The final outcomes of the Fundi Foundation’s 2024 Registration Fee Bursary Campaign have been announced! Students remained glued to their device screens during the exciting live YouTube draw – with 72 beneficiaries receiving a collective total of R505 712.00 towards their registration fees. This effectively marks the next stage of their onward journey towards their tertiary education dreams; overcoming the formidable barrier to entry they were facing of compulsory registration fees.
The long wait is over! Following the December 2024 and January 2025 calls to action from the Fundi Foundation, the annual Registration Fee Bursary Campaign has once again given hope to over 70 students, making it possible for them to register at the tertiary institutions where they have been accepted.
“We had an overwhelming response to the campaign this year, with 3,628 applications received – a significant increase from previous years,” notes Sphiwe Masuku, Fundi Foundation spokesperson. The bursaries – which were capped at R11 000 per student – will be used for the sole purpose of addressing of upfront registration fees, which average just over R7 000 for most applicants.
“Registration fees remain an unbudgeted for and largely unanticipated expense for many students,” explains Masuku. “They are often not covered by the financial assistance received or included in overall bursary amounts. This means that deserving students are often forced to walk away from the places they have ‘secured’ with their results simply because they cannot pay the fees upfront.”
Speaking about the initiative’s impact, Masuku highlights the resilience of this year’s recipients: “Many of these students are actively working to fund their studies through side hustles and entrepreneurial ventures, demonstrating their determination to succeed. They aren’t waiting to be given opportunities but are taking proactive steps toward improving their circumstances.”
Recipients were carefully vetted through a stringent screening process, which included documentation reviews and a live random draw. (The live draw can be viewed on the _FundiSA YouTube channel.)
“This initiative is central to our commitment to breaking down financial barriers to education,” Masuku continues. “By paying registration fees, we help remove a significant obstacle for students, allowing them to focus on their academic pursuits without the immediate financial pressure. We believe that every small act of support has the power to transform a student’s life and, ultimately, our communities.”
The annual campaign builds on the Foundation’s ongoing efforts to assist students in the “missing middle” – those whose household income exceeds the threshold for government funding but who do not have access to sufficient private resources. With the 2025 academic year now ramping up for tertiary students, the Foundation remains steadfast in its mission to enable quality education; changing the lives and futures of the learners it serves.
“We continue to invite corporate and individual partners to join the Fundi Foundation’s cause to help more students achieve their dreams through education. As a registered NPO, donors can rest assured that their money will directly impact student success, paving the way for South Africa’s next generation,” she concludes.
