Transforming potential into possibility.
- Dec 11
- 3 min read
A scholarship has the power to alter a young person’s trajectory – opening doors, expanding confidence and creating space for talent to flourish. But long-term success depends on more than funding alone – it requires thoughtful guidance, meaningful connection and the right environment for growth.
A school that truly stands out for the way it changes the lives of its pupils is the Diocesan School for Girls (DSG) in Makhanda, where scholarship support extends far beyond academics. Here, a deeply human-centred mentoring ecosystem ensures that exceptional young people don’t just access opportunity – they feel seen, supported and able to thrive. The programme is anchored by a dedicated trio: Deputy Head Pastoral, Nozuko Konjwa, Head of Transformation, Diversity & Inclusion, Nombulelo Gongqa, and Pupil Development Director, Cindy Fumbata. Together they bring empathy, lived experience and academic guidance, creating a nurturing structure that has become a benchmark among peer schools.
Their work recognises that scholarship pupils often arrive “with one foot in two worlds” – navigating unfamiliar environments, code-switching constantly, and grappling with confidence dips that reach far beyond the classroom. As Nombulelo explains, many people assume a scholarship is simply financial access, “but money alone doesn’t shift a child’s reality; what changes their life is being believed in, supported and noticed in ways that affirm their worth.” Nozuko adds that many girls feel like outsiders in the beginning and need reassurance that “they earned their place here, that their value isn’t determined by the latest phone or where their family holidays – it’s who they are.”
What sets DSG’s approach apart is how deeply the programme recognises the small, often invisible needs that shape a young girl’s sense of belonging. Nozuko recalls noticing that scholarship pupils would go to bed in a t-shirt because pyjamas weren’t considered essential at home. Having grown up in similar circumstances, she understood the feeling immediately. Ensuring each girl had a pair of pyjamas wasn’t about clothing, it was about dignity. The same applies to weekend moments, such as when boarders order pizza or tuck-shop treats. The mentorship team quietly steps in so no pupil is left out, whether it means offering popcorn or ordering her a pizza of her own. Birthdays are handled with the same sensitivity: while many pupils bring cupcakes to share, scholarship pupils may not have the means. Cindy explains that providing cupcakes allows the girls “to join in – to simply feel like everyone else,” reinforcing that belonging should never be a privilege.
Sometimes it means making a young girl’s dream come true. One Grade 10 pupil longed for a pair of pink Crocs for the Journey Outdoor Education Programme – something her family simply couldn’t afford. The team made it happen. It wasn’t about the shoes themselves, but about understanding the emotional resonance: validating her identity, giving her joy and reminding her that her dreams matter too.
This intentional support continues well beyond matric. DSG maintains strong relationships with its scholarship alumnae, guiding them through university applications, assisting with funding opportunities and remaining a source of care long after they have graduated. The school’s partnership with Rhodes University has been particularly significant, ensuring scholarship matriculants access bursaries, academic support and extended opportunities. The successes are notable. Former Head Girl of 2020, Oyama Mzayidume, is now a Rhodes Scholar heading to Oxford. Alicia Khumalo – once too shy to speak on a Zoom call – is completing her Honours in Forensic Applied Medical Anthropology. LLB student and former scholar Indiphile Duda has excelled at Wits, and raised funds for her residence. As Cindy notes, “Our goal is that each girl leaves DSG grounded, prepared, confident and fully able to step into the world on her own terms.”
DSG’s belief is clear: scholarships must never be transactional. They must be transformational – a partnership rooted in care, intention and genuine belief in a pupil’s potential. As Nombulelo emphasises, “A scholarship is not a Cinderella story. It’s intentional, thoughtful work – meeting a child where they are, guiding them through challenges, and celebrating who they become.” And as Nozuko puts it, “You need an eye to notice, a heart to give, and a commitment to walk the road with them. That is how lives change.”
Comments