Under the old system of apartheid education, the ethos of state education was supposedly ‘separate but equal’. In fact, it was separate but far from equal: ‘white’ schools received far more funding than ‘coloured’ schools, which in turn received more funding than ‘black’ schools.

The result is a three-tiered system of state schools, with former ‘white’ schools dominating in terms of results and facilities. These schools are now compelled to accept anyone from their catchment areas, but are able to charge fees in addition to the subsidy they receive from the state. Because of massive discrepancies in funding, many former ‘white’ state schools (known as ‘former model C schools’) have facilities rivalling those of the most exclusive private schools in the West, and indeed of the country’s own elite private schools.

The Kay Mason Foundation funds scholarships to a range of schools, both private and public. Our aim is to make the best education available to all.

For more information on the programmes we offer, go to What we do

Click This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to e-mail the Kay Mason Foundation.

Scholarship applications for scholarships starting in 2013 have now closed. If you would like to be considered for a KMF Scholarship starting in 2014, please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  for information and guidelines.