Designed by Sir Herbert Baker, it was originally built for De Beers by Cecil John Rhodes in 1902. The historical building was known as Rhodes House until 2002, when it was gifted by Nicky Oppenheimer, De Beers chairperson, for the use of the Mandela Rhodes Foundation. It was renamed the Mandela Rhodes Building. The Mandela Rhodes Foundation offers scholarships to African students doing postgraduate study in South African universities, and also provides leadership development opportunities for these students.