility Criteria

Please note that they will only consider applicants who:

Reside and or work in South Africa, whatever their nationality may be.
Have evidence of showing leadership and commitment to social justice, preferably linked to health equity and/or the determinants of health.
Commit to attend and participate fully in all programme activities of the Fellowship Programme, and complete required tasks within deadlines provided.
If employed, have their employers support for participation in the Fellowship. Written proof will be required and a discussion with the employer will be held where necessary.
Have an idea for a social change initiative and a commitment and passion to undertake it.

For more information, visit https://tekano.org.za/apply/