"Mandela voting in 1994" by Paul Weinberg. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en]

Today, 27 April, is Freedom Day in South Africa, celebrating and commemorating the first post-apartheid elections held on this day in 1994. This day marks the end of apartheid, a system of institutionalized racial segregation and discrimination enforced by the National Party government in South Africa from 1948 until 1994.

The University has a proud history of standing in solidarity with South Africa during the fight against apartheid. In 1962, the University welcomed its first group of South African scholars, including Thabo Mbeki, who later became President of South Africa. Many others followed, coming to Sussex to study and work and escape persecution under apartheid.

Inspired by the struggles of their South African fellow students, the student body at Sussex became a vocal advocate for the global movement against apartheid, using their freedom of speech and expression to campaign for similar freedoms for Black South Africans.

The University established the Mandela Scholarships in 1973 to protest against the injustice of apartheid and raise the profile of Nelson Mandela’s struggle for freedom. The scholarships provided opportunities for South African students to study in the UK. This was an important way to support the education and advancement of Black South Africans, who faced significant barriers to opportunities under apartheid.

The Mandela Scholarships continue today, providing a catalyst for young Africans to achieve their potential, and to contribute, like Mandela, to the fight for social justice, freedom, and a better world. Find out more about our amazing scholars.