THE MANDELA RHODES FOUNDATION FOR AFRICANS TO STUDY AT A RECOGNIZED SOUTH AFRICAN INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION

admin March 24, 2022

4 minutes read

Apply for the Mandela Rhodes Foundation to Study at a recognized South African Institution of Higher education.

DEADLINE: 21st April 2022

The Mandela Rhodes Scholarship is a life-changing leadership journey.

The scholarship combines financial support with a leadership programme that will challenge you, grow you, and connect you to young African changemakers – just like you.

The leadership development programme

The programme is built on the principles of reconciliation, education, entrepreneurship, and leadership, and a belief that leadership begins with inner transformation. The aim is 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. The programme is delivered primarily through a series of week-long residential workshops which you will attend during your time in residence.

Financial support

The Mandela Rhodes Scholarship offers comprehensive funding for the core costs associated with your studies. It covers tuition for a one-year Honours degree or a two-year Masters degree in any field at a recognised South African institution of higher education. This includes tuition and registration fees, allowances for study materials, research, and medical aid, accommodation and meals, 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. You will also receive a personal allowance.

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.

Selection criteria

They look for young Africans who have demonstrated the potential to embody our founding principles of reconciliation, education, entrepreneurship, and leadership. You must have already assumed leadership and made an impact on your campus or community.

Potential for growth

To benefit from our programme you must be curious about doing the personal, internal work of leadership. This means a commitment to developing self-awareness by engaging with difficult parts of yourself, an openness to learning from the diversity and differences in your cohort, and a willingness to explore and embrace complexity within yourself, others, and the systems around you.

Potential for growth

Important: Applicants from outside South Africa may need to complete SAQA verification to start their studies at a South African university.

Funding and finances

What costs are covered?

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

What costs are not covered?

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. We also do not provide financial support for visa applications.

How do the finances work?

Allowances are paid twice a year. You will be required to provide proof of registration at the start of the year, and a progress report from your university two weeks after the start of the second semester. Your tuition and registration fees are paid directly to the tertiary institution, while all other allowances are paid to you. Any amount due to or owed by you prior to becoming a Mandela Rhodes Scholar, is your sole responsibility, and the MRF will not become involved in any way.

Studies and university acceptance

Where can I study?

You can study at:

The application process

How do I apply?

You must apply online. You can log onto our applications platform to access your application and upload your documents and essays. The three people who write your recommendation letters must also log onto the platform to upload their letters directly. You must give them plenty of time to write their letters, sign onto the platform, and upload them. Your application cannot be submitted without the letters and will not be considered.

What is the application deadline?

The deadline is 21 April, by which time all application documentation needs to have been uploaded. Your recommenders (referees) must have uploaded their references by then in order for your application to be complete.

Do I apply for SAQA verification now?

Applying for SAQA verification is not required in order to apply. However, we advise that if you get through to the second and third rounds of the application process, you apply and complete the SAQA verification of your qualifications as soon as possible. For more information about SAQA requirements visit the SAQA website. The MRF does not cover the costs of SAQA verification.