We recently celebrated the British Undergraduate Fellowship Scheme (BRUFS), which brought young students to the UK during apartheid, with the official launch of its alumni.
In the 1980s, for millions of young people in South Africa, the right to an education was a privilege. Not only was education in short supply but many young people had their schooling disrupted by the struggle for freedom. In 1987, we joined the UK's Department for Overseas Development (ODA) to create a scholarship scheme for young South African students. he British Undergraduate Fellowship Scheme (BRUFS).
BRUFS alumni students are now making their mark in South Africa. Speaking at the reception, Paul Boateng, British High Commissioner said, 'we are glad to pay tribute to this generation of “struggle youth”, whom we are proud to have associated with the UK, where their period of study enabled them to make a significant contribution to the building of the new South Africa.'
The initiative received important support from Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who also attended the launch. He spoke of the 200 BRUFS scholars and their input into the South African economy since their return to the country. He also shared his first experiences of the UK, how he was surprised to be called 'sir' by a policeman.
Barry Masoga, Project Manager when BRUFS was set up, said: 'I can honestly say that it was the most powerful British Council project during the dark days of apartheid. As young people in South Africa, it enabled us to be given the opportunities to study in world-class UK institutions and prepared us for post-apartheid South Africa.'
Another alumni member, Silas Zimu, said: ‘It changed the way I approach life and I have found that my time in the UK enabled me to be balanced and I was exposed to so many other cultures and work life. I think my approach to life is different in that I do things better and see the bigger picture. I am who I am and where I am because my being able to study in the UK. I am now the MD of City Power for Johannesburg.'
Itumaleng Malebye, Head of BRUFS Alumni, said: ‘My time in the UK was an interesting one but what I keep with me everyday is the fact that I am able to question things and know that there are alternatives and I don’t take things for granted. I analyse things. It opened up the world from which I see a global perspective. The whole experience was such an opportunity to grow and discover a new world. I realised just how different people were within the UK let alone the differences between an African and an Englishman.’
Learn more about applying for a scholarship to study in the UK and our professional development opportunities in South Africa.
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