Eight Western Cape students today become the first recipients of a new scholarship established to increase the legacy of Nelson
Mandela.

The Mandela Rhodes Scholarships - which also draw on the legacy of Cecil Rhodes - will in time be extended throughout Africa.

The overarching objective of the scholarships, which are funded and managed by the Mandela Rhodes Foundation, is to "develop exceptional leadership capacity in Africa, by providing excellent educational and training opportunities to individual Africans with leadership potential".

Mandela Rhodes Scholars are deemed to have a blend of character and intellect, a commitment to moral integrity, and a potential to lead and influence others in achieving a better society.

The first scholars, who will be introduced by Mandela himself at a function at the University of Cape Town tonight, are:

• Julia Cloete, 23, studying for her honours in anthropology at the University of Cape Town.
• Jacques Conradie, 21, studying for honours in actuarial science at the University of Stellenbosch.
• Buntu Godongwana, 21, studying for his masters in chemical engineering at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology.
• Sizwe Mjiqiza, 23, studying for a masters in pharmacy at the University of the Western Cape.
• Hanru Niemand, 22, studying for a masters in psychology at the University of Stellenbosch.
• Riaan Oppelt, 23, studying for his masters in English studies at the University of the Western Cape.
• Sirika Pillay, 21, studying for her BSc honours in microbiology at the University of Cape Town.
• Alex Salo, 21, studying for her BSc honours in biochemistry and physiology at the University of Cape Town.

All university expenses are covered by the scholarships. Recipients will be intensively mentored to provide the greatest scope for their leadership potential to be realised.

The Mandela Rhodes Foundation envisages the scholarships becoming one of the most important educational interventions in Africa, akin to the Rhodes scholarships that, since the early 1900s, have given direction and purpose to the careers of scores of world figures.