The Scholarship programme is a combination of financial support for postgraduate studies and a high quality Leadership Development Programme, with the intention of building exceptional leadership capacity in Africa.
The Mandela Rhodes Scholarship supports young African leaders in postgraduate studies at South African universities while fostering ethical leadership inspired by Nelson Mandela.
Mandela Rhodes Scholarship Eligibility Criteria
The Mandela Rhodes Scholarship targets young African leaders pursuing postgraduate studies. It emphasizes academic excellence alongside ethical leadership and commitment to Africa’s development.
Core Requirements
Applicants must be citizens of any African country, aged 19-29 at scholarship start. They need an undergraduate degree (or completion by January 1, 2026) with at least 70% average or upper-second class honours. English proficiency is required for postgraduate-level study.
Additional Qualities
Candidates should demonstrate strong leadership, embodying reconciliation, education, entrepreneurship, and service to advance equality, freedom, and human dignity in Africa. They must secure university admission by January 2026 and cannot receive other major funding or work over 12 hours weekly during studies. MBAs are ineligible; focus is on Honours or Master’s degrees at South African institutions.
How to Demonstrate Leadership for Mandela Rhodes Scholarship
Demonstrating leadership for the Mandela Rhodes Scholarship involves showing principled, visionary impact through real-world actions and reflective essays. Selectors seek evidence of guiding others toward excellence while embodying Mandela’s values like reconciliation and service.
Key Ways to Show Leadership
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Highlight past roles where you’ve led positive change in your community, campus, or workplace, such as founding initiatives or driving team success.
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Use your CV, 500-word essays, and three recommendation letters to provide authentic examples of strategic, moral leadership with measurable impact.
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Link experiences to the scholarship’s principles: visionary guidance, reconciliation efforts, entrepreneurial innovation, and education for communal good.
Application Tips
Write truthful essays reflecting self-awareness and growth potential; avoid exaggeration. Choose recommenders who can detail your character and leadership firsthand, giving them ample time for English letterhead submissions. Demonstrate curiosity for personal inner work, like embracing diversity and complexity in multicultural settings.
Mandela Rhodes Scholarship Benefits and Coverage
The Mandela Rhodes Scholarship provides full financial support for postgraduate studies (one-year Honours or two-year Master’s degrees) at recognized South African universities, covering tuition, registration fees, accommodation, meals, study materials, medical aid, a personal allowance, and economy-class return flights for international scholars. Allowances are disbursed twice yearly directly to scholars (except tuition paid to institutions), with additional research and conferencing grants available upon request.
Leadership Development
Beyond funding, scholars participate in a mandatory program featuring residential workshops focused on reconciliation, education, entrepreneurship, and ethical leadership to foster Africa’s next generation of changemakers.
Duration and Terms
Coverage lasts the full degree duration (up to two years), requiring proof of registration and academic progress reports; scholars cannot hold major concurrent funding or work over 12 hours weekly.
Note: Full coverage includes tuition, registration, accommodation, meals, study materials, medical aid, personal allowance, economy flights for non-South Africans, and optional research grants—all disbursed biannually with progress reports required. Scholars join mandatory residential workshops, mentorship, and peer networks for holistic growth.
Mandela Rhodes Scholarship Success Stories
Mandela Rhodes Scholars often credit the program for transformative leadership growth and career advancements in public service, entrepreneurship, and academia across Africa.
Masego Mafata
South African journalism student Masego Mafata, a 2020 scholar at Stellenbosch University, highlighted the scholarship’s holistic support, including workshops, mentorship, and peer networks that extended beyond funding to build entrepreneurial skills and continental connections.
Anonymous Nigerian Scholar
A 2024 scholar from Nigeria, after initial rejection, reapplied following deeper community work with smallholder farmers via Farm4Us, emphasizing resilience and alignment with MRF values like reconciliation and food security.
Success Ndubuisi
Nigerian microbiologist Success Ndubuisi, a top graduate with multiple awards, leveraged the scholarship to advance education access through volunteering with the Ruth Titilayo Educational Foundation and Icanstudent Initiative.
Rhodes University Cohort
In 2009, Rhodes University secured four scholars—Alinka Brutsch, Ingrid Cloete, Katherine Furman, and Siyabulela Nomoyi—exemplifying the program’s focus on academic merit and proven leadership potential.
How to Apply for Mandela Rhodes Scholarship and Stand Out
Mandela Rhodes Scholarship applications open annually in March and close by mid-April (e.g., April 14 or 21 in recent cycles), requiring full submission via their online platform.
Apply online at mandelarhodes.org/scholarship/apply by registering, completing personal/academic details, uploading a CV (max 3 pages covering high school onward), transcripts, degree certificate, ID/passport, a motivation essay, and a personal statement. Register three recommenders early—they upload directly; secure university admission proof by January of the award year; non-SA applicants may need SAQA verification later (not required upfront).
Standing Out Tips
Demonstrate the four principles—reconciliation, education, entrepreneurship, service—through specific leadership examples beyond academics, like community impact or ethical initiatives. Craft an authentic personal statement (up to 1,000 words) weaving your journey, passions, goals, and MRF fit with real stories; secure strong referees familiar with your character. Subscribe to MRF alerts for tips and review applications iteratively for completeness.
