Delegates from left to right: Lael, Amal, Tamandani, Chelsea, Thumbiko, Ethan, Tamanda, Shekinah K, Meer, Marrium, Romeo, Dulmi, Zara, Gabriella, Abigail, Akuzike, Shekinah B, Hannah, Grace, Hassan, Ronia

The African Leadership Academy Model African Union (ALAMAU) 2025 brought together young leaders from across the continent in Johannesburg, South Africa to simulate the AU. This year, the focus was ‘Strengthening Africa’s Institutions Towards Shared Peace and Prosperity’. This theme is especially relevant considering how important international organisations are in promoting peace and security, and how they are currently under threat. SAIntS students professionally took on the role of delegates from a variety of African countries, putting their diplomacy and public speaking skills to the test. The conference was a place for critical discussion on Africa’s most pressing challenges including health, finance, technology, human rights, political stability and education, where the delegates collaborated and negotiated to create resolution papers with impressive solutions.

There was also very different (but equally as challenging) work for three of us who represented the press, myself included. We were constantly the focus of discussion amongst the delegates and the secretariat, especially after we all got in trouble for being ‘too aggressive’; a stark contrast to what they are used to. However, we proved ourselves at the diplomatic round table, where we all delivered scathing and brilliant speeches in front of the entire conference, proving that the rumours of our engagement were true and that we were the best press they had ever seen.

It was truly an unforgettable experience, and SAIntS dominated! Our delegates won 14 of the committee-specific awards including Honourable Mention, Best Position Paper, Best Speaker, and Best Delegate. Check out the SAIntS social media pages for a full run-down of all the awards.

Special recognition belongs to Tamanda, Amal, and Lael who won some of the most exclusive awards of the conference. These awards are given to only one out of over 250 delegates. Tamanda won the Kwame Nkrumah Award for best diplomatic writing. Amal won the Ubuntu Award for commitment to collaboration and collectivism in thought, speech and writing. Most impressively, Lael won the Secretariat’s Choice Award as the best overall delegate of the entire conference. I’m so proud of everyone that came along and very grateful for this experience.

Lastly, we want to thank Mr. Taylor, Mrs. Patel, and Mr. Ashley for organising the trip to Johannesburg, helping us with preparation since September, guiding us with our editorials and position papers, coaching us on public speaking, and supporting us throughout the entire five-day conference. 

Reported by Zara Shah