CYP Africa Centre gets new Regional Director

Mrs. Valencia Mogegeh. New Regional Director for the Commonwealth Youth Programme Africa Centre

The Commonwealth Youth Programme has appointed a new Regional Director for the Commonwealth Youth Programme Africa Centre based in Lusaka, Zambia.

Mrs. Valencia Mogegeh, from Botswana took up her appointment on December 15, 2003. She replaces Mr. Ignatius Takawira who was promoted to head CYP at the Commonwealth Secretariat in London.

Speaking at a General Staff Meeting on December 16, 2003, Mrs. Mogegeh thanked the staff for the warm welcome accorded to her and said she looked forward to working with everyone at the Centre. She emphasised the need for teamwork and encouraged the staff to work hard.

“Each one of us has to pull their weight to meet our targets. If we fail, let it be because we have limitations and not because we didn’t do our work,” Mrs. Mogegeh said.

“The key thing is to encourage each other so that we maximize results,” she added.

Mrs. Mogegeh holds a Masters Degree in Education, specialising in Curriculum Development and Educational Management. She worked for the government of Botswana as Director in the Department of Women’s Affairs. She also worked as Deputy Director for the Gender and Youth Affairs Department, Commonwealth Secretariat in London.

Prior to joining CYP, Mrs. Mogegeh worked as Policy Adviser for United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Botswana. Her experience working in government and the international development sector will add value to the work of Commonwealth Youth Programme in Africa.