Lottery Operator ITHUBA tackling educational inequality in South Africa

South African Lottery Operator, ITHUBA, has recently awarded over 40 bursaries for the 2023 academic year to students from around the country studying in the fields of Marketing, Information Technology, and Commerce.

The ITHUBA Bursary Programme aims to increase opportunities for students who cannot afford tertiary education, aligning with the company’s philosophy of changing lives.

The ITHUBA Bursary Programme is dedicated to closing the social and economic gaps in education by providing academic tuition, technology equipment, stationery, lodging, living expenses, and monthly allowances to first and second-year students.

The program also offers mentorship, coaching, and ICAS services for mental and emotional well-being, ensuring that students receive the necessary assistance to achieve their academic goals. The operator is prioritising assessments, constant monitoring, and personal support for their students, valuing and empowering them to reach their full potential.

Qualifying for the bursary requires not only academic excellence but also a demonstration of how the recipient will give back to their communities.

Education is crucial to economic growth, and ITHUBA recognises this. Speaking to SiGMA News, Jeremiah Maangi, Founder and Managing Director, Bizin Africa Group said “One of the main objectives of all firms, notably those in the gaming industry, should be CSR initiatives, particularly those aimed at empowering young people in colleges and universities across Africa.”

“Recent studies show that 75% of college students have gambled, with 41% of them regularly participating in lottery and the majority of them wagering on sports. So, it is accurate to state that college and university students are investors in the industry, and as such, they should benefit from CSR projects. As a result, we need to see more African lottery organizations develop programs like the ITHUBA Bursary Program run by the South African Lottery Operator” added Jeremiah.

Charmaine Mabuza, Group CEO of ITHUBA Holdings, and one of the founders of ITHUBA Bursary emphasises the importance of education in economic growth. The program aims to make a sustainable educational impact, increasing expertise and key skills for the South African market. The recent bursary recipients have been placed at some of the most prestigious universities in South Africa.

Former and current bursary recipients, like Itumeleng Raleting and Phathiswa Myeni, share their success stories and how the ITHUBA Bursary has transformed their lives. Thulisile Ntuli, a current recipient studying Information Technology at the University of Free State, believes that the ITHUBA Bursary has propelled her closer to her dreams.

Education is a crucial part of ITHUBA’s Corporate Social Investment initiatives, and the ITHUBA Bursary Programme plays a significant role in realising that goal. By empowering students to improve their personal and family lives, ITHUBA is creating a lasting legacy that will change their lives and those of future generations.

With its remarkable economic potential, youthful and expanding population, ability to adopt advanced technology quickly, and recent economic reforms, the SiGMA Group intends to facilitate this promising period of growth by serving as a networking hub for the most talented individuals on the continent.