Every student has the potential to become a marketing or retail professional South Africa needs. Financial circumstances should never be the reason they don't reach it.
Support Future Marketers"A student’s potential should not be held back by financial circumstances."
By supporting a future marketer today, you help unlock access to qualification, career opportunities and the possibility of a lasting professional legacy. We invite alumni, staff, industry partners and the wider public to help remove these financial barriers and keep students on the path to graduation.
"Looking back, the support was far more than financial assistance."
I was raised by a single mother who worked hard but could not afford the cost of further education. Receiving funding from 3M in 2024 changed that. For the first time, I had peace of mind as my tuition was covered and I could focus fully on my studies rather than on survival. I completed my qualification and went on to gain experience as a Marketing Coordinator at Southern Medical Group, before stepping into my current role as a Search Engine Specialist at Flume Digital Marketing, where I continue to grow in the field of digital marketing and SEO. Looking back, the support was far more than financial assistance. It was a vote of confidence in my potential and proof that someone believed I was worth investing in. That belief changed everything, not just academically, but in how I see what is possible for my future.
"That support changed everything. For the first time, I could focus entirely on my studies without worrying about money"
My journey through university was filled with ambition, but financial stress made it difficult to concentrate. I could see the results I was capable of achieving, yet the uncertainty was always there, sitting in the back of my mind. In 2024, 3M gave me the opportunity to complete my BCom Honours in Marketing Management. That support changed everything. For the first time, I could focus entirely on my studies without worrying about money. Two years later, I have had the opportunity to work for both Nissan Motor Corporation and MTN Group. Those opportunities started with the one that 3M gave me.My Honours degree opened so many doors, and I hope to one day do the same for someone else.
"I knew that earning a degree would create opportunities not only for myself, but for those who came after me."
As the first in my family to attend university, I knew that earning a degree would create opportunities not only for myself, but for those who came after me. It was not always easy. The financial pressures of higher education were real, but the support from 3M gave me greater peace of mind and allowed me to focus more fully on what mattered. Personally, it meant knowing that someone believed in my potential and was willing to invest in my future. Today, I am proud to have completed my Honours degree and I am gaining valuable industry experience. I want to continue growing, making a meaningful impact in the organisations I serve and to inspire the people I work alongside, just as others inspired me throughout my journey.
"The impact went beyond me. My family felt it too, after years of watching me come up short. Being recognised by 3M and the Department made me feel seen."
Before 2024, I went through my studies without any bursary support, despite applying year after year. Going into my final year, that uncertainty was still there and the constant question of how I would cover fees while trying to finish strong. Receiving the 3M bursary changed that completely. For the first time, I could focus on graduating rather than worrying about money. That focus paid off, I earned a place in that year's Club 15 group, and went on to become a Digital Marketing Assistant at Hyundai Automotive South Africa. The impact went beyond me. My family felt it too, after years of watching me come up short. Being recognised by 3M and the Department made me feel seen. It pushed me to make sure I didn't disappoint myself, my family, or the people who took a chance on me.
"I hope to use marketing to help businesses connect meaningfully with the people and communities they serve."
I came from a humble part of Soweto, ready to take UJ by the horns. But my biggest obstacle was financial. Owing the university meant I couldn't view my marks, which disqualified me from most bursaries. In my final year, I was blocked from registering altogether. The financial support I received meant I could register and complete my degree, fulfilling a dream my parents had always wished for me. I not only finished my final year, I received the top achiever award for my cohort. Today I am a Management Trainee at RCL Foods, working towards becoming a National Key Account Manager. None of that would have been possible without the support I received. It didn't just clear a debt, it cleared a path.
"...in February 2024, Prof Nicole called and said: "I have good news for you." I cried. I danced, and I have two left feet!"
I was 31 when I applied for university. Everyone around me thought I shouldn't. But I applied anyway, and I got in. During my second year, NSFAS cut my funding without warning. The stress was overwhelming. I felt like an imposter, like I didn't belong there anymore. The finance department's calls and emails were a constant reminder of what I owed. It's by grace alone that I passed that year the way I did. Then in February 2024, Prof Nicole called and said: "I have good news for you." I cried. I danced, and I have two left feet! A weight was lifted that I hadn't realised was crushing me. Today I am a graduate. My next step is my Honours degree. I am grateful beyond words, I cannot imagine where I would be without that call.
"I hope to use marketing to help businesses connect meaningfully with the people and communities they serve."
One of my biggest challenges while pursuing my Honours was the uncertainty of how I would fund my studies. Coming from a background where finances were always a struggle, this concern was never far from my mind. When 3M provided financial support, it removed a significant burden and gave me the space to focus on what mattered, excelling in my studies and making the most of every opportunity. The support was not only financial. It was a reminder that there were people who believed in me and wanted to see me succeed. That belief gave me confidence and encouraged me to keep pushing forward. Today I am a Sales Graduate Trainee at Nestlé. The future looks bright, and I am excited to grow, and one day be in a position to help create opportunities for others the way others created them for me.
"Today I am a UJ alumnus and part of the Tiger Brands Marketing Management Trainee Programme..."
My university journey began during COVID-19 lockdown, which made the transition from high school more challenging. As a commuter student, I travelled long distances daily and spent long hours on campus. Alongside the academic demands, my family faced financial pressure, transport costs, textbooks, and registration fees added up quickly. The funding from 3M and the UJ Marketing Department made a significant difference. It eased the financial burden on my parents and allowed me to focus fully on my studies without constantly worrying about whether I would be able to continue. That support gave me confidence and the motivation to work harder. Today I am a UJ alumnus and part of the Tiger Brands Marketing Management Trainee Programme, working towards becoming an Assistant Brand Manager. My journey has been one of resilience and growth, and I am grateful for every part of it.
"...For the first time, I could stop worrying about fees and focus on my coursework."
My journey has been one of persistence. I completed my undergraduate degree funded by NSFAS, but when I decided to further my studies, I hit a wall. I applied to countless bursaries and was rejected time and again. It was frustrating and exhausting, but I refused to give up. Then 3M stepped in, and everything changed. For the first time, I could stop worrying about fees and focus on my coursework. I graduated, completed an internship at Oracle, and today I work in sales, building on everything I learned. Looking ahead, I want to keep growing in sales and business development, and one day be in a position to help fund someone else's journey the way 3M helped mine. That kind of generosity has a way of multiplying when the people it reaches decide to pay it forward.
"The financial support I received...gave me peace of mind and the knowledge that someone believed in my potential."
Coming from Soweto, I had to work hard to create opportunities for myself. Completing my studies taught me resilience, discipline, and the importance of refusing to give up. The financial support I received meant more than the ability to continue studying. It gave me peace of mind and the knowledge that someone believed in my potential. It also gave me the space to make the most of my time at university, and to pursue experiences beyond the classroom. My degree in Marketing Management opened doors to practical work in marketing and business development, while also giving me the confidence to start my own business, Hermes Art, a creative enterprise I continue to grow. Today, I want to use both my education and my experience to create opportunities for other young people, and eventually give back to students the way others invested in me.
"The financial support I received lifted that weight, not just from me, but from my whole family."
In 2023, during my first year, NSFAS dropped me within three months. Suddenly, my mother had to provide for me with no warning. Every day I thought about saving for the next, nothing felt guaranteed. The pressure was heavy, on me and on her. The financial support I received lifted that weight, not just from me, but from my whole family. My mother no longer had to worry about tuition fees. I no longer had to work extra hours just to cover costs. Mentally, it gave me peace. The constant stress lifted, and for the first time I could fully focus on my studies. I am currently completing my Advanced Diploma in Marketing while building a marketing agency in collaboration with an ed-tech company set to launch soon. The future is finally looking brighter than it has in a long time.
"If I receive support, it would lift an enormous weight from my mother's shoulders and allow me to focus entirely on graduating."
I am from Soweto, and I live with my mother who relies on a R370 social relief grant. As the first in my family to attend university, reaching this point has taken real sacrifice. The financial burden has followed me throughout and at the end of each semester, my outstanding fees lock me out of my own results. Even getting to campus every day is a challenge. Yet I continue, because I believe this hard work will one day pay off. My goal is to become a Retail Operations Manager, to build a career that changes not just my life but my family's. If I receive support, it would lift an enormous weight from my mother's shoulders and allow me to focus entirely on graduating. I will be the first graduate in my family. That means everything.
"My goal is to become a marketing professional, an innovative, diligent, and capable individual of making a genuine impact in the industry."
I am from Vryheid, KwaZulu-Natal, studying Marketing at the University of Johannesburg. Managing the costs of education (food, transport, study materials, and daily necessities) has proven far harder than I anticipated. There are days when the worry about finances makes it difficult to concentrate fully on my work, and I feel the gap between what I am capable of and what my circumstances allow. My goal is to become a marketing professional, an innovative, diligent, and capable individual of making a genuine impact in the industry. I care about this not only for my own future, but because I want to make my family proud of what I am building. Financial support would ease those daily pressures and give me the space to focus on my studies, improve my results, and become the professional I know I can be.
"I aspire to become a Marketing Coordinator, helping brands connect with people through honest and impactful campaigns."
In 2023, during my first year, NSFAS dropped me within three months. Suddenly, my mother had to provide for me with no warning. Every day I thought about saving for the next, nothing felt guaranteed. The pressure was heavy, on me and on her. The financial support I received lifted that weight, not just from me, but from my whole family. My mother no longer had to worry about tuition fees. I no longer had to work extra hours just to cover costs. Mentally, it gave me peace. The constant stress lifted, and for the first time I could fully focus on my studies. I am currently completing my Advanced Diploma in Marketing while building a marketing agency in collaboration with an ed-tech company set to launch soon. The future is finally looking brighter than it has in a long time.
"My goal is to become a successful marketing professional, someone who uses their skills to create opportunities, not just for themselves, but for others."
I am a third-year Marketing Management student at the University of Johannesburg, originally from Libode in the Eastern Cape. I chose marketing because I am passionate about creativity, business, and understanding human behaviour. Losing my NSFAS funding has been one of the most difficult experiences of my student life. Without it, I cannot afford fees, accommodation, or meals. The financial pressure has made daily life harder and affected my ability to focus on my studies in the way I know I am capable of. My goal is to become a successful marketing professional, someone who uses their skills to create opportunities, not just for themselves, but for others. Receiving financial support would give me peace of mind and allow me to focus fully on becoming that person.
"...I want to be the first in my family to graduate and to show that where you start does not have to determine where you end up."
I am a Marketing student at the University of Johannesburg, originally from KwaZulu-Natal, and the first in my family to attend university. When I started, I underestimated how demanding university life would be. I struggled to adjust, missed classes, and didn't seek help when I should have. I failed modules, fell behind, and came close to academic exclusion. It was a difficult period, but it taught me accountability, discipline, and what it truly means to take my education seriously. Today I am determined to finish what I started. My goal is to become a marketing and retail professional who understands consumers, builds strong brands, and creates meaningful opportunities. More than anything, I want to be the first in my family to graduate and to show that where you start does not have to determine where you end up.
"...I want to become a Marketing Manager, someone who develops and implements strategies that make a real difference to businesses and the people they serve."
I am from KwaZulu-Natal, currently studying BCom Marketing Management at the University of Johannesburg. The past year has been one of the most difficult of my life. Unexpected family circumstances left me with very little support at home, well below what I need to manage the basic costs of studying. The financial pressure has made it hard to focus, and harder still to keep believing that completing my degree is possible. But I remain determined. I want to become a Marketing Manager, someone who develops and implements strategies that make a real difference to businesses and the people they serve. Receiving support would lift the financial pressure that has been weighing on me and give me the space to focus fully on building the future I am working towards.
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Covering registration and tuition costs that would otherwise interrupt a student's academic journey. Keeping the door open when finances threaten to close it.
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Supporting everyday costs that are often overlooked like textbooks, meals, and accommodation, so students can focus on learning rather than worrying about where their next meal comes from.
Helping a student graduate and enter a career they came here to build. Because a degree completed is a life changed – for them, and for everyone who believed in them.
Many of our students are first-generation students. When they succeed, they don’t just change their own story – they go on to build brands, grow businesses, and contribute to South Africa.