Standard Bank paying it forward with Bursary Scheme

Over the years, Standard Bank has taken pride in rewarding academic excellence, as well as aiding deserving students create a better future for themselves through its Corporate Social Investment Bursary Scheme.

This year alone, the Bank has invested an impressive N$1-million in the Bursary Scheme that has gone to service the academic needs of 7 worthy students, with the notion that university education should not just be a privilege limited to those who can afford, but also who come from disadvantaged backgrounds with potential to excel academically.

This year's recipients are Petrus Nathinge, Ndahafa Alex, Elrich Tsauseb, Bianca Mungunda, Anza Lombard, Andreas Shiimi and Felicia Mwenyo.

The Bank ­recently hosted a luncheon to check in with the students, who were all too happy to report on their progress.

One such student is Bianca Mungunda, a 2nd year Actuarial Science student at the University of Cape Town.

As an exemplary student throughout her formal schooling years, Mungunda completed high school with an astounding 52 points; however she admitted that finances always proved to be a hindrance.

“Although I received a bursary from Windhoek Gymnasium, it only covered a portion of my fees, leaving the rest to my parents. I have a number of siblings whose education my parents also have to pay for. Apart from this, there are the usual expenses any family needs to deal with that made meeting my school fees due date difficult to meet. I remember there were many times I did not receive my report for a particular academic year because my school fees were not paid in full yet,” Mungunda said explaining the financial difficulties that befell her and her family while she was still in high school

Faced with the knowledge that the course she wanted was not offered in Namibia, and the financial burden that her parents would have to face, she decided to apply for a bursary from the bank.

“I knew that my parents would not be able to afford my education . . . The Standard Bank bursary has changed my life in so many ways. Firstly, it has taken what would have been a huge burden off the shoulders of my parents! Tertiary education is expensive. It is a privilege to be able to not have to worry about how you will pay for your education, not only that, but the support and opportunities we receive through the vacation work and mentors in the bank is a blessing,” she beamed.

Fellow bursary holder Petrus Nathinge was equally elated with his study aid, because he too had to study Actuarial Science, which would have been a financial burden on his parents as they financially support a number of their relatives.