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Sugar TRUST FUND FOR EDUCATION
WELCOME TO SITFE
SUGAR INDUSTRY TRUST FUND FOR EDUCATION
The Sugar Industry Trust Fund for Education (SITFE) was launched in 1965 as a private-sector initiative and is regarded as one of the oldest Trust Funds in South Africa. The mission of SITFE is to support, promote and advance sustainable, quality education in South African sugarcane growing areas.
In its history, SITFE has provided bursaries to over 10 200 students, financed school-building projects, provided financial assistance to tertiary institutions, and worked closely with educational organisations to improve the overall education standard in the sugarcane growing provinces, namely KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga.
One of the oldest Trust Funds in South Africa.
Provided bursaries to over 10 200 students.
NEWS
Our latest articles
Time really does flies when you are driving positive change andtransforming lives! This is the theme which echoed as Sugar IndustryTrust Fund for Education (SITFE) held its annual graduation ceremonywhich coincided with its 60th anniversary celebration. The event took...
SITFE legend Tim Murray, who has over the years, served as a Trustee and Chairperson, has retired. On Friday, 5 September 2025, the Trust Fund held a farewell lunch in honour of the sugar industry doyen whose passion for education has become an integral part of his...
Did you know? SITFE TURNS 60!!! This year, 2025, marks 60 years since the launch of the Sugar Industry Trust Fund for Education (SITFE). The Trust Fund has been in existence for 60 years. It was launched in 1965 as a private sector initiative and is regarded as one...
The Sugar Industry Trust Fund for Education (SITFE) is putting smiles on the faces of children from impoverished villages in Pongola, north of KwaZulu-Natal. Above: SITFE Chairperson Nkonzo Mhlongo is all smiles and impressed with the artwork produced by the...
SITFE awarded 14 new bursaries to exceptional youngsters, who are Children of farmworkers. That forms part of the missing middle (household income R350 000 – R600 000) and From KZN Colleges of Agriculture Amanda Dikhali, Agricultural Science, UKZN...
Cedric MboyisaThe Sugar Industry Trust Fund for Education (SITFE), which is administered by the South African Sugar Association (SASA), held a graduation ceremony on 1 July 2022 for its beneficiaries who recently completed their studies at various tertiary...
SITFE received R5million donation from the SASA Transformation Committee for education initiatives.
SITFE underwent its first AGM during 2021/2022 season. Nkonzo Mhlongo was elected as the first black female SITFE Chairperson.
SITFE hosted a phenomenal virtual media briefing event in March 2021, where the SITFE Chairperson Tim Murray welcomed and congratulated all 8 new bursary recipients to the Sugar Industry and spoke on the significant contribution that SITFE has made to education over...
The pandemic forced the entire education sector to rely on e-learning. Till this day, many students still have challenges and barriers to online learning. To manage some these difficult circumstances, SITFE purchased electronic devises for all new 8 SITFE recipients...
AT A GLANCE
A LOOK INTO THE RSA SUGAR INDUSTRY
The South African sugar industry is a top producer of high-quality sugar and provides employment in rural areas, sustainable development, and contributes to the national economy. It combines sugarcane cultivation with the manufacture of raw and refined sugar, syrups, specialized sugars, and by-products.
There are 23,000 registered sugarcane growers in KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga. 12 sugar mills are operated by six milling companies in these regions, producing an estimated average of 2.2 million tons of sugar per season. Around 60% of the sugar is marketed in the Southern African Customs Union (SACU), with the rest exported to markets in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.
23 000
Registered sugarcane growers farming predominantly in KwaZulu-Natal
OUR FEATURED PROJECTS
COMMUNTY
SITFE supports a wide range of programmes ranging from the school support programme; study assistance programme; in-whole school support programme; early childhood development programme; and an education centre development programme. These programmes are implemented in order to improve the quality of teaching and learning, educators and communities within the sugarcane growing communities.
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