Middelburg – Mtho Xulu, the President of the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI), is advocating for the renewal of the Paul Mthimunye Bursary Fund (PMBF) to ensure its ongoing sustainability.
His remarks were made during an event at Mphanama High School in Mhluzi on Saturday, 24 January 2026. The event aimed to motivate students from diverse backgrounds, especially those from low-income families, to consider applying for bursaries starting in grade 10.
Xulu highlighted the need to refresh the board, which currently comprises members aged over 60. “If we do not take steps now, this fund could become inactive, and we may one day look back and realise that there was once a fund available to our community,” he said.
PMBF founder, Sipho Mthombeni, also reiterated Xulu’s sentiments adding that the average age of the board now is 65. “We can’t have a board of 65 and be a bursary board. We need 40 year olds, 45. Those are the age groups we want,” he said. “Paul Mthimunye, representing the Bursary Fund, is now quite old, as are the current board members. It is essential for younger individuals to join the board and continue the Fund’s mission. I encourage everyone to invite our youth to take responsibility for future generations by participating on the board. This will ensure our resources are allocated appropriately. Achieving success is a collaborative effort; one cannot be successful in isolation.”
‘I truly believe in its mission’
Xulu, recognised as a key supporter who connected the fund with various companies, explained why he is supporting the fund. “I’m not a beneficiary of the Fund. Luckily, I’ve found other avenues for support. However, I truly believe in its mission, which is why we stand behind it. When I think about the vital institutions we need to nurture and safeguard within our community, the Paul Mthimunye Bursary Fund stands out as one of the most important.”
Founded in 2001, the Paul Mthimunye Bursary Fund (PMBF) has empowered countless underprivileged but academically deserving learners in the Steve Tshwete Municipality and Nkangala District by helping them with their educational pursuits.
They fund students who are pursuing Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Accounting, Engineering, Law and other fields of study in demand in the labour market.
The fund started funding tertiary students in 2005. Since its inception, the fund has helped more than 200 high school learners and over 100 tertiary students to qualify in the following fields of study: Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, BCom Accounting, B Actuarial Science, Information Technology, Internal Auditing, B. Pharmacy, BSc Metallurgy, BSc Construction, Financial Information Systems, Medicine and BSc Environmental Studies.
This initiative stemmed from a vision born out of the realisation that there was a lack of bursaries available for black students, particularly in towns like Middelburg. “Fueled by a genuine passion to help, I felt compelled to create a bursary program to bridge this gap,” said Mthombeni.
Mthombeni explained that he named the Fund after Mthimunye because he wanted a name that would resonate with everyone, and Paul Mthimunye was that name. “He was my principal and teacher during my high school years. He did not only end there, he continued to play a significant role in enhancing education and uplifting the community. I established this bursary fund in appreciation of his contributions. I gathered a group of individuals to assist, including some who have received recognition awards and others who have served on the board,” he said.
The fund continues to make a difference
In 2024, PMBF funded 23 university students and 185 high school learners. In 2025, they funded 27 university students and 211 high school learners in partnership with the private sector.
The Fund covers essential expenses such as tuition, accommodation, and meals for deserving students who gain admission to tertiary institutions but struggle financially.
Students keen on applying for bursaries in 2026 are urged to submit their applications to the Fund. The application period is set to open on 01 March 2026 and will close on 31 October 2026.
Phiwe Motau, a BCom in Financial Sciences graduate, says she was awarded a bursary in 2022 during her first year at the University of Pretoria. “Receiving the bursary significantly alleviated my financial pressures. The process was seamless from beginning to end. I am incredibly grateful to the Fund for affording me the chance to pursue my education. Without this support, I wouldn’t be where I am today, as my family couldn’t cover the university fees.”
Augustine Ekunife, now studying Artificial Intelligence, began benefiting from the Fund’s support while he was in grade 11 at Mphanama High School. “They covered my school fees all the way through to grade 12 and are currently funding my university education as well.”
Mthombeni also urged previous recipients of the Fund to give back by making donations.“The initial intention was for those we supported to start contributing after approximately seven years of work. Unfortunately, this has not occurred,” he said. “We remain uncertain as to why this is the case. Perhaps there is a disconnect in understanding our core values, which emphasise mutual support. I sincerely hope that the young individuals we assisted do not forget that we invested in them because we believed in their potential. It is our expectation that they, in turn, will believe in and support others striving to reach their current positions.”
