Applications for the Mandela Rhodes Foundation class of 2025 open 14 March!

The Mandela Rhodes Foundation is delighted to announce that applications for its 21st cohort of scholars open on 14 March 2024. The scholarship is available to all African graduates between the ages of 19 and 29, who are African citizens with a university qualification. In the 20 years since inception nearly 700 scholarships have been awarded to Africans from 36 countries across 36 different disciplines.

The leadership programme is built on the foundational principles of reconciliation, education, entrepreneurship, and leadership, with the belief that leadership begins with inner transformation. We aim to uphold Mr Mandela's legacy by empowering young African leaders with the competence and courage to transform the continent into a place where everyone has an equal opportunity to thrive.

Mandela Rhodes Scholars are chosen based on their alignment with MRF’s key principles and their demonstrated potential to embody them. We seek individuals with aspirations in leadership, envisioning them as visionary leaders with moral authority who view leadership as a means to advance equality, freedom, human rights, and dignity, while also inspiring others. Additionally, a commitment to reconciliation, recognising it as essential for creating a more just world, and a willingness to introspectively engage with one's internal landscape are valued. Strong academic performance is essential, but we also look for individuals who believe that education should not only benefit themselves but also make a positive impact on others. We value intellectual excellence combined with character and a well-rounded personality. Demonstrated efforts in entrepreneurship, along with a desire to see Africa thrive as an equal and competitive global presence, are qualities we seek in potential Mandela Rhodes Scholars.

For eligibility criteria visit the "Explore & Apply" page on our website.