The Mandela Rhodes Foundation

The Mandela Rhodes Foundation The Mandela Rhodes Foundation is a Nelson Mandela legacy organisation that aims to build exceptional leadership capacity in Africa.

We provide a unique combination of postgraduate funding and a Leadership Development Programme to young African scholars.

What happens when advocacy, storytelling and entrepreneurship stop being separate things?For Mandela Rhodes Scholar Nyum...
07/10/2026

What happens when advocacy, storytelling and entrepreneurship stop being separate things?

For Mandela Rhodes Scholar Nyuma Nthengwe (Namibia & University of the Witwatersrand, 2026), they become part of the same continuum: a way of making people, issues and communities impossible to overlook.

In her story, Nyuma reflects on the power of telling stories that do more than inform. Stories that challenge silence, shape narratives and make space for people to be seen on their own terms.

Because visibility isn't just about being seen. It’s about who gets seen, whose stories are heard, and what changes when they are.

Read Nyuma’s story from the link below:
https://www.mandelarhodes.org/news-impact/one-continuum-on-advocacy-storytelling-and-being-seen/


Shortlisted candidates from across Africa are in Cape Town for the final interview stage of the selection process.We w...
05/10/2026

Shortlisted candidates from across Africa are in Cape Town for the final interview stage of the selection process.

We wish all candidates the very best as they take this next step towards potentially joining a community of young African leaders committed to learning, personal growth and contributing to a better Africa.


“What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others....
30/09/2026

“What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others.” – Nelson Mandela

This quarter, we celebrate the ways Mandela Rhodes Scholars, alumni and partners are making a difference across Africa. From the graduation of the Class of 2026 and thought-provoking podcast conversations to the announcement of the 2026 Äänit Prize winner, these stories reflect leadership grounded in purpose, service and impact.

Highlights include:
• Heritage Month thought leadership article encouraging African solidarity
• The latest Mandela Rhodes Foundation Podcast episodes
• First- and second-year programme updates
• Alumni stories of leadership in action
• The 2026 Äänit Prize winner

Read the full update here: https://www.mandelarhodes.org/news-impact/september-2026-stakeholder-update/

Today we celebrate Heritage Day in South Africa. A moment to reflect on who we are, where we come from and what we carry...
24/09/2026

Today we celebrate Heritage Day in South Africa. A moment to reflect on who we are, where we come from and what we carry into the future.

At The Mandela Rhodes Foundation, we are proud to celebrate our Pan-African heritage and the many cultures, perspectives and experiences that shape our community.

Our diversity gives us more than different stories. It creates opportunities to learn from one another, challenge ideas, spark creativity and build stronger connections across the continent.

The heritage we share connects us across borders and reminds us of the possibilities that emerge when we come together.

Happy Heritage Day!

Read more about how the Foundation is committed to building an Africa together from the link below:
https://www.mandelarhodes.org/news-impact/the-africa-we-build-together/



Congratulations to the 2026 winner, Odwour Midigo (Kenya & Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, 2018), who won $96,...
21/09/2026

Congratulations to the 2026 winner, Odwour Midigo (Kenya & Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, 2018), who won $96,000 towards his venture Ndaloh Heritage Organisation, which is driving innovation in the agriculture and food security impact area.

“Winning the Äänit Prize is both inspiring and humbling. I know how competitive the Prize has become, which makes this recognition especially meaningful. This award is not only a celebration of what we have achieved so far, but also an opportunity to deepen our impact.”

Each finalist received $1,000 in recognition of the considerable effort it took to enter the competition.

Read more from the link below:
https://www.mandelarhodes.org/news-impact/young-african-entrepreneur-tackling-food-security-wins-2026-nit-prize/


The winner of the 2026 Audience Choice Award is Emmanuel Valentine (Nigeria & University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2025) for h...
21/09/2026

The winner of the 2026 Audience Choice Award is Emmanuel Valentine (Nigeria & University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2025) for his venture, Farm4Us, which is driving impact in agriculture and food security.


Join us live for the 2026 Äänit Prize Award Ceremony on 18 September from 17h45 SAST on the Mandela Rhodes Foundation Yo...
17/09/2026

Join us live for the 2026 Äänit Prize Award Ceremony on 18 September from 17h45 SAST on the Mandela Rhodes Foundation YouTube channel.

The Äänit Prize awards up to $100,000 USD each year to entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs advancing the 10 UN Sustainable Development Goals in Africa.

This year’s finalists are building scalable, sustainable initiatives designed to create meaningful social impact across the continent.

We’ll also announce the winner of the Audience Choice Award, who will take home $1,000 USD.

Find the YouTube live link from the link below:
https://youtube.com/live/W3dNsJwhfrs?feature=share


A heartfelt congratulations to the Class of 2026, who graduated this past Saturday!We celebrate all they have achieved a...
16/09/2026

A heartfelt congratulations to the Class of 2026, who graduated this past Saturday!

We celebrate all they have achieved and look forward to seeing how they carry their leadership, courage and purpose into the next chapter of their journey.


Just four more days to go before the Äänit Prize ceremony is held!David Chapoloko's (Zambia & University of Cape Town, 2...
14/09/2026

Just four more days to go before the Äänit Prize ceremony is held!

David Chapoloko's (Zambia & University of Cape Town, 2024) venture: AgreeNect Technologies is an agritech venture supporting smallholder farmers to improve productivity, reduce post-harvest losses and access more profitable markets, which contributes to more resilient rural economies. It supports farmers through digital agricultural advice, climate information, market access and land restoration initiatives.

Learn more about David’s venture by watching his pitch video from the link below:

https://www.mandelarhodes.org/vote


Just four more days to go before the Äänit Prize ceremony is held!Nyasha Mashanda's (Zimbabwe & University of Cape Town,...
14/09/2026

Just four more days to go before the Äänit Prize ceremony is held!

Nyasha Mashanda's (Zimbabwe & University of Cape Town, 2020) venture: VhenekAI is an offline AI learning platform designed to provide personalised education support to students, regardless of connectivity or location. Named after the Shona word meaning ‘to light up’, the platform aims to expand and bridge educational opportunities to ensure that learners, in underserved communities, are not left behind in the digital age.

Learn more about Nyasha’s venture by watching his pitch video from the link below:

https://www.mandelarhodes.org/vote


Address

150 Street George's Mall
Cape Town
8001

Opening Hours

Monday 09:00 - 17:00
Tuesday 09:00 - 17:00
Wednesday 09:00 - 17:00
Thursday 09:00 - 17:00
Friday 09:00 - 17:00

Telephone

+27214243346

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when The Mandela Rhodes Foundation posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category