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Alumni Spotlight

SSP Alum Shares Stage with Melinda Gates

The Student Sponsorship Programme (SSP) is nearing its 25th anniversary, and its alumni from the early days are emerging as influential leaders in South Africa. This was notably evident at the 2023 Annual Desmond Tutu Peace Lecture held in Cape Town on November 17, 2023, where the keynote speaker was Melinda French Gates. Gates’ presentation centered on gender equality, a subject of global importance. The event gained additional prominence with the attendance of notable figures like Michelle Obama and Amal Clooney, accompanying Ms Gates to Cape Town. In a significant move, the Tutu Foundation invited a distinguished South African advocate… Continue reading »SSP Alum Shares Stage with Melinda Gates

Announcing Arthur Nkuna: From SSP Scholar to Chairman of the Arts & Culture Trust

We are thrilled to shine the spotlight on another remarkable member of our alumni family—Arthur Nkuna, SSP Class of 2004. Arthur’s journey has taken him from the halls of our Student Sponsorship Programme to the influential seat of Chairman at the Arts & Culture Trust (ACT). A New Era for ACT On March 30, 2023, ACT proudly announced Arthur Nkuna as the new Chairperson of its Board of Trustees. Arthur steps in, succeeding David Dennis, and brings a wealth of expertise and passion to this new chapter in ACT’s journey. Already an integral part of ACT’s Management Committee and Financial… Continue reading »Announcing Arthur Nkuna: From SSP Scholar to Chairman of the Arts & Culture Trust

Celebrating a Beacon of Innovation and Impact: Theresa Mwesigwa, SSP Alumna, Class of 2010

We are elated to spotlight an exceptional member of our alumni community—Theresa Mwesigwa. A standout scholar since her time as an SSP recipient, Theresa’s journey has been nothing short of inspirational. Her recent accolades prove that the sky is not the limit; it’s just the beginning. Academic and Professional Achievements After an illustrious academic track record, Theresa is currently an MBA candidate at the prestigious Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB). Beyond the walls of academia, she recently completed a transformative summer experience at Gather Health, where she was instrumental in innovating a new model for primary healthcare delivery targeted… Continue reading »Celebrating a Beacon of Innovation and Impact: Theresa Mwesigwa, SSP Alumna, Class of 2010

Rivo Mhlari, A Trailblazing Tech Entrepreneur from South Africa

We are thrilled to showcase the story of Rivo Mhlari, a South African-born entrepreneur who has been making waves in the realms of technology and innovation. A visionary leader and a disruptor, Mhlari embodies the transformative potential of ambition, education, and strategic thinking. The Genesis of a Vision While still a first-year university student, Rivo Mhlari envisioned connecting people’s cars to their smartphones. What began as a simple concept evolved into a thriving business known as Rikatec by the time he was just 23 years old. His vision propelled him into the spotlight, earning him spots on both the Forbes… Continue reading »Rivo Mhlari, A Trailblazing Tech Entrepreneur from South Africa

The Journey from SSP Scholar to Finance Trailblazer – Meet Maurice Madiba

We take immense pride in the accomplishments of our alumni, who serve as shining examples of the transformative power of education and mentorship. One such standout is Maurice Madiba, CEO of Cloud Atlas Investing and a distinguished alumnus of SSP (Student Sponsorship Programme). Academic Excellence Maurice’s educational journey is studded with accolades and prestigious affiliations. He holds an Accounting Honors degree and is an Allan Gray Orbis Foundation Fellow. Maurice was also a recipient of the SSP bursary and is an alumnus of the esteemed Thabo Mbeki African Leadership Institute. These accomplishments form the cornerstone of a career dedicated to… Continue reading »The Journey from SSP Scholar to Finance Trailblazer – Meet Maurice Madiba

Yolanda Mackay – A Trailblazer in Law and Leadership

We’re incredibly proud to highlight another extraordinary alumnus who’s made significant strides in both her professional and personal life—meet Yolanda Mackay, Principal Legal Counsel – Team Leader: Product Solutions Cluster, Litigation at Absa Group, and an SSP alumna. Educational Foundations From 2003 to 2007, Yolanda thrived in the nurturing environment of Mc Auley House Convent. Backed by an SSP scholarship, she fully embraced a world of learning and leadership, actively participating in societies like Rotary Club and Junior City Council. Her educational journey at Mc Auley House provided her not only with academic rigor but also life skills that formed… Continue reading »Yolanda Mackay – A Trailblazer in Law and Leadership

SSP Alumn, Lerato Thahane Joins South Africa Board of Trustees

We are delighted to introduce Lerato Thahane as the newest member of the SSP Board of Trustees. Lerato brings a wealth of expertise to our team, serving as a Partner at Bowman Gilfillan Inc., a prominent African law firm. Within her firm’s Corporate Department, she specializes in Mergers and Acquisitions, boasting an extensive track record of navigating significant, and sometimes high-profile, transactions across diverse African and European nations. Lerato holds an LLB degree and a Certificate in Advanced Company Law from the esteemed University of the Witwatersrand. Her professional achievements are matched only by her commitment to social betterment. Beyond… Continue reading »SSP Alumn, Lerato Thahane Joins South Africa Board of Trustees

Celebrating Ish Nkolo: From SSP Scholar to Finance Visionary

We are thrilled to shine the spotlight on Ish Nkolo, an exceptional alumnus from the SSP Class of 2011, who has not only climbed the career ladder but has also kept SSP close to his heart. A Grateful Alumnus Ish graciously acknowledges the transformative role SSP has played in his life, saying, “SSP is a large part of my life. To this day I still brag about being an SSP scholar.” His heartfelt thanks extend to the SSP team, his mentor, and our valued donors. Taking Finance to New Heights Ish’s career trajectory has been nothing short of extraordinary. He… Continue reading »Celebrating Ish Nkolo: From SSP Scholar to Finance Visionary

Spotlight on Tinhiko Nkuna: Shaping the Future of Education with Excellence and Vision

We’re proud to introduce another outstanding alumnus from our SSP Class of 2004, Tinhiko Nkuna. An inspiring educational leader, Tinhiko serves as the Deputy Head at St. Mary’s School, Waverley—a position that marks her as the first black Deputy Head in the institution’s 130-year history. A Pioneering Educational Path Tinhiko’s educational journey is a reflection of her multifaceted talents. She graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s Degree in Law & French from Rhodes University. Later, she secured a Postgraduate Certificate in Education, focusing on History and French, followed by a BEd Honours in Education Management from the University of South… Continue reading »Spotlight on Tinhiko Nkuna: Shaping the Future of Education with Excellence and Vision