The Mandela Rhodes Scholarship is a life-changing leadership journey and prestigious opportunity for young leaders from anywhere on the African continent to further their education in South Africa. The scholarship combines comprehensive financial support for a one-year Honours or a two-year Masters degree in any field with a highly customized leadership development programme. This programme will challenge and grow scholars while connecting them to a community of young African changemakers. The initiative seeks to empower leaders to solve Africa's most difficult challenges by focusing on four founding principles: Leadership, Reconciliation, Education, and Entrepreneurship.
Benefits
Full tuition and registration fees for a one-year Honours degree or a two-year Masters degree at a recognized South African public higher education institution
Allowances for study materials and research
Medical aid allowance
Comprehensive coverage for accommodation and meals
Personal living allowance
Economy class travel to and from the scholar's home country to the South African university at the beginning and end of the degree
Access to a compulsory, customized Leadership Development Programme and lifelong alumni activities
Eligibility
Must be a citizen of an African country
Must be between the ages of 19 and 29 in the year of applying, and under 30 at the time of taking up the scholarship
Must possess an undergraduate degree with excellent academic results (above 70% or upper-second class Honours) by 1 January 2027
Must be able to study at a postgraduate level in English, as it is the primary medium of instruction at South African universities
Must demonstrate a strong combination of intellect and character, including leadership on campus or in the community
Must align with the foundation's core principles of Leadership, Reconciliation, Education, and Entrepreneurship
Requirements
Submission of a complete online application through the Mandela Rhodes applications platform
Upload of all necessary academic documents and personal essays demonstrating your leadership journey and alignment with the foundation's principles
Three recommendation letters (referees) submitted directly by the recommenders onto the application platform before the deadline
Commitment to participate in the compulsory Leadership Development Programme, delivered primarily through a series of week-long residential workshops
Required Documents
Completed online application form including personal essays
Official academic transcripts demonstrating a minimum of 70% or upper-second class Honours
Three formal letters of recommendation submitted directly by the referees
Programs of Study
One-year Honours Degree in any field
Two-year Masters Degree in any field
Application Process
Log onto the Mandela Rhodes applications platform when applications open in March 2026
Complete the online application, upload all necessary documents, and carefully craft your personal essays
Add your three recommenders on the platform early to give them plenty of time to write and upload their letters directly
Submit the entire application strictly before the deadline on Tuesday, 14 April 2026 at 23:59 GMT+2
Wait for the multi-stage review process, with shortlisted candidates notified for interviews by the end of August
Attend the final round in-person interview in South Africa in October if selected (flights will be covered for those outside South Africa)
How to Apply
Give your referees plenty of advance notice, as your application cannot be submitted and will not be considered if they fail to upload their recommendation letters before the deadline
Ensure you apply for a full-time residential program, as distance learning, MBAs, block courses, and predominantly online courses are strictly not funded
Remember that you must study at a recognized institution of higher education in South Africa; you cannot use the scholarship to study in your home country
Selection Process
Initial screening to verify basic eligibility such as age, citizenship, and academic results
Evaluation of personal essays, academic prowess, broader leadership potential, and alignment with the foundation's four founding principles
Multi-round shortlisting process resulting in invitations to final round interviews in October
Final selection based on the in-person interview with the selection committee in South Africa