From rural Eastern Cape to Oxford University
Fund makes Zenani’s dreams real
It always seemed like an unattainable dream to study at the world famous Oxford University in the UK.
“But here we are,” 23-yearold Liso Zenani said following his selection as a Rhodes Scholars-Elect for 2023.
Zenani is the first ever Nelson Mandela University candidate to be included in the prestigious cohort of 10 outstanding young graduates from Southern Africa among more than 100 annual Rhodes Scholarships beneficiaries, with the scholarships awarded to top achieving graduates from 60 countries across the world.
The 10 Southern African Rhodes Scholars will join a further 92 international students in Oxford, as the Class of 2023.
The Rhodes Scholarships are awarded to young graduates of outstanding intellect and character, with proven leadership abilities and a commitment to service.
While at NMU, Zenani, who holds an LLB (cum laude), served in various leadership capacities, including as president of the Madibaz Debating Union, secretary of the Seventh-day Adventist Student Movement and chair of the Southern African Universities Debating Council.
He was raised in the rural Eastern Cape just outside Elliotdale, where his grandfather was the local chief and saw him develop a strong impression of law as a communal enterprise in which it is the right and duty of every person to participate.
Zenani is now completing his articles at Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr in Johannesburg. He said it felt surreal when he was announced as a Rhodes Scholar earlier in November.
“I left the interview convinced that there’s no way I’m getting the scholarship because it had been pretty tough.”
But later that afternoon, interview panel chair, judge David Unterhalter, called to inform him of the good news.
“That was by far the best feeling I’ve ever had in my life.
“It was absolutely surreal. I remember when the judge dropped the phone, I spent a few seconds wondering what on earth just happened.
“Then I called my mom and I was screaming and I was like, it’s really happened.
“I was on a high for a few minutes – it took some time before it sank in.”
The awards are granted to all-rounders based on talent and excellence, irrespective of the field of study; and without regard to gender, gender identity, marital status, sexual orientation, race, ethnic origin, colour, religion, social background, caste or disability.
The selection process includes a meticulous review process before the finalists’ interview with a selection committee composed of experts
and leaders in diverse fields.
Nine selection committees shortlisted and interviewed eligible candidates from universities across Southern Africa over the past three months. Twelve regional finalists were endorsed for the SA-at-Large national selections.
Following a weekend of rigorous and iterative interviews, the Rhodes Scholars for 2023 were announced this week.
The young leaders hail from countries including SA, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia and Eswatini and get the opportunity to further their post-graduate (masters and doctoral) studies at Oxford University.
They have studied diverse
academic disciplines, ranging from social psychology and social anthropology to computer science, from law to medicine and neuroscience, from physiology to mechanical engineering.
Dr Elizabeth Kiss, chief executive of the Rhodes Trust in Oxford, expressed excitement to see the “tremendous” talents of the Rhodes Scholars-Elect from every part of the globe.
National secretary of the Rhodes Scholarships in Southern Africa, Ndumiso Luthuli, was struck by the astounding talent in the region.
“In 2022, we recorded the highest number of applications ever for the Southern African Rhodes Scholarships in 2022.
“Submissions were up 16% on last year, the previous record.” Luthuli said.
Zenani said he was looking forward to engaging the legal material at Oxford.
“I can’t wait to get started on the work, the content, engaging the ideas.”
‘‘ I was on a high for a few minutes – it took some time before it sank in