A Chevening Scholar’s journey at the 2024 Orientation — where global leadership began and her lens captured a story later featured on the ExCeL London website
From Luanda to London: Sofonie Dala’s Defining Moment at ExCeL
Chevening Orientation 2024 at ExCeL London
On 23 November 2024, Sofonie Dala walked through the Prince Regent Entrance of ExCeL London with a quiet sense of awe. Set along the shimmering waters of the Royal Victoria Dock, the vast glass façade of the venue reflected both the London skyline and the dreams of hundreds of scholars gathering inside. It was more than an event — it was the official beginning of her Chevening journey in the United Kingdom.
Inside the ICC Capital Hall, the energy was electric. Scholars from across the world greeted one another for the first time — future policymakers, scientists, entrepreneurs, and change-makers united by one scholarship and one shared commitment to leadership. For Sofonie, representing Angola, the moment carried deep meaning: years of dedication in energy, sustainability, and community leadership had led her to this global stage.
The morning unfolded in the ICC Auditorium with opening remarks from Andrew Chadwick, Director of Chevening Scholarships, and a special address by Stephen Doughty, Minister of State at the FCDO. Their speeches emphasized responsibility, diplomacy, and the power of international collaboration — values that resonated deeply with Sofonie’s own mission to connect sustainability, education, and energy development.
During the breakout sessions, she engaged in conversations about biodiversity leadership, human rights partnerships, personal branding, and career strategy. Each session felt like a building block — shaping not only her academic path in the UK but also her long-term vision for impact in Angola and beyond.
At lunchtime, under the high ceilings of the Capital Hall, cultures blended effortlessly. Laughter, business cards, LinkedIn connections, and future collaborations filled the space. The afternoon keynote by Cortina Butler from the British Council reinforced the global dimension of the Chevening network — a lifelong community of leaders.
As the day closed with a drinks reception, golden light streamed through the glass walls overlooking the dock. Sofonie stepped outside briefly and captured a photograph of the docklands at sunset — the water calm, the sky painted in amber and blue, the ExCeL structure standing as a symbol of global dialogue.
Later, that very photograph — taken from her perspective as a Chevening Scholar — was selected and featured on the ExCeL London website. It was a powerful full-circle moment: not only had she entered the venue as a scholar, but her artistic eye and storytelling lens became part of the venue’s own narrative.
https://thepeoplespicture.com/projects/excel-london/#nanogallery/myGallery/0/117
For Sofonie Dala, the 2024 Chevening Orientation was not simply a mandatory gathering. It was the beginning of a leadership chapter defined by visibility, voice, and vision — a moment when Angola stood proudly represented in one of London’s most iconic international spaces.
GALLERY
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