The Mandela Washington Fellowship will bring up to 700 young leaders to the United States in the summer of 2020 for a comprehensive executive-style program that is designed to build skills and empower Fellows to lead in their respective sectors and communities.
Application and Selection Process
Selection Process and Criteria
The Mandela Washington Fellowship selection process is a merit-based open competition. After the deadline, all eligible applications will be reviewed by independent readers. Following this review, chosen semi-finalists will be interviewed by the U.S. embassies or consulates in their home countries. Selected semi-finalists will be required to participate in these in-person interviews in their home country within Africa. If advanced to the semi-finalist round, applicants must provide a copy of their international passport (if available) or other government-issued photo identification at the time of the interview. Selected Finalists are required to attend the mandatory Pre-Departure Orientation in their home country within Africa.
Who is eligible to apply?
Applicants will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, socio-economic status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. The Mandela Washington Fellowship is open to young African leaders who meet the following criteria:
Are between the ages of 25 and 35 on or before the application deadline, although exceptional applicants ages 21-24 will be considered;Are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the United States;Are eligible to receive a United States J-1 visa;Are not employees or immediate family members of employees of the U.S. Government (including a U.S. embassy or consulate, USAID, and other U.S. Government entities);Are proficient in reading, writing, and speaking English (applicants who are deaf should refer to the English Language instructions on the Resources page);Are citizens of one of the following countries: Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Republic of the Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, or Zimbabwe;Are residents of one of the above countries; andAre not Alumni of the Mandela Washington Fellowship.
What are the criteria for selection?
The following criteria will be used to evaluate applications (not in order of importance):
A proven record of leadership and accomplishment in business, civic engagement, or public service;
A demonstrated commitment to public or community service, volunteerism, or mentorship;
The ability to work cooperatively in diverse groups and to respect the opinions of others;
Strong social and communication skills;
An energetic, positive attitude;
A demonstrated knowledge of, interest in, and professional experience in the preferred sector/track; and
A commitment to return to Africa and apply leadership skills and training to benefit the applicant’s country and/or community after they return home.
Our founder Bonolo Smith was part of the inaugural year of the programme and remains an active alumnus. It is after her experience in the programme where Meet the Women: Afrika was born. You too could build on your venture through the intense training received in this fellowship.
All the best for this opportunity. Tag us when you make it! we're rooting for you.
-MTWA Team
Comments