Unfortunately, there are very few initiatives that focus on developing leadership sustainably, across all industries, and that also take into account the development of a leader in a holistic manner. When the opportunity comes along to partner with such an initiative, therefore, many organisations would be quick to come on board.

This was certainly the case with the 2009 Vodacom Business Leading Male CEO Council, which this year takes place in Indigo Bay, Mozambique, at the beautiful resort operated by Rani Resorts. The programme focuses on the development of twenty up-and-coming businessmen, hand-selected by twenty leading male CEOs, who will act as their mentors.

The weekend, however, which comprises debates, learning sessions and networking, is just the beginning. Upon their return, both mentors and mentees will attend a monthly full-day workshop at Wits Business School, Leadership Partner to the initiative, which will cover various aspects of leadership development, including both theoretical and practical study. At the end of the year-long initiative –

The 2009 Mentorship Skills for Leadership Programme – participants will receive a certificate of completion from the business school.

The opportunities for synergistic alignment with an initiative of this nature are endless, and top brands that are passionate about sustainable leadership development have elected to partner at variouslevels of involvement. It provides them with the opportunity to build their brands, while contributing towards efforts to build a new leadership cadre in South Africa that can carry the baton in the decades to come, and strengthen our already promising pool of talent.

The concept started out as an annual dinner debate between leading CEOs from various industries, and was rated by The Sunday Times as one of the top three events of the year for three years running.

It was the brainchild of Alison Gregg, founder of Alison Gregg Public Relations, who has a passion for developing South Africa's next cadre of leaders, and when it quickly became apparent that an evening's debate was simply not enough, she took up the challenge of creating a platform for sharing leadership philosophies and practices, where young leaders are also included.

This year's event, therefore, is the launch of the concept of a Council of leaders, who will take it upon themselves to each be personally responsible for the leadership development of a particular individual, chosen by them, who demonstrates promise and commitment for the challenges that lie ahead.

For the partners of this initiative, it means that they are lending their time, effort and support to a development programme that is committed to values they share - values such as meaningful empowerment, commitment to sustainability, a passion for leadership, and the transfer of knowledge and experience. It also shows their commitment to developing a person in their entirety - at a professional, academic, emotional and spiritual level.

As Walter Lippman said, "the final test of a leader is that he leaves behind in others the conviction and will to carry on," and this is a key focus of The 2009 Vodacom Business Leading Male CEO Council -

Indigo Bay. Mentors will be encouraged to help instil in their mentees the desire to not only empower themselves as leaders, but to one day empower others. It is only in this way that leaders will leave behind a lasting legacy of true empowerment.