MA, English Literature, Sussex University

I had an incredible year in the UK. As a writer, literature is one of my great passions and I don't think that there can be a better place to study postcolonial writing in English than in the UK itself. Apart from the coursework, which I thoroughly enjoyed, I met so many interesting people from other parts of the world. I also took the opportunity to see some of Europe as it's much cheaper and easier than it would have been from South Africa. When I returned, I took up a position in Unilever's Corporate Affairs department and the Nelson Mandela Scholarship has become one of my responsibilities. I'm happy to be able to use my own experiences to the benefit of new Nelson Mandela Scholars and to work on the scholarship's strategy, ensuring its growth and long-term sustainability, for example. But I must also say that as the 2002/2003 scholars prepare to leave for the UK in September, part of me wishes that I could go back with them to relive such an exciting and stimulating time.

MA, International Relations & Development, University of East Anglia

I started my professional career as a teacher and was promoted to principal after five years. Receiving the Nelson Mandela Scholarship has been a life-changing experience, both academically and professionally. UEA was the ideal place to study International Relations as our department, lecturers and lectures represented a mini United Nations. In the historic city of Norwich I had many opportunities to engage in cross-cultural exchanges. Upon my return, I was particularly eager to contribute to the principles that epitomise the scholarship. I was, and am, determined to play my part in the development and growth of our previously disadvantaged communities, both in my capacity as an employee within an organisation and as a member of the Nelson Mandela Alumni. I am currently a manager at the GEOS Corporation, a company that specialises in providing English education world-wide. One of the challenges which we set ourselves as the Alumni was to raise funds for the scholarship, and I'm pleased and proud to say that I have become the first member of the alumni to raise the sponsorship of one more Nelson Mandela scholar through my organisation.

PhD, University of London

Intentions on completing the course: "Continue my work as trial physician at the HIV Research Unit at Baragwanath Hospital. To complete further studies in paediatric nutrition, preferably in a rural institution with links to the paediatric department, University of the Witwatersrand."

MBA, Birmingham University

"My intention is to come back to South Africa and make a contribution in the upliftment of the standards of the people of South Africa."

LLM, University of Manchester

I have a dream of becoming a successful labour lawyer to the benefit of South Africa as there are shortages of attorneys with intensive knowledge of labour issues in the new dispensation and the Labour Act…."

MSc, Animal Nutrition

"I wish to acquire more knowledge, skills and experience and to use these for the benefit of my country. …a human resource pool with expert knowledge of international standards is required for South Africa to be globally competitive."

LLM (Banking and Finance)

"It has been my dream to establish a training centre to workshop issues of global nature, which are critical for our development."

MPhil, Development Studies, Sussex University

The MPhil at the Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex has been very relevant and applicable to my work as head of the Children's Budget Unit at the Institute for Democracy in South Africa (Idasa). The research and training unit focuses on policy recommendations for budget policy, child rights and child poverty alleviation in southern Africa and other developing countries. The unit draws on development economics, human rights and social policy theory, which was my focus on the course. The international focus of the MPhil course has also assisted with the challenges that I am tasked with in partner countries such as Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Peru, El Salvador and Brazil. I would definitely recommend the experience of learning at a UK institute; it has created different opportunities for me and has influenced my ability to think more globally about South Africa, its positioning on the continent and its relationship with other developing countries. I regard my work at the Children's Budget as an important contribution to the development of South Africa and the region.