Celebrities who are paying for the education of the less fortunate

Tertiary education in South Africa is not cheap. Many South African children struggle to pay their fees. 

These celebrities are paying it forward by investing in the education of poor South Africans.

AKA

AKA, whose real name is Kiernan Jarryd Forbes, has partnered with SAE Institute and Bridges for Music for aspiring musicians who would like an opportunity to study music professionally. 

Speaking bout the AKA Bursary, the Hip Hop star said: "It's a great honour for me to be able to offer a young aspiring musician/producer/engineer an opportunity to equip themselves with the skills needed to begin a career in the industry."

Nomzamo Mbatha

South African actress, television personality, businesswoman, and human rights activist Nomzamo Mbatha is passionate about helping struggling students. 

She took to Twitter to announce that together with her foundation and Hollywoodbets, she will be donating R500,000 to students in need. 

"My foundation, The LightHouse Foundation has partnered with @hollywoodbets and we are pledging R500 000 to ANY student that may need ANY assistance! From settling unpaid fees to registration fees for the year, to accommodation! ANY AND EVERYTHING. Send me an email [email protected] with proof of your registration and a letter detailing the assistance you need!" she wrote. 

Bonang Matheba

South African media personality Bonang Matheba is a firm believer that an educated nation is a winning nation. 

She especially believes in educating girls.

“I believe that when you educate a girl child, you actually educate a community and you educate a family. As girls tend to become the head of the household, these young ladies pay their education forward; and an education is something that nobody can take away from you. It has a generational advantage and value,” says Bonang. 

She started 'The Bonang Matheba Bursary Fund' in 2017.

The foundation aims to provide ten female learners with a scholarship at Boston College.

While the foundation started with only taking ten girls to college, Bonang hopes to take 300 girl children to school by 2021. 

Charlize Theron

Academy Award-winning actress and UN Messenger of Peace Charlize Theron started the 'Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project (CTAOP)' in 2007 with the hope of making a difference in fighting HIV in her home country of South Africa.

To date, the outreach project has helped better the lives of many South Africans. 

In 2017, she announced the 'CTAOP Youth Leaders Scholarship Fund' where she hopes to help poor children with an opportunity to further their studies. 

READ: Six things you can do at home to help your child excel in school

Image courtesy of Instagram/ @Charlize Theron