This year, the Kistefos Opportunity Bursary Fund programme is making it possible for six students from the Eastern Cape to study at Stellenbosch University (SU) debt-free.

With a focus on the social, health and education sectors, the Small Projects Foundation (SPF) has been a major contributor to development in the Eastern Cape for the past 31 years. Its vision is to develop ways of supporting poor and disadvantaged individuals and communities to improve their quality of life physically, socially and economically.

“SPF and Kistefos want to facilitate the education of tomorrow’s leaders across a wide range of career paths,” says project coordinator Mr Luke Baisley.

The Kistefos Opportunity Bursary Fund programme started last year as a pilot project with six students at Rhodes University. In 2019, six students at SU became part of the project.

The programme’s aim is to support up to 24 young future leaders over the next six years. The candidates are all from the Eastern Cape and are selected based on academic excellence, leadership qualities, community service and financial need.

“The students form alumni groups that work together on community service projects while at university and thereby develop friendships which will come in handy in future years. It is aimed at forming lasting relationships which will benefit South Africa’s needs in the future,” adds Mr Baisley.

At SU, the Kistefos Opportunity Bursary Fund programme currently supports four students studying medicine, one student studying occupational therapy and one student studying engineering. There are five female students and one male student. Bursaries cover all costs except tuition fees.

“This fills the gap for those students in financial need who can find funding to cover the academic side of their education but not their living and study material expenses which are equally important to allow people to study comfortably and succeed,” explains Mr Baisley.

Based on successful relations during this year, it is the ultimate plan to increase the number of students supported at SU to 12 by 2021. Thereafter it will gradually reduce until the last student leaves university.