R135,500 awarded in the first year of the agreement.

By: Alumni & Stakeholder Relations Management

Twenty-year-old Bachelor of Social Sciences student Thabisile Msenga became the first recipient of a R135,500 (CAD$10,000) allocation from a newly inaugurated scholarship fund established in an agreement between Rhodes University and Myriad Canada. The fund currently has a total value of R680,000 (CAD$50,400) over four years.

Myriad Canada works with individuals, families, corporations, and foundations to support their favourite causes in various parts of the globe. It is incorporated under the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act and can issue official receipts for tax purposes in Canada.

The allocation will be renewed annually, based on acceptable progress, until the recipient has completed her degree.

The fund, a brainchild of an alumnus based in Canada who wishes to remain anonymous, sees Rhodes University becoming the first South African university to join the Myriad Canada Scholarship programme.

An additional spinoff from the agreement was opening a Scholarship at Rhodes University (South Africa) fund at Myriad Canada.

“Our secure digital platform for giving to Rhodes University scholarships enables philanthropic Canadians to support access to the University’s scholarly experience for academically deserving and financially needy students and to do so in a tax-effective way,” Myriad Canada executive director Benoit Fontaine said.

“All donations are eligible for a tax receipt in Canada. We are happy to be part of spearheading greater cross-border giving and making a meaningful impact on humanity,” said Fontaine.

Recipient Ms. Msenga, whose family could not afford to cover her fees, sees the scholarship as “a beacon of hope.” This is a chapter of profound change in my life. I am committed to juggling my academics with meaningful community engagement projects. I am grateful for the funders’ generosity and humanity, says Ms. Msenga.

“South Africa’s historically complex sociopolitical context did not disappear with the advent of democracy in 1994. It is in this post-1994 dispensation that the country became the world’s most unequal society. The overwhelming majority of academically capable young people lack the resources and related cultural capital required for access to and success at the higher education level,” Rhodes University's Director of Communication and Advancement, Dr Luzuko Jacobs, said.

He said the hopes for a more permanent, effective, long-term financing model for the education of disadvantaged groups are disappearing with the recent drastic funding capping threatening the prospects of students and the viability of institutions of higher learning.

“This is where philanthropic initiatives make an invaluable difference as a realistic tool for social transformation to leverage education as a basic human right essential to humanity's long-term survival. We thank our supporters for their selflessness and generosity.”

“Rhodes University is uniquely positioned in the higher education sector in Africa. Its pedigree has created an advantage and superior value for its graduates for over 120 years. This positions the University to attract students with exceptional potential and offer them a transformative and socially engaged educational experience.”

Rhodes University, Jacobs said, is particularly selective in granting access. “We look for a strong academic value proposition. Our commitment is to ensure that deserving students who cannot afford the fees are allowed access. Unfortunately, even with this concession, students still require financial support to realise their potential and to gain access to their parchment upon completion.”

Rhodes University's graduating and continuing students' indebtedness currently stands at R74,7 million (CAD$5,5 million) and is growing. These students are not poor enough to qualify for government assistance or wealthy enough to afford university fees.

If we include the residual liability of government-funded students, Rhodes University's student debt is a whopping R321 million (CAD$23,7 million). Jacobs said this is a sustainability risk for the institution and an important reason why accessing financial assistance for our students is a priority.

You can support the “Scholarships at Rhodes University (South Africa)” project by making a donation here https://www.myriadcanada.org/en/project/scholarships-at-rhodes-university-south-africa/. You will receive a donation receipt from MYRIAD CANADA.

Other options and further contact details are available at the same website address.