What We
Do
Our Mission
Kusasa Scholars identifies talented young students from economically disadvantaged, rural communities in the Mpumalanga province of South Africa and awards them a five-year scholarship to attend one of South Africa’s leading secondary schools, Uplands College. Kusasa Scholars is a leadership development program, founded on an ethic of scholarship and service: Kusasa Scholars are talented, motivated young people who wish to better themselves and their country through education. We support young people who want to change their world.
Founded in 2004, in collaboration with Uplands College, Kusasa Scholars identifies and nurtures young South Africans with the potential to lead their country into the future. Despite the barriers of poverty and economic deprivation, South Africa’s rural communities possess the talent, innovation, and vision that brought about the democratic transformation of the country thirty years ago. Now, more than ever, young South Africans with talent and promise need the education and opportunity to carry forward that legacy.
The Kusasa Scholars Difference
Kusasa Scholars emphasizes four points that differentiate it from other
scholarship programs in South Africa and elsewhere.
Rural Focus
We serve rural communities; not towns or townships, but rural villages and farm communities where talented young people face a critical deficit of opportunity and access.
Selection Process
Our multi-tiered selection process examines both intellectual aptitude and social and emotional ability to ensure that our scholarship recipients are the “best and brightest” and poised for success.
Supported Transitions
We help students transition to Uplands College from their rural communities, a significant change for a young person. Likewise, we help graduating students bridge to university and their young adult lives.
Mentoring
Our scholars demonstrate natural leadership potential and are motivated to pursue a wide range of career paths. We nurture these innate talents and provide coaching and mentorship along the Kusasa journey.
What We've Achieved
31
students have come
through the Kusasa Scholars
program
EVERY
Every student who graduated
high school has gone on to
tertiary studies
EVERY
Every student who has started
tertiary studies has graduated
with a tertiary degree