RAISED by a single mom and not being exposed to student financial aid scheme after matric became a challenge for third year law student, Anele Cele.
The New Germany resident completed matric in 2017.
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“I did not know that I could get funding. No one informed us about the opportunities out there should you struggle financially,” he said.
The 23-year-old said his unemployed mother had to get help from the church to pay for his first year.
“It was only at tertiary that I realised that there are many others of who end up not registering due to a lack of information which is the reason I help matrics with Central Applications Office (CAO) application forms and National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).
NSFAS is a bursary scheme funded by the Department of Higher Education and Training for those who do not have the financial means to fund their studies and cannot access bank funding, study loans or bursaries.
Recently, the NSFAS administrator, Dr Randall Carolissen said the Scheme had received more than 160 536 applications from students seeking funding for 2021, since the opening date for funding applications on 3 August 2020.
Now, joined by Mthobisi Masondo, a Tourism Management first year student, Cele continues on his venture to visit schools mainly around the Clermont area to help qualifying learners benefit from the scheme.
Cele said he also advises and shares details of bursary opportunities.
“There are so many hard working young people who end up doing negative things mainly because they have lost hope,” he said.
Bachelor of Education in foundation phase first year student, Yamkela Sigaga said Cele helped when she applied for NSFAS.
“When he came to our school to tell us about us about NSFAS applications I had not applied yet so I got a chance to ask questions about the requirements and how the process goes and he explained that clearly.”
Sigaga said Cele was a huge help to her and her classmates who were clueless about the next step they should take. “He inspired us to go for the best in life and dream big no matter the issues you may be going through at that time,” said Sigaga.
Cele’s assistance is provided freely and sees him funding transport costs as well as the cost of using internet cafes.
He hopes more young people can join him to reach more learners in other areas.
Cele can be contacted on 061 306 8064 or WhatsApp him on 065 648 2876.
Caxton Local Media Covid-19 reporting
