Over R8-Million Raised for Ekurhuleni Bursary Fund Revival

The City of Ekurhuleni’s bursary fund is back on track, with more than R8 million raised in a matter of days. The revival of the fund, which had been inactive for several years, was spearheaded by Executive Mayor Alderman Nkosindiphile Xhakaza, who set the tone with a personal pledge of R50,000 during the Mayoral Golf Day at Glendower Golf Club in Edenvale.

The event, held on Thursday, attracted individuals and businesses eager to contribute to the bursary fund, which aims to empower young people through education. The fundraising effort coincided with the two-day Ekurhuleni Investment Conference earlier in the week, hosted at Emperors Palace. The conference positioned Ekurhuleni as an attractive destination to live, work, and invest, while also encouraging partnerships between the city and the private sector.

Mayor Xhakaza emphasised the importance of collaboration in tackling the city’s challenges. “We cannot improve people’s lives alone as government. We need to work side by side with corporates on various fronts to change our municipality for the better. Jobs, skills, and opportunities can be created when businesses of all sizes and the municipality work together,” he said.

The administration is keen to maintain momentum, not only with the bursary fund but also with other ambitious projects. Among these is the establishment of a university in Ekurhuleni, a long-held dream that is steadily becoming a reality. A second symposium to finalise plans is set for early next year, underscoring the city’s commitment to fostering education and skills development.

The bursary fund and university project are part of a broader strategy to uplift the community and stimulate economic growth. With donors continuing to pledge support, the City of Ekurhuleni is well on its way to building a brighter future for its residents.