News | Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program

From ideas to enterprise: Mastercard Foundation Scholars take centre stage

From renewable energy and digital solutions to healthcare and food production, entrepreneurial ambition was on full display as 12 Mastercard Foundation Scholars stepped into the spotlight to pitch their business ventures.

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is looking for you

Applications for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program close 30 September 2026 (Undergraduate) and 31 October 2026 (Postgraduate)

A Mastercard Foundation Scholar’s resilient journey

Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Celebrates a Decade of Leadership Excellence at UCT

The UCT International Office was delighted to host the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program “Decade of Leadership Excellence” celebrations from 9 to 10 September 2025.

A reception held in honour of the new cohort of Mastercard Foundation scholars was held at UCT’s d-school Afrika on Monday, 16 October.

Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program gives impetus to the spirit of ubuntu

The life-changing, transformational Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program has enriched the lives of undergraduate and postgraduate African students, been a catalyst for change and has given impetus to the spirit of ubuntu.

Combining service and policy to make a real difference

Funwako Bakhile Dlamini has discovered many opportunities through the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.

Walking in his mother’s footsteps

Growing up in Ghana, Bright Tetteh learnt a lot from his single mother: determination, optimism, and a strong sense of community.

Mastercard scholar in line for Global Student Prize 2022

Mastercard scholar is one of the top 50 finalists have been chosen from around the world for the Global Student Prize.

Tributes to ‘life-changing’ Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program

The MFSP launched in 2012 with six university partners and a first cohort of 145 scholars. In only a decade it has changed the trajectory of over 40 000 young Africans, with ripple effects across the continent.

NextGen Engineers’ winning toolkit takes innovation beyond the lab

NextGen Engineers, a team of three students from the University of Cape Town (UCT), have won an international award for their affordable engineering essentials toolkit tailored to students’ needs.

Mastercard Foundation Scholar focuses on ways to alleviate climate change while giving back to society

Giving back to society is of key importance to Grace Emmanuella Adoteye, one of the current members of UCT’s Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.

Mastercard Foundation scholar attends CIMAM 2021

Victoria Machipisa gained inspiration from the curatorial perspective of international curators and artists at the CIMAM 2021 Annual Conference.

Diplomacy and leadership: the UN way

Mastercard Foundation scholar Monica Hella Ilonga was selected to join the 2021 Tanzanian International Model UN and Nasser fellowship for International Leadership.

Reflections from Lion’s Head

Our scholars reflect on their journey to the top of Lion’s Head on the annual outing with UCT Vice-Chancellor Mamokgethi Phakeng.

Leader of leaders

During the uncertainties of COVID-19, Owen Mwaura used his experiences with the Mastercard Foundation programme to become a leader his fellow scholars could rely on.