BIUST is proud to celebrate Thandi Cynthia Bonno, a final-year Civil and Environmental Engineering student, who has recently returned from serving as a Mentor at the 2025 Miracle Corners of the World (MCW) Global Young Leaders Fellowship. This milestone marks a powerful full-circle moment in her leadership journey, as she first joined the program as a Fellow in 2023 and has now returned to guide others through the same transformative experience.
The MCW Global Young Leaders Fellowship, organized by the New York–based nonprofit MCW Global, is a year-long program that brings together young changemakers from across the world to design and implement impactful community projects in education, health, and economic security. Fellows gain critical leadership skills, access to global networks, and one-on-one mentorship as they develop solutions to pressing challenges in their communities.
In her 2025 role, Thandi mentored a diverse group of young leaders, supporting them in conceptualizing, refining, and implementing their projects. She also underwent intensive mentorship training in the United States, with sessions hosted at New York University and Champlain College in Burlington, Vermont.
“The mentorship training alone is a big win,” she reflected. “It’s a powerful skill set I’ll carry far beyond this program. I want to use it to support even more young leaders back home in Botswana. It’s a ripple effect, and I want to be at the center of it.”
Thandi’s dedication to education and youth empowerment continues to grow. Building on her experiences, she co-founded Ngwana Wa Motswana Education Essentials, a youth-led NGO committed to addressing challenges in Botswana’s education sector while advancing the Sustainable Development Goals and Africa’s Agenda 2063.
Her leadership journey has also been deeply influenced by BIUST, where she served as Secretary General of the Student Representative Council (SRC). In this role, she spearheaded initiatives that enhanced student life and strengthened community engagement, including the BIUST Civic Engagement and Community Outreach Workshop. Beyond leadership, she is a member of the Living and Learning Community and a celebrated chess player, having represented both BIUST and Botswana on multiple occasions.
“My time with the SRC helped me grow immensely,” she noted. “The leadership training we received strengthened my confidence, strategic thinking, and ability to lead with purpose.”Looking back, she encourages fellow BIUST students to make the most of their university experience:
“University is more than just going to class. Join a club, start a club, and network, network, network! This is your trial run before life gets serious.”
Thandi’s journey from mentee to mentor is a shining example of resilience, passion, and global leadership. Her story reflects the BIUST spirit—producing graduates who are not only academically accomplished but also socially conscious leaders.
Kudos to you, Thandi. We are proud to celebrate your achievement and the ripple effect of your leadership.