Mandela Rhodes Foundation Scholarship / Bursaries 2025

The Mandela Rhodes Foundation is inviting students to apply for their scholarship award, for the 2025 academic year.

Scholarships will be awarded for Postgraduate studies (Honours and Masters degrees) in ANY field. The scholarship is open to students from all African countries, to study at selected institutions in South Africa.

The scholarship will provide cover for the following study related expenses:

• registration fees,
• tuition fees,
• study material allowance,
• meal and accommodation allowance,
• personal allowance,
• medical aid allowance
• economy-class flights for scholars from countries outside of SA (at the start and end of their studies).
• Scholars may also receive research and conferencing grants on request.

The scholarship will provide cover for up to 2 years – Honours students will receive funding for 1 year and Masters students will receive funding for 1 or 2 years.

Allowances are paid twice a year – scholars must submit proof of registration at the beginning of the year, and a progress report from your university 2 weeks after the second semester begins. Allowances are paid directly to scholars, while tuition and registration fees are paid to the tertiary institution.

Scholars will also take part in leadership development workshops – scholars will be required to attend residential workshops and regional pods, and may participate in the Mentoring Programme.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must satisfy the following minimum entry criteria before applying:

• You must be a South African citizen OR a citizen of any other African country
• You must be between the ages of 19 and 29 old
• You must be willing to travel to South Africa if you reside in any other African country besides SA (the scholarship only covers studies in South Africa, therefore you must be willing to relocate to SA for your studies)
• You must intend on studying at one of these approved institutions (you do not have to have applied or been accepted yet):

1. AFDA the School for the Creative Economy
2. Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT)
3. Durban University of Technology (DUT)
4. Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT)
5. Monash University
6. Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU)
7. North West University (NWU)
8. Rhodes University (RU)
9. Tshwane University of Technology (TUT)
10. University of Cape Town (UCT)
11. University of Fort Hare (UFH)
12. University of Free State (UFS)
13. University of Johannesburg (UJ)
14. University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN)
15. University of Limpopo (UL)
16. University of Pretoria (UP)
17. University of Stellenbosch (SU)
18. University of the Western Cape (UWC)
19. University of the Witwatersrand (WITS)
20. University of Venda (UNIVEN)
21. University of Zululand (UNIZULU)
22. Vaal University of Technology (VUT)
23. Walter Sisulu University (WSU)

• You must have completed an undergraduate degree qualification OR you will complete an undergraduate degree qualification by 1 January 2025
• You must have achieved a minimum overall average of 70% or upper-second class Honours
• You must intend on studying towards a Postgraduate qualification in ANY field (Honours or Masters degree only – MBA studies are NOT covered), in 2025
• You must secure admission to your university by January 2025
• You must be fluent in English and able to study at a postgraduate level in English
• You must have strong leadership skills
• You must aim to be an ethical leader and be committed to using your talents to advance equality, freedom and human dignity in Africa
• You must show potential to embody the MRF’s founding principles (education, leadership, entrepreneurship, reconciliation)
• You must be committed to participating in the MRF leadership development programme, which is held in-person and online, taking place during the week or on weekends (3 workshops will be held in the first year in residence, and 2 in the second year)
• You must respect the conditions of tenure of the scholarship – it cannot be deferred to another year
• You must maintain high standards of work and conduct during your studies
• You must NOT be receiving any other scholarship or funding opportunity
• You may NOT perform any paid work for more than 12 hours a week during your studies