Celebrating Two Decades of Exceptional Leadership: The Mandela Rhodes Foundation

On July 15, 2023, the City of Cape Town joined in commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Mandela Rhodes Foundation. The foundation’s unwavering dedication to cultivating a culture of hope resonates with the vision of Cape Town as a City of Hope. The gala dinner, marking this monumental occasion, was held at the Century City Conference Centre and was attended by Alderman Theresa Uys, Mayoral Committee Member for Corporate Services, who represented the City.

The Foundation’s Purpose

Established in 2003, the Mandela Rhodes Foundation is one of Nelson Mandela’s three official legacy organizations, founded in collaboration with the Rhodes Trust. The foundation’s core purpose is to foster exceptional leadership capacity within Africa by empowering aspiring young African leaders to utilize their talents for the betterment of their societies and the entire continent. The foundation achieves this by offering a postgraduate scholarship for these young leaders to study in South Africa and partake in a residential Leadership Development Program.

The Leadership Development Program

The program is founded on the principles of reconciliation, education, entrepreneurship, and leadership. It reflects Nelson Mandela’s belief that leadership begins with inner transformation. The partnership with the Rhodes Trust exemplifies an act of reconciliation and reparation, returning some of Cecil John Rhodes’s wealth to its origins in Africa. Nelson Mandela sought to “close the circle of history” by leveraging Rhodes’s resources for Africa’s progress, addressing the inequalities resulting from the unfortunate legacies of colonialism and apartheid.

The Impact

Since its inception, the Mandela Rhodes Foundation has awarded over 622 Mandela Rhodes Scholarships to exceptional young leaders hailing from 33 African countries. This highly competitive postgraduate scholarship enables young African leaders to study in South Africa and participate in a residential Leadership Development Program. The foundation’s leadership development initiatives have played a vital role in shaping the future of Africa, empowering its youth, and fostering a brighter, more hopeful tomorrow.

The City’s Commitment

Alderman Theresa Uys, City of Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee Member for Corporate Services, expressed the City’s support and admiration for the foundation’s success in providing opportunities for Africa’s youth over the years. The City of Cape Town is committed to offering hope to young, ambitious individuals in the city. In the past financial year alone, the City has provided training and development opportunities to 1,053 individuals, comprising 750 external trainee and bursary opportunities and 303 apprenticeships.

The Celebration

The 20th anniversary celebration of the Mandela Rhodes Foundation featured a performance by the talented members of the Ndlovu Youth Choir. As the City of Cape Town and its representatives celebrated this momentous occasion, the continued impact of the Mandela Rhodes Foundation’s leadership development initiatives was evident.