Cyril Ramaphosa Education Trust (CRET)

About the Cyril Ramaphosa Education Trust

The Cyril Ramaphosa Education Trust, or CRET, is a South African education charity that funds students from poor households. It began formally in 2000 and is the youth skills programme of the Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation. Its roots go back to 1996, when Cyril Ramaphosa reportedly used fees from public speaking to pay for bursaries for disadvantaged students.

The wider foundation started in 2004 as the Shanduka Foundation. It describes itself as an independent public benefit organisation that creates opportunities through education and enterprise development. The trust therefore sits within a larger group of programmes, while it keeps its focus on young people in further and higher education.

The trust has marked more than 25 years of work. Published figures on its student numbers vary, partly because they come from different dates. One foundation statement put the total at 242 students. These numbers show a programme that supports a small group of students closely, and that does not hand out large numbers of small awards.

How CRET supports students

CRET aims to reach capable students whom other funders may overlook. Its bursary covers much more than fees. The most recent call we could trace paid for tuition, textbooks, accommodation and meals. It also paid a monthly living allowance, and transport where a student needed it.

Support does not stop at money. Reports describe leadership development and life skills training, which can help a student who is first in the family to attend university. The trust also holds annual awards to mark its graduates.

The field list is broad. It has covered commerce, education, engineering, science and technology, along with trades and scarce skills such as welding, plumbing and renewable energy. Read our CRET Bursary page for the full terms of that call.

What to know before applying

Check the dates carefully. The last call with terms we could read closed on 13 December 2024. One listing mentions 31 October 2026, but we could not confirm it from an official source. Look for a current notice on the foundation's website, or ask the trust directly.

Next, check whether you meet the limits. The 2025 call set an age range of 16 to 27 and a household income cap of R650 000 a year. It also asked shortlisted candidates for proof of a psychometric test, so leave time for that step.

We found no mention of a work-back obligation, but you should still read any agreement before you sign it. You can contact the trust on 011 592 6560 or at info@cyrilramaphosa.org. Applications are free, so be wary of anyone who asks you for money.