ENTERPRISE54 – The US Embassy in South Africa has announced the opening of applications for the 2015 Mandela Washington Fellowship.

The Mandela Washington Fellowship invites 500 young African Leaders to spend six weeks in June and July 2015 at a leading US university studying one of three tracks: public management, civic leadership, or business and entrepreneurship.

After completing their studies, all fellows will travel to Washington, DC for a summit hosted by President Barack Obama and attended by leaders in business, government, and NGO communities.

The training is supplemented by over 200 internship opportunities in the US and Africa, follow-on professional mentoring and over $1 million in seed money to grow new businesses and initiatives.

South Africa’s Mandela Washington Fellow Alumni are some of the best and brightest South Africa has to offer.

2014’s fellows include eTV’s Faith Mangope, KZN Science Centre CEO Candice Potgieter, and Zulu Chief iNkosi Sbonelo Mkhize.

They also include dozens of young South Africans making a difference in rural communities, including villages in Mpumalanga and the Eastern Cape.

With committed environmental activists, education reformers, and small business owners, Mandela Washington fellows come from different backgrounds and walks of life.

Those interested in taking part in the Mandela Washington Fellowship can apply here.

Applicants must be aged between 25 and 35 and have a proven track record in leadership in their chosen field. The application period closes November 5.