Do you aspire to be a leader who will contribute positively to the development of the African continent? Do you want to pursue postgraduate studies in 2018, and are looking for a fully-funded scholarship opportunity? Do you wish to be part of a life-changing leadership development programme with a diverse group of leaders from across the continent? If so, the Mandela Rhodes Scholarship could be the answer!

The Mandela Rhodes Scholarship programme represents 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 opening date for the 2018 applications is 10 March 2017. The closing date is 18 April 2017.

This year all applicants are to apply online via the Embark application system. The application form will be accessible via a link on the Mandela Rhodes Foundation website[11] . Successful applicants will undergo a stringent selection process.

The vision of the Mandela Rhodes Scholarship

The central purpose of The Mandela Rhodes Foundation is to build exceptional leadership capacity in Africa (whilst also seeking to foster better reconciliation and entrepreneurship) through its various programmes and, to this end, aims to be the leading protagonist in Africa for such endeavours.

The Mandela Rhodes programmes will develop leadership and vocational capacity across African society, to help the continent achieve success and prosperity and full equal participation in the global world.

The mission of the Mandela Rhodes Scholarship

The Mission that The Mandela Rhodes Foundation undertakes for each of these stakeholders is as follows;

• For the donors, who empower and endow the Mandela Rhodes Foundation, the scholarship endeavours to provide an efficient and professionally managed and governed enterprise which serves as the vehicle and channel to deliver the jointly-desired social impact indicated by our vision and purpose.
• For the Scholars and other programme participants, the scholarship strives to support and build the leadership and intellectual capacity that is needed in order for the Mandela Rhodes Foundation to have the kind of social impact that speaks to its vision.
• For the communities, from whom the scholars are sought and for whom the envisioned social benefit is sought, the Mandela Rhodes Foundation undertakes never to forget the purpose for which it exists and, in so doing, pledges to work tirelessly and with accountability so as to maximise its impact of empowerment.
• For related charities and Foundations (e.g.: The Rhodes Trust, the other ‘Mandela’ Foundations), with whom it shares common heritage, the Mandela Rhodes Foundation strives to act collaboratively as needs be, and in ways that mutually enhance the respective endeavours.

Guiding principles of the scholarship

The Mandela Rhodes Scholarship is guided by four principles, namely: leadership, reconciliation, education and entrepreneurship. These guiding principles help to build exceptional leadership capacity in Africa. Honours and master’s studies are fully funded by the scholarship, as well as a yearlong leadership development programme based on the four guiding principles.