Each year, the number of bursaries the PPS Foundation provides has consistently increased, and numerous students have been able to qualify without any student debt.

Additionally, the PPS Foundation’s presence at various tertiary institutions has improved, expanding its reach and impact. Being a public benefit organisation (PBO), the PPS Foundation has experienced a growth in donations each year as stakeholders become increasingly aware of and appreciate the work that we are undertaking and the progress we are making. Donations are welcomed to support the PPS Foundation’s ongoing efforts and can be made conveniently through our user-friendly Donation’s Platform https://ppsfoundation.pps.co.za/. The PPS Foundation expresses deep gratitude for the contributions received from its primary donor, PPS Insurance, as well as PPS members and all other stakeholders who have made the accomplishments of 2022 possible.

In 2022, our flagship Bursary Programme supported 73 students, of which 28 bursary holders qualified from various fields of study. Not only did we provide deserving students with tuition, but we also supported them with stipends, books, accommodation, laptops and 3G connectivity so they could put all their focus into their studies. Additionally, the PPS Foundation partnered with Reality Wellness to provide psycho-social consultations, offering tools and counselling to assist beneficiaries facing challenges such as anxiety and depression. One of the year’s highlights was the ability to visit beneficiaries across South Africa, a privilege made possible after COVID-19 restrictions eased.

The PPS Foundation’s University Support Programme funds tertiary institutions for various initiatives they may require assistance with. Over the course of the year, we prioritised investments in upgrading and developing postgraduate centres at multiple institutions, enabling educators to deliver an enhanced learning experience to their students with improved facilities.

Our LEAP Work-readiness Programme empowers graduates entering the job market with essential skills, including CV writing, interview techniques, digital presence and financial wellness. Participation in this program has increased steadily, and in 2022, we successfully engaged more than 1 500 graduates.

Professionals Connect is a digital platform aimed to be a one-stop shop for South African youth, featuring junior vacancies, bursary opportunities, articles, blogs written by graduate professionals from PPS, and soon, mentorship capabilities. We want to encourage like-minded organisations to join and advertise their job opportunities here for free. Those interested in acting as a mentor to a young professional can also register here.

The PPS Foundation’s primary challenge lies in expanding sponsorship to support more students and institutions. The demand for funding surpasses the available resources. However, I strongly believe that collaboration among organisations towards the shared goal of education can not only benefit the students but also contribute to the overall progress of South Africa. Our key focus going forward will be developing the mentorship capability on the Professionals Connect platform while attracting mentors and organisations to partake in the opportunities it provides. Efforts will also be made to increase donations and support alums as they transition into the professional world.

The PPS Foundation upholds its mission to foster opportunities and cultivate the untapped potential of the youth in our nation.

Let us join hands and forge a path towards a better tomorrow, where our collective efforts can illuminate the way for a brighter and more inclusive future for everyone.