Deserving matriculants from across Nelson Mandela Bay and the country received much-needed security for their academic year after being selected for the South African National Zakah Fund (SANZAF) 2025 bursary programme.
At a cost of close to R1m, 29 pupils received bursaries to cover tuition fees, textbooks, learning materials and transportation costs.
The beneficiaries include 11 returning students who have consistently met academic expectations and 18 new recipients embarking on their tertiary education journey.
Nelson Mandela Bay SANZAF chair Moulana Salmaan Fredericks said the initiative aimed to foster self-sufficiency and long-term community development through providing financial assistance to deserving students who demonstrate both academic potential and financial need.
“Recognising vocational training, SANZAF has also extended support to students specialising in trades such as welding and plumbing, equipping them with the practical expertise needed to contribute meaningfully to their communities,” Fredericks said.
“The initiative creates a ripple effect of empowerment, as educated individuals uplift their families and inspire future generations.
“Education remains one of the most effective tools in breaking the cycle of poverty, and SANZAF remains committed to bridging the gap between potential and opportunity.”
He said SANZAF — an Islamic charity organisation — viewed education as an investment in long-term, sustainable change.
“By supporting students on their academic journeys, SANZAF strengthens its commitment to education as a transformative force.
“These 29 students are not only shaping their own futures but will go on to make meaningful contributions in the lives of their families, proving that education remains one of the most powerful drivers of breaking the cycle of poverty,” he said.
The Herald
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