Dear Stakeholder

As the first quarter of 2026 draws to a close, The Mandela Rhodes Foundation continues to deepen its work across thought leadership, Pan-African outreach, and programme delivery. From hosting influential voices on ethical leadership to accompanying scholars on their journeys, the Foundation remains steadfast in its mission to nurture principled, values-driven leaders throughout Africa.

Thought leadership

The Mandela Rhodes Foundation Podcast – Episode 8

In February, the Foundation released its latest podcast episode featuring a conversation with global humanitarian and founder of the Graça Machel Trust, Mrs Graça Machel.

Reflecting on leadership in an era of global uncertainty, Mrs Machel underscores the importance of courage, compassion, and values-based leadership rooted in service. Her message affirms that leadership is defined not by position, but by integrity, empathy, and a deep dedication to justice.

Listen to the episode here

MRF podcast episode 8.

Daily Maverick feature

Extending this conversation, the Foundation published a thought leadership article titled, “Humane leadership in a time of fracture”. Drawing on Mrs Machel’s insights, the piece challenges power-driven leadership models and argues for service‑oriented, relational and human‑centred leadership. It positions the MRF as an active contributor to contemporary debates on principled leadership amid a deep global fracture.

Read the article as featured on page 29 in the Daily Maverick here

World Economic Forum – Davos

In January, MRF CEO Judy Sikuza participated in the World Economic Forum in Davos as Co-Chair of the Global Future Council (GFC) on Leadership. There she engaged in discussions on the Council’s report, Next generation leadership for a world in transformation: Driving dialogue and action, which outlines systemic leadership levers for more just and equitable societies.

The Foundation’s participation reflects its growing role in global leadership discourse.

Read the full report here.

Judy Sikuza speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

2025 Yearbook

We are delighted to share the 2025 Mandela Rhodes Foundation yearbook, capturing highlights from across our programmes, partnerships, and community over the past year. The yearbook chronicles key takeouts from the Leadership Development Programme, celebrates scholar and alumni achievements, and charts the continued evolution of our work in cultivating principled leadership across Africa. It also captures special occasions like the Global Fellowships Forum, which convened global fellowships leaders around the theme “Leading in a polarised world.”

Read the full yearbook here

Board of Trustees engagements

A highlight of the quarter was the annual convening of the MRF’s Board of Trustees. Bringing Trustees, staff, alumni, and partners together beyond the formal board meeting, it created a valuable setting for strategic discussions on the Foundation’s direction and the evolving role of leadership on the continent.

Of particular meaning was a facilitated workshop between the Board and the executive team, led by a professional facilitator. The session fostered an environment conducive for deepening understanding of working styles, strengthening relationships, and fostering even greater alignment between governance and management. Engagements of this nature continue to reinforce the collaborative spirit that underpins the Foundation’s work.

MRF Trustees, staff, scholars and alumni during the Board of Trustees engagements.

Pan-African Outreach

Guided by Nelson Mandela’s vision of continent-wide collaboration and collective transformation, the Foundation has awarded scholarships to scholars from 38 African countries to date. As part of its continued effort to extend this reach to all 55 African countries the Foundation undertook a targeted Pan-African outreach visit to Senegal in February - a country where no scholarships have yet been awarded.

During the visit, the delegation met with senior leaders from universities, government ministries, and prospective scholars to raise awareness of the Scholarship, build new institutional relationships, and identifying promising future candidates from the region.

Programme news

First year programme

Following a virtual orientation, the Class of 2026 gathered in Cape Town in February for their first in-person Retreat​. Framed by the theme of leadership in context, the programme introduced scholars to the MRF’s inside-out leadership philosophy and set the direction for the year ahead.​

A learning journey to Robben Island provided a powerful, reflective setting to engage history, memory, and the responsibilities of leadership in Africa.​ The Retreat concluded with a leadership dinner featuring a conversation between Judy Sikuza and Dr Solange Rosa, on leading in an uncertain world.​

The Class of 2026.

Second year programme

In March, the second year programme launched its first module in partnership with the Sustainability Institute, titled From project implementation to process-centred co-design. Building on the programme’s 2025 shift to co-design as a core approach, the 2026 curriculum deepens relational, iterative and context-responsive practice. Greater emphasis is placed on developing process-led mindsets and moving more deliberately from analysis to action, allowing more time for practice.

Second-year scholars at their immersive Leadership Development Programme.

Alumni on the move

Congratulations to Inga Sanelisiwe Macingwane (South Africa & University of Cape Town, 2018) on her admission as an Advocate of the High Court of South Africa. Now a member of the Johannesburg Society of Advocates, she is practicing with the Rivonia Group of Advocates, building on an impressive early career that includes roles at the Constitutional Court and the Competition Commission of South Africa.

Emmanuel Valentine (Nigeria & University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2025) was recognised at the UKZN’s annual Postgraduate Research and Innovation Symposium, receiving the Research Impact Prize and third place for Best Research Presentation. His achievements reflect a strong commitment to impactful, solutions-oriented research and the growing contribution of young African scholars to innovation and knowledge.

From left to right Inga Sanelisiwe Macingwane and Emmanuel Valentine.

In a time defined by complexity and change, we remain dedicated to our calling and hopeful in the leadership emerging across our community. The Mandela Rhodes Foundation is focused on advancing its work with clarity: to contribute to a more just, inclusive, and prosperous Africa through the development of exceptional leaders.

With warmest wishes,
The Mandela Rhodes Foundation