Since 2000, CRET has supported disadvantaged students by providing them with bursaries to attend university. Over the years, CRET has assisted over 100 students and over 70 working experiences have been provided. In 2016, CRET produced six graduates and 23 students scored 81 distinctions between them. These are impressive results considering that 2016 was a difficult year for university students all over the country due to the Fees Must Fall protests.
CRET is a bursary scheme that offers bursaries which are tailor-made for the student’s needs and undertakes a holistic approach which considers the capabilities as well as the potential of each student. The CRET bursary generally covers tuition, accommodation, books, stationery and a personal allowance stipend. Alongside this financial support there is mentoring from senior CRET students, alumni and employees at the Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation.
CRET also provides support to its students by exposing them to valuable work and professional experiences. Students are required to attend intensive holiday work experience programmes twice a year, where they get hands-on experience of the “real-world” office environment and can network with each other and industry leaders. A big part of these holiday work experience programmes is team-building and self-development.
At the core of the bursary scheme is the concept of Ubuntu. The programme encourages students to embrace the fundamentals of giving back and helping those in need by working at selected welfare organisations during their holidays. CRET alumni contribute financially to the bursary scheme in order to take another student to university.
You too can become a part of the positive change that CRET is committed to making by taking a student to university and enabling them to achieve their dreams. Find out how you can assist CRET to make a difference in the lives of young people from various communities in South Africa through sponsorship and donations by calling 011 592 6580 or emailing gro.asohpamarliryc@ololtokk.
