Mastercard Foundation Scholars Conference 2025 reflects and reimagines an African Scholar today

What does it mean to be an African scholar today?

That question echoed powerfully through the halls of the University of Pretoria’s Sanlam Auditorium, where the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Conference 2025 brought together over 140 undergraduate and postgraduate Scholars from across the continent. Held over two transformative days from 10 and 11 July, the conference was not just an academic gathering but a celebration of purpose, identity, and innovation.

Guided by the theme “What it means to be an African Scholar Today,” the event created a space for Scholars to reflect on their journeys, engage with thought leaders, and find strength in shared purpose.

The conference was facilitated by renowned poet and cultural activist Lebo Mashile, whose powerful presence gave voice to what many Scholars felt but couldn’t yet articulate. Her keynote opened with a call to authenticity and courage, urging young Africans to anchor their academic pursuits in identity and community.

Day one embraced on reclaiming identity, building resilience

The first day of the conference focused on undergraduate Scholars and themes of youth development, academic resilience, and leadership. The energy in the room was electric from the very beginning.

During a moving keynote address, Mashile reminded Scholars that African excellence does not need validation, it simply needs visibility. She challenged them to dream beyond limitations and to use education as a tool to not only elevate themselves but their communities too.

A dynamic panel discussion brought together Dr Lelo Nzita Alain, an Associate Professor in Mechanical Engineering at the University Kasa-Vubu in the DRC and a Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program alumnus; Ms Mpendulo Sibiya, a Research Communication Officer at the National Research Foundation (NRF); and Ms Nobuhle Zonzo, a first-year Master’s student at the University of Pretoria. The panellists shared real-life experiences from academia, the workplace, and the media. From tips on crafting a standout CV to navigating careers using AI tools, the conversation explored the realities and opportunities awaiting young African professionals. Most importantly, the panellists emphasized the value of staying grounded in one’s principles while embracing global opportunities. Breakout sessions later in the day gave Scholars a chance to explore specific topics, including leadership skills, campus life, social innovation, and career planning. These smaller sessions encouraged real conversations and practical learning, with facilitators guiding students through exercises that many described as “life-changing.”

Day two focused on strategy, innovation, and purpose

While day one sparked self-discovery, day two sharpened focus and strategy for postgraduate Scholars. The spotlight was on research, innovation, entrepreneurship, and how academic work can shape the continent’s future.

The keynote session, “Shaping Africa’s Future through Scholarship and Innovation,” set the tone for a day that blended high-level policy thinking with practical, actionable insights. Dr Livhuwani Masevhe, a leading expert in science policy and innovation and currently Deputy Director: Science Promotion at the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) in South Africa, joined Advocate Lawrence Baloyi, Acting Director of the Department of Research and Innovation at the University of Pretoria (UP), in a thought-provoking panel discussion. Together, they explored how to translate research into real-world impact, protect intellectual property, and align academic pursuits with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).Post-lunch workshops covered academic writing, mental health, and purpose-driven career building three areas frequently highlighted by Scholars as crucial to their development. Many found these sessions to be deeply personal and empowering.

A standout moment came when one Scholar reflected, “I walked into that room with ideas, but I walked out with clarity, direction, and belief.”

Scholars feedback on confidence, clarity, and community

The impact of the conference was unmistakable. According to post-conference feedback, 96.5% of attendees rated the overall experience as “Excellent” or “Very Good.” Many said they left with renewed confidence in their academic identity and career goals.

Day two, which focused on research and innovation, had the most reported impact. Scholars cited the panel and workshop sessions as highlights, along with the opportunity to network and connect with fellow students from across Africa.

Common takeaways included the importance of protecting one’s intellectual property, building a purpose-driven career, and taking care of one’s mental health while pursuing academic excellence.

Some logistical suggestions were shared too like a need for greater food variety and more time for Q&A but the overall tone of the feedback was deeply appreciative. As one Scholar wrote, “Events like this mould us into well-rounded people. It is not something to take for granted.”

Entertainment at the conference wasn’t just a break from the programme—it was a continuation of the message, delivered through rhythm and verse.

Lebo Mashile, known for her soul-stirring performance poetry, rendered original works on both days, using her craft to deepen the emotional and cultural resonance of the conference. Her poems held up a mirror to the African experience honouring identity, struggle, womanhood, and the spirit of resistance. She reminded everyone in the room that scholarship is not just intellectual, but spiritual and ancestral too.

In a special moment of shared expression, Benjamin Andwanirira, a Mastercard Foundation Scholar from Uganda, also stepped forward to perform a powerful poem that reflected on belonging, resilience, and hope. His words echoed the aspirations of many Scholars in the room, adding a deeply personal and peer-led layer to the programme.

These poetic interludes were more than performances, they were moments of stillness and truth, connecting hearts across borders and disciplines. Through poetry, the conference reminded us that education must never lose its soul.

It was more than a Conference but a “Movement”

Perhaps the most powerful words came not from the stage but from the hearts of the Scholars themselves:

“Thank you, Mastercard Foundation. If no one grooms their seeds, the priceless seed you have sown in me, I will carry forward and Africa will see the fruit.”

That spirit of gratitude and responsibility encapsulates what the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is all about equipping a generation not just to succeed, but to lead with compassion, courage, and commitment. When the Scholars return to their communities, one thing is clear; the future of Africa is not a distant dream. It is already being written by young scholars who are learning, leading, and lifting as they rise.