Oasis Crescent Fund Trust will be investing over R7 million to the Oasis Bursary Programme to extend its reach to over 45 worthy students from various communities across South Africa. At a special handover ceremony to its 2015 recipients on Saturday, 19 new students were given a financial boost for the coming academic year.

“Today is one realisation that Oasis is a dream and it is a dream realised,” said programme director Jeannie D, a well known TV presenter, motivational speaker and entrepreneur.

Over 450 applications were received for the 2015 programme, including applications from students in the top quartile of the 2014 matriculants with distinctions in four or more subjects. The company seeks to maintain its high standards by attracting the ‘cream of the crop’.

“Your experience with Oasis is that you will be exposed to higher standards. Our responsibility is to protect and grow our staff and clients. We strive to turn young people into global leaders to give back to the community by assisting the impoverished. We want to create and nourish leadership through the investment of education,” said CEO Ada, Ebrahim.

The programme is very diverse and the students currently participating in the Oasis Bursary Programme are registered at the top universities in the country. Most of these students are studying degrees relating to Commerce, Engineering, Law, Health Science, Social Sciences and Management Studies.

“While allocating R7.1 million to the Oasis Bursary Programme the programme selected the best young minds from tertiary institutions across South Africa including 13 from the University of Cape Town, 4 from the University of the Western Cape, 2 from the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal and 3 University of Pretoria from various institutions including law, education, commerce and health science,” says Ebrahim.

The bursary includes the payment of all tuition fees, providing students with equipment, mentorship, vacation or full-time work and a volunteer service to give back.

“If we made a commitment to provide you with a bursary for 7 years then you will get money for seven years,” said Ebrahim.

However they expect their bursary holders to adhere to the terms of the bursary by maintaining the high standards set by the company and fulfilling their responsibilities.

“Your responsibility as students is to excel and co-operate. There are standards we keep and we will not accept anything less. We will be tolerant for specific needs but we will not lower our standards. It is also vital to give back to the community. It is up to you to realise your potential through education and leadership. We want you to become a valued part of society,” added Ebrahim.

The bursary recipients were introduced when handed over the bursaries by Oasis deputy chairman Nazeem Ebrahim. Recipients were overwhelmed with emotion and filled with gratitude.

Fatima Zahra Kajee (19), a first year Business Science student at UCT, was informed two months ago that she was shortlisted for the bursary programme.

“I sent in my results and they gave me a call that I got accepted. I feel honoured being accepted for the programme as it takes a lot of pressure off of me and I can put more time into studying knowing I have received financial support from Oasis,” says Kajee.

Zakiyyah Hoosain (18) studying Bcom Accounting at the University of Cape Town sees this as an empowering opportunity to not only empower herself but others too.

“I see this as the empowering curve to empower myself and other young girls,” says Hoosain.

Abdul-Bait Gabriels (19) a first year Occupational Therapy student at the University of Cape Town is relieved that has financial support.

“I heard about the bursary from my sister who is receiving it for the second year. I am very impressed with Oasis as if it was not for the company, I would not be able to be studying what I am studying today,” says Gabriels.

Taybah Kader (19), a first year Bcom Accounting student at UWC, said he was ecstatic to have been selected as a bursary recipient.

“I heard about the bursary through my previous institution Madina Institute and I feel very relieved now I don’t have to worry about money anymore,” says Kader. VOC (Nailah Cornelissen)