The Mandela Rhodes Foundation Annual Scholarship is a life-changing leadership journey. The scholarship combines financial support with a leadership programme that will challenge you, grow you, and connect you to young African changemakers. The program is open for master’s degree studies at higher educational institutions in South Africa.
The programme is built on the founding principles of reconciliation, education, entrepreneurship, and leadership, and a belief that leadership begins with inner transformation. The Mandela Rhodes Foundation aims to keep Nelson Mandela’s legacy alive by equipping young African leaders with the competence and courage to transform the continent into a place where everyone has equal opportunity to thrive. Their programme is delivered primarily through a series of week- long residential workshops which you will attend during your time in residence.
The foundation’s mission
The purpose of The Mandela Rhodes Foundation is to build exceptional leadership capacity in Africa. To this end, they find, fund, and empower young Africans who aspire to use their talents to serve their societies and their continent. They develop leaders who pursue the realisation of true equality, of dignity and equal opportunity, and who have the courage to unite people to achieve a better life for all. They offer their scholars a life-changing journey of personal growth, built on their founding principles of reconciliation, education, entrepreneurship and leadership.
Scholarship benefits
The Mandela Rhodes Scholarship offers comprehensive funding for the core costs associated with your studies.
It covers tuition for a one-year Honours degree or a two-year Masters degree in any field at a recognised South African institution of higher education.
Tuition includes:
- Registration fees.
- Allowances for study materials.
- Research.
- Medical aid.
- Accommodation and meals.
- Personal allowance.
- Economy class travel to and from your home country to your South African university at the beginning and end of your degree.
Requirements
Conditions to be eligible for the scholarship:
- You must be academically strong: your marks should be above 70% or an upper second.
- You must also have demonstrated leadership on your campus or in your community. See the selection criteria and the scholar testimonials at their website.
- Students who are citizens of an African country, no matter where they are currently living or studying, are eligible.
- If you are between the ages of 19 and 29 at the time of applying, you are eligible. As long as you are under the age of 30 at the time you take up the scholarship, you are eligible to apply.
- The Mandela Rhodes Scholarship is for postgraduate study (Honours and Masters degrees) in any field, with the exception of MBAs, which is not funded.
Application process
The application will be done online through their website.
Documents you will need for the application:
- Recommenders: They require three letters of recommendation, in English, as part of your application. Your recommenders must submit their letters through our application platform. Without these letters, you cannot submit your application.
2. Documentation: You will be required to upload certificates of completion for your degrees, transcripts of your academic results, and scans of your ID and passport documents. Your documents and transcripts must be provided in English.
3. Essays: You will be asked to write two short essays, one on your personal journey, and one on a specific question relating to our principles.
4. Application for university: You will be asked to fill in your proposed course of study on your application. They do not require proof that you have applied, but it is recommended that you apply to universites as soon as possible.
Application deadline
Applications open on 14 March 2025 and close 21 April 2025.
Visit the Mandela Rhodes Foundation Annual Scholarship website for more details.
