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“Our programme model is unique,” says Ithuba CEO, Charmaine Mabuza. “We make sure that our learners have everything needed. This means we provide the basics – money for tuition, accommodation, laptops, books, food and an allowance – and on top of that our students receive mentorship, support from our team and counselling in life skills, which prepare them for the workplace. We also help our students to network within their area of professionalism and amongst their peers at the various Universities in the country.”

Mabuza sees the bursary programme as integral to Ithuba’s commitment to strengthening South Africa’s economy by playing a leading role in transformation and skills development. The main objective for the foundation is to eradicate poverty through education. The programme has been running for over two decades – sponsoring over 200 students in a range of professions since 1999. Recipients have qualified as doctors, lawyers, chartered accountants, and IT specialists.

The bursary programme was founded with the purpose of assisting young people from previously marginalized communities who have demonstrated outstanding academics to be able to further their studies on a tertiary level.

Application criteria

Aspiring learners who wish to apply for the bursary must meet the following criteria:

• Be studying towards a degree in one of the following: accounting, management accounting and finance, marketing, computer science/engineering, information systems, communication networks and software development.
• Have obtained at least a 70% average for each subject. And also have obtained an average of 70% (or above) for all subjects from the previous academic year.
• The applicant should have completed Matric.
• The applicant should not be older than 25 years.

Documents required:

• A certified copy of the latest academic results.
• Provisional letter of admission from a South African tertiary institution.
• Provisional letter of admission from a South African tertiary institution’s residency or private accommodation.
• Motivational letter: this is a letter motivating why the scholarship must be awarded to you and how you will contribute to your community upliftment.
• A certified copy of a South African identity document of the applicant and parent/s and/or guardian/s.
• Proof of income of Parent/Guardian confirming household income is under R350,000 per annum.

Ithuba does not require recipients of the bursary to pay it back, but they encourage the recipients to pay it forward by offering the same help to a student in need or finding a way to uplift their community.

Applicants may complete and submit their application on the Ithuba bursary online platform at www.mabuzafoundation.co.za. Only online applications will be accepted.

Applications for 2022 close on 31 October 2021.