In 2019, Prof Mamokgethi Phakeng, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Town (UCT) announced the establishment of the Uyinene Mrwetyana Scholarship for women in Humanities studies. The Scholarship was announced when Prof Phakeng addressed hundreds of mourners at Mrwetyana’s funeral, at the Abbotsford Christian Centre in East London.
The Uyinene Mrwetyana Scholarship was founded in honour of the late Uyinene Mrwetyana, a South African UCT student who was killed in Cape Town in August 2019. The murder of Mrwetyana has highlighted the country’s problem of gender-based violence and femicide.
ABOUT THE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME – FIELDS COVERED
UCT is inviting female students who are interested in pursuing a degree within the Universities’ Humanities Faculty, to apply for the Uyinene Mrwetyana Scholarship. The first award will be made in the 2021 academic year – students who have shown strong leadership in social justice, as well as social activism, should apply.
The UCT Faculty of Humanities offers a range of programmes in the Arts; Social Sciences and the Performing and Creative Arts, including:
- General Degrees: Bachelor of Arts (BA); Bachelor of Social Sciences (BSocSci)
- Structured Degrees: Bachelor of Arts in Fine Art; Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and Performance; Bachelor of Music; Bachelor of Social Science in Philosophy, Politics and Economics; Bachelor of Social Work
- Extended Degrees
- Degree Specialisations: Bachelor of Arts specialising in Film and Media Production
- Students can find out more about the UCT Humanities Faculty here: http://www.humanities.uct.ac.za/hum/undergraduate/degrees
MORE ABOUT THE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME – COVERAGE VALUE & OBLIGATIONS
This is a full-cost scholarship which aims to cover tuition fees, residence and learning materials, to the average value of R150 000 per student every year. Students will be funded for the entire duration of their undergraduate degree studies (i.e. 3 to 4 years), on the condition that she maintains a minimum overall average of 65% every year.
Recipients of the scholarship award will be required to partake in the works of the Uyinene Mrwetyana Foundation – this will include volunteering at an organization that aims to reduce gender-based violence in the community. Students must undertake volunteer work for a duration of 2 weeks during the course of their studies and a letter confirming completion of volunteer work will be required.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must satisfy the following minimum entry criteria before applying (please note that failure to satisfy all the requirements will lead to your application not being considered):
- You must be a woman (this includes gender non-conforming women)
- You must have completed Matric
- You must be registered for an undergraduate degree at the University of Cape Town, within the Faculty of Humanities
- You must be registered as a 1st year student
- You must demonstrate leadership skills in social justice and activism (either at school or in your community)
HOW TO APPLY FOR THE SCHOLARSHIP
Students who meet the requirements can apply by submitting the list of below documents via email to: [email protected]
(Insert the words “Uyinene Mrwetyana Scholarship – Your Full Name” in the email subject line).
Submit clear copies of the following supporting documentation (the submission of these documents is compulsory – if any items are missing, your application be disregarded):
- Full Curriculum Vitae
- Matric final results, or equivalent (certified copy)
- Motivational letter providing your leadership, social justice and activist work you have performed in school, your community, or anywhere else
- Letter of reference from someone who can attest to your leadership, social justice and activist work
CLOSING DATE
16 April.
(Applications submitted after this date will not be accepted – please apply before the closing date to ensure your application is considered.)
CONTACT THE SCHOLARSHIP PROVIDER
For any queries related to this bursary programme, please contact the UCT Department of Student Affairs directly:
Contact Person: Ms Tasneem Salasa (Director: Undergraduate Student Funding)
Tel: 021 650 5013
Email: [email protected]
Student Financial Aid Office
Tel: 021 650 3545
Email: [email protected]
Fees Office
Tel: 021 650 1704
Email: [email protected]
OR email: [email protected]