As if meeting President of the United States of America, Barack Obama, was not enough, BONELA’s Uyapo Ndadi is once again taking on the world’s center stage.
This time, he travels to the world of the Japanese to receive an award that recognizes him as one of the Top Ten Outstanding Young Persons (TOYP) of the world.
The 28-year-old Motswana and his Rwandan counterpart were the only two chosen from Africa to receive the award.
The prestigious award is an initiative from Junior Chambers International (JCI) to recognize youth with potential and youth who have done well for their communities.
JCI, a worldwide organization for youth aged below 40, has branches in Botswana.
Outspoken Ndadi, who is well known for advocating for gays and lesbian rights as well as for the rights of HIV/AIDS employees in the workplace, is to receive his award in Osaka, Japan, at the JCI World Congress, which is to be held from the 2-7th of November 2010.
Deputy Director of Department of Youth, Mogogi Kojane, said that she was proud of how Ndadi’s achievements had put Botswana on the map and she was also proud of how he was raising the Botswana flag high.
‘It is young people like Ndadi who inspire other young people in Botswana to make an impact in their communities by creating positive change,” said Kojane.
On his part, Ndadi said that he was excited about travelling to Japan and that he would continue putting Botswana’s name on the map.
“The award is dedicated to my mother who is very proud of me and also to my late father who always supported me through my successes,” said Ndadi.
Junior Chambers International Botswana (JCIB) on Monday picked out a delegation of their representatives to accompany him, amongst them JCIB National President, Malaki Kereeditse, JCI Executive Vice President, Joseph Pheto, Thatayaone Kokorwe, Executive Director Ngwatshi Enyatseng, JCI Gaborone President Mokgethi Nyatseng, BONELA Chairperson Tshiamo Rantao, Monica Ditsabatho and Patricia Sekgopi, both JCI Botswana members.
