he picturesque mountains of Somerset West provided the backdrop for the first Unisa Western Cape Shaping Futures Golf Challenge on 27 March 2015 at the Erinvale Golf Estate, which is one of South Africa’s most beautiful golf courses.

The event marked the launch of the Unisa Western Cape Regional Bursary Fund, which is aimed at raising funds for student bursaries within the region. The event, which built on the momentum and the excitement that was created in 2013 with the first Unisa Shaping Futures Golf Challenge in Gauteng, is an integral part of the fundraising initiatives of the Directorate of Institutional Advancement.

The bursary fund was established to address the thematic area of Student Access for Success, which is a direct response by Unisa to challenges that its student body faces because of the limited availability of bursaries within the higher education sector.

“The provision of student bursaries is central in facilitating learner support and in ensuring that a sustainable service is offered to the most deserving students with acceptable levels of academic merit,” said David Farirai, Director of Institutional Advancement, in his address to the captains of industry during the prize-giving dinner.

According to Farirai, the university faces ongoing challenges of providing affordable and accessible higher education opportunities to the majority of its students who are from disadvantaged backgrounds. He said that some of the challenges could be addressed by the establishment of bursary schemes and scholarships, which would go a long way in ensuring that students were able to access tertiary education and, at the same time, succeed at their studies.

“This further places a great emphasis on the importance of establishing partnerships with stakeholders within the region,” said Farirai, as he appealed for support from alumni and stakeholders in meeting the ever growing need for study assistance.

He concluded his address by stating that the purpose fulfilled by golf challenges is to highlight and to share in the successes of fundraising campaigns towards key institutional projects. “This brings to the fore the role of stakeholders towards the development and sustainability of the institution which is vital in securing the future of the university.”

The event culminated in a dinner and a prize-giving ceremony where guests were entertained by jazz band R Funk, who set the tone for the rest of the evening.

More photos of the event can be viewed on the Institutional Advancement webpage. Please also view our webpage for newsletter and other information of upcoming events.

source http://www.unisa.ac.za/

A former Umlazi resident who was schooled in Wentworth, has realised his dream to become a Chartered Accountant – the first in his family – after receiving a bursary from the Durban office of BDO, an international audit, tax and advisory firm.

Following several years of difficult studying, 25-year-old Sanele Nkosi has aspirations to reach the highest level in his chosen profession, something that appeared a distant dream just a few years ago but is now an achievable goal.

“It has been a long journey with many obstacles along the way, but with the support of the BDO family, I have managed to overcome them,” says Nkosi.

“The hardest challenge I faced was pursuing my Post Graduate Diploma in Accounting. I had to repeat it twice and eventually made it on the third attempt. This motivated me to work even harder, and I am sure this tough experience helped me pass the Board exams, which many feel is the hardest test, on my first attempt.”

He obtained his Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting at the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Westville campus and completed his Post Graduate Diploma in Accounting through UNISA in 2013. He started his articles at BDO’s Durban office in 2012 and, after successfully writing his Board exams, earned the right to put the initials CA (SA) after his name in February this year.

Michelle Cronje, regional HR manager and national equity manager for BDO, said that Nkosi was one of three Durban bursary students currently doing their articles at the Durban office of BDO and that they planned to award new bursaries every year to previously disadvantaged students.

“We have watched Sanele’s journey with pride as he has gone from a young matriculant to a confident, qualified Chartered Accountant. We have high hopes for him and look forward to the next stage of his career.”

“BDO’s bursary scheme, in which the tuition fees of the students are financed, is giving previously disadvantaged students the means to spend several years at university while working at the firm. Ultimately, we are empowering them to become Chartered Accountants, which will enable them to forge a successful professional career and make a meaningful contribution to the local economy,” she adds.

“The BDO bursary has provided me with one of the keys to reach the goals I have set for myself,” Nkosi continues.

“My three-year training contract with BDO, including vacation work whilst I was studying, formed the foundation of the expertise I have today. It has given me a vast insight into various industries and companies of different sizes.”

He adds: “The fact that BDO is a medium–sized firm made it easy for me to interact with many clients in a variety of industries. I’ve learnt so much in these three years. I’ve also thoroughly enjoyed working with the different teams in the company as well as the social interaction with my BDO colleagues.”

“The area in which I have developed the most, I think, is in managing staff and also managing my own expectations. Audits function around teamwork, and I have certainly grown in this area,” Nkosi says.

Where does he see himself in five years’ time? “I’m looking forward to staying and growing within the audit role for the foreseeable future, with the eventual aim of becoming a partner. I also plan to register for an MBA next year. I am a young man and the world is my oyster. I think the important thing is to seize every opportunity that comes my way and I plan to do just that.”

He grew up in Umlazi and recently purchased his own property in the Effingham Heights/Greenwood Park area.

Soccer is a big part of his life outside of work. He plays whenever he can, is on the BDO soccer team and follows English Premier League matches on TV. He also enjoys watching movies and spending time with family and friends.

source mediaupdate

The SANDF Education Trust has awarded 56 bursaries to the value of more than R700,000 for the current academic year – 17 more than in its first year of existence.

Bursaries for this year will see 26 children of SANDF personnel either killed or seriously wounded in the execution of their duties able to attend primary school. Nineteen bursaries have been awarded to scholars attending secondary schools and the Trust has issued 11 bursaries to students for study at territory institutions.

Five bursaries have been awarded to dependents of Reserve Force members who died while serving their country Colonel Monica Muller, SSO Reserve Force Projects, said.

She said applications were also received for financial aid to nine pre-school children.

“As the Deed of the Trust, in terms of the Income Tax Act, does not provide for financial aid to pre-school applicants the trustees refer these applications to the SANDF Fund. The SANDF Fund has agreed in principle to provide conditional financial support for the school fees of the applicants who are regarded as being in financial need.”

Since it was established by SANDF Chief General Solly Shoke in October 2013 cash donations in excess of R5 million have been received along with pledges for a further R1,6 million.

The Trust has as its only objective to provide study bursaries and scholarships to the dependents of SANDF members killed or severely injured on duty subsequent to April 27, 1994. The Trust will attempt to assist civilian employees of the Department of Defence killed or severely injured while on duty after the same date as well as South African citizens killed or injured in the course of an SANDF operation, provided they were not opposing the military.

Muller said despite wide communication of the Education Trust within the SANDF and to the wider public there are “still many prospective beneficiaries not aware of it. This is why the trustees do not restrict applications to any fixed closing dates. Applications are considered as they are received”.

The closing date for applications for the 2016 academic year is October 15 this year. Enquiries can be directed to Col Muller on 012-355-5107 or sandfedutrust@gmail.com.

Projections done for the trustees indicate future requirements for bursaries and scholarships will be between R800,000 and R1 million a year. This has seen a decision taken to continue with fundraising until such time as the interest earned on capital invested will keep the Education Trust sustainable.

Contributions can be made to the SANDF Education Trust; Nedgroup Trust, Resident Trust Account, Nedbank. The branch is Corporate Client Services, 145209 and the account number is 1452016976. The reference SANDF Edu Trust and donor’s name should accompany all deposits.

source defenceweb

The South African National Zakaah Fund (SANZAF) has donated R2.2 million towards bursaries for Wits students.

This generous contribution will assist academically excellent students who are financially challenged to realise their academic goals. In receiving the cheque, the Wits-Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Adam Habib, applauded the SANZAF for their ongoing partnership with Wits. In 2014 the organization gave R1 555 779 million for bursaries and is one of the organisations that responded to the 1 Million 1 Month campaign by donating R100 000 this February.

Habib said the University appreciates the investment and sees the “partnership as a bridge to enable children from poor communities to come to a world class institutions and get an education. This is a partnership that addresses inequality.”

Hoosen Essof from SANZAF reiterated the organizations’ vision. “SANZAF is a faith-based organisation that strives to facilitate the empowerment of families, and we help students by offering bursaries,” Essof.

As partners in development, Essof said that the organisation is funding almost 600 students in institutions of higher learning across the country this year.

The SANZAF Bursary Fund which was established in 1985, forms part of the SANZAF Education Empowerment Development (SEED) Programme.

This initiative aims to facilitate and support marginalised individuals and communities through education and skills development training, starting from early childhood development. SANZAF believes that a tertiary qualification opens doors to a positive future by empowering individuals to aspire to a better quality of life.

Cell C has named the 10 young women who will be the recipients of its annual Girl Child Bursary, which will enable them to continue with their tertiary education.

Since 2012, the Cell C Girl Child Bursary Fund has been supporting 10 beneficiaries. Thanks to generous donations made to the Cell C Foundation from big business, 10 new bursary recipients have been added to the programme this year increasing the fund’s sustainability and impact.

The 10 new recipients are:
• Angel Martins – second year BA International Relations and Psychology at Wits;
• Busisiwe Dube – first year N Dip Chemical Engineering at VUT;
• Martha Whitney Tsela – first year N Dip Office Management and Technology at TUT;
• Melissa Bantam – first year BCom Accounting at UJ;
• Nomthandazo Mabena – first year Mechanical Engineering at UJ;
• Shelly Sikhosana – first year N Dip Finance and Accounting at TUT;
• Skye Wallace – first year BCom Law at Wits;
• Tayla Henshall – first year BA Performing and Digital Arts at Wits;
• Yachna Sewnunan – first year Bachelor of Accounting at UJ; and
• Zingiswa Tyeya – first year BSc Human Life Biology at Stellenbosch.
The bursaries cover registration, tuition fees, books, accommodation and meals as well as a R1000 allowance a month.

Four of the recipients come from the Cell C Girl Child Institute of Mentorship (GCIM) which was launched last year under the patronage of Cheryl Carolus, who was the keynote speaker at the bursary announcement. GCIM involves a network of leading business women and Cell C female executives who mentor high achieving Grade 12 female learners. They are Dube whose mentor was Jenna Clifford; Tyeya mentored by Edith Venter; Tsela who was partnered with Brenda Kali and Sikhosana whose mentor was Dolly Mokgatle.

To continue the legacy and sustainability of the Cell C Take a Girl Child to Work Day – to be held this year on May 28 – Cell C launched the Girl Child Bursary Fund with the aim of allowing South African companies and the general public to contribute towards further education and training for qualifying girl learners from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Cell C works with the not-for-profit organisation, Tomorrow Trust, who identifies and recommends post-matric, qualifying girls from disadvantaged backgrounds to benefit from the bursary fund.

Says Cell C Foundation managing executive Suzette van der Merwe: “Women empowerment and gender equity is part of Cell C’s ethos. Education is one of the most important means of empowering women with knowledge, skills, self-confidence and social and economic status. These qualities enable women to become vibrant contributors to the economy and leading job creators in South Africa. That is why Cell C is passionate about this campaign and thankful for the support from our corporate donors”.

The Cell C Girl Child Bursary Fund partners are:

* DNI – donated two bursaries for five years.
* Huawei – donated two bursaries for five years as well as a tablet for each beneficiary.
* MerSETA – donated two bursaries for five years.
* Absa – initial partner and donor of the Girl Child Bursary Fund.
* Cell C Shareholders and Executives – donated funds to the Bursary Fund in their personal capacity.

source http://it-online.co.za/

School of Law – Bursaries & Scholarships. … Undergraduate. The following bursaries and scholarships are available for students wishing to study law:.

http://www.wits.ac.za/law/bursaries_scholarships/20217/opportunities_for_students.html

Bursaries & Scholarships

Undergraduate

The following bursaries and scholarships are available for students wishing to study law:

• >> WEBBER WENTZEL SCHOLARSHIPS 2015

• >> BHEKI MLANGENI MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP 2015

• >> HOGAN LOVELLS SCHOLARSHIP 2015

• >> ISLA INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME PAMPHLET JANUARY 2015

Postgraduate

The following postgraduate bursaries and scholarships are available:

• >> NRF FREE-STANDING, DST INNOVATION AND SCARCE SKILLS MASTERS AND DOCTORAL SCHOLARSHIP CALL FOR 2015

• >> PARI-PSETA MASTERS SCHOLARSHIPS 2015

• >> BHEKI MLANGENI LLM SCHOLARSHIP

• >> MANDELA_INSTITUTE_LLM_SCHOLARSHIPS_2015

 

Internships

The following internships are available:

• >>  SEXUAL HARASSMENT OFFICE POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP

• >>  INITIATIVE FOR STRATEGIC LITIGATION IN AFRICA (ISLA) INTERNSHIPS