Mandela Rhodes Place opposite St George’s Cathedral was a hub of energy and excitement during the final weekend of July, when the Mandela Rhodes Foundation (MRF) celebrated its 10th birthday.
The Mandela Rhodes Foundation was created in 2002 when the Rhodes Trust, as part of its centenary celebrations, entered into a partnership with Nelson Mandela and pledged a founding donation over 10 years. This brought together the 20th-century legacy of leadership and reconciliation embodied by Madiba, and Cecil John Rhodes's 19th-century legacy of education and entrepreneurship.
MRF covers the full costs of a post-graduate degree – masters or honours – and while pursuing their chosen degree at a South African university, each scholar receives leadership development.
More than 140 of the 200 Mandela Rhodes scholars to date, ranging from physicists to a cello player, met for an emotional reunion. Minister in the Presidency Trevor Manuel opened the conference, followed by an intergenerational leadership master class. Alumni and trustees later debated the foundation’s future at the former home of Nelson Mandela in Bishopscourt, before a gala celebration at Cape Town City Hall.
The good news is that the foundation is in such good shape that it is considering doubling the number of scholars assisted.
“The foundation’s first decade has shown not only its success, but the solid commitment to its future,” said CEO Shaun Johnson. “The initial target for an endowment for sustainability of R350 million has been achieved and exceeded. We have seen the MRF team rise to the challenge put to us by entrepreneur, philanthropist, Rhodes Scholar and MRF trustee John McCall MacBain to make a gift of R25 million to the foundation as well as offering to match a further R25 million of new donations.
“Based on the extraordinary success of this first decade, the board has mandated the foundation to investigate doubling the numbers of Mandela Rhodes Foundation scholars in the coming years and it is with pride that we go can forward knowing that this will be a permanent legacy for our beloved patron, Mr Mandela.”