The Nelson Mandela scholarship programme, which strives for academic excellence, celebrated its 10th anniversary at the Sandton Sun Hotel on Thursday.

Dignitaries and scholars, dressed to the nines, mingled as they awaited the start of the dinner.

The programme, established by Unilever, has assisted 106 previously-disadvantaged post-graduates to continue their studies in the United Kingdom.

The scholarship was a premier programme in Africa for young Africans with leadership potential, said Unilever chairperson Gail Klintworth.

"For the past ten years, the Nelson Mandela scholarship helped pave the way for the establishment of an African-based programme in Mandela's name," said Klintworth.

Klintworth said that this new generation of leaders would sustain the future of South Africa.

On the programme now being called the Nelson Mandela Rhodes Foundation, Klintworth said that she felt as if she was "giving away one of her kids for marriage".

The Nelson Mandela Scholarship programme had drawn to a close after ten years but Unilever would still contribute to the Mandela Rhodes Foundation, she said.

South Africa’s future leaders

Klintworth added that she was proud of the 106 "fabulous leaders. South Africa's future was based on our youth.

"I hope the scholars have not only benefited but imbedded in their souls that they are leaders in South Africa."

Programme director Nikiwe Bikitsha lightened the mood at the gala dinner with her anecdotes.

She said that her five-year-old son, who had met Mandela for the first time last week, had since replaced his Spider-Man and Kung-Fu Panda posters with the pictures he took of the icon.

Sapa spoke to one of the scholars, Divinia Sebastian, who has just completed her Masters degree through the assistance of the scholarship.

She studied at the London School of Economics and Political Science and hoped to do her PhD.

She was one of the "Lucky Ten," the last batch of students to be taken under the wing of the scholarship.

"It's been an honour, a privilege to be part of the programme and to also commemorate it as the scholarship marks its ten years," said Sebastian.

After all the hard work, Sebastian said that she would take time out while she worked on her next plan.

A commitment to development

Former corporate affairs director at Unilever, Ed Hall, said the company committed itself to the development of South Africa.

He said the scholarships were aimed to improve the quality of life for South Africa through education and training those from previously disadvantaged backgrounds.

Phumela Salela, chairperson of the Nelson Mandela Alumni Association, presented Hall with a gift as a token of appreciation.

Sapa