The Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation is taking nominations for the Leading for Humanity 2027 cohort until 14 October 2026. The programme is an eight-day residential journey in Cape Town and Hermanus in April 2027, and the Foundation covers programme costs, accommodation and meals. Self-nominations are welcome, which matters for founders and community builders who have nobody to put their name forward.
At a glance
| Deadline | 14 October 2026 (no time of day or time zone is listed on the official page) |
| Nominations opened | 11 September 2026 |
| Who can be nominated | People with leadership potential and courage, any age or sector, able to travel to Cape Town and Hermanus. Self-nominations and nominations by others are accepted |
| Programme | Eight-day residential journey in Cape Town and Hermanus, South Africa, April 2027 |
| Cost to apply | No fee is mentioned on the official page |
| How to nominate | By email to shanti@tutu.org.za |
| Official pages | Leading for Humanity programme page and call for nominations |
Who can be nominated
The Foundation looks for leadership potential and courage: people who stand up for truth, human rights and justice in the spirit of Archbishop Desmond Tutu. The call welcomes South African and international candidates from any age group and any sector. The programme page, by contrast, describes a group of young people across sectors, so check both pages if age matters to you.
Two conditions are firm. Candidates must be able to travel to Cape Town and Hermanus, and the call states that full attendance is mandatory. The Foundation also says it weighs the diversity of the cohort when it selects.
What the programme offers
The Foundation describes an immersive journey built around courageous conversations, peer exchange, storytelling and personal reflection, with themes such as self-repair, forgiveness and Ubuntu. It runs in residence over eight days, and the programme page notes both residential and online elements.
The call states that the Foundation covers all programme costs, accommodation and meals. Participants or their sponsors pay for travel to and from South Africa. The pages do not give the number of places.
How to nominate
- Read the call for nominations and the programme page.
- Decide whether you nominate yourself or a colleague, mentee or community member.
- Write a motivation explaining why the nominee embodies courageous leadership.
- Add contact details, a biography and supporting material such as a CV or reference letters.
- Email everything to shanti@tutu.org.za using the subject line the call specifies (it begins “Leading for Humanity nomination” and names the 2027 cohort) by 14 October 2026.
Advice from the Africapreneurs team
- Build the motivation around one concrete decision where you chose truth or fairness over convenience. The selection criteria name demonstrated leadership, alignment with the Archbishop’s values and commitment to justice in society.
- Founders running ventures with a social mission can use the biography to show how the business serves communities, not only revenue. The call asks for evidence of commitment to repairing society.
- Book your April 2027 calendar before you submit. Full attendance is mandatory, and travel to South Africa is on you or your sponsor.
- If an employer or investor can sponsor your flight, line that up now and mention it.
- Send the email a few days early. The pages list no extension.
FAQ
Can I nominate myself?
Yes. The call says self-nominations and nominations by colleagues, mentors, employers or community members are welcome.
Is there a fee?
The official pages mention no fee, and the Foundation says it covers programme costs, accommodation and meals. Travel is not covered.
Is there an age limit?
The call lists no age restriction. The programme page speaks of young people, so the Foundation is the right place to confirm if you are unsure.
When is the cohort announced?
The call says the final cohort will be announced in early 2027, with the programme running in April 2027.
Sources
- Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation: Leading for Humanity
- Call for Nominations: Leading for Humanity 2027 Cohort
