For popular radio personality and entrepreneur Napoleon Nyanhi, participating in the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders is akin to taking the Zimbabwean brand to the global stage.
Known on radio as DJ Napster the Radio Master, Napoleon, the versatile talk show host will spend six weeks at Clark University in Atlanta where he will sell the Zimbabwean brand as well as innovative ideas to develop his media business to other young African leaders as well as his American counterparts.
In addition to hosting the breakfast show for a commercial radio station, Napster anchors two television shows including the high impact discussion on economic issues “Economic Forum” broadcast on ZTV. In addition, he hosts the hip-hop musical show “Coke on the Beat” sponsored by an American brand, Coca cola.
His venture in the media industry has seen him being the first media personality from Zimbabwe to be allowed to live red carpet interviews of the prestigious South African Music Awards. But there is more…the Zimbabwean brand name is the face ofthe Population Services International (PSI) Zimbabwe in promoting positive living and responsible reproductive health behaviors. He is also brand ambassador for Chicken Slice, a commercial company and the Election Resource Centre, working to promote youth participation in democratic processes.
During his fellowship Napstar hopes to push himself into spaces where he will, “gain contacts, exposure and experience.” He considers the Washington Fellowship to be “one of the best strategies ever implemented to assist Africa as financial aid and other humanitarian efforts can only go so far in assistance.” He believes President Obama’s initiative is “unique in assisting Africans to develop solutions for themselves that will not only be sustainable but applicable in African contexts through equipping young African leaders with tools to propel the continent further through strong leadership.”
Upon his return from the fellowship, Napster hopes to use the knowledge and exposure gained “to play a significant role in assisting the Zimbabwean broadcasting authority in its quest to become digital.” As an entrepreneur he also hopes to expand his fish farming business to commercial scale.
Napoleon is a holder of a Bachelor of Business Studies Degree in Marketing attained at Africa University. You can follow his MWF experience on twitter @napoleonnhanyi
