How we work

Overview

Ithuba is a non-profit organisation with a primary focus on education. Our goal is to provide scholarships to exceptional students from historically disadvantaged backgrounds in South Africa. We collaborate with prominent public and private schools to identify scholarship recipients according to Ithuba's selection criteria. Our mission extends beyond financial assistance; we are committed to guiding and mentoring our students, ensuring they unlock their academic and personal capabilities during their educational journeys.

Qualifying criteria

Our selection process is designed to identify students facing significant personal financial constraints that prevent them from pursuing their education without external support. The recipients' of scholarships must be unable to afford the cost of schooling, endangering their access to essential education.

Furthermore, we will consider various factors, including but not limited to, the following key attributes:

1. Demonstrated academic excellence

2. Recognised institutional achievements

These attributes will guide our selection process, ensuring that our scholarships are awarded to students who possess both financial need and a proven track record of academic or institutional excellence.

We work hand in hand with our partners to identify candidates and scholarship allocations are done on an annual basis unless there are exceptional circumstances.

2012 - 2023

YEAR by YEAR GROWTH

Upon its inception, Ithuba initially concentrated on supporting young male scholars in South Africa, leveraging the network of members and their connections to their former schools during the organisation's formative years. As our global member network continues to expand, our vision includes not only broadening our membership base but also diversifying the scholarship programs and partner schools we endorse.

In line with this evolution, the scholarship program has evolved to encompass female learners and our diversity split is now 50/50. Scholarships will be awarded based on merit, regardless of gender, and the final selection process is overseen by the Ithuba trustees.

Presently, our scholarship initiatives have established educational collaborations with esteemed institutions such as King Edward VII (KES), Paul Roos, UCT Online High School, Edinvest and Canaan College. As we strive to extend our impact, we aim to deepen and widen these existing relationships while concurrently broadening the scope of our scholarship offerings by looking into sporting and cultural excellence.

Ubunye Educare Centre stands as a distinctive partner school in our network. This institution is dedicated to nourishing and educating preschool children from disadvantaged backgrounds. We are committed to strengthening this partnership by expanding our support to further benefit these children and the community they represent. Our Co-Chairman is also a trustee of this school and is a wonderful example of how our members can further their impact beyond financial contribution.