In Memoriam Melle Leenstra (1976-2025)

The African Studies Centre Leiden is deeply saddened by the news that its former colleague Melle Leenstra passed away in The Hague on 8 January 2025.  

Melle was born in The Hague in 1976. He graduated from Wageningen University in the field of Rural Development focussing on developmental credit-based fertiliser delivery in Togo with the International Fertilizer Development Center and developmental community-based tsetse control in Kenya with the International Livestock Research Institute.  

Melle joined the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2003. He followed a three-month postgraduate programme for starting diplomats at Campus The Hague of Leiden University. During a posting as desk officer for Zambia and Zimbabwe at the Africa Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he contributed to developing an IS Academy (International Cooperation Academy) partnership between the African Studies Centre Leiden and the department. This materialised into a PhD project on the Zambian health sector from a political science/public administration perspective. Melle was seconded to the African Studies Centre Leiden during this period. He successfully defended his doctoral thesis at Leiden University entitled Beyond the façade: instrumentalisation of the Zambian health sector in March 2012.  

The secondment at the African Studies Centre Leiden fitted Melle well, as he was able to connect knowledge and policy/practice, which he was very much an advocate for and passionate about. This connection between knowledge and policy/practice remained at the forefront of all the postings (Uganda, Kenya, Egypt) and positions he held within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It also sparked a special interest in the human factor of international collaboration. Melle’s LinkedIn profile title ‘Chief Knowledge and Inspiration Officer Africa’ testifies to this. 

Melle was passionate about international collaboration, especially in the context of Africa. Work was never ‘just’ work for him, it was part of his life. He was on a mission to contribute to a more equal world. Melle worked tirelessly on forging equitable relations between the Netherlands and Africa. Relations that connect continents, countries, regions, but most importantly people. He had a genuine interest in people and their ideas and opinions and he thoroughly enjoyed discussing these. 

There is an African proverb that greatly captures how the impact that Melle has made with his passion and dedication to international collaboration, sustainability, equity and justice will continue to live on: “A mighty tree has fallen but its roots continue to give life to the forest”.   

Melle was a proud and loving husband and father of two daughters. We wish his wife, daughters, family and friends strength in these difficult times.  

Melle, you will be missed, always remembered. May you rest in peace.