Fully-Funded Mandela Rhodes Scholarship 2025/2026: A Life-Changing Leadership Journey for Young African Leaders
The Mandela Rhodes Scholarship is one of Africa’s most prestigious awards, offering young African leaders the opportunity to embark on a transformative educational journey. Beyond financial assistance, the scholarship provides a unique leadership development program that challenges, nurtures, and connects future changemakers from across the African continent. It offers more than just a chance to study it’s a pathway to personal growth, professional advancement, and an enduring legacy of service and leadership.
What Makes the Mandela Rhodes Scholarship Different?
At its core, the Mandela Rhodes Scholarship is about developing leadership potential and creating a strong network of young African leaders who are committed to shaping a brighter future for their continent. The program is grounded in the values of reconciliation, education, entrepreneurship, and leadership, and seeks individuals who align with these principles in both their personal and professional lives.
Nelson Mandela’s legacy continues to inspire the scholarship, and the program is designed to honor his belief that leadership begins with inner transformation. Through this comprehensive leadership program, scholars are equipped with the skills, knowledge, and moral authority needed to address the many challenges facing Africa today. As a Mandela Rhodes Scholar, you will have the opportunity to be part of a transformative experience that focuses on personal development and communal growth.
The Leadership Development Program
The leadership development aspect of the Mandela Rhodes Scholarship is one of its standout features. It is not just about excelling academically; it’s about becoming a leader who is committed to social justice, equality, and human rights. The program is designed to challenge participants through a series of week-long residential workshops, where scholars engage in deep, reflective discussions, and learn leadership skills that are rooted in Mandela’s values.
The workshops cover various topics, including moral leadership, reconciliation, and entrepreneurship, and are an essential part of the Mandela Rhodes experience. These immersive experiences allow scholars to engage with like-minded individuals, learn from esteemed facilitators, and cultivate a network of peers who are equally committed to creating positive change in their communities.
Comprehensive Financial Support
The Mandela Rhodes Scholarship offers extensive financial support to ensure that scholars can focus on their studies and leadership development without financial strain. The scholarship covers the full cost of a one-year Honours degree or a two-year Master’s degree at a recognized South African institution of higher education.
This funding includes:
- Full tuition and registration fees
- Allowances for study materials, research, and medical aid
- Accommodation and meals
- Personal allowance to cover living expenses
- Economy-class travel to and from South Africa at the start and end of the degree program
This comprehensive package ensures that scholars can fully immerse themselves in their academic and leadership journey without having to worry about the financial burden that often comes with postgraduate education.
Who is Eligible for the Mandela Rhodes Scholarship?
The Mandela Rhodes Scholarship is open to young African leaders who meet the following criteria:
- You must be between the ages of 19 and 29.
- By January 1, 2026, you should have an undergraduate degree with excellent academic results (above 70% or upper-second class Honours).
- You should be a citizen of an African country and capable of studying in English at a postgraduate level.
If you meet these criteria, the next step is to consider whether you have the potential to embody the values that the Mandela Rhodes Scholarship seeks in its recipients.
The Qualities of a Mandela Rhodes Scholar
The selection process for the Mandela Rhodes Scholarship is highly competitive, and applicants are assessed based on their alignment with the following core values:
- Leadership: Do you aspire to lead with moral authority and inspire others to reach their full potential? Are you driven by a desire to make a difference through equality, human dignity, and freedom?
- Reconciliation: Do you believe that reconciliation, both internally and externally, is key to healing the divisions of the past and creating a more just society?
- Education: Do you see education as not just a personal benefit but as a tool for positive change in your community and continent?
- Entrepreneurship: Do you have a vision for Africa’s global competitiveness, and have you demonstrated innovation, effort, and creativity to advance that vision?
A Journey of Personal and Professional Growth
The Mandela Rhodes Scholarship isn’t just about academic success. It’s a journey of self-discovery and transformation. The program encourages scholars to engage in introspective work—learning about themselves, their strengths, and the challenges they need to overcome. It fosters curiosity, emotional intelligence, and the ability to navigate complex social and cultural landscapes.
Scholars from diverse backgrounds come together in a collaborative space to learn from each other’s experiences and perspectives, gaining a deeper understanding of the continent’s complex challenges. The program’s leadership development aspect ensures that Mandela Rhodes Scholars emerge not just as academically accomplished individuals, but as transformative leaders ready to take on the challenges of the future.
Applications are
open
Applications for 2026 will close
21 April 2025
For International Applicants
For applicants outside of South Africa, it is important to note that you may need to complete the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) verification process to begin your studies at a South African university. Please refer to the relevant FAQs and documentation to understand the steps involved.
Are You Ready to Begin Your Leadership Journey?
The Mandela Rhodes Scholarship is a life-changing opportunity for young African leaders who aspire to create meaningful change. If you are committed to personal growth, leadership development, and making a lasting impact on the African continent, this is your chance to join a prestigious network of changemakers. Apply now and begin your journey towards becoming a visionary leader in Africa.
