Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation 2027 Leading for Humanity Leadership Programme (Funded)

Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation 2027 Leading for Humanity Leadership Programme

 

Applications are open for the 2027 Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation Leading for Humanity Leadership Programme, a fully funded opportunity for young changemakers and courageous leaders. This flagship programme nurtures a global generation of leaders who embody the values and moral courage of Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Participants join an immersive 8-day residential journey in South Africa, exploring themes such as self-repair, Ubuntu, forgiveness, and compassionate leadership. The Foundation covers all programme costs, accommodation, and meals, while participants arrange their own travel to South Africa. Open to South African and international applicants of any age, sector, or background who demonstrate leadership potential and a commitment to societal repair. Self-nominations and third-party nominations are welcome. The residential programme takes place in April 2027 in Cape Town and Hermanus, with full attendance mandatory.

Overview

Item	Details
Programme	Leading for Humanity Leadership Programme (2027 cohort)
Organiser	Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation
Format	8-day residential journey
Location	Cape Town and Hermanus, South Africa
Programme dates	April 2027
Funding	Programme costs, accommodation and meals covered
Eligibility	South African and international applicants, any age or sector
Deadline	14 October 2026

About the Programme

The Leading for Humanity Leadership Programme is the flagship initiative of the Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation. It nurtures a global generation of courageous leaders who embody the values and moral courage of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, helping to catalyse the "million ripples" of change the world needs.

The programme is an immersive 8-day residential journey that develops courageous leaders for truth and justice. Through honest conversations, peer exchange, and personal reflection, participants engage deeply with themes of self-repair, forgiveness, and Ubuntu. The experience builds the moral courage to lead from wherever you are and connects participants to a lifelong community of purpose.

Leaders drawn to this programme often pursue related pathways such as the AFLI Archbishop Tutu Leadership Fellowship, which shares the same commitment to values-based African leadership.

Programme Themes

The journey is built around four core themes:

• Self-repair for societal repair
• Ubuntu and compassionate leadership
• Forgiveness, indignation, and righteous anger
• Finding purpose and building a "Circle of Courage"

Who Should Apply

The Foundation welcomes nominations of individuals who demonstrate:

• Leadership potential and courage — people who stand up for truth, human rights, and justice in the spirit of Archbishop Tutu.
• Diversity of backgrounds — leaders of any age, sector, or life experience who are ready to engage deeply with themselves and others.
• Commitment to societal repair — individuals willing to take part in vulnerable, challenging conversations and commit to an intensive residential experience.
• Ability to travel — South African or international applicants who can travel to Cape Town and Hermanus and participate fully.

Self-nominations, as well as nominations by colleagues, mentors, employers, or community members, are all welcome. Applicants seeking wider funding for African changemakers may also review the ARCGSSP Scholarship Programme for Africans.

How to Nominate

Step	Action
1	Prepare a motivation outlining why your nominee embodies courageous leadership and how they would contribute to and benefit from the programme.
2	Include the nominee's contact details, a brief biography, and any supporting materials such as a CV and reference letters.
3	Submit the nomination by email with the subject line "Leading for Humanity nomination – 2027 cohort".

Funding and Key Conditions

Aspect	Details
Covered by the Foundation	All programme costs, accommodation, and meals
Participant responsibility	Travel to and from South Africa (self or sponsor funded)
Attendance	Full attendance is mandatory
Selection	Shortlisted candidates are invited for interviews
Final cohort	Confirmed by early 2027

Journalists and media professionals interested in Africa-focused fellowships may also find the MSF Eastern Africa Media Fellowship a relevant opportunity to explore alongside this programme.

Application Deadline

The deadline to submit nominations for the 2027 cohort is 14 October 2026. For full details, visit the official Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation webpage.