Friends of Mandela Rhodes Foundation

Courtesy of Marie B. Martelly

Nelson Mandela’s spirit of reconciliation helped to end apartheid in South Africa. We’re working to carry his spirit forward by investing in young African leaders.

“The Mandela Rhodes Foundation continues to identify and nurture, in ever greater numbers, the next generations of excellent, ethical African leaders.” —Nelson Mandela

With your tax-deductible donation, we fund scholarships for promising young leaders, as well as mentorship, tutoring and community projects in South Africa.

The Friends of the Mandela Rhodes Foundation allows Americans to make tax-deductible donations that support Nelson Mandela’s scholarship program (one of three charities established by President Mandela) and other South African educational initiatives. Your donation enables Africans from across the continent to develop the skills they need to attend university, to study at South African universities, and to build a new community of ethical leaders.

We are based in the United States. We work closely with the Mandela Rhodes Foundation, based in South Africa, which is online here: http://www.mandelarhodes.org/.

We also support the Community of Mandela Rhodes Scholars, which is online here: cmrscholars.org.

Voices of past scholars:

“We were immersed, and drenched, in the values of the Mandela Rhodes Foundation. You cannot forget that larger-than-life moment when you shook President Mandela’s hand and you saw the room around you shake with it. Greatness touched you, and the schooling you received from the Foundation froze that greatness, made you aware of it, and never let you forget it. You saw the strangers around you, those who shared the Scholarship with you; you saw them change and you knew it was bizarre that the world could yield such people – such leaders, such people who will change the world, and you were one of them. It couldn’t be anything but emotional. You wanted to shout it out to everyone. If you were anything like me, you did.”

—Riaan Oppelt,
Mandela Rhodes Scholarship recipient

“The Mandela Rhodes Scholarship has not only given me a top-notch education, and introduced me to an amazing community, but it has helped me to better understand and appreciate my life. Young people understand what Mandela has started, and will carry it forward. In my lifetime, Africa will claim its place in the world.”

—Pie-Pacifique Kabalira-Uwase,
Mandela Rhodes Scholarship recipient

Nelson Mandela’s spirit of reconciliation helped to end apartheid in South Africa. We’re working to carry his spirit forward by investing in young African leaders.

Donation Amount

Voices of past scholars: