Bidvest’s recent handling of its bursary scheme deeply unsettles me. The company has a bursary programme for students from grades 4 to 12. The bursary covers school fees, stationery, school uniforms and assistance with extra classes. Full-time employees earning less than R15,300 per month before deductions may apply.
However, the programme is only for black, coloured or Indian employees. White employees’ children are explicitly excluded.
It reminds me of the day I was chased out of the post office because the child in me was too naïve to see the “whites only” notice. The door for coloured people was at the back.
It also reminded me of the time when I had to wait for the train as a student at the University of the Western Cape, but couldn’t sit on the bench that had the words “for whites only” written on it.
I vowed to myself that I would do everything in my power to prevent any child from being hurt like that again. If it hadn’t been for a good Samaritan who took care of me when I was a poor student so that I could receive a bursary, I would not be in the position to write this article today.
In its defence, Bidvest states that the trust was established in 2003 as part of a corporate social investment structure that formed part of a consortium for black economic empowerment. They further argue that in accordance with the principles and philosophy of the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act 53 of 2003, the trust was established with the sole purpose of uplifting historically disadvantaged individuals who are employees of the Bidvest Group.
It has been in operation for 22 years and has been very successful in changing the lives of their employees and their families, states a release from the company’s communications firm.
With regards to the success of the programme, I will not argue, and I want to give Bidvest credit for the fact that 22 years ago it was indeed important to uplift historically disadvantaged black people.
However, this is not what is being discussed here. On its website, the company states that they want to make a meaningful “impact on society” in a way that is “innovative” and that the company is “influenced by the context within which it operates”. They want to do this in a “unique and resilient” way within an adaptable structure.
The board members of Bidvest will agree with me that the circumstances today look significantly different than 22 years ago. After 30 years of a democratic order, the playing field is completely different.
Today you find poor children across a wide spectrum of South African society. It is no longer restricted to just black children. As vice-dean at the University of Stellenbosch’s Faculty of Education, it was my task to administer bursaries. I am also involved in the Foundation for Empowerment through Afrikaans (Stigting vir Bemagtiging deur Afrikaans, SBA) Honours programme and Rapport’s education bursary fund.
Over the past 20 years I have seen how our financial landscape has changed. Poverty knows – unlike 22 years ago – no colour. Students who are dependent on bursaries have increased among all families.
Therefore, no student should be disadvantaged. The only criterion should be whether the child qualifies for the bursary and whether or not their parents can afford their studies.
Also, the context in which the company currently operates differs from when the bursary scheme was established. Today, all employees can progress to the boardroom.
I would really like to know how Bidvest looks its staff in the eye knowing that the company has failed to help all the needy children. What impact does this have on healthy relationships in the boardroom when employees who earn the same do not receive equal treatment?
I acknowledge the terms of the trust that was established 22 years ago, but surely a company that prides itself on being adaptable and innovative could have made a plan to start a new bursary scheme from which all its employees can benefit?
Nelson Mandela once said: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” These words of Madiba emphasise the transformative potential of education and highlight the critical role that education plays in promoting social, economic and political change. It is time for all of us – including Bidvest – to act on Madiba’s words.
Therefore, I could not remain silent when Bidvest ran a bursary programme “only for black, coloured and Indian” children. It brings back all the pain and sorrow of the past.
Children of 2025 had no part in South Africa’s apartheid past. Why punish them for the sins of their forefathers?
All children have dreams. All children are born in innocence. It is adults who raise children to be racists. After 30 years of democracy, it’s time for us to banish words like whites, blacks, coloureds and Indians from our vocabulary. They do not belong in a democratic dispensation.
According to their website, Bidvest deems all forms of discrimination based on race as illegal and they will not tolerate it. Furthermore, the company says: “We do the right thing, even when no one else is looking.”
To this, I can only say: Put your money where your mouth is. DM