Meet alex
Alex “Sandman” Sandile is The Leo Project’s newest team member. An OG Leo Project Club member, serious basketball-er, and passionate day trader, Alex holds the fort down at Leo Local.
Who has influenced you the most and how?
It would have to be my mom. I remember as a kid how she would wake me up. She would come to my bed in the morning and say, “the lion, never sleeps” which surprisingly, always woke me up. From a young age she taught me priceless life values and based on how she pushed me, I would argue that she is the sole reason for my academic success. I hope to one day be as amazing of a parent as my mom was.
How do you treat yourself?
I love food. Love with a capital L😍. So for me, a proper treat would have to include some great food and possibly some great company as well. Anyone down for some nyama choma? Ama nyinyi ni watu wa veggie burger?😁😁
Which has been your favorite youth cafe session to attend and why?
This is a tough one. I remember the first Youth Café I attended was at BinBan. During the previous session, apparently people had feasted on endless Pizzas which got me excited. (I said I love food) Lauren had a session on mental health and while no Pizza was in sight that time round, biscuits and lollipops filled the room, and my stomach. Mic’s session on cryptocurrency would be a close second since am a big fan of anything finance.
What is your favorite expression to speak in German?
Kein Problem! It simply means no problem in English. I think of it as the German equivalent of hakuna matata.
What do you do when you get home at the end of a workday?
Everyday is different for me. But one thing I do whenever I want to relax is listen to some music. Currently, I’ve been binge-listening to Liqwyd and Scandinavianz. Check them out if you love EDM or house music fused with hip hop and some jazz.
Who inspires you?
I draw inspiration from a bunch of people in diverse fields. In basketball, it would be Steph Curry since he has achieved so much despite all the doubt. In business, it would be George Westinghouse as he held his employees with great regard which was very uncommon for the early titans of the American industry. I hope to be an African titan of industry someday soon and taking care of my employees will be just as high up on the list as turning a profit.
Any underdog that wins despite all the obstacles they face is a hero to me.
What movie did you watch most recently? Would you recommend it?
Thor: Love and Thunder. Thor is my second favorite superhero in the MCU. So I would definitely recommend the movie but only after watching the first two. In fact, I think the MCU movies should be watched chronologically to make sense.
What vision do you have for the future of Leo Local?
The short answer to this is that in five or ten years, I want a ton of young guys to look back and say that without Leo Local, then it would have been near impossible to achieve what they will have achieved by then.
My vision is that Leo Local will provide the youth with skills and opportunities that will empower them to conquer whatever fields they choose. Be it art, music, film, business, professional e.t.c. In the not-so-distant future, we should have a couple of icons in diverse fields who had their start or breakthrough at Leo Local. Think of it as a more potent version of the Paypal Mafia. And of course, with the success of Leo Local, the same model will be replicated throughout the country and even the continent, compounding the positive effects on an unimaginable scale.
In a few years, I hope that the default next step for anyone out of high school will be to join the nearest Leo Local.
What's your astrological sign? What qualities of that sign do you possess?
I am a Libra. Balance, harmony, and justice define my energy.