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The Make A Difference (MAD) Leadership Foundation grew out of a promise. In 1995 President Nelson Mandela presented the Rugby World Cup to Springbok captain Francois Pienaar at Ellis Park, and the two men stayed friends. When Pienaar prepared to play rugby overseas a year later, Mandela invited him to lunch and asked him to promise that he would come back one day and make a difference.
- Registered name
- Make A Difference Leadership Foundation
- Type
- Non-profit organisation (education and leadership)
- Fields funded
- High school, STEM, commerce and chartered accountancy scholarships
- Website
- madleadership.org
From a lunch to a foundation
The MAD Leadership Foundation was conceptualised in 2003, when Pienaar, newly back from the United Kingdom, had lunch with a group of friends and the conversation turned to how they could help build South Africa’s future. Pienaar now chairs the foundation, which is based in Bellville, Cape Town, and MAD still raises money through events such as its annual UK Golf Classic, now in its twentieth edition.
Three scholarships for 2027
MAD Leadership Foundation offered three scholarships for 2027. The High School Scholarship supports public school learners in Grade 8 through the rest of high school and on to university. The STEM or Commerce Scholarship is for learners accepted or applying to science, technology, engineering, mathematics or commerce studies with at least a 65% average. The Mike Ilsley Memorial Scholarship, run with the FEM Education Foundation, supports first- and second-year chartered accountancy students with at least 70% in financial accounting.
All applicants must come from households earning no more than R35 000 a month, and MAD values leadership, responsibility and community service as much as marks.
Support beyond fees
MAD Leadership Foundation’s Learning Academy addresses the academic barriers scholars face through individual plans. MAD gathers background on each scholar’s past interventions and challenges, then arranges resources such as past papers and learning apps, tutoring, referral to an educational psychologist where appropriate, and help applying for concessions such as extra examination time.
Applications for 2027 closed on 2 August 2026 after an extension. Shortlisted candidates complete psychometric and leadership assessments, and the 2028 round should open around May 2027.
How to research MAD
Read the scholar stories on MAD’s website to understand what the foundation expects in return: commitment, community involvement and honest communication. Start a community service activity well before May 2027 so you can describe real leadership rather than plans.
See our high school bursaries list for similar long-term programmes.
