Recruitment and Selection

Recruitment of each new team begins in January to find 15 talented students who represent South Africa’s diversity. 

Applicants may:

• Be from any academic discipline
• Be South African citizens or permanent residents
• Be in their second year (or greater) of university
• Be between the age of 19 – 25 years
• Be currently studying at the University of Cape Town, the University of Stellenbosch or the University of the Western Cape
• Have a record of service, leadership, and excellence
• Envisage themselves as future leaders in South Africa

Potential candidates complete an application form online. The most outstanding are invited to interview before a panel of SAWIP board members, staff, alumni and representatives from participating universities. Short-listed candidates are then invited to participate in a three-day selection camp. Selection follows a transparent and democratic process. Within two days after the camp, all candidates are notified of the selection outcome.

An orientation camp with the final group of students marks the beginning of each SAWIP class. Here they are introduced to the major elements of the SAWIP program, the expectations and intended outcomes, and a commitment to SAWIP values and full participation. Students also work closely with staff to identify their academic interests for the skills and development components of the program in Washington, DC.

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