With all that is happening this year, we couldn’t help but wonder how the country’s youth, especially the ones in university – are coping financially. Our thoughts went for those that come from disadvantaged backgrounds, whose first barrier to entry is often financial support, a reality most successful celebs are familiar with.

Luckily for these students, a few celebrities are willing to help them out in a huge way.

We’ve compiled a list of five local celebrities who went all out this year to make sure that the previously disadvantaged student does not have to worry about tuition fees.

1. Nomzamo Mbatha

In her bid to assist struggling university students with their finances, actress and businesswoman Nomzamo Mbatha recently made an announcement that she would be partnering with Hollywood Bets as well as the lighthouse foundation to pledge R500 000 to any student that may need assistance with a variety of financial issues, ranging from settling unpaid fees to registration fees for the year as well as accommodation.

“My foundation, The LightHouse Foundation has partnered with @hollywoodbets and we are pledging R500 000 to ANY student that may need ANY assistance! From settling unpaid fees to registration fees for the year, to accommodation! ANY AND EVERYTHING. Send me an email [email protected] with proof of your registration and a letter detailing the assistance you need!” she wrote on her Instagram page recently.

2. Bonang Matheba

TV personality and businesswoman Bonang Matheba, officially launched the Bonang Matheba Bursary Fund, back 2016. At the time, the reality TV star partnered Boston College to provide ten bursaries for young women who had passed matric and aspired to study at the college.

According to Bonang’s website, the bursary fund was inspired by the student uprisings in 2016, known as #FeesMustFall, which had a significant global impact. In 2018 All4women reported that Bonang set her sights on sending 300 girls to university by 2021 through her foundation.