Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa contributes more than R4 million in bursaries to students

CCBSA is contributing just over R4.2 million towards bursaries for students registered at the University of the Free State (UFS), Nelson Mandela University (NMU), Eldo Gold Rush College, Phakamani Young Minds Academy, Bophelong-Empilweni New Life Community Project during the 2021 academic year. This contribution will go a long way in assisting students that require financial aid to complete their studies.

Of the total amount, R3 million will be allocated to UFS and R1 million to NMU, benefiting an estimated total of 50 students, based on the cost of each respective degree.

In Gauteng, bursaries valued at R213 000 were allocated to support 33 students across three institutions, namely Eldo Gold Rush College in Eldorado Park, Phakamani Young Minds Academy in Freedom Park and Bophelong-Empilweni New Life Community Project in Tembisa.

Eligible students must be registered with the institution for second or third year of study and from the budgeted amount, part of the allocation will go towards tuition fees, accommodation, books, meals, laptops or transport, depending on the most pressing needs.

“Nelson Mandela University welcomes the partnership with CCBSA. Given the funding challenges in the higher education sector, such partnerships are critical,” says Mandela University spokesperson, Zandile Mbabela. “This bodes well with our commitment to ensuring no academically deserving student is denied education because of financial constraints. Nelson Mandela University provides a range of support measures aimed at assisting students navigate the current challenging environment to ensure that they make it through the academic year, in line with our commitment towards students’ access to education.”

The close relationship between CCBSA and these tertiary institutions continues to grow, with the company also contributing through lectures to shape the minds and lives of young people beyond the financial contribution. CCBSA leadership in Bloemfontein have been participating in student development lectures as a way of giving back to the student community. These guest lectures have continued even during the Covid-19 pandemic virtually.

“The University of the Free State is thankful for the generosity that CCBSA has shown to our student community, as such commitment will certainly have a lasting impact on the lives and wellbeing, not only of those students but also their families and communities”, says Carmenita Redcliffe, UFS Institutional Advancement.

Furthermore, CCBSA has committed to more frequent and meaningful engagements and collaborations with the university to further connect with our student community in our unfolding partnership.

“We realise the importance of connecting students with the real world, in particular, the world of work, hence our lectures to give them a glimpse of how they will use their qualifications”, says Nozicelo Ngcobo – Public Affairs, Communications & Sustainability Director, CCBSA. “We remain committed to working with universities and other institutions of higher learning, to ensure indigent students who would ordinarily not be able to attend university, have access to higher education. Above all, our wish is to see them achieve their dreams and become productive members of our society and they can have an enhanced quality of life.”