The prestigious Nelson Mandela Rhodes Scholarship programme looks set to expand its support for post graduate study in South Africa after a successful fundraising campaign to mark its 10th anniversary last month.
Trustees have instructed the foundation’s leadership to look into the possibility of doubling its scholarships after surpassing funding targets of R75 million (US$7.2 million) to raise R106 million (US $10.8 million) in time for anniversary celebrations. This year’s funds will be added to the scholarships’ R350 million (US$33.7 million) endowment raised over the last decade.
Njabulo Ndebele, the chair of the board of trustees , said at a gala celebration in Cape Town last month: “We truly believe we are delivering on our mandate to develop leadership excellence in Africa, and that among our scholars are the great future leaders of the continent.”
“We truly believe we are delivering on our mandate to develop leadership excellence in Africa”
To date, a total of 201 scholars from 17 African countries have benefited from the scholarships. Scholars can study at any recognised South African university; participating institutions include the Universities of Cape Town and Johannesburg and Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University.
The highly competitive scholarship aims to develop exceptional leaders in Africa; applicants are selected on the basis that they “reflect in their character a commitment to the principles of education, reconciliation, leadership and entrepreneurship”.
Funding covers living costs, tuition and travel expenses for up to two years. Students also benefit from access to leadership development programmes alongside their studies.
Last year, 27 scholars from ten countries including Zimbabwe and Mozambique took up courses ranging from English Literature to Civil Engineering.
