The Mandela Rhodes Scholarship: A Comprehensive Guide
The Mandela Rhodes Scholarship stands as a prestigious, fully-funded opportunity, tailored for young African leaders aspiring to pursue postgraduate studies in South Africa. Rooted in the principles of reconciliation, education, entrepreneurship, and leadership, this scholarship aims to cultivate future leaders equipped to transform Africa into a continent of equal opportunity. The Mandela Rhodes Foundation seeks to keep Nelson Mandela’s legacy alive by equipping young African leaders with the competence and courage to transform the continent into a place where everyone has equal opportunity to thrive.
Foundation and Legacy
The Mandela Rhodes Foundation is one of Nelson Mandela’s three official legacy organisations, founded in 2003 in partnership with The Rhodes Trust. The Foundation was announced in February 2002 when The Rhodes Trust, as part of its centenary celebrations, partnered with Nelson Mandela and pledged funding for the scholarship for 10 years. The mission of the foundation is to help build exceptional leadership capacity in Africa. Mandela's intention was to "close the circle of history" by utilising Cecil Rhodes' resources to address the inequalities that result from the legacies of colonialism and apartheid.
What the Scholarship Offers
The Mandela Rhodes Scholarship is much more than financial support for your studies. It is a unique opportunity for young leaders from anywhere on the African continent to further their education in South Africa. The scholarship covers tuition and registration fees and provides allowances for study materials, research, and medical aid, as well as accommodation and meals. It also includes a personal allowance and economy class travel to and from your home country to your South African university at the beginning and end of your degree.
Specifically, the financial support includes:
- Tuition and registration fees as set by your university or institution
- A study materials allowance as set by the MRF
- Accommodation and meal allowances as set by the MRF
- A medical aid allowance as set by the MRF
- A personal allowance as set by the MRF
- Research and conferencing grants can be made available on request
- Economy-class flights for international scholars from their home countries to their institutions at the start and end of their studies
The scholarship also incorporates a compulsory Leadership Development Programme of either one year or two years depending on your course. The programme is primarily delivered through a series of week-long in person workshops with your Class of Mandela Rhodes Scholars. The programme gives you access to a mentorship programme, and a community of young leaders from across the African continent.
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Note that the Mandela Rhodes Foundation does not pay for your application fees for university or for the accreditation of your existing degrees through SAQA, which may be an entry requirement to your course. They also do not provide financial support for visa applications.
Eligibility Criteria
If you are between the ages of 19 and 29, are a citizen of any African country, and have a first degree with above average academic results (70% or upper second), you are eligible to apply for the scholarship. To be considered, candidates must meet several key requirements:
- Age: Applicants should be between 19 and 29 years old at the time of applying.
- Citizenship: The scholarship is open to citizens of all African countries.
- Academic Standing: Candidates must possess a first degree with above-average academic results, typically a minimum of 70% or an upper second-class grade.
- Leadership and Character: The scholarship seeks young leaders who demonstrate a combination of intellect and character, along with proven leadership experience on their campus or in their community.
Ideal Candidate Profile
The Mandela Rhodes Scholarship is competitive. It is for young leaders who have a combination of intellect and character. The Foundation seeks individuals who embody the principles of leadership, reconciliation, education, and entrepreneurship.
- Leadership: A visionary leader with moral authority who sees leadership as a means to advance equality, freedom, human rights, and human dignity, inspiring others to reach their full potential.
- Reconciliation: Someone who believes that reconciliation, combined with reparation, is essential for transforming an imperfect past into a more just world, starting with self-reflection.
- Education: A candidate with excellent academic results who believes education should benefit others and agrees that intellectual excellence should be paired with character and a well-rounded personality.
- Entrepreneurship: An individual who wants to see Africa take its rightful place as an equal and competitive presence in the global world and has demonstrated individual effort, innovation, and creativity to this end.
Eligible Universities
A Mandela Rhodes Scholarship enables a Scholar to study at a South African-located tertiary institution registered with the South African Council of Higher Education (and approved by the MRF) for an accredited postgraduate degree programme.
You can study at the following universities in South Africa:
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- AFDA, the School for the Creative Economy
- Cape Peninsula University of Technology
- Durban University of Technology
- Mangosuthu University of Technology
- Monash University
- Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University
- North West University
- Rhodes University
- Tshwane University of Technology
- University of Cape Town
- University of Fort Hare
- University of Free State
- University of Johannesburg
- University of KwaZulu-Natal
- University of Limpopo
- University of Pretoria
- University of Stellenbosch
- University of the Western Cape
- University of the Witwatersrand
- University of Venda
- University of Zululand
- Vaal University of Technology
- Walter Sisulu University
How to Apply
Applications are open for the Mandela Rhodes Scholarship 2025-2026. Applications open on Monday, 17 March 2025. Candidates can add recommenders on the platform and begin uploading their documentation and working on their personal essays. The deadline is 21 April 2025, by which time all application documentation needs to have been uploaded.
To apply, candidates must complete an online application, which involves:
- Online Application: Access the application platform to create an account and complete the application form.
- Document Upload: Upload all required documents, including academic transcripts, identification, and any other supporting materials.
- Personal Essays: Craft compelling personal essays that articulate your leadership experience, aspirations, and commitment to the Mandela Rhodes Foundation’s core principles.
- Recommendations: Provide the contact information of three recommenders who can attest to your leadership abilities, character, and potential. Ensure your recommenders have ample time to submit their letters of recommendation through the online platform before the application deadline.
Selection Process
The Mandela Rhodes Scholarship is a life-changing leadership journey. The Mandela Rhodes Scholarship is competitive. The selection process involves multiple stages, including:
- Application Review: A thorough review of all applications to assess eligibility, academic merit, leadership potential, and alignment with the Foundation’s values.
- Interviews: Shortlisted candidates will be invited to participate in interviews, typically conducted in South Africa in October. If you are in the final round and you are based outside South Africa, you will be flown in for an in-person interview with our selection committee.
Important Dates
- March: Applications open on Monday, 17 March 2025.
- April: Applications close by the end of Monday, 21 April 2025 23:59 GMT+2.
- October: Interviews will be conducted in South Africa in October.
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