Mandisa Mbali
KwaZulu-Natal, 2005
DPhil
St Antony's College
Currently studying at Oxford
I feel incredibly lucky to have been awarded a Rhodes Scholarship. Firstly, because it is one of the most generous scholarships available for studying at Oxford. Secondly, because it has introduced me to a whole community of scholars across many different colleges at Oxford. The Rhodes community is many things. It is a source of advice about practicalities of settling in and living in Oxford. It also provides several interesting forums for intellectual debate and discussion such as the Rhodes e-mail list, and the regular panels and debates which are held at Rhodes House. The Rhodes Scholar Southern African Forum also does important work fundraising for charities in Southern Africa.
For me, the selection process was pretty straightforward. The main thing is to submit the right forms on time and to take care in scheduling the interviews. I was awarded the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Scholarhip in 2004, which involved being interviewed separately by each KZN board member and then by the whole board.
I love Oxford. It has such amazing libraries and stimulating lectures and seminars. I'm at St Antony's College, which is a very international college. The best thing about being at St Antony's and at Oxford is the people you meet from all over the world, with such a diverse range of opinions and research interests. I also row for my college's second boat which I find a great way to enjoy the outdoors, exercise and socialise. There are also several opportunities to engage in work for human rights and social and environmental justice. In this regard, I'm also the secretary of Oxford Student Stop AIDS Society, which I find very rewarding. There are always different social events and balls, bops (parties) and dinners, so ones social calender is almost always full during term.
I am really enjoying my time at Oxford and would urge anyone who feels they meet to criteria to apply to be awarded the Rhodes scholarship.