Former South African first lady‚ Graça Machel told the African Leadership Academy’s (ALA’s) graduate class this weekend that there was a difference between leading and ruling. “Leadership is linked to service. Leadership is also a choice. Never limit your ability. But never get to a point where you think you have learnt enough‚” Machel said.She was addressing 96 graduates of the Johannesburg-based academy who completed a two year programme that‚ according to the academy’s vision statement‚ aims to mould “young leaders to demonstrate leadership‚ entrepreneurial spirit‚ commitment to service and academic excellence”.The research-driven academy‚ admits students from 44 African countries‚ and its research is focused on science‚ the humanities and international affairs. The academy also offers Cambridge A’ level courses in economics‚ physics‚ mathematics‚ chemistry and biologySince its inception in 2008‚ the academy has graduated 534 students. Some of the graduates have gone on to become entrepreneurs and social activists in their home countries. Entrance is determined on merit and need as the academy is funded by a string of big companies including Coca Cola‚ IBM and Google.“At the core of our mission is the idea that our young leaders will drive change on the continent: coming home and giving back”‚ said founder and CEO of the academy Chris Bradford.Joseph Munyambanza from the Democratic Republic of Congo‚ grew up in a refugee camp‚ attended ALA and went on to raise funds to build the first secondary school in his refugee camp. Through this school‚ Munyambanza has sent 12 graduates to colleges in the US and Africa.Eddy Oketch from Kenya founded the Peace for Africa and Economic Development‚ in response to the post-election violence in his home country‚ whilst still studying at ALA. This organisation went on to mobilise 350‚000 youth and engaged 5-million voters in Kenya.Oketch is currently studying a master’s degree at Yale’s Institute for Global Affairs.-RDM News Wire..