51 exceptional young African leaders receive The Mandela Rhodes Scholarship

We are pleased to announce the 2024 Mandela Rhodes Scholars. The Class of 2024 is a historic one; they are the 20th cohort of Mandela Rhodes Scholars to be selected since the Foundation was established in 2003. We are proud to have chosen 20 cohorts of leaders in 20 years of work as Nelson Mandela’s official legacy organisation for leadership development in Africa.

The class comprises 51 young leaders from 18 African countries and includes three new countries. We have expanded our reach in West Africa, and, for the first time, we welcome scholars from Mali, Mauritania and Sierra Leone. The scholars will complete postgraduate studies in South Africa, in disciplines as diverse as Biological Oceanography and Fine Art, while completing a transformative Leadership Development Programme.

At the core of the Foundation’s programmes are the principles of reconciliation, education, entrepreneurship, and leadership. To date, the Mandela Rhodes Foundation has awarded 673 scholarships to outstanding young scholars and future leaders from 36 African countries. The highly competitive Mandela Rhodes Scholarship is open to students between the ages of 19 and 29 from all African countries who want to use their talents to serve the continent.

Here are the names of the 2024 Mandela Rhodes Scholars; click through to read their bios:

1. Abel Esther
2. Agbolade Zainab
3. Baldeh Isatou
4. Bayanza Leslie Fatuma
5. Chapoloko David
6. Chikomo Charline
7. Cissé Oumar
8. Darkoh Francisca
9. Mirembe Deniz
10. Diallo Aminata
11. Dlodlo Wayne
12. Dzonzi Brenald
13. Baweli Exiba Epupu
14. Foya Kudakwashe
15. Kahumbu Joanna
16. Kasanga Ruth
17. Kathure Grace
18. Kimaro Loveness
19. Kirabo Nina Mary
20. Kivuma Bernard
21. Konneh Lansana
22. Konneh Ismail
23. MacDonald Caitlin
24. Malama Meebelo
25. Malebana Moses
26. Mamboleo Evaline
27. Mashilo Dunga
28. Masvosva Ruvimbo Harriet
29. Mederic Emma
30. Mhangwa Kudzai
31. Mkhonta Sibongiseni
32. Muchiri Melissa
33. Mughogho Ruth
34. Munyai Munaka
35. Mwasangama Alfateresia
36. Ngobi Ambrose
37. Ntsoeng Kamogelo
38. Odhiambo Evelyn
39. Ogwang Frank Mike
40. Phiri Monica
41. Pulani Yanelisa
42. Rashid Sakina
43. Samura Philip Anderson
44. Shefeni Suzie Ndaundika
45. Stevens Hannah
46. Swart Emma
47. Tesfamariam Hellen
48. van Rensburg Lily
49. Wabosha Sophia
50. Wasonga Emma Jaber
51. Zondani Simphiwe

To find out more about the Foundation and our scholars, visit our website. To request interviews and photographs for publication - contact communications officer Ayanda Radebe at ayanda@mrf.org.za.

The Mandela Rhodes Foundation is an official Nelson Mandela legacy organisation tasked with developing exceptional leadership capacity in Africa. We provide postgraduate funding and a Leadership Development Programme to academically gifted young Africans who demonstrate leadership potential.