On 14th July, The Mandela Rhodes Foundation (MRF) hosted its 20th anniversary celebration, which took place at the Century City Conference Centre in Cape Town.
This milestone also coincided with the 10th anniversary of the death of former president Nelson Mandela, the founding patron of the foundation. The book titled “The Audacious Experiment: The Mandela Rhodes Story”, was co-authored by Shaun Johnson, the late founding CEO of the MRF and Professor Elleke Boehmer. She was supported by research assistants Iris Nxumalo-de Smidt and Makomborero Muzenda, both of whom are Mandela Rhodes Scholars.
The Audacious Experiment traces the emergence of the ‘unlikely idea’ and reveals the reasons for Nelson Mandela’s agreement to the partnership. It tracks the roles played by influential figures, while bringing to light important contributions made in unrecognised ways – often by women. The MRF emerges as an eminent African institution developing leaders for the continent’s future, born out of an impetus towards redressing historical injustices. The fruition of the Foundation’s early promise is conveyed through the stories and reflections of Mandela Rhodes Scholars [Mandela Rhodes Foundation, 2023].
Click to read the full book online:

#MandelaRhodesFoundation #NelsonMandela #OxfordUniversityPress #MandelaDay2023