The City Hall in Cape Town was transformed last night by the the 10 year anniversary gala celebrations of the Mandela Rhodes Foundation, with a balcony DJ, trendy bar, and the live sounds of Sipho Hotstix. Okay- that was after the serious proceedings of acknowledgements and speeches, by Prof Njabulo Ndebele, and Patricia de Lille, Mayor of Cape town, among others.
Over 200 young scholars and leaders from across Africa have been been supported by the Foundation, over the past ten years, to study at Honours and Master's level, in a wide range of disciplines. These extraordinary young people, in their own words, are already leaders, but these awards serve to affirm those qualities and launch them into future possibilities.
A student from each cohort, from 2003 to 2013, reflected on the experience, and while it may be to soon to assess the wider impact of the Foundation the personal impact is profound. Some of their comments:
We have been given the gift of intimate experience
The MRF has taught us that every voice counts, to treasure diversity, never to take yourself too seriously, and not to confuse privilege with right.
This has been a platform to express ideas, where no-one is going to tell us our ideas are unachievable.
We feel authenticated- we were leaders before we became scholars.
We are part of a community, able in turn to support a network of people.What was also remarkable was the incredible financial support by global philanthropists, where 100 million was pledged in one night.
Here's hoping these scholars continue to make an impact, and to borrow the closing words, make every day a Mandela Day, where we improve the lives of some people.
Row 13 Cycle 17 Run 10 Step 20
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