Our Foundation, Our Patron
Our Foundation has been privileged and honoured by its patrons since its inception. The role of our patron is to provide the iconic leadership and international reputation that supports the credibility and ongoing expansion of the Ducere Foundation and its parent body, the Ducere Global Business School, through its key values, aspiration, and purpose.
THE PRESENT
Dr Joyce Banda: Entrepreneur, Activist, Politician and Philanthropist
As the Ducere Foundation reaches its first decade in December 2021, we are delighted to announce that Her Excellency Dr Joyce Banda has accepted our invitation to be our next Patron.
It is most fitting that after the death our inaugural Patron, the late Quett Ketumile Joni Masire GCMG, second President of Botswana (1980–1998), our next Patron is also a former president.
Dr Banda served as the first female President of the Republic of Malawi, 2012–2014, the second female president in Africa. Dr Banda is a courageous person who has experienced the extremes of life, sharing much joy and facing enormous pain.
Our newly appointed Patron is a very special woman, known by many as Africa’s second leading lady and a champion of women and girls. We will work together to tell their stories, publish their dreams, and encourage many to engage in higher education and influence their worlds.
Dr Banda was named by Forbes as Africa’s Most Powerful Woman in 2013 and 2014, voted by Forbes as the forty-third most powerful woman in the world in 2013, named by Forbes as one of the world’s most powerful black women in 2014 and named by TIME as one of the top 100 most influential people in the world in 2013. Significantly, CNN also named her as one of the most inspirational women in politics in 2014. Every day, Dr Banda works with commitment and passion through her own Foundation to provide education, nourish thousands of children, and provide hope and inspiration.
We are honored to have Dr Banda in our midst.
THE PAST
Inaugural Patron: the late Quett Ketumile Joni Masire GCMG
Our inaugural Patron was the late Quett Ketumile Joni Masire GCMG, the second President of Botswana (1980–1998). Sir Ketumile became a close friend and supporter of the Foundation, influencing us through his belief in, and understanding of, Botswana’s 3000-year-old tradition and culture of the Kgotla, and his passion for education. Sir Ketumile was heavily involved in the work of the Foundation via his membership of the Ducere Global Leader’s Faculty, ongoing discussion about 21st century leadership, attendance and keynote addresses at major events, and ongoing peace advocacy.
