About the SEDISA Trust
The SEDISA Trust is a black-woman-owned education trust that was set up in 2010. It exists to help young black women reach and finish tertiary study. The Trust is a shareholder in KAEFER Thermal Contracting Services, and it uses the returns from that interest to fund its work. Since 2012 it has supported more than 30 students, and it aims to award about 40 bursaries a year.
The reasoning is straightforward. Black women remain under-represented among South African graduates, even though school access has improved since 1994. A degree changes the earning power of a whole household. The Trust wants to narrow that gap one student at a time.
How SEDISA supports students
Unlike many bursaries, the SEDISA Trust does not limit funding to scarce skills. It supports undergraduate diplomas and degrees, as well as honours and master's study, in any field. A student of law, education, the arts or science is as welcome as an engineering student.
The award covers tuition fees, textbooks, stationery and accommodation. Together, these cover the main costs that stop capable students from completing a qualification. The Trust is small, so each award is targeted. It looks for strong potential combined with real financial hardship.
What to know before applying
You must be a South African citizen, female and black as defined by the B-BBEE codes. The age range is 16 to 35. You also need a matric certificate with core Mathematics and an overall pass of at least 65%. You must be enrolled, or accepted, at an accredited tertiary institution.
Applications are made online through the Trust's website, and they normally run from January to September. Recent calls closed at the end of September for the following year's study. Confirm the current window before you start. The Trust asks for detailed documents, which can take time to collect.
Typical documents include certified copies of your ID and matric certificate, academic transcripts, proof of registration, a fee statement, a CV and a motivational letter. You also need proof of household income, such as payslips, tax records or a signed affidavit. Gather these early.
Students who are funded often stay in touch with the Trust. In a small programme, the people who run it know their bursars personally. As a result, you can usually raise problems early, such as a fee statement error or a change in your course.
If you are unsure whether you qualify, contact the Trust through the details on its website before the window closes. A short enquiry can save you from missing out on a place.
Because SEDISA is an independent charitable trust, it is not an employer. Public information does not describe a work-back requirement. The bursary works as a grant to close an access gap, so you are free to build your career wherever you choose.
Details
- Website