Though Africa is a part of the world which has an international narrative that is often dominated by difficult news, there are plenty of stories of perseverance, success, and excellence that serve to showcase the good that can be found on the diverse continent. When international organizations focus on these stories, they can serve to change viewpoints and become aspirational cases for millions. One person that is working to do just that is Isabel dos Santos, daughter of Angola’s former president. Through her charitable initiatives she has highlighted the stories of some of the region’s most remarkable people. A look at her work in this field can help to show just how important these types of efforts can be.
Personal overview
Isabel dos Santos is prominently known as Africa’s richest woman, a standing that has afforded a great ability to give back to her community. Through her work with the Angolan government, and various private ventures, she has grown her notoriety as a savvy businesswoman and entrepreneurial mind. Her business efforts have spanned numerous industries, including finance, construction, fossil fuels, and telecommunications. Throughout all of these ventures she has kept a focus on not only how the business entity could be financially viable and deliver on the promise of its vision, but also for how it could do so in a socially-conscious manner.
Born in Azerbaijan, she is a true citizen of the world, having spent large portions of her life in different countries in order to gain a global perspective for which she would become known. Growing up, she was educated at Cobham Hall, a prestigious all-girls day and boarding school in England. She would then go on to attend King’s College in London, where she would embrace her natural aptitude and interest in science by studying electrical engineering. It was at King’s College where she would meet her now husband, a citizen of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, then Zaire.
Principle behind charitable works
The charitable works engaged in by the businesswoman are reflective of her personal goals and interests in promoting hard work and integrity. She is always seeking out talented individuals in her home country of Angola and throughout Africa at large. This search is rooted in a desire to empower the next generation of leaders, whether that be in politics, business, or society. By shining a spotlight on exceptional individuals, she hopes to not only give them a boost along their path in life, but to also highlight their story to serve as an inspiration to others.
One of the prime reasons that much of the entrepreneur’s charitable work focuses on singling out hard work and determination is that she feels a personal connection to people who display these traits. This is true not only in the field of business, where she has worked determinedly for the past twenty years, but also in terms of the belief that a single person can make a big difference. That belief in the transformational power of a single individual extends to all scales of life, be it at home or on an international level.
Examples of highlighted stories
Many of the stories that are on display through the platform afforded by Dos Santos are examples of young people who are using their own business acumen to improve their lives. One such feature focuses on a young man who started his career as a bartender working for establishments owned by others. During his time in that profession, he found that he had a natural aptitude not just for the work itself, but also organizational efforts to streamline a larger institution. He went on to become a manager at that bar and would eventually open his own hotel of which he is the main operator. His long-term goal is to become a supplier of cocktails on the national level, with the hope that he can someday rank number one in that industry (Instagram).
Another example of a business person that the charitable outreach highlights is a young entrepreneur who is involved in the telecommunications industry. He got his start informally selling telecommunications equipment on the street and in large markets. When he had enough resources, he started his own store comprised of only two employees in order to continue his business in a more official manner. Today he runs more than twenty-three stores and seventy-five kiosks. In recognition of his continued hard work and success, the telecommunications company with which he partners presented him with a diploma highlighting his high level of success.
Other forums
Many of the stories shared by Dos Santos are highlighted on her website, a central location for much of her outreach. In addition to her efforts online, she is also often invited to speak at public forums where she can spread word of her work and the work of others. One such event was an opportunity to speak at Yale University earlier this year.
That opportunity was at the invitation of the Yale Undergraduate Association for African Peace and Development, an organization seeking to ignite a passion for conflict resolution, peace, and development in Africa and the African diaspora. As a keynote speaker at the event, the businesswoman was able to shine a light on the efforts of others while serving as a model of what can be achieved through hard work. With the event predicated on the ultimate goal of increasing the wellbeing of all Africans, the speaking appearance was an opportunity to bring much-needed attention to the stories of people who often go unnoticed.
As the conversation around Africa slowly changes on the world stage, organizations and people that are working to accelerate this change are playing a critical role. The efforts undertaken by Isabel dos Santos through her charitable programs as well as public appearances are just one example of this type of work. As more and more young entrepreneurs and leaders get highlighted, people are beginning to take notice of the exciting changes taking place on the continent. With the pace of this work continuing unabated, the future is looking increasingly bright for Africa’s dedicated citizenry.
More about Isabel dos Santos at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isabel_dos_Santos
