The objectives of this fund are:
- To afford as many South Africans as possible the opportunity of furthering their education.
- To attempt to create the right climate for affirmative action by ensuring that people are adequately trained for their positions.
- To promote the development of South Africa's human resources.
- To help ensure that the South African population is adequately skilled and qualified to sustain economic growth.
- To assist in the empowerment of people through education and training, thus enabling them to participate effectively in all processes of a democratic society.
- To support Education Africa-initiated programmes such as the African Management Programme, the African Entrepreneurship Programme and other relevant courses which Education Africa is currently researching.
The Walter Sisulu Scholarship Fund is administered by Education Africa, and it is our responsibility to source scholarships and help find suitable recipients for them. It is also one of our objectives to target companies in various fields to collaborate and donate scholarships for specifically identified courses in the name of Walter Sisulu.
To date, over 3 000 scholarships have been awarded. These include:
Primary school scholarships (bursaries)
- Austrian, Walter Sisulu Scholarship Fund
- Dr Ernst Theimer Scholarship Fund
- Dr Noxipho Mxakato-Diseko Scholarship Fund
- Family 4 You Scholarship Fund
- Barker Insurance, Walter Sisulu Scholarship Fund
These scholarships are for primary school learners attending Masibambane College in Orange Farm, a project initiated by Education Africa. Full tuition is covered for these learners.
Secondary school scholarships (bursaries)
- Eskom, Walter Sisulu Scholarship Fund
This fund was established in June 1997 to address the need for the economy to produce students with good technical skills. The scholarships are awarded to pupils in Grades 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 who, in spite of often extremely difficult conditions, have managed to excel in mathematics and science. In order to qualify for a scholarship, pupils have to achieve a minimum mark in both these subjects on the Higher Grade. Financial need is obviously one of the main criteria for selection of candidates, whose names are put forward by their schools. The scholarships are renewed annually provided the learner continues to perform and achieve well in these subjects - an excellent incentive to work hard. They also help prepare these pupils to achieve well in these subjects at tertiary education level - a significant point, since it is well documented that pupil enrolment numbers in both mathematics and science are on the decline at universities. Through the Eskom, Walter Sisulu Scholarships, we hope to motivate pupils to continue their studies in these subjects and, hopefully, many will go on to become engineers.
- Océ, Walter Sisulu Scholarship Fund
This fund was established in June 2001 and is run nationally. These scholarships sponsor previously disadvantaged pupils from Grade 8 onwards who show good potential in mathematics and science. Financial need is also a key criterion.
- Rooms on View, Walter Sisulu Scholarship
Fund This fund was established to assist learners displaying talent in the field of art and interior design.
Tertiary scholarships (bursaries)
- African Management Programme
This project was initiated in 1996 by Education Africa and has national reach. It aims at training and developing previously disadvantaged persons to be effective business and management leaders. To date, approximately 1 500 scholarships/bursaries have been awarded.
- Certification in Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management
This project was initiated in 2000 and has national reach. To date, over 1 000 scholarships/bursaries have been awarded. This programme is designed to provide potential entrepreneurs with the knowledge to establish and manage a business in South Africa, as well as elsewhere in Africa.
It should be emphasised that if a company/funder wishes to become involved in any particular field, we can tailor-make a programme specifically for them. There are no restrictions or limitations in terms of the fields in which we can offer courses. The sky is, indeed, the limit, and we welcome any opportunity to meet with funders to discuss their specific needs!
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"I'm a beneficiary of the Walter Sisulu Scholarship Fund and I believe that we need to help each other. I think Walter Sisulu would have been proud of the way the Fund has helped the kids."
Portia Tuliswa November, St Barnaby's College
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