The Black Baton: A quiet revolution in leadership for young African change-makers

Contribute to this fundraising campaign now.

Oscar Mwaanga, a pioneer in sport for development and decolonial education, is raising funds to print and distribute free copies of his ground-breaking new book, The Black Baton: Letters from a Father on Leadership, to young leaders across Africa and around the world. This campaign is leading up to the book’s official launch on July 18th, Nelson Mandela Day, a fitting tribute given that Mandela is one of the central figures whose reflections shape the book’s narrative.

What makes The Black Baton truly unique is its bold incorporation of a decolonial perspective, centering African Ubuntu philosophy and celebrating the stories of African athletes and legends. Through a beautiful blend of storytelling and sport for development, the book repositions leadership as a communal, relational, and sacred calling, challenging dominant Western paradigms of individualism and ego-driven leadership.

By weaving the wisdom of icons like Nelson Mandela—whose life and leadership serve as a cornerstone of the book—alongside other influential figures like Muhammad Ali, Graça Machel, and Serena Williams, The Black Baton restores dignity to African knowledge systems and emphasizes legacy as intergenerational stewardship. Each chapter ends with reflective prompts, inviting readers to pen their own “baton letters,” further embracing the participatory spirit of Ubuntu.

A call to action for sport for development leaders

We invite leaders of sport for development organizations to join this movement. Your involvement means your organization will receive free copies of The Black Baton to distribute among the young leaders you mentor and support. Together, we can empower the next generation with the values and wisdom that will shape a brighter future.

Contribute or share the campaign: https://gofund.me/a2ee45a1

Every donor will receive a signed copy of The Black Baton as a token of appreciation.

Let’s pass the baton—and reclaim the race—together.