The Three Sisters' Bursary Fund was recently launched by Sindiswa Jamba, residence head of Nemesia, Benita van Zyl, residence head of Serruria and Carla Kroon, residence head of Erica. The launch of the Fund formed part of a series of Stellenbosch Women Alumnae Network (SWAN) celebrations for International Women’s Day, which was celebrated globally on 8 March under the theme #EmbracingEquity.

According to Jamba, the Fund has been in the making since 2022 when the three of them put their heads together.

She elaborates: "Most of the male residences on campus have bursary funds and are able to financially assist disadvantaged students in their residences. Whereas in the female residences you would find a lot of pantry projects that address the pressing needs of women but that do not necessarily address the costs associated with study. We identified this gap and decided to do something to ease the financial load on students residing in the three sister residences. Thus the Three Sisters Bursary Fund was born with the aim of covering the cost of qualifying students' tuition, accommodation, meals, and study material."

They also plan for the Fund to cover other needs that usually go unnoticed such as travelling fees during recess and December break periods, and costs associated with bedding, etc.

"We have identified that some students struggle to fund these expenses and it's not easy to ask for assistance. At the moment there are no funds that are readily available to help. We hope the Fund can bridge that gap," says Jamba.

Under the Fund, bursaries shall be awarded to financially needy and academically deserving undergraduate students from Nemesia, Serruria and Erica residences studying at the Stellenbosch campus. This will include those students who form part of the "missing middle" (gross household income between R350 000 to R600 000). A maximum of R150 000 may be allocated to a student in a particular year, depending on the student's financial needs, as well as the resources available. Students must meet the minimum requirements for their academic programme and residence in order to qualify for funding.

Jamba says they are currently in the process of raising money and awareness for the Fund.

"In the past the Three Sisters' Residences used to have an initiative called the Koeksisters to raise funds. We aim to revive that initiative and to go bigger. On 4 May we are also hosting a Three Sisters' Market where we will have multiple stalls and activities. Alumnae will be invited and we hope to not only raise funds but to build long-lasting friendships and connections among the students and alumnae."

Mbalenhle Shandu, Prim of Erica Women’s Residence, views the Three Sisters' Bursary Fund as necessary and important to address the growing financial needs of female students.

"With recent NSFAS cuts putting students under tighter budget constraints and the increased cost of living, there is truly a need for a fund such as this one. It is truly a blessing to the community and will make a huge difference. It will also give our alumni a means to connect to our cause by giving back. And as each sister residence fundraises towards the Fund, it gives us a chance to work together and establish wider community relationships."

She said expenses students typically struggle with and which she hopes the Fund will help them with, include toiletries, food, transport, textbooks, stationery and printing costs.

"It will be great if the Fund can also assist by improving spaces within our community that will enrich a wider group of people. For example, instead of getting one person a laptop, why not rather add a computer to a study area so that others can also use it."