Introducing the Class of 2023

The 19th cohort of Mandela Rhodes Scholars comprises 38 scholars from 16 African countries and includes the first-ever Mandela Rhodes Scholar from Guinea, Saa Michel Tolno. The scholars will complete postgraduate studies in South Africa, in disciplines as diverse as aerospace engineering and music, while completing a transformative Leadership Development Programme.

When Nelson Mandela established The Mandela Rhodes Foundation in 2003, he envisioned a leadership development opportunity that would benefit the whole continent, not only South Africa. To date, the Foundation has awarded over six hundred scholarships to talented young leaders from 33 African countries. The highly competitive Mandela Rhodes Scholarship is open to students between the ages of 19 and 29 from all African countries who want to use their talents to serve the continent.

Here are the names of the 2023 Mandela Rhodes Scholars; click through to read their bios:

1. Florence Aruko (Uganda)
2. Melisa Clara Bhebe (Zimbabwe)
3. Fama Jallow (The Gambia)
4. Ulemu Hannah Kanyongolo (Malawi)
5. Sara Lagardien (South Africa)
6. Sarah Malwil (South Sudan)
7. Karisma Mamboleo (Tanzania)
8. Humairaa Moosa (South Africa)
9. Irene Mpofu (South Africa)
10. Mwayi Prudence Msokera (Malawi)
11. Elizabeth Mwangi (Kenya)
12. Kholisani Ndlovu (Zimbabwe)
13. Siphelelisiwe Ntombela (South Africa)
14. Chomba Nyemba-Mubanga (Zambia)
15. Cynthia Nyongesa (Kenya)
16. Rudorwashe Rushwaya (Zimbabwe)
17. Ropafadzo Sandra Shoko (Zimbabwe)
18. Francisca Timothy (Nigeria)
19. Janet Wasinda (Nigeria
20. David Akobe (Nigeria)
21. Abraham Duol (South Sudan)
22. Ssebulime Fabian (Uganda)
23. Smangaliso Mbili (South Africa)
24. Thabo Mhapha (Botswana)
25. Mpanang'ombe Wrixon (Malawi)
26. Desmond Munyadzwe (Botswana)
27. M'khuzo Mwachande (Zambia)
28. John Mwati (Kenya)
29. Michael Ncube (Zimbabwe)
30. Jean de Dieu Ndayishimiye (Burundi)
31. Lumbani Ngulube (Malawi)
32. Wilson Hollyfield Nkwanui Fongong (Cameroon)
33. Yamkela Ntshakaza (South Africa)
34. Odenakachi Okeke (Nigeria)
35. John Saylay Singbae,II (Liberia)
36. Awonke Sixabayi (South Africa)
37. Praise Tembo (Malawi)
38. Saa Michel Tolno (Guinea)

To find out more about the Foundation and our scholars, visit our website. To request interviews and photographs for publication - contact communications officer Ayanda Radebe on ayanda[at]mrf.org.za.

The Mandela Rhodes Foundation is an official Nelson Mandela legacy organisation tasked with developing exceptional leadership capacity in Africa. We provide postgraduate funding and a Leadership Development Programme to academically gifted young Africans who demonstrate leadership potential.