Bursary - Sugar Industry Trust Fund for Education (SITFE)

THE SUGAR INDUSTRY TRUST FUND FOR EDUCATION (SITFE)

SITFE supports a wide range of programmes ranging from the school support; study assistance; in school support; early childhood development; and an education centre development programmes.

The Study Assistance Programme is regarded as the sugar industry’s flagship programme and key mechanism to assist government to redress inequalities in the field of science, agriculture and engineering.

THE SUGAR INDUSTRY’S FLAGSHIP PROGRAMME

ASSISTING GOVERNMENT TO REDRESS INEQUALITIES IN THE FIELD OF SCIENCE, AGRICULTURE AND ENGINEERING

The study assistance programme continues to enjoy significant industry and external stakeholder support and recognition. This programme is regarded as the sugar industry’s flagship programme and key mechanism to assist government to redress inequalities in the field of science, agriculture and engineering.

The objective of the programme is to increase the number of high potential learners from disadvantaged backgrounds with access to quality education and training in the field of agriculture, science and engineering at tertiary institutions. SITFE awards a maximum of 41 full bursaries on an annual basis.

SITFE is proud to include amongst its alumni a number of South Africa’s prominent leaders including Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Bonginkosi “Blade” Nzimande; Former Judge President of the Western Cape, John Hlophe and Deputy Minister of Health, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo. Former Treasurer-General of the ANC, Dr Zweli Mkhize and his wife Dr May Mashego also received assistance from SITFE for their high school education.

Sugar Industrys Flagship Programme Student Graduation

SITFE Bursary

SITFE has shifted its strategy to providing bursaries to missing middle candidates (Household income of R350 000 – R600 000). Qualifying students are encouraged to apply for the bursary. The bursary application process opens in July – October annually.

WHO CAN APPLY?

Residents from the sugarcane growing provinces of KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga.

Have applied in the Faculties of Science, Engineering or Agriculture at a University, University of Technology or College of Agriculture.

The child of a sugarcane farm worker may register or apply for any field of study at a University, University of Technology or College of Agriculture.

Applicants must be South African citizens.

WHERE TO STUDY?

Applicants may register at any public University, Technicon, or College in South Africa.

BURSARY INFORMATION

Please see the 2025 bursary application brochure and poster below:

BURSARY POSTER

POPIA NOTICE

Application

Apply Online

SITFE is a unique, homegrown organisation dedicated to offering financial, educational, and physical support to aspiring students to help give them the opportunity to forge their own future.

NOTE: Applications are CLOSED.

KIKI MZONELI

Trustee

Please tell us briefly about your professional life?

My professional life centers around the farming of sugarcane. The extension of my farming involvement is being in the sugarcane industry as a board member and a Vice-chairperson of the South African Canegrowers Association. But also I am involved in the leadership of communities in agriculture.

What made you accept the responsibility of being a SITFE Trustee?

I see this as an opportunity to add value in the lives of others, I see this as an opportunity to transform the lives of the less fortunate.

How long have you been a SITFE Trustee?

Since August 2021

What do you hope to achieve during your tenure?

My involvement in the SIFTE is to live a legacy that blends education with right values, so that SIFTE produces graduates that can identify with communities that raised them and importantly acknowledge SIFTE as an organization that gave them a platform to be what they have become. This would give rise to am idea of empowering citizens that go on to become responsible citizens.

What is your take on the role of SITFE in society?

SIFTE has taken a role in impacting lives through educational opportunities for young people.

ROBBYN RICHARDS

Trustee

Please tell us briefly about your professional life?

An admitted attorney, Commercial mediator and strategist who has worked in multi stakeholder environments internationally, public and private sector. A leader and a explorer at heart with a passion for humanitarian work. Currently the Vice Chairperson of the South African Sugar Millers Association as well as a Board member of the Sugar Milling Research Institute, I hold an LLB and I am an attorney.

What made you accept the responsibility of being a SITFE Trustee?

Coming from humble beginnings I wanted to be a part of this legacy trust that provides much needed assistance to all that may need it, so that our youth can be empowered with not just with education but with opportunity .

How long have you been a SITFE Trustee?

2 years

What do you hope to achieve during your tenure?

Transformation, to become more visible into the 4IR world with a firm foundation for the future, to ensure the longevity of this Trust.

What is your take on the role of SITFE in society?

Essentially, education is the door to opportunity and any organisation that can assist in providing this will always be an asset to society.

LINDIWE “LEE” HLUBI

Trustee

Please tell us briefly about your professional life?

I am a farmer, not by profession but may be by default. Armed with a degree in Business Administration (BBA), it just made sense to apply an acquired skill of business administrating and management which I started in 2007 when I acquired a farm through Land Reform by the then, Land Affairs dept.

What made you accept the responsibility of being a SITFE Trustee?

I was nominated and honored by SAFDA, to represent our grower association in taking up a Trustee position in the Industry Bursary structure known as Sugar Industry Trust Fund for Education. This attracted me since it presented a situation where we ensure that school leavers are given an opportunity of studying further to pursue their careers and not be deterred by an unfavorable financial situation at home…

How long have you been a SITFE Trustee?

I have been a Trustee since 2018 and I’m enjoying the enlightenment and exchange of ideas of where we are headed.

What do you hope to achieve during your tenure?

I would have done justice to the course to see an increase in the number of previously disadvantaged girl children starting and finishing their studies with a reduced number of drop outs.

What is your take on the role of SITFE in society?

SITFE provides an alternative to government education schemes, which sometimes leave behind the most deserving children especially within the industry. We re more intimate with most communities, and not all situations that are in desperate need to further their studies and cannot afford sometimes are not even aware of such tools to enable their desires.

NKONZO MHLONGO

Trustee

Please tell us briefly about your professional life?

I’m currently working as Corporate Affairs Executive for Tongaat Hulett and have a long history in socio-economic development.

What made you accept the responsibility of being a SITFE Trustee?

I’m passionate about education and training; rural development and making meaningful contributions to the lives of the youth.

How long have you been a SITFE Trustee?

I think, since 2012/13.

What do you hope to achieve during your tenure?

I hope that during my tenure, deserving youth from socially disadvantaged backgrounds are awarded SITFE bursaries. It is my belief that the youth is our future and that education is key to breaking the cycle of poverty and unlocking their fullest potential. I also hope that during my tenure, SITFE would continue to invest in the lives of young children between the age of 0-5 years. Meaningful investment at this age can mean the difference between a successful future and one characterized by struggle. This is a time when the foundation for optimum health and growth are established in a child’s life. Through SITFE’s partnership with ECD organisations, we would be able to change the trajectory of every child we have supported for the better.

What is your take on the role of SITFE in society?

The role of SITFE is to partner with society in making a meaningful change in the sphere of education and training. The other role of SITFE is to create an enabling environment and extending the benefits of development to the most vulnerable members of our society particularly children and the youth.

PEACEFUL NDLOVU

Trustee

Please tell us briefly about your professional life?

I'm a sugarcane farmer that started in 2012 after inheriting 95Ha of land from my father. In 2014 I registered a company called Elamaswazi Projects that has two divisions. A logistics division has 154 000 tons that delivers to three mills, ( Maidstone Mill, Gledhow Mill and Amathikhulu Mill.) and a farming division of 83 955 tons which consists of 1680Ha. We strive ourselves as the youngest Land reform and black commercial grower in the sugarcane industry which has presented exceptional growth over the past 10 years. We have won a couple of awards as a business. In 2014 we were awarded the youngest land reform position in the sugar industry through the DTI. In 2021 we came second in the Standard Bank Business Awards at the National level. These milestones have taught us to do better and grow our business to be bolder and better.

What made you accept the responsibility of being a SITFE Trustee?

I entered this industry at the age of 19 years and today I am 30 years of age so I am very vocal about youth in agriculture. The responsibility came from a drive to push students in our farming communities to further their studies into professions because of the financial position our people find themselves in. Our farm workers' children are at a very disadvantage due to the lack of finance to further their studies.

How long have you been a SITFE Trustee?

6 years. Since 2018.

What do you hope to achieve during your tenure?

Would really like to see our students that excel in our rural areas where we grow sugarcane be given an opportunity to enter and further their studies in the tertiary/university or Technikon. This would really impact the communities we farm in. to uplift the youth and give them an opportunity in obtaining their qualification and career.

What is your take on the role of SITFE in society?

SITFE has a great role and impact in society because they have demonstrated the bridging the gap of assisting and allowing students an opportunity after matric to further their studies. The exitance of SITFE and the bursary scheme is critical for children in our farming communities to know that through this bursary you can better yourself.to a profession career that others can make reference too that there is hope for a disadvantaged student.

STELLA MTHEMBU

Trustee

Please tell us briefly about your professional life?

I have over 20 years’ work experience, with keen interest in private public partnerships for sustainable agriculture and land reform. My motto in life is “It is never wrong to do the right thing”.

What made you accept the responsibility of being a SITFE Trustee?

My passion for making a difference in people’s lives.

How long have you been a SITFE Trustee?

I have been a SITFE Trustee since 2023.

What do you hope to achieve during your tenure?

To make a lasting impact in the lives of previously disadvantaged people through education and early childhood development. The two areas have direct impact on our country’ growth, development, and the future, and of course the Sustainable Development Goals.

What is your take on the role of SITFE in society?

To empower people through future fit education and training.

Dieter Ludge

Trustee

Please tell us briefly about your professional life?

I’m a farmer that farms in the Zinkwazi area with Sugarcane and Macadamia. I also sit on the board of Directors for SA Canegrowers.

What made you accept the responsibility of being a SITFE Trustee?

Before I became a Farmer I was a teacher, I have an absolute passion for education and therefore I am very fortunate to serve as a trustee for Site.

How long have you been a SITFE Trustee?

I have been a SITFE Trustee 4/5 years.

What do you hope to achieve during your tenure?

Try to make sure we can create as many leaders for tomorrow through our SITFE program.

What is your take on the role of SITFE in society?

I believe SITFE creates huge opportunities for people to further their lives. From young and old and my hope is that whoever has been assisted by the SITFE program will also pay it forward one day.