Nedbank partners with Minds to support leadership development scholarship

Nedbank’s Eyethu Community Trust announced its partnership with the Mandela Institute for Development Studies (Minds) scholarship programme at a ceremony held at the Nedbank Group’s headquarters in Sandton on 13 June.

The leadership programme launched by Minds in December last year, allows African students to study within the African continent, but outside their home country. The programme aims to nurture leaders who have a continental development mindset and who will facilitate greater cohesion and cooperation between African countries.

Nedbank’s chief executive officer, Mike Brown said that Nedbank was excited to support an initiative that shapes leaders, and that ethical and inspirational leadership is an important element in producing confidence, investment, growth and higher employment rates.

Individuals with a Pan-African outlook who demonstrate leadership abilities with an excellent academic record, and who wish to study on the African continent outside their home country, are encouraged to apply for scholarships. The scholarship is applicable for full-time studies for a one- to two-year honours/masters degree at one of the Minds’ preferred institutions. The course is not prescribed.

Minds programme manager, Rumbidzai Chisenga said, “Minds is set to award scholarships to the first cohort of beneficiaries by August 2017, which is the beginning of the academic year in some East and West African institutions. It is envisaged that the first cohort will constitute up to 20 students who will enrol at different points of the 2017/2018 academic year, depending on the institution they are accepted into.”

A vigorous discussion on the importance of investing in leadership on the African continent commenced after the signing of the agreement. The panel of leaders including Dr Nkosana Moyo, Minds founder and executive chair; Francis Daniels, director of the African Opportunity Partners and Minds advisory board member; Zamafuze Ngcobo, a Mandela Rhodes scholar and leadership development consultant; and Victor Kgomoeswana, author of Africa is Open for Business, discussed Africa’s leadership crisis, the role of young Africans in providing redress and the importance of investing in leadership development initiatives.

Moyo encouraged Africans to take responsibility for creating the future they envisage and urged interested parties around Africa to partner with Minds on this initiative.

Detais: To apply for the scholarship, visit www.minds-africa.org/ScholarshipProgram.html

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