Suncoast partnered with Vukukhanye in 2008 to launch the Vukukhanye Bursary Project. The mandate for this initiative was to help disadvantaged children from the community of Chesterville to achieve tertiary qualifications giving them a solid foundation to becoming self-sufficient and employed.
Over the years, Suncoast has supported more than 20 students ranging from as young as Grade 1 through to Grade 12 and beyond. The Bursary Project is currently supporting 5 high school pupils and 5 students in various Universities and Colleges in Durban. The students are assisted with fees and education related expenses until their graduation from the tertiary institution.
Each bursar has been supported from the Grade that they joined the bursary programme through to Tertiary education. 10 students have graduated from various tertiary institutions with degrees and diplomas ranging from Human Resources Management to Nursing and Chemical Engineering. The majority of these graduates are employed or in the process of completing in service training.
There are some incredible success stories. Thobeka Radebe joined the programme in her Grade 12 year, graduated as a Staff Nurse in 2014 and is currently employed at St Augustine’s Netcare Hospital. Z’busiso Makhanya also joined in his Grade 12 year and went on to complete a B.Com Accounting and is employed at Bidvest. Slindile Nyerende joined the bursary programme in Grade 8 and went on to study a B.Social Science degree followed by a Post-Graduate Certificate in Education and is currently on contract at Roosfontein Nature Reserve. Civil Engineering Graduate, Sibonelo Nyongwana completed his degree at DUT and has been employed by TGC Engineers and is pursuing further engineering studies.
“We’ve enjoyed phenomenal success in the last few years, with many of our university and college students graduating and finding jobs” says Chief Executive Officer of Vukukhanye, Dr. Anthony van der Muelen. “Our school pupils are also doing us proud, some passing with flying colours, which bodes well for their futures and will help them immensely in getting into their desired fields of study”.
In the words of the great Nelson Mandela, “Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world” and Suncoast is proud to have played a role in changing the world of each and every student on this programme.
“With 10 students gearing up for the beginning of the new school year, we wish them every success and look forward to celebrating their achievements at the end of this year” said Adam MacIntyre, Suncoast’s Operations Director.
To find out more about the work Vukukhanye does within their local community please visit https://www.vukukhanye.org/
