FABI was delighted to learn that a colleague and Manager for Partnerships and Programs for Innovation at Future Africa, Dr Osmond Mlonyeni has been appointed as a Trustee of the Mandela Rhodes Foundation. He is the first-ever alumnus of The Mandela Rhodes Scholarship to join its Board of Trustees. This makes his appointment a historic first for Nelson Mandela’s legacy organisation for leadership development.

The Trustees of the MRF officially welcomed him at the annual Board meeting held on 8 June. Chair of the Board of Trustees, Prof. Njabulo S. Ndebele described Osmond’s appointment as “a historic and delightful moment for the Board and the Foundation as he is the first person from the next generation of leaders to join the Board of Trustees. As an alumnus of the Mandela Rhodes Scholarship, Osmond has a deep understanding of the Foundation’s values and the impact it can have in the lives of its Scholars. Osmond is both very accomplished and exceptionally wise, and has an impressive set of skills and experiences that will add tremendous value to the Board”. 

Osmond is an alumnus of FABI at the University of Pretoria where he completed both MSc and PhD degrees and he remains deeply involved in the activities of FABI.  During his postgraduate years, he was awarded a Mandela Rhodes Scholarship in the Class of 2009. He has held many leadership and governance roles, including serving on the Strategic and Steering committees of Future Africa and Innovation Africa at UP, and as non-executive Director on the Boards of two State enterprises.