The Vulamathuba Empumelelo Bursary has a long and trusted history of helping people from previously marginalised communities realise their dreams through its many programmes. The Vulamathuba Bursary Fund is no exception.

The Goal
According to Siphosethu Gajana, the programme coordinator, the Bursary Fund forms part of Vulamathuba Empumelelo’s goal of increasing the economic mobility of beneficiaries. “Completing tertiary studies is a gateway to a better quality of life. Once you graduate and start working, your earning power improves, and so do your living standards. You become economically mobile.  Sadly, many cannot access tertiary education due to financial constraints.
“This bursary, however, provides financial aid to people with academic potential who are economically disadvantaged (have a gross monthly income of less than R350 000) and would like to study an undergraduate qualification described as a scarce or critical skill. Some of the qualifications that fall into this category include the field of Business and Management and Information Technology.”

Higher Aspirations
Alice Nikuze (30), from Drommedaris in Brooklyn, is one of the 2023 beneficiaries who aspire to have a better life. She always wanted to study further but could not afford to. Then, last year, she applied and was awarded the bursary. Currently, she is a first-year Bachelor of Science Computing student at UNISA.
“I am grateful for the bursary as it is helping me fulfil a lifelong dream of becoming a Software Engineer.”
She laughed when asked about the good salary she would earn after graduating but acknowledged that the qualification would undoubtedly positively change her life.

A Better Future
For Jordan Bougard, an 18-year-old first-year Architecture student at Cape Peninsula University of Technology, getting the bursary has given her hope for a better future with excellent earning power. Jordan, who has also been assisting as a volunteer at the Vulamathuba programmes as part of the conditions of the bursary, was not only grateful for the bursary, but said she was personally enriched through her involvement in these community programmes.
“Volunteering at these programmes has helped me interact with people from all walks of life and has taught me new skills which will help me in life.”

Apply now
If you, like Alice and Jordan, dream of pursuing tertiary studies at a university, college or TVET or are already enrolled and meet the bursary qualifying criteria, grab this opportunity and apply. The Bursary Fund applications open on 1 November 2023 and close on 31 November 2023.

Apply for the bursary here. 

For more information on scarce and critical skills, click here.