Shell Downstream South Africa is transforming education into a tool for real change. Through its all-inclusive bursary programme, Shell goes beyond tuition, offering mentorship, emotional support, and real-world exposure. The result? Young South Africans are not only earning degrees, but reshaping their futures and lifting their families alongside them.
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their Stories
Aluwani Museisi, Country Chair, Shell Downstream South Africa
Aluwani grew up in a village where education was his only opportunity. Today, he leads efforts to open doors for others. Watching students use education to transform their families mirrors his own journey—and makes his mission at Shell personal, powerful, and deeply rooted in purpose.
Hifza Bhukari, Shell Bursary Programme Beneficiary, University of the Western Cape
For Hifza, the Shell bursary meant more than funding—it meant independence. The support lifted the burden off her family and pushed her to work harder. With her pharmacy studies underway, she feels lucky, motivated, and committed to helping others, just as she was helped.
Kefilwe Ogunbor, Head of Learning and Development, Shell Downstream South Africa
Kefilwe sees beyond bursaries—she sees stories, struggles, and untapped potential. Working with Shell’s students reminds her of why she began: to uplift those from disadvantaged backgrounds. For her, holding their hands while they enter new worlds is the most rewarding part of building a better nation.
Phakade Mpungose, Shell Bursary Programme Beneficiary, University of Cape Town
Phakade still remembers his parents’ tears when the bursary came through. A top student in KZN, his journey into engineering began with a chance Shell encounter. Now at university, he feels lucky and determined—fuelled by gratitude and the belief that he belongs in every room he walks into.
Sinako Mongo, Shell Bursary Programme Beneficiary, Stellenbosch University
Sinako arrived at Stellenbosch feeling completely lost. But being chosen as a Shell bursar changed everything. From asking for help to gaining confidence in her chemistry studies, she now believes in her ability to succeed. For her, it’s not just education—it’s proof that hard work gets noticed.
Tumisho Mphela, Bursary Support Officer, TTI Bursary Management
Tumisho isn’t just a Bursary Support Officer—she’s a lifeline. Through her psychosocial care and coaching, students not only survive university, but thrive. She watches them grow stronger, overcome setbacks, and become who they’re meant to be. Their wins are her purpose.
Oscar Rufaro, Project Manager, TTI Group
Oscar believes transformation is more than numbers—it’s emotional. Working with Shell students, he sees potential held back by personal challenges. His job is to unlock that. To him, helping young people thrive despite their circumstances isn’t pure joy. And it’s proof that real support changes everything.
Aluwani Museisi, Country Chair, Shell Downstream South Africa
For Aluwani, it’s not enough to fund education. He wants students to understand their future workplace. Through Shell’s Walkabout initiative, he watches young minds connect theory to reality. His dream is that they’ll lead change, not just for themselves, but for South Africa’s future.
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The Shell Bursary Programme supports students pursuing studies in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. These fields are vital to the country’s future, and through targeted investment, Shell helps young minds from under-resourced communities step into spaces where they can thrive. The programme does more than pay for tuition. It offers accommodation, textbooks, laptops, and living allowances, allowing students to focus fully on their studies without the weight of financial stress.
Beyond the financial assistance, Shell recognises that the journey through university is deeply human. Many students face emotional, social, and psychological challenges as they adapt to higher education. Through its partnership with TTI Bursary Management, Shell ensures that students receive holistic support, including mentoring, counselling, and life coaching. This approach provides both structure and care, giving each student the tools to stay grounded and grow stronger through the demands of academic life.
Shell’s investment does not end at the classroom door. Through the innovative “Shell Bursary Walkabout” initiative, students are invited to experience the company’s operations first-hand. They visit retail sites, depots, and engineering facilities where they see how their studies apply to real-world challenges. This experience connects theory with practice and builds confidence in what their futures could look like. Students interact with executives, ask questions, and see how their fields of study contribute to a thriving economy. Many go on to secure employment directly through the exposure gained in these visits.
For Shell, this work is not a public relations exercise. It is an act of nation-building rooted in genuine care. By focusing on education as a bridge to equality, the company helps shape a new generation of problem-solvers, innovators, and leaders. The impact reaches beyond individuals into families and communities, proving that sustainable transformation begins when opportunity meets support.
Each bursary represents a story of hope. It is a commitment to South Africa’s young people and to the belief that when they are equipped with education, mentorship, and opportunity, they can move not only themselves but their families and communities forward. In every success story, Shell sees the promise of a stronger, more equal nation — one student, one dream, and one future at a time.
