September 2025 Stakeholder Update

Dear Stakeholder. Warm greetings from The Mandela Rhodes Foundation! The third quarter of 2025 saw graduation celebrations, inspirational thought leadership engagements and exciting alumni announcements. As always, Madiba’s spirit was with us as we continue to embody his legacy in our mission to build exceptional leadership in Africa.

Stakeholder relations

In August MRF CEO Judy Sikuza participated in an Indaba hosted by the Nelson Mandela University titled "From Dalibhunga to Rolihlahla: Making trouble with Mandela". In her panel, "Carrying the name Mandela", she spoke about how Madiba’s legacy was not perfection, but a living call to wrestle with complexity, ask difficult questions, and lead with courage and humility. Judy was joined in the panel discussion by Vuyani Booi (CEO of the Nelson Mandela Museum) and Mbongiseni Buthelezi (CEO of Nelson Mandela Foundation) which deepened this reflection with other organisations carrying the Mandela name.

Also in August, Judy delivered a keynote at the 27th IEASA Conference on “Bridging borders, inspiring solutions: Internationalisation for a resilient and inclusive future”. Addressing senior leaders from Africa and beyond, she highlighted inclusive internationalisation as lived practice - removing barriers, nurturing talent, and enabling Africa’s brightest to thrive. Judy called for reciprocal, respectful partnerships and for Africa to co-shape the global higher education agenda. Guided by Madiba’s legacy, her message challenged and invited us to see internationalisation as justice, connection, and transformative leadership.

These conversations are important as they create the space for reflection and dialogue that strengthens our collective leadership journey, ensuring Mandela’s legacy continues to shape a just and connected future for all Africans.

MRF CEO Judy Sikuza delivering her keynote address at IEASA

Thought leadership

The Mandela Rhodes Foundation Podcast series continues to augment our thought leadership initiatives, with conversations spotlighting inspiring African leaders - those committed to growth through self-awareness, introspection, and sharing vital lessons on transformative leadership impact across various fields.

The fourth episode broadcast in July featured Judy Sikuza in conversation with Prof Elizabeth Nanziri, a development economist and Senior Lecturer at Stellenbosch Business School. They discussed the role of development finance in Africa, growing equitable and sustainable economies and why inclusive, values-driven leadership is essential for achieving sustainable development. Listen to podcast episode 4 here.

The fifth episode broadcast in August featured Judy in discussion with 2006 Mandela Rhodes alum Rachel Nyaradzo Adams, founder of Narachi Leadership, on what courageous leadership looks like in an African context. The discussion looked at leadership beyond titles and authority, rooted in personal transformation, healing, and authenticity. Listen to podcast episode 5 here.

You can listen to all Mandela Rhodes Foundation Podcast episodes on our website, Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

MRF podcast episodes 4 and 5.

Programme news

First year programme

The mid-year workshop in July centred on reconciliation and reparations, focussing on both internal and interpersonal reconciliation as foundations for societal repair. This phase of the programme marks the “bottom of the U curve”, a pivotal moment in the Scholars’ growth journey. Here, they confront shadows, unresolved conflicts, and deep-seated beliefs - opening the way for profound personal transformation. By creating space for healing and self-awareness, the workshop equips Scholars to contribute meaningfully to a just and equitable world.

The year’s final retreat in September focused on entrepreneurship. Highlights included a panel discussion with industry experts on "Entrepreneurship beyond capital: Innovation, integrity and imagination in an unstable funding climate"; and PechaKucha presentations where Scholars shared their innovations and passions. The graduation concluded with a powerful conversation between Judy Sikuza and Rachel Nyaradzo Adams on "Reimagining leadership, entrepreneurship and Africa’s sacred futures."

The Class of 2025 at their graduation ceremony.

Second year programme

The Second Year Programme moves Scholars beyond theory into practice through co-design with communities and living systems. The final workshop in August consolidated learnings – with an emphasis on curiosity, ambiguity, radical hospitality and diverse knowledge – to cultivate leadership mindsets for a just and generative future, before transitioning into the Mandela Rhodes alumni community.

Highlights included a dialogue between Judy and US biotech entrepreneur Dr David Kirn, who reflected on values, collaboration, and the layered role of relationships in entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship.

The capstone, the Interactive Project Exhibition, themed “In the ecotone: Designing and becoming in the in-between”, showcased living processes rather than polished solutions. Four powerful team projects emerged:

Team Climate Change’s Foregrounding Care and Repair makes climate change tangible through a co-created zine and grassroots repair tutorials. Team Education and Indigenous Systems’ Rooting Education in Heritage restores African knowledge systems with a repository of folktales, riddles, idioms, and number systems. Team Aduane’s Reimagining Waste reframes food waste as a justice issue through documentary storytelling and community-rooted solutions. Team Eco-Buntu’s Embodying Sustainability bridges the gap between UCT’s sustainability policies and student practice through the Eco-Buntu digital platform, grounded in Ubuntu.

The second year Scholars at their graduation ceremony.

Scholar Stories

Mandela Rhodes Scholars don’t only pursue advanced studies – they shape conversations, break ground in their fields, and offer new visions for Africa’s future. This quarter, we highlight two Scholars in residence whose work speaks to justice, sustainability, and the courage to reimagine what is possible.

Kabelo Mbuyisa (South Africa & University of the Witwatersrand, 2025), a Master’s in Education Scholar, wrote a poignant reflection on his visit to The Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation, part of the Leadership Development Programme’s midyear retreat, themed "Reconciliation and reparation”. His reflection offers a call to confront uncomfortable truths, to rethink reconciliation, and to carry forward the unfinished work of justice with courage and empathy. Read Kabelo’s article here.

Olo Modisakeng (South Africa & University of Cape Town, 2025), a Master’s Scholar in Civil and Environmental Engineering, is reimagining wastewater as a resource through her work in Water Quality Engineering. Inspired by the water insecurity she witnessed growing up, she advances sustainable reuse solutions that drives responsible consumption and production, promotes gender equity, and affirms clean water as a fundamental human right. Read Olo’s story here.

From left to right: Kabelo Mbuyisa and Olo Modisakeng.

Alumni relations

The 2025 Shaun Johnson Memorial Scholarships recipients In August we were thrilled to announce the recipients of the 2025 Shaun Johnson Memorial Scholarships for doctoral study in the UK: Reem Elsayed (Egypt & University of the Western Cape, 2018) and Fezokuhle Khumalo (Kingdom of eSwatini & University of Cape Town, 2020).

Reem plans to complete a DPhil in evidence-based healthcare, at Oxford University’s Oxford Lifelong Learning Department. This PhD investigates how SRH services can be integrated into Egypt’s UHC reforms. It examines political, institutional, and social barriers, focusing on rights-based policy approaches and regional comparisons within North Africa.

Fezokuhle plans to complete a PhD at the Faculty of Public Health and Policy, Department of Public Health, Environments and Society at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Her PhD will co-design and test a low-bandwidth WhatsApp tool enabling community health workers to support Eswatini men with advanced HIV, boosting mental health, retention, and viral suppression via human-centred methods.

Our best wishes go with Reem and Fezokuhle as they take this next step in their academic journeys. We know you'll both hold the Mandela Rhodes banner high!

Find out more about the Shaun Johnson Memorial Scholarships here.

From left to right: Reem Elsayed and Fezokuhle Khumalo.

Winners of the 2025 Äänit Prize

Now in its fifth year, the Äänit Prize offers up to $100,000 in funding for Mandela Rhodes and Rhodes alumni delivering positive social impact for Africa’s most marginalised populations. Following a rigorous multi-stage interview and evaluation process, we were proud to announce the 2025 winners at an awards ceremony in Cape Town in September.

First place went to Dr Sunday Ochai (Nigeria & University of Pretoria, 2019) for EduRise, which provides accelerated education, menstrual health, and peacebuilding to conflict-affected Nigerian children, demonstrating education’s power to fight poverty and build resilience.

Second place was shared by Dr Kenechukwu Ikebuaka (Nigeria & University of the Western Cape, 2014) for Mozisha, building Africa’s leading talent development engine through future-ready skills training, mentorship, and apprenticeships; and Fama Jallow (The Gambia & Stellenbosch University, 2023) for Hisia, which leverages AI, IoT, drones, and satellites to deliver environmental intelligence that strengthens climate resilience, food security, and access to climate finance.

The fourth finalist Ntsako Mgiba (South Africa & University of Cape Town, 2018) was also honoured for his venture JONGA; an affordable, community-driven wireless alarm system connecting directly to local security, helping small township entrepreneurs protect their businesses.

The awards ceremony was attended by Äänit Chair Dr Sangu Delle, a Ghanaian entrepreneur, and Äänit judge Dr Shehnaaz Suliman, a South African-born physician and biotech leader. The ceremony also featured a panel discussion with Judy Sikuza, Dr Delle and Dr Suliman exploring the theme “Entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship in Africa: Driving impact from within and beyond.”

Read more about the 2025 Äänit Prize winners here.

From left to right: Äänit judge Dr Shehnaaz Suliman, Äänit Chair Dr Sangu Delle, MRF CEO Judy Sikuza, Dr Sunday Ochai, Fama Jallow (on screen), Ntsako Mgiba and Dr Kenechukwu Ikebuaku.

Staff update

Farewell to Mantombi Makhubele

It is with mixed emotions that Mantombi Makhubele has decided to leave the MRF to return to work in academia and intends to pursue further studies. During her time with us, Mantombi has been an integral part of the team, building strong connections with staff, Scholars, and alumni along the way.

We will miss Mantombi, and wish her every success and happiness for her next exciting chapter.

Mantombi Makhubele.

As we look ahead, we are reminded that the work of nurturing exceptional leadership is never done in isolation. It is a collective journey - anchored in trust, collaboration, and the enduring legacy of Nelson Mandela. Thank you for walking this path with us, and for sharing in the vision of an Africa defined not by its challenges, but by the promise and possibility of its people.

With warm wishes,
The Mandela Rhodes Foundation

PS: As we bid farewell to Mantombi, we are also beginning the search for our next External Relations Manager. Please find the job vacancy details here.