This year’s Change Maker Award winners were selected by fellow alumni on a selection panel. Projects were ranked independently, and then selected together against the independent rankings and reasons for ranking.
These are the three grants that were approved.
Shurugwi District Grade 7 Exam Access Initiative
Sandas Madziva (Canon Collins alum, LLB University of Fort Hare 2021–2024, now pursuing a Master’s in International Trade Law at North-West University) leads the Shurugwi District Grade 7 Exam Access Initiative, a cost-effective, transparent project that pays ZIMSEC exam fees directly to schools for 50+ promising but vulnerable learners, provides basic revision materials, and—by directing over 90% of funds to fees through trusted local committees—secures children’s right to education, prevents dropouts, restores family dignity, and invests in the long-term resilience of Shurugwi’s next generation.
STEM MentHER Expansion to University of Pretoria
Dr Cerene Rathilal (Canon Collins alum, PhD in Pure Mathematics, UKZN, and 2015 Scholars’ Scholar) founded STEM MentHER, a national mentorship programme tackling gender inequality in STEM by pairing high school girls with women mentors across seven universities—delivering workshops, mentorship, career and wellness support, with 100% of mentees progressing to university—and now aims to expand to the University of Pretoria in 2026 with the support of Dr Kgadi Mathabathe (RMTF scholar).
Mothers and Caregivers in Sex Work – ECD Training Support
Ntokozo Sibahle Yingwana (Canon Collins alum and PhD candidate at Wits) is partnering with Mothers for the Future to train sex worker mothers as accredited Early Childhood Development caregivers, seeking the funds to support a second student’s NQF Level 5 training and modest costs—delivering skilled caregivers now, laying the foundation for safe crèches, and affirming dignity in one of South Africa’s most stigmatised communities.
