Meet the Class of 2025

We are proud to announce the Mandela Rhodes Class of 2025! Comprising of 64 young leaders, the Class of 2025 is represented by 18 African countries, including for the first time, Tunisia. Scholars will complete postgraduate studies across 26 study disciplines at eight South African institutions of higher learning.

As ever, study disciplines are diverse, ranging from Astrophysics to Agricultural Technology to Bioinformatics. Scholars will also participate in the transformative Leadership Development Programme, focusing on the Foundation’s principles of reconciliation, education, entrepreneurship, and leadership.

To date, the Mandela Rhodes Foundation has awarded 734 scholarships to exceptional young scholars and future leaders between the ages of 19 and 29 from 37 African countries who want to use their talents to serve the continent.

Below are the names of the 2025 Mandela Rhodes Scholars. Click on the bios to find out more:

1. Adrian Ommamu
2. Almustaqim Balogun
3. Ange Yapo
4. Angela Koroma
5. Ané Kotzé
6. Benedict Mulindwa
7. Benjamin de Kock
8. Catherine Wavinya
9. Chisina Joshua Nduku
10. Emili Yondu
11. Emmanuel Valentine
12. Erick Siwango
13. Esther Ndunge
14. Esther Opone
15. Faith Ageno
16. Foday Kamara
17. Gerald Ndungu
18. Gleris Wagura
19. Glory Awa-Oyom
20. Hilda Maritim
21. Ian Adipo
22. Innocent Kileo
23. Jamada Kalinda
24. Jesmyda Viyano
25. Jofrey Segeza
26. Josiah Muriuki
27. Kabelo Mbuyisa
28. Kagiso David
29. Karabelo Seapi
30. Lauretta Cisse
31. Lincoln Odhiambo
32. Lindani Zungu
33. Lindzy Byamugisha
34. Lineo Mile
35. Mariama Coneh
36. Mercy Awino
37. Mercy Musyoka
38. Mgolegrace Smart Mabusi
39. Michael Petrus
40. Michelle Mawanda
41. Muhammed Coker
42. Nada Ben Jemaa
43. Nigel Nji
44. Nkosilesisa Ncube
45. Nkosiphile Mavundla
46. Olo Modisakeng
47. Oluwaseun Makanjuola
48. Onaopemipo Adeoye
49. Patience Logan
50. Previous Mufunganzira
51. Rahma Ali
52. Ramses Peigou Wonkam
53. Rose Amuzie
54. Roxanne Willemse
55. Sarah Wilhelmi
56. Shelley Ngugi
57. Simon Lowry
58. Tahir Tayob
59. Takunda Chimutashu
60. Tendai Kusemwa
61. Tony Mwangi
62. Travis Malizani
63. Tumelo Matobo
64. Waheed Amanjee

To request interviews and photographs for publication, please contact External Relations Director Ben Rycroft at [email protected].

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.