Walter Sisulu Scholarship Fund

THE WALTER SISULU SCHOLARSHIP FUND

The late Walter Sisulu was a great friend and supporter of Education Africa. In recognition of this and to honour the invaluable contribution he made to the country, Walter and Albertina Sisulu, together with Education Africa, set up the Walter Sisulu Scholarship Fund in 1995. Education Africa manages scholarships under this fund for learners in financial need.
OBJECTIVES OF THE WALTER SISULU SCHOLARSHIP FUND
The Walter Sisulu Scholarship Fund addresses one of the most troubling features of the education system in South Africa – the poor quality of learning (especially in the areas of maths and science), which results in school-leavers being inadequately prepared to enter the world of work or higher education.
The Walter Sisulu Scholarship Fund gives access to quality, relevant education to many impoverished students.
HOW THE FUND WORKS
Companies and private individuals put their confidence in Education Africa to deliver on its goals and objectives by donating funds to the organisation for the scholarships. Education Africa then uses the funds to manage scholarships in certain fields. The organisation works closely with primary and secondary schools and tertiary institutions to identify hard-working and deserving learners and students who are financially enabled via the scholarships to obtain a quality education. Please note that applications for scholarships need to be submitted to Education Africa by the school – we do not consider applications from individuals.
PATRONS OF THE WALTER SISULU SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Lungi Sisulu (Chairman, Walter Sisulu Scholarship Fund)
Geoff Rotschild (Patron)
Albertina Sisulu (Legacy Patron)
Nomazizi Mtshotshisa (Legacy Patron)
PRIMARY SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIPS
These are offered to learners displaying an eagerness to learn and who are in financial need, at schools such as Masibambane College.
SECONDARY SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIPS
Education Africa particularly encourages development in the areas of mathematics and science, and scholarships are awarded to learners who excel in these subjects, showing promise despite coming from extremely disadvantaged backgrounds.
Education Africa works in close partnership with schools across the country to identify these children at school level and bring them into the tertiary education system, where they can then train to become professionals such as engineers, doctors etc. Please note that applications for scholarships need to be submitted to Education Africa by the school – we do not consider applications from individuals.
TERTIARY SCHOLARSHIPS
There are two types of scholarship on offer:
• For our certificate programmes in partnership with Unisa (University of South Africa), i.e. the Programme in Business-focussed Management, and the Programme in Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management. These programmes have been developed to assist school leavers with entry into the business sector or with the establishment of their own enterprises.
• Scholarships offered for degree programmes are, in most instances, linked to employment opportunities through the company providing the scholarship. Some of the disciplines in degree programmes for which scholarships are offered are Management, Engineering, Law, Medicine, Food Science, Mathematics and Science.
CURRENT STATISTICS
To date, more than 3 500 scholarships have been awarded through the Walter Sisulu Scholarship Fund.
CONCLUSION
Partner with Education Africa and the Walter Sisulu Scholarship Fund and you will effectively deliver economy-focussed education opportunities, thus ensuring an educated and industrious workforce.
A tribute to Walter Sisulu
HONOURING MY FRIEND AND MENTOR

In the passing of Walter Sisulu I have lost much – a friend, a brother, a guardian and a comrade. South Africa, however, has lost far more. It has lost one of its greatest sons: an architect of South African democracy, an international statesman, and a compassionate advocate of society’s most marginalised sectors.
Walter stood head and shoulders above all of us in South Africa. His elevated status among us was due to his simplicity and humility: he pushed all of us forward while he remained quietly in the background. Walter made heroes of us, yet he himself was a giant of a man. I could have asked for no better friend, and the nation could have asked for no better statesman.
He devoted his life to fighting for the freedom of the African people. It is profoundly fitting, therefore, that we are to pay tribute to this unique man’s extraordinary insight by commemorating his memory and augmenting his vision with The Walter Sisulu Scholarship Fund. As a man with no formal education, Walter particularly understood its importance in securing the future for all Africans.
The Fund was created by Walter and Albertina Sisulu, together with James Urdang from Education Africa and has been chaired by Lungi Sisulu, one of the couple’s five children, since Walter’s passing in 2003.
The Walter Sisulu Scholarship Fund is designed to promote the empowerment of the disadvantaged through education and training, thus ensuring their effective and continued participation in all processes of a democratic society.
I appeal to you to help perpetuate Walter Sisulu’s legacy in the form of The Walter Sisulu Scholarship Fund, and together we can build an educated nation, and take the continent of Africa forward to claim its rightful place on the global stage.
Nelson Mandela

SOUTH AFRICA
EDUCATION AFRICA
Private Bag X13
Pinegowrie
2123
Gauteng
South Africa
Tel: +27 (11) 685-7300
E-mail: mailbox@educationafrica.org
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