Far too often, the difference between a dream future and a promising life that turns into a nightmare is the amount you have in your wallet or bank account. If you have your whole future ahead of you and all the potential in the world, it is nothing short of a tragedy if you do not have the money to ensure that you can reach for and live your dream.
Sometimes the answer lies in a helping hand.
SANZAF, short for the South African National Zakah Fund, is such a helping hand. It is one of the organizations that realize the power of financial assistance at the start of a journey to a bright future.
SANZAF has its roots in the Muslim faith and follows Sharia Muslim law.
Its focus is on needy families in the Islamic community. It collects contributions and makes sure that the money goes to communities where it can do the most good. The bursary program is meant for learners in poor communities to help them pay for tertiary studies.
To qualify for assistance, students have to apply online. It is important to note that SANZAF will not provide school registration money. To apply, you have to understand the rules and conditions.
These include
- You have to be a citizen of South Africa or have a permit to study in the country.
- You must be able to provide proof of financial need.
- You have to live in the province where you apply. The regions include Gauteng, Western Cape, Durban, Pietermaritzburg, Port Elizabeth, East London, Ladysmith, and Kimberley.
- Only previously disadvantaged candidates will be considered.
- You must provide proof of financial need.
- You have to be a resident of the province in which you are making the application. The various regions include Kimberly, Pietermaritzburg, Ladysmith, Durban, Gauteng, East London, Western Cape, and Port Elizabeth.
- The student must intend to study at a Technikon, University, or University of Technology in South Africa or be a current student enrolled in one of these institutions.
The student should fit in any of the following groups:
received SANZAF sponsorship the previous year.
- Currently in Matric.
- Studying at one of the institutions mentioned above and was self-sponsored or sponsored by a Guardian the previous year.
How to apply.
Go to this page and read the details carefully: zabursaries
Make a note of the relevant telephone numbers, and do not hesitate to call them to learn about application opening and closing dates and other relevant information. When you have completed your application form, you must submit it together with the supporting documents. Remember to put all required documents in a single PDF file.
Necessary Documents for tertiary students being sponsored by SANZAF include:
- Your final Matric results or Mid-year tertiary results for the current year
- Proof of revenue of your parent, spouse, or guardian such as
- The most recent payslip
- An affidavit for learners who are not working
- A death certificate in case they passed away.
Necessary Documents for Current Matric students:
- A verified copy of your ID or study permit.
- Most recent Matric results
- A motivational letter in which you state the reason for your application.
- Endorsement documents
- Proof of revenue of your guardian, parent, or spouse in the form of the most recent payslip An affidavit for those who are not working
- A death certificate if they are not alive.
Tertiary students that have not been sponsored by SANZAF in the past, must submit:
- An authenticated copy of the student’s ID or study permit for foreign nationals
- The final results for Matric or the certificate
- All academic records for tertiary learning
- Reason for bursary in a motivational letter
- Endorsement documents
- Proof of revenue of your guardian, parent, or spouse in the form of The most recent payslip
- An affidavit for the ones who are not working.
After you have submitted your application:
The SANZAF bursary program committee will scrutinize the applications to decide on potential beneficiaries. Shortlisted candidates will be notified through email when and where to go for interviews.
On one of their web pages, The South African National Zakah Fund gives their full support to the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).
They encourage students to make use of this service when they apply for a SANZAF bursary.
They also mention in a document that Zakah is by design a grant, not a loan. It does not need to be repaid.
SANZAF has been in operation for 43 years.
At a recent event, the organization handed a cheque for R776 150 for student bursaries at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences in Stellenbosch.
Ms Yasmina Franke, the SANZAF General Manager in the Western Cape, recalled the early days of SANZAF and said the organization was focused on welfare relief back then, handing out food parcels etc. She said while it did bring relief, this early action was not helpful in breaking the poverty cycle.
Today, the SANZAF Education and Empowerment Development Programme (SEED) offers bursaries and vocational training and supports Islamic studies, early childhood development, and youth mentoring.