With the Siyandisa Foundation Scholarship Programme now in its fourth year and going strong, the programme is continually expanding its reach and impact, creating opportunities for both Scholarship Recipients and strategic partners to benefit and increase their involvement in this premier programme.
The past year has seen the new Siyandisa Foundation website launched at www.siyandisafoundation.co.za. Additionally, the online application portal received a major overhaul allowing scholars to apply nationally using only a mobile device and increasing the ease of applying for a scholarship by selected candidates.
A new Scholarship Intranet has also been launched to establish a community area for current recipients and alumni to bond, share, support and access further benefits and opportunities flowing from the scholarship programme.
Another vital addition to the programme, was the addition of counselling and mentorship support for scholarship recipients at tertiary level. This was introduced to address an identified need for support at tertiary level where graduates attend university away from their established support structures at schools and homes.
Qualified counsellors are now engaged through the programme to provide direct and personal support to each scholarship recipients at a tertiary level. Counsellors contact recipients on a monthly basis to do a thorough health and academic assessment and so identify and address any issues that may affect a recipient, personally, academically or socially, which are then addressed through in-depth guidance and counselling.
The next phase of the scholarship programme involves increasing the career opportunities for recipients. Through career guidance and counselling in Grade 12, career choices are identified early for both university placement as well as support and employment opportunities at strategic partners of the Siyandisa Foundation. By linking strategic partners and their need to fund, develop and in time employ highly skilled young black professionals with scholarship recipients, wonderful opportunities are created for scholars and partners alike.
Herein lies the most rewarding opportunity to get involved, says Cikizwa Bacela, Siyandisa Foundation Scholarships Manager. “Partners who come on board not only as donors but also as a strategic partner to programme, stand to gain not only the knowledge that they are supporting some of South Africa’s brightest young minds, but have the opportunity to help develop, grow and employ many of these amazing young people in their organisations.”
“The Siyandisa Foundation is also a registered NPO and PBA with donations being tax deductible due to our S18A tax status. We provide publicity to our donors in thanks for their contributions and have created a donor structure in terms of which we recognise donors and their contributions to the programme. Annual contributions are categorised by Bronze, up to R10,000; Silver, between R10,000 and R50,000; Gold, between R50,000 and R150,000; and the highest level of donor contributor, namely Platinum, for donors who annually contribute more than R150,000. We are extremely thankful to all our partners, donors and sponsors for their amazing support and contributions. We cannot support these wonderful kids without you. Together we are shaping a new future for South Africa.”
For more information on the Siyandisa Foundation Scholarship Programme visit www.siyandisafoundation.co.za or contact CIki Bacela at tel (051) 492 3990 or email: ciki@siyandisatrust.co.za.