Property tycoon steps up to help Fort Hare students with scholarships

Legacies are born and developed with the opportunities a person receives from higher education, Eastern Cape property mogul Sisa Ngebulana says.

In line with this sentiment, the business tycoon has ploughed back into his alma mater, the University of Fort Hare (UFH), by launching the Sisa Ngebulana Undergraduate Scholarship for law and accounting students.

The scholarship will fund the education of five law and accounting first-year students at UFH.

It will benefit students who have neither a bursary nor a subsidy, and see them all the way through their degrees.

Ngebulana told the Daily Dispatch: “The University of Fort Hare is where I got my first degree.

“I was able to proceed to other varsities after my studies there. University is where you are introduced to the first foundation of effort — of hard work and its consequence.”

He said his strong Christian upbringing and the values imparted by his grandmother had informed most of the major decisions he had taken in life.

Each year, Ngebulana funds the education of 10 students across SA.

“Every child deserves a chance at a quality education,” he said.

“The beauty about higher education is that you are not forced to do things, like attending lectures.

“Everything is your choice as an individual. But when you prepare and dedicate your efforts to learning, you’re able to redefine the rest of your life.

“We tend to underestimate where we come from. But legacies are created at this stage.”

UFH Foundation director Nokulunga Mnqeta said they were excited about the “extent of the contribution” to needy students.

“Mr Ngebulana’s contribution goes beyond this scholarship.

“Recently, he generously donated R200,000 towards financing students with debt. These students were able to graduate in May only because of his contribution.

“In addition to that, the Sisa Ngebulana Foundation will absorb a group of students for internships towards property development.

“This is a first of its kind — to have an alumnus making such a significant mark in bettering the lives of young people,” Mnqeta said.

Jongi Klaas, the chair of the Gauteng UFH Alumni Chapter, of which Ngebulana is a part, said Ngebulana’s “acts of giving” were not only commendable but inspiring.

“We approached him with ideas on how we could make a difference to our alma mater.

“When he placed funds aside to donate to the university, it propelled other chapter members to do the same.

“We have seen members coming on board to help pay off student debts and pledging their support.

“That is truly inspiring. He is the brand of the last breed. He’s selfless, versatile and always willing,” Klaas said.

UFH spokesperson Tandi Mapukata said the institution deeply appreciated Ngebulana’s “compassionate support and relentless commitment to addressing deep-seated aspirations of students who come from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds”.

Mapukata said applicants for the Sisa Ngebulana Undergraduate Scholarship could find the details on the UFH Facebook page.

“The closing date is June 15,” she said.