Mandela Rhodes Foundation

About the Mandela Rhodes Foundation

The Mandela Rhodes Foundation is a South African non-profit organisation set up in 2003. It grew from a partnership between Nelson Mandela and the Rhodes Trust of Oxford. The Foundation is independently governed in South Africa. It is not the same body as the Rhodes Trust, which separately runs the Rhodes Scholarship for study at Oxford.

Its main purpose is to build strong leaders for Africa. The Foundation says it has supported more than 760 scholars from 38 African countries, across dozens of academic fields. Its scholars come from many backgrounds, but they share a wish to serve their communities and the continent.

How the Mandela Rhodes Scholarship supports students

The Mandela Rhodes Scholarship is a postgraduate award. It funds one-year Honours degrees or Masters degrees of up to two years at South African universities. Published guidance says the funding covers tuition and registration fees. MBA programmes are excluded.

The scholarship is more than money, however. Every scholar joins a compulsory Leadership Development Programme that runs for one or two years, depending on the length of the degree. It is delivered mainly through intensive week-long workshops. Scholars also receive mentorship and join a pan-African community of fellow scholars and alumni.

Because of this design, the scholarship rewards the whole person. The Foundation looks for character and integrity, intellectual strength, commitment to serving Africa and leadership potential. Marks matter, but a strong record of community involvement counts too.

The Foundation reports scholars from 36 different academic disciplines, so the award is not limited to one field. Applicants in science, the humanities, health, law and business are all welcome, provided the degree is an Honours or Masters at a South African institution. Scholars from outside South Africa should also check study permit rules early, since moving to another country involves paperwork and waiting times.

What to know before applying

The scholarship is open to citizens of African countries, not only South Africans. In earlier published calls, applicants had to be between 19 and 30 years old and hold a first degree, or be about to complete one. Age limits and cut-off dates can shift, so confirm the rules for the current intake on the official site.

Selection is competitive and holistic. You should plan to write thoughtful answers about your leadership experience, your goals and how you hope to serve your community. Start early, since you also need referees and academic records, and you need an offer or a plan to study at a South African institution.

The Foundation also reports that it supports alumni after the programme through networking and extra opportunities. Anyone who wants advanced study and a lasting leadership network should read the application guide on the Foundation's website before deciding.