Donald White / Mandla A. Ndwanya Memorial Fund

About the Memorial Fund

The Donald White / Mandla A. Ndwanya Memorial Fund is a small non-profit organisation. It began in 2012 and registered as a non-profit in the United States in 2017. The fund honours two men. Donald White was a career educator. Mandla Andrew Ndwanya was remembered for his passion for business studies in South Africa. White's family set up the fund to help learners in Nyanga, Gugulethu and nearby areas of Cape Town.

A small board oversees the money. Because the fund exists as a living memorial, its giving carries a personal purpose. Every rand supports education in the names of the two men.

How the fund supports students

The fund works at two levels. First, it supports learners at two primary schools in Nyanga, Mkhanyiseli and John Pama. It supplies school uniforms and shoes so that children can attend class with dignity. Second, it offers bursaries to students who want to continue to college or university.

Recent bursary calls offered two awards of R10,000 each. One went to a first-year student and one to a student in the second or third year. The money was meant to help with registration fees and textbook or technology costs. The bursary supports undergraduate study. Preferred fields include education, healthcare, medicine, commerce, engineering, social work and business studies. Some listings use slightly different field lists, so read the current notice closely.

The fund also works with Volunteer Adventure Corps, which places US college students as interns in Cape Town. That partnership shows how the organisation links South African communities with volunteers abroad.

What to know before applying

This is a small fund, so places are few and competition can be strong. The award is a grant rather than a recruitment tool. No formal work-back or employment obligation applies, because the fund is not an employer.

Amounts, the number of awards and closing dates can change each year. Therefore, treat the figures above as a guide only. Prepare certified copies of your ID and results, proof of registration and a short motivation that explains your financial need. Then check the fund's official website for the current call before you apply. A clear, honest story about your circumstances and goals is the best way to stand out.

The areas the fund serves, including Nyanga and Gugulethu, are Cape Town communities where many families struggle to pay for tertiary study. Even a modest award helps, because registration and textbook costs often block a student at the start of the year. If you apply, explain which costs worry you most and how the money would help.