Association of Independent Publishers' (AIP) board director Mbali Dhlomo has been selected as one of just 25 global Eisenhower Fellows for 2009.

The Eisenhower Fellowships recognise emerging leaders from around the world and takes them to the USA for an intensive seven-week programme of networking and reflection, during which they enhance their professional capabilities, broaden their contacts, and deepen their perspectives.

Dhlomo was selected on the basis of her pioneering work as an independent grassroots publisher in KwaZulu Natal, where she publishes Genuine magazine and Intuthuko newspaper.

Genuine magazine was launched with Dhlomo's pension money when she went "solo" in 2001.

Targeted at KZN families, the glossy lifestyle magazine promotes a strong self-help and positive living ethos. Intuthuko, which means 'to advance' in isiZulu, is a indigenous-language newspaper with a similar ethos that focuses on developmental and hard news.

Dhlomo's success at surviving and thriving as an independent publisher in a fiercely competitive industry dominated by multi-national conglomerates won her election onto the AIP board by her peers two years ago. That same ethical business philosophy and entrepreneurial spirit has won Dhlomo support by the statutory Media Development & Diversity Agency (MDDA), and recognition by the Eisenhower Fellowship board.

The Eisenhower Fellowships are operated in tribute to former US president Dwight D. Eisenhower and his vision of greater international understanding between nations.

Its board is chaired by former US secretary of state Colin Powell, and includes another former secretary of state, Madeleine Albright, as well as some of the world's most powerful captains of industry. Dhlomo's seven-week trip to the US has been tailored to allow her to meet with media strategists, publishers, and global TV personalities.

"Mbali is a dynamic entrepreneur, and independent thinker, who has used really innovative solutions to overcome massive hurdles  -- and in the process has pioneered grassroots magazine publishing in rural KZN with impressive flair," says current AIP president, Justin Arenstein.

"Her selection by the Eisenhower Fellowships, ahead of nominees from far better resourced backgrounds, showcases the professional excellence and innovation that can be found in southern Africa's grassroots press."

AIP is southern Africa's largest self-help industry body for small independent publishers. It currently has over 260 member publications, across South African and in six neighbouring states, ranging from township and rural newspapers, to independent magazines, journals and wall-papers.

AIP's core mandate is to improve the competitiveness and professionalism of independent smaller publishers, by providing cost effective tools, support mechanisms, and business strategies to counter those used by better-resourced conglomerate competitors.