On the Couch: Allan Gray Orbis Foundation’s University Fellowship open for Grade 12s

In this episode of 'Lunch with Pippa Hudson,' host Pippa Hudson highlights the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation’s University Fellowship program, a comprehensive bursary initiative designed for Grade 12 learners in South Africa. The foundation, established over 20 years ago by the late Allan Gray, focuses on tackling poverty and unemployment through transformative education and entrepreneurial development. Unlike traditional bursaries, the fellowship offers more than just financial support—it includes personalized leadership coaching, industry mentorship, psychosocial support, and entrepreneurship training, with the goal of creating future leaders and job creators. The program is needs-based, fully funding students from households earning under R1 million annually, while maintaining a merit-based selection process that is race-blind and focused on potential, passion, and vision for national impact. The application window opens on February 1st and closes on April 30th at 5 PM. Applicants must be South African citizens under 21, with specific academic thresholds: 60% in Pure Maths or 80% in Maths Literacy in Grade 11, and an overall average of 70% or higher by the end of Grade 12. The program does not fund medicine, dentistry, or veterinary science but supports a wide range of other disciplines across 11 partner universities in South Africa and even internationally at top 100 global institutions. The application process is online and consists of 10 deeply reflective questions, requiring careful preparation. The episode concludes with a strong emphasis on applying early, reading the full guidelines, and understanding that the selection process values character and potential over perfection.