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Leadership Week opened the African STARS Fellowship with a focus on the self-awareness, purpose and relationships that shape effective leadership. Fellows Harriet Ng’ombe and Nzube Ekpunobi reflect on the lessons they will carry into their careers and the fellowship ahead.

Nzube Ekpunobi

Nzube Ekpunobi began Leadership Week with an understanding of leadership centred largely on responsibility, decision-making, and the ability to guide others. Over the course of the week, that perspective expanded. He came to see that leadership is not about always having the answers or being the person at the front of the room, but about self-awareness, listening carefully, understanding people, communicating with purpose, building trust, and creating an environment in which others can succeed.

For Nzube, this has particular significance in research, where scientific competence alone is not enough to build effective teams. Researchers work across disciplines, institutions, personalities and perspectives, and the ability to bring those differences together around a shared purpose is an important leadership skill in its own right. As he moves into the next phase of the African STARS Fellowship, Nzube is carrying several principles with him: to lead with intention, listen before responding, remain curious and recognise that meaningful impact can be created not only through his own work, but by enabling others to succeed.

 

Harriet Ng’ombe

For Harriet Ng’ombe, Leadership Week became much more than an introduction to leadership skills – it was an opportunity to reflect on herself, her journey, and the kind of leader she wants to become. One of her biggest takeaways was the importance of learning to lead yourself before leading others. Through sessions exploring personal leadership, purpose, and Ubuntu, she began thinking more deeply about the responsibility that comes with leadership and how greater self-awareness can influence the way we work with and support others.

The emotional intelligence session with Lewin Moodley particularly stayed with her, challenging her to consider how the different parts of her life connect and how understanding herself better can strengthen both her personal growth and her relationships. Harriet arrived ready to learn and left with a deeper understanding of herself and her leadership journey.

For her, the week was an investment in who the fellows are becoming as African leaders – with the next step being to put those lessons into practice and contribute to shaping the Africa they want to see.

 

News date: 2026-09-03

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