Established to address the needs of citizens denied access to advanced education by the apartheid system, the programme continues to serve as an intellectual resource for talented South Africans to access advanced education.
“Ideal candidates are those who seek to model ethical leadership, knowledge sharing, and serve as a resource to improve and transform their communities and South Africa,” explains Nthatisi Quella, office director for Centre for African Studies. “Alumni of the programme are expected to remain involved after the completion of their fellowship and serve as ambassadors for the fellowship,” she adds.
The programme was established, and is still intended, for mid-career professionals educationally disadvantaged by past laws and resource allocations in South Africa. It provides a “transformational experience” at Harvard University during the fellowship year.
Fellowships are for up to one year of study in one of Harvard’s Professional and Graduate Schools, with tuition provided by the participating school. General administrative funds for programme management, stipends, and airfare for the fellows are provided by the Office of the President and administered by the Centre for African Studies.
Since the Harvard South Africa Fellowship Programme was established over 40 years ago, more than 220 men and women are counted among the alumni of the programme. They represent leadership positions in all aspects of South African society. Their careers span across education, law, public health, the arts and humanities, business and the private sector, and a host of other professions and disciplines, including many professors and senior administrators at universities in South Africa.
The Harvard University Centre for African Studies, with its Africa office based in Johannesburg, is a globally recognised, interdisciplinary body committed to broadening knowledge about Africa and engagement with African perspectives through scholarship, collaboration, and dialogue.
For more information, visit: https://africa.harvard.edu/south-africa-fellowship-program
