The Friends of the Mandela Rhodes Foundation (USA) was created as an expression of a few powerful and interrelated themes within the community of Rhodes Scholars in the United States.
First, Rhodes Scholars universally recognize the extraordinarily powerful impact a special educational opportunity can have on an individual life. Second, many Rhodes Scholars are deeply committed to what Cecil Rhodes romantically termed "the world's fight" and share a strong sense of global responsibility. Third, recognizing the origins of the wealth of the Rhodes Trust, many scholars have expressed a commitment to contribute to the ongoing transformation of southern Africa.
As a manifestation of this commitment, Rhodes Scholars have created the Friends of The Mandela Rhodes Foundation as a means for the American community to participate in the transformation of southern Africa by supporting educational scholarships and leadership programs.