Central Mission

The KMF identifies and supports the future leaders of South Africa. We provide scholarships for under-priveliged South African children to attend some of the country's best schools, ensuring vital help with extras:  uniforms, sports equipment, text books, stationery, transport, pocket money and extra-mural activities.

‘A Hand-Up, Not a Hand-Out’ – KMF Patron Archbishop Desmond Tutu:

The KMF works in partnership with families and provides funds only after a full investigation of financial need. The secret of our success relies in our focus on the individual - his or her circumstances, needs, family situation, potential.  No child is a number to us.  We have an extremely dedicated staff who provide each of our scholars with the pastoral support they would only get at the most expensive private school.  We have individually-tailored financial packages, regularly readjusted, to ensure that families only receive the minimum amount of financial assistance required to give their child a shot at a great future.

 The KMF is good at identifying future leaders, while also remembering that you don’t have to be a rocket scientist to change the world.  Our graduates are noted for their confidence, poise, decisiveness in debate, independent thought and care for others - qualities they develop in the KMF support programme: leadership and identity workshops, excurisons, community outreach programmes

KMF Scholars also volunteer in the communities they come from, to foster an awareness of the responsibilities that come with the gift of an education.  We work with other NGOs to provide volunteering opportunities for our scholars in a range of areas including planting trees; cleaning nursery schools; engaging in educational debates; and caring for the elderly and dying.

Selection Process

Our selection process is rigorous. We have excellent relationships with 10 feeder primary schools in the Western Province. They help us to identify financially disadvantaged children with academic potential who are about to go into their last year of primary school (Grade 7). After a preliminary application process, children are invited for interview with their parents/guardians. Our Director, Nelly Tom then visits them at home to check their financial and social situations.

If they meet our requirements, they become Enrichment scholars. Our Enrichment Programme is run every Saturday morning in Maths, English, Science and Study Skills at our Cape Town classroom by both professional teachers and KMF Alumni, who are well- placed to prepare the scholars for the demands of a top high school. It is also one of the ways they give back to the KMF.

The Enrichment Programme has two objectives:

- To prepare scholars academically for our partnering high schools

- To test their commitment to their education

The rules are strict, if they are late 3 times, they can't come back. If they don't complete their homework 3 times, they can't come back. If they once fail to attend without a doctor’s or parent’s note, they are out of the programme. 

At the end of the Enrichment year, the scholars who have made it through are awarded a Kay Mason Foundation scholarship.

Ensuring a Consistent Success Rate

The KMF has a 99% high school pass rate.  The vast majority of our scholars have gone on to university, where many have won major prizes and awards - including 'One of South Africa's Brightest Young Minds.'  What makes our programs so successful is the focused individual attention each scholar receives from the KMF's passionate and committed pastoral care team.

KMF Scholars also support each other at our regular workshops, community outreach, career guidance, volunteering and adventure opportunities.  Some of our Alumni say that they met their closest friends through the KMF.

The KMF does not discriminate on gender, race, creed, sexual orientation or any other grounds.